LAD #21: Dawes Act

The Dawes Act began by putting the Native Americans on reservations throughout the United States. It also gave one fourth of each section to the head of the family or tribe. It then gave on eighth to children and gave on sixteenth to orphans. It also established the Commission of Indian Affairs, which would create agents to regulate the Dawes Act. It also said that the Americans could go through the lands and build railroads. It also said that the Native Americans had to abide by the laws of the state, and they were not exempt from them. IT goes on further by saying that the Indians can not be forced to leave the reservations, but they can be paid to leave. They also said they had to, under no circumstances, abide by national laws.

LAD #20: Cross of Gold speech

Bryan is addressing a group of people and is pleading the cause of humanity. He states he is fighting for a principle in the name of human kind. He is arguing in defense of the working class, especially farmers, and stating that converting the entire United States treasury to be backed by gold would be horrible. He states that it would be crucifying the American people on a "Cross of Gold." He means that by converting the entire treasury to be backed by gold would basically bring about the death of the farmers and would hurt the entire United States. He states that he feels that the Democratic Party and the Republican Party have been covering up the issue about the gold standard and have been only focusing on the tariff and not being concerned with what really matters for the American people

LAD#19: Populist Party Platform

The Populist Party organized and set out their plans for their platform. They listed that they were in favor of pensions for ex-Union soldiers, and they were also against the monopoly in railroads. They also felt it was necessary for a graduated income tax and labor unions. In respect to the railroads, they wanted the government to control the railroads and fix prices in order to help them out. Since the populist party was made up of farmers, set railroad prices would help them with their work, and it was only obtainable through government regulation. They party also sympathized with the nights of labor.

McKinley's War Message LAD #18

McKinley begins his famous speech to Congress by expressing his concerns over the crisis with Spain and Cuba. He continues on by stating how the war is hurting the United States, especially in trade. Furthermore, the war has lost several dollars of capital and has let the citizens of the United States become unruly in their war efforts. He later states that a victory for either side is "impractical." McKinley continues by asking Congress later on in his speech to authorize him with the power to take measures to secure a elimination of hostilities between the Spain and Cuban governments and to make the island a "stable government." He also asks Congress to continue to send food and supplies to Cuba to prevent its people from complete destruction from the war. At the very end of his speech, he finally tells Congress that the government of Spain agreed to end hostilities in Cuba. He says if they end the war Americans will be known as "Christian, peace-loving people."