"PUT PEOPLE AT THE MERCY OF A CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITY"

STATE SECRETARY SAYS ELECTION OF THIRD PARTY TICKET WOULD BE PROGRESS TOWARD OVERTHROW OF OUR SYSTEM

St. Paul, Minnesota (JFK+50) On October 26, 1924, the Sunday Star reports Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes*, speaking here in St. Paul last evening, indicated that whatever success the Robert M. La Follette third party campaign has in the upcoming presidential election "is progress toward the overthrow of our system."

Secretary Hughes, a former associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, criticized La Follette's proposed constitutional amendment to give Congress the power to override decisions of the high court.

In the Secretary's view, this would put the American people "at the mercy of a congressional majority."

*Charles Evans Hughes (1862-1948) was born in Glens Falls, New York & graduated from Brown University & Columbia Law School. CEH served as governor of NY 1907-1910, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court 1910-1916, Secretary of State 1921-1925, Chief Justice USSC 1930-1941.

SOURCE

"La Follette Perils Future Of Nation, Hughes Declares," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., October 26, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Charles Evans Hughes

Underwood & Underwood Photo

Library of Congress

"LA FOLLETTE-WHEELER TICKET DOING WELL"

MIDWESTERN G.O.P. LEADER:  3RD PARTY TICKET MEANS CERTAIN DEFEAT FOR DEMOCRATS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 29, 1924, G. Gould Lincoln of the Evening Star reports that a Midwestern Republican leader is of the opinion that "the La Follette-Wheeler third (party) ticket is doing well and will continue...to make certain the defeat of the Democratic ticket by hundreds of thousands, probably millions of voters, in favor of the (Robert M.) La Follette candidacy."

JFK+50 NOTE

James A. Shideler describes the Election of 1924 as the second major challenge to the two party system following the Bull Moose (Progressive) Party of 1912 which split the Republicans & resulted in the election of Woodrow Wilson.

The Progressives of 1924 only ran a national ticket which supported government ownership of railroads & utilities, cheap credit for farmers & laws to favor organized labor.

The La Follette-Wheeler ticket was strong in the West winning 16.6% of the popular vote.  It only carried one state, however, Wisconsin. The party dissolved in 1927.

SOURCES

"La Follette Helps G.O.P. As 1912 Split Did Wilson," by G. Gould Lincoln, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 29, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The La Follette Progressive Party Campaign of 1924," by James H. Shideler, Wisconsin Magazine of History, www.jstor.org/

 

 

"The Motorist"

Political Cartoon by Edward Windsor Kemble

Harper's Weekly

11-25-1911

www.picryl.com/

'EFFECT IS INEVITABLY DEMORALIZING"

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION OPENS, BURTON WARNS OF DANGER OF THIRD PARTY

Cleveland, Ohio (JFK+50) On June 10, 1924, The International News Service reports that "the Republican national convention was formally put under way in Cleveland's beautiful auditorium this morning with the quiet precision of a well-oiled machine."

George B. Holmes writes that "a single American flag of huge proportions" was the only colorful decoration in the hall draped by pictures of Lincoln, Harding and Roosevelt.

Mr. Holmes also reports that Congressman Theodore E. Burton* of Ohio issued a warning to the delegates "that there is no room in this country for a third party." 

Mr. Burton said "the effect is inevitably demoralizing, involving failure in constructive policies."

*Theodore Elijah Burton (1851-1929) was born in Jefferson, Ohio & graduated Oberlin College 1872.  TEB served in both the United States House of Representatives & United States Senate.

SOURCES

"No Room For Third Party, Burton Tells Convention," by George R. Holmes, The Washington Times, June 10, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

"Peril To Nation Seen In Minority Rule," by George R. Holmes, The Washington Times, June 10, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Theodore E. Burton

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

"LEADERS WARY ABOUT 3RD PARTY RUN BY LA FOLLETTE"

COOLIDGE GAINS DELEGATES, GOP LEANING TOWARD PROGRESSIVE PLATFORM AT CONVENTION

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 30, 1924, The Sunday Star reports that President Calvin Coolidge "gained some delegates last week."  The President's current total is "up to 246."  N.O. Messenger writes that Mr. Coolidge will "yield another crop" of delegates in the week ahead.

Messenger reports that Republican party leaders are now leaning toward a "pronounced progressive platform" to be adopted at the forthcoming national convention scheduled to begin June 10, 1924. 

The leaders are concerned about Senator Robert La Follette*'s threat to run on a third party ticket "if the republicans do not...write a platform of progressive nature."

*Robert La Follette, governor of Wisconsin 1901-1906, announced his candidacy for POTUS on July 3, 1924 & pledged to break the power of monopolies.  RL won 16.6% of the popular & electoral vote in the Election of 1924.  Coolidge was elected POTUS in his own right.

SOURCE

"Platform For Coolidge Now Engrosses Leaders," by N.O. Messenger, The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., March 30, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

 

Time Cover

Dec 3 1923

Time Magazine