The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-10-31
CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS
THE REVOLT OF THE PEOPLE
By FREDERIC ! HASKIN

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and Calhoun also were OF this same
class. Violent as they sometimes were
in their political disputes, until 1923
they were all agreed. and their posi-.
ton that only men trained especially
in the profession Of statecraft should
be entrusted VITA public office, was
not questioned in any quarter.
With the exception OF the four
years OF the Adams administration,
the president always had been a Vir-
ginian, and a member OF a certain
artstOcratic clan. 1t had become the
accepted rule that either the, vice
president or some member OF the cab
met should succeed to the chief mag
istracy. washington was succeeded
~ President Adams. Adams was
succee ded by Vice-President Jefferson,
Jefferson was succeeded by Secretary
of State Madison, Madison was sue
ceeded by Secretary Of State Monroe
and Monroe's second term was about
10 expire and as there was but one
party the question OF succession was
much nooted.
John Quincy Adams, secretary OF
state, thought that he was In line OF
succession, according 20 the practice
OF years William r. Crawford. sec
rotary OF the treasury, John c. Cal
houn. secretary of war. and Henry
Clay, speaker OF the house Of repre-
sentatives, also aspired 10 succeed
Monroe in the White House. These
three cabinet members and the speak
er of the house all were together In
Washington, and they had no thought
but that they would be permitted 10
fight the matter out among them
selves and the others OF their caste
of professional politicians.
But they were destined to be disap-
pointed. A new generation OF people
had sprung up who were not bound IN
any fashion by the memories OF BTU
ish customs. They were beginning 10
demand a more direct opportunity 10
participate in the affairs OF govern
ment. In state after state the legis-
latures. in response 70 popular de-
mand. had been forced 10 extend the
suffrage by removing or reducing
property qualifications.
In the spring OF 1923 the citizens Of
Blount county. Tennessee, held
mass meeting at their county seat OF
Maryville. and adopted resolutions
which embodied for the frst time
statement OF the new idea in politics.
which was that any man has a right
to aspire 10 any Office, from presl-
dent down, whether trained or I'M
trained in statecraft, without regard
TO his having filled or not filled public
office in the past. The mass meeting
praised Andrew Jackson. The Ten
nessee legislature formally nominated
Andrew Jackson for president of the
United States, at the same time call
ing upon the people OF the other
states 10 overthrow the political
cligarchy at Washington 10 dethrone
King Caucus" and to insist upon the
popular election OF presidential cleo
tors.
Calhoun withdrew from the presi-
dental race and became a candidate
for vice-president An attempt was
made TO convene Democratic nom.
mating caucus, but only siXty-siX OF
the 261. members Of congress attend
ed the meeting which solemnly de-
clared William H. Crawford OF Geor-
gia to be the regular Democratic
Republican nominee for president Of
the United States. The older genera
ton OF Democrats, tuCfuttng -JeffeF-
son. the founder OF the party, and
Madison and Monroe. were regular
and supported Crawford In eighteen
states the electors we're chosen by
the people. and I'm six by the legisla
lures. Jackson received a large plur-
atty of the popular vote. and also a
plurality. but not a majority. OF the
electoral vote. The election for presi-
dent went into the house Of represen-
tatives. Henry Clay was speaker OF
the house. but "a he was the fourth
candidate In the electoral colleges
his name under the constitution could
not be considered The vote was cast
by states the Clay men voting for
Adams, and Adams was elected, re
ceiving the vote OF thirteen states
against seven for Jackson and four
for Crawford, Calhoun was elected
vicepresident
Clay was at once appointed secre-
tary OF state In the new cabinet, and
the Jackson men charged that Clay
had given his strength 20 Adams ina
consideration OF a promise 10 be. ap-
pointed 20 the premiership. This was
denounced as a corrupt bargain"
and justly or uniustly, was made a
major political issue. The majority
of the members of the house; elected
In 1924, we're inclined to support the