1896 United States Presidential Election

1892 Presidential Election - 1900 Presidential Election

## Background

After Balsan's landslide victory in 1892, the country suffered an economic recession in 1893, the yellow fever pandemic damaged the nation, and questions regarding the monetary system of the gold standard are more common now. As a result of of these problems, President Balsan's approval took a hit, especially in farming areas, which have been impacted by deflation the most. Balsan has signed a number of executive orders that are dedicated to federal funding to stimulate multiple affected areas and fund the health organization, spending more money than any President since William Wright authorized the Steel Hand act. President Balsan announced he will be attempting to instruct the Department of the Treasury to change the economic system from the gold standard into fiat, that will be based on trade and markets. His bill would direct the the Treasury to change the currency from gold to fiat over the next 5 years and raise the minimum wage to $2.25 which would adjust for future inflation. Balsan made this bill around the midterm elections, of which was passed by the Republican super majority in both chambers after Democrats won the House and Senate but before the new congress could be inaugurated, which caused massive backlash by Democrats, accusing Republicans of defying the will of the people by ramming a bill through congress before the newly elected Democrat congress could get to vote on it. The first declared candidate was David Hill, running mate of Grover Cleveland and New York Governor and James F. W. Bampfylde of New York, both as Democrats. There has been heavy speculation that the Vice President Andrew Dominguez could run in 1896, but he has since declined to run. A national poll showed Dominguez defeating Hill in a landslide in a hypothetical 1896 election between the two. Afterwards, various other candidates joined the Presidential race.

## Candidates

**Republican Party**

**Declared**

**- William Howe, Governor of Maryland**

**- Matthew Quay, Senator of Pennsylvania**

**Potential**

**- Andrew Dominguez, Current Vice President (1892-)**

**Democrat Party**

**Declared**

**- David Hill, Former Senator of New York (1892-1895), Former Vice Presidential Nominee (1892), Current Governor of New York (1885-1891), (1895-), Former Lieutenant Governor of New York (1883-1885)**

**- James F. W. Bampfylde, Former Ambassador to New Zealand**

**- Henry Asa Coffeen, Senate Majority Leader and Senator of Wyoming, former Representative from Wyoming**

**Potential**

Nobody is considered to be a Potential Candidate at this time.

**Declined**

**- Grover Cleveland**

## Primaries

**-Dem Primary**

1896 Democratic PrimariesHenry Asa CoffeenJames BampfyldeThe 1896 Democratic Primaries originally consisted of a three way race between Henry Asa Coffeen, Senate Majority Leader from Wyoming, James Bampfyld, Former Minister to New Zealand and David Hill, Senator of New York and running mate to Grover Cleveland in 1892. Coffeen ran as a populist and progressive Democrat, campaigning on the issue of changing the monetary system to one that favors the free coinage of silver, while his opponents took a more traditional stance. Hill dropped out of the race before the primaries, citing his apparent unlikelihood to win the Presidency, leaving it a two way race. Despite Bampfyld's support in the south and winning the crucial states of Ohio and New York, Coffeen managed to win the nomination by garnering a good performance in New England and the mid-west, then sweeping the entire country westward. He was nominated at the Democratic National Convention, where he selected Iowa Senator Patrick Mulford as his running mate, and claimed that they were "running against the clock" to defeat Balsan's currency overhaul bill and fiat conversion. Bampfyld pledged his full support behind Coffeen, and began campaigning for him in New York.

**-GOP Primary**

1896 Republican PrimariesWilliam HoweMatthew QuayDespite President Balsan's attempts to draft Andrew Dominguez into the race, the Vice President declined to run for President. This left the Republicans with no clear front runner, allowing two dark horse candidates to battle for the Republican ticket and control of the Republican party. William Howe, Governor of Maryland, and Matthew Quay, Senator of Pennsylvania. Despite Quay's popularity in the south and the plains, as well as his own state, for being a traditionalist, Howe managed to carry the nomination by winning most of the west coast, and dominating the mid-west and New England areas. William Howe was nominated by the Republican National Convention, and President Balsan quickly gave his endorsement to him and campaigned hard to help the Howe ticket. Matthew Quay pledged his support to Howe, despite his supporters skepticism to Howe's candidacy and electability.

## Results

Henry Asa CoffeenWilliam HoweAfter President Balsan passed his currency overhaul act, Coffeen campaigned against what he saw as a "ticking time bomb" that needed to be replaced by the free coinage of silver within 5 years. Coffeen actively campaigned across the country, attacking the Republicans on several issues such as labor and currency. Howe instead stayed mostly in his area, and committed to front door speeches, where supporters would come to his area to hear him speak. President Balsan may have been a more active campaigner than Howe, attacking Coffeen in speeches and criticizing his currency plan. Debate organizers had planned this to be the first election to host a town hall debate, but Howe didn't attend, instead holding a speech during that time, effectively turning the would be debate into a Coffeen town hall. This led to some blowback against Howe, even from the President himself. Howe campaigned on protecting the fiat system, and giving direct government aid to farmers affected by the Panic of 1893. After one of the most fought for and narrow elections, Coffeen managed to win by carrying the entirety of the west coast and the plains, as well as winning labor areas within Indiana and Iowa, partially thanks to his running mate, Patrick Mulford. Henry Coffeen became the first President whose home state resides in the plains state.