The Detroit times., 1910-10-31
CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS
By FREDERIC ! HASKIN
THE REVOLT OF THE PEOPLE

the uprising OF 1910 men like Clay
and Calhoun also We're of this same
class Violent as they sometimes were
in their political disputes, until 1929
they were all agreed. and their posi-
ton that only men trained especially
in the profession OF statecraft should
be entrusted with 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
aristocratic clan II had become the
accepted rule that either the vice
president or some member of the cab
met should succeed 70 the chief mag
istracy. Washington was succeeded
0y Vice 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 mooted
John Quincy Adams, secretary OF
state. thought that he was IN line Of
succession, according 10 the practice
OF years William II. Crawford, sec
rotary Of the treasury John c. Cal
hOun, secretary of war. and Henry
Clay. speaker OF the house OF repre-
sentatiyes. also aspired to succeed
Monroe in the White House. These
three cabinet members and the speak
or 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 we're destined 70 be disap-
nointed A new generation Of people
had sprtIng IN who were not bound IN
anv fashion BY the memories OF Brit
ish customs. They were beginning 10
demand a more direct opportunity 10
participate IN the affairs OF govern
ment In state after state the legls-
latures, in response 10 popular oe-
mand, had been forced 70 extend the
suffrage by removing or reducing
property qualifications.
In the spring Of 1923 the citizens OF
Blount county, Tennessee, held q
mass meeting at their county seat OF
Maryville. and adopted resolutions
which embodied for the first time
statement of the new idea IN politics,
which was that any man has a right
10 aspire 10 any Office. from presl-
dent down. whether trained or un-
trained in statccraft, without regard
10 his having filed or not filed public
office I'm the past. The mass meeting
praised Andrew Jackson The Ten
nessee legislature formally nominated
Andrew Jackson for president or the
United States. at the same time call
ing upon the people OF the other
states. to overthrow the political
oligarchy at Washington TO 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 a Democratic nom.
mating caucus, but only sixty-six OF
the 26l members OF congress attend
ed the meeting which solemnly de-
clared William n. Crawford OF Geor-
gia. 10 be the regular Democratic
Republican nominee for president OF
the United States. The older genera
ton of Democrats. including Jeffer-
son. the founder OF the party. and
Madison and Monroe. were regular
and supported Crawford. In eighteen
states the electors were chosen by
the people. and in elk by the legisla-
lures. Jackson received a large plur-
ality OF the popular vote, and also
plurality. but not "A majority, OF the
electoral vote. The election for presi-
dent went into the house OF represen-
taives. Henry clay was speaker OF
the house, but as 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
vice.president
Clay was ar once appointed secre-
tary of state in the new cabinet, and
the Jackson men charged that Clay
had given his strength 10 Adams Ia
consideration OF a promise TO be an.
pointed to the premiership. This was
denounced as a corrupt bargain,
and justly or unjustly was made a
major political issue. The majority
Of the members Of the house, elected
In 1924, were inclined 10 support the