1904 United States Presidential Election

1900 Presidential Election - 1908 Presidential Election

1904 United States Presidential Election

## Background

The **1904 United States presidential election** is the 30th quadrennial presidential election, and was held on Tuesday, November 8, 1904.

Incumbent Democratic President Henry Coffeen is ineligible to run for a third term for President.

After Republicans reclaimed victory of congress in the 1902 midterms, President Coffeen immediately crafted the Fair Labor Act of 1903, which included many broadly popular labor protections - however, this was defeated in Congress. Despite the fact that many progressive Republicans were elected and were a driving force behind their victory, a conservative coalition (which included some southern Democrats) defeated the bill. However, as this was done when Republicans gained power of Congress, Republicans as a party took a hit in popularity at what was considered to be a strategic move by Coffeen. The President used the bill's defeat to call for people to vote in the 1904 elections in order to revive his labor provisions.

In addition to the Fair Labor Act, an alcohol prohibition movement was steadily growing in popularity in the early 1900s, which called for the prohibition of the sale of alcohol. Although many libertarians opposed this, it quickly gained widespread approval among the general public.

Finally, President Coffeen approved the construction of the Panama Canal which would connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and be one of the most expensive projects the United States would overtake. Although this was broadly popular, this did cause some backlash among certain bourbon Democrats, as well as Republicans who were isolationist and fiscally conservative.

## Candidates

**DEMOCRAT PARTY -**

Declared:

- James Bampfylde, Senator of New York (1899-)

- Patrick Mulford, Vice President of the United States (1897-

Potential:

- Donald Andrew, Businessman from New York and 1888 Presidential candidate

Declined:

**REPUBLICAN PARTY -**

Declared:

- Harry Biden V, Governor of Michigan

- Prometheus Von Spaars

Potential:

- Theodore Roosevelt, Gubernatorial candidate for New York

Declined:

No Republicans are Declined Candidates at this time.

## Primaries

**-Dem Primary**

1904 Democrat PrimariesJames F. W. BampfyldePatrick MulfordVice President Patrick Mulford and New York Senator James Bampfylde differed very little in policy, making this effectively a popularity contest. The young Vice President first gained notoriety for being a key player in the Democrats victory in the 1894 midterm elections, winning his home state of Iowa as a Senator. When he was selected to be Coffeen's running mate, Mulford was a huge factor in the "plains blitz" which carried many solidly Republican plains states to the Democrats, as well as securing victory in his own home state of Iowa. Bampfylde was a former Ambassador to New Zealand who challenged Coffeen in the 1896 Democratic primaries, however he was a swift ally of the soon to be President. In 1898, he gained national attention again as he managed to defeat outgoing President Logan Balsan for the Senate position in New York in a massive upset, and his influence was what was known to be a likely contributor to Coffeen winning the state of New York in his bid for re-election in 1900. Bampfylde managed to pull off yet another upset at the convention, defeating the sitting Vice President by building together a coalition of orthodox southern Democrats and New England Democrats as well to counteract Mulford's control over the western states, plains and upper Midwest. Bampfylde would choose former Republican Donald Andrew as his running mate.
**-GOP Primary**

1904 Republican PrimariesHarry Biden VPrometheus Von SpaarAfter the Republican's previous failures, coming out of their success in the 1902 midterms, they were ready for new leadership. Domination of the party was battled between Governor of Michigan Harry Biden V and Prometheus Von Spaar. Although a bitter nomination process, Harry Biden V managed to win on a platform of cutting taxes and raising the minimum wage. Prometheus won most of the general support, but Republican leadership elites had ensured Harry Biden V would carry the nomination. Biden would choose Theodore Roosevelt of New York as his running mate.

## Results

James F. W. BampfyldeHarry Biden VThis was a very unique election. Bampfylde and Biden disagreed on very little issues, both campaigning on prohibition and stricter labor standards, differentiating only on the issue of tariffs. As almost every state was considered a swing state this cycle, both campaigned across the country in order to win over voters. This was the first election since 1888 to hold a debate, in which it was agreed that they tied. Biden managed to win over many traditionally Republican states that went for Coffeen in 1896 and 1900 making it a close election, however Bampfylde managed to win by carrying New England states that Coffeen struggled with, as well as holding Nevada, Wyoming and Nebraska, on top of winning traditionally swing states such as Indiana, Missouri, West Virginia and New York. Bampfylde would succeed Coffeen as the 24th President.