The Election of 1904 By Sean Socha

The Political Scene In 1904 Congress was dominated by the Republican party in both houses which was common in this period. The presidency was held by Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt was made the incumbent president courtesy of Leon Czologsz who assassinated president William McKinley.

Political Scene Being the incumbent president he was an obvious choice to be the Republican candidate. The progressive movement was very active during this period.

Political Scene During this era the Republican party was by far the most dominate party in the North and Western states. Democratic support was only strong in the South. The Republican party was considered the party of business can supported expanding foreign trade, keeping protective tariffs and supported the gold standard.

Political Scene Although still considered the party of business many business leaders reluctantly supported Roosevelt although they disagreed with his progressive policies in the Square Deal. The Democratic party platform was anti- imperialism, free trade, direct elections of senators, deficit reduction, army reduction, enforcement of the eight hour work day and enforcing civil service laws.

Republican Nomination The Republicans convened in Chicago from June and selected Theodore Roosevelt by a large margin with Charles W. Fairbanks to be his running mate. Being incumbent and already popular he was an easy choice. However conservative elements of the Republican party did not support him viewing him as too radical.

Republican Nomination Charles W. Fairbanks was chosen to appease the more conservative Republicans although Roosevelt wanted Robert R. Hitt. Primary elections did not exist at the time. There was no serious competition for the Republican nomination in 1904.

Democratic Nomination Former President Grover Cleveland and former Democratic nomine William Jennings Bryan refused to run for president. The decision to pick a nomine contained far more struggle within the party than the Republican nomination. Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals Alton B. Parker would be the victor.

Democratic Nomination William Randolph Hearst was Parker’s main opposition and threatened to win over the more liberal wing of the party. Fearing that Hearst had a chance of winning conservative Democrats rallied behind Parker. Parker needed to win at least two thirds of the delegates which he would barely do after winning 679 votes.

Democratic Nomination Henry G. Davis of West Virginal would be nominated for vice-president. Davis was 80 years old. Despite his age he was respected in his home state and party bosses supported his nomination in hope that it would swing West Virginia to the Democrats.

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore’s father Theodore Roosevelt Sr. was a successful and wealthy businessman. As a child he was asthmatic and suffered various ailments. He gained a strong interest in zoology as a child and formed a make shift museum with animals he killed.

Theodore Roosevelt As a child he was home schooled by his parents and tutors. He eventually went to Harvard and later Columbia Law School. He would drop out of law school to run for the New York Assembly in 1881 as a Republican and win. He left New York to retire on his ranch in the Dakota Territory.

Theodore Roosevelt He gained a reputation as a cowboy while in Dakota After a severe winter wiped out his heard he returned to politics in New York. After returning to New York he failed to win the mayoral election and became president of the board of New York City Police Commissioners.

Theodore Roosevelt His fascination with naval history and having written The Naval War of 1812 he was regarded as an ideal choice for Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He successfully prepared the Navy for the Spanish-American War. He resigned from his post to form a volunteer regiment later known as the “Rough Riders”

Theodore Roosevelt His heroism and great leadership at San Juan hill during the war won him great respect and he would be posthumously be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He now held celebrity status among the public. He would become governor of New York and shortly later be nominated as William McKinley's vice president.

Theodore Roosevelt His long list of achievements, national fame and masculine persona made him an ideal candidate for president and he was popular among the common man. He was a progressive and opposed political machines. He was known as a “trust-buster” for breaking up monopolies. He also believe that Whites and African Americans should be judged strictly on his merits.

Theodore Roosevelt His Square Deal policies which aimed at curbing the power of corporations and protecting consumers from unfair business practices were the highlight of his presidency. He was also the first president to advocate conservationism. He believed America had a right to intervene in foreign affairs. Pro labor unions.

Alton B. Parker He was born in New York and attended Albany Law School. He served as a justice of the New York Supreme Court from and Chief Judge of the New York Court of appeals from In New York he was respected by Republicans and Democrats and they did not run candidates against him out of respect.

Alton B. Parker He was considered a “Bourbon Democrat” who were the conservative faction of the party. He opposed protectionism. Supported the gold standard and labor unions. Opposed imperialism. Sought civil service reform to weaken the influence of political bosses.

The General Campaign Although polls were not common at this time in history the Democratic party was well aware of Roosevelt’s immense popularity. The candidates were actually quite similar in many respects. Both thought labor unions had the same rights as individuals before the courts, supported fair treatment of Filipinos, wanted the gold standard, and were hated by the radical factions of their respective parties.

The General Campaign Alton B. Parker used racism in his campaign strategy which unfortunately for him was only well received in the South. Roosevelt’s campaign focused on convincing people that his Square Deal policies needed to be continued. Despite the two candidates similarities on numerous issues Roosevelt's celebrity status, charisma, and masculinity made him the most popular candidate.

The Election Outcome Roosevelt would go on to be the first person to assume the presidency as Vice President and manage to win a term in his own right. It was the largest popular vote margin victory at the time with 18.8%. It marked the first time a Republican won Missouri since 1868.

Outcome By State

Outcome by County

Impact The election marked the first time an incumbent who inherited the presidency as vice president became president. The progressive movement was able to move forward. Environmental protection was now a political issue.