Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-29
Third Parties
BY Frederic J. Haskin


spectacular part which the progressive
presidential years recalls the stories
Of other third parties which have had
an important place in the American
political drama.
Nearly always their activities have
I; been striking and picturesque, accom-.
panied by great deal Of noise ana
. enthusiasm. Nearly always. after
few years, they have completely, quiet
Il y and forever disappeared. and their
prophets have either been forgotten or
have mounted new hobbies
This ephemeral and disturbing
character has given third parties rath-
err doubtful standing in the minds OF
many persons who are more conserva-
tive than discerning; and 1t is certain
that the significance of these political
movements has never been generally
understood. AS a matter of fact, thlru
parties, despite the excuses OF zeal
and doctrine that have characterized
many Of them, have been the real
instruments of economic and social re-
! form in the United States. Invariably,
I they have weakened the more reac-
! tionary of the two, stronger partles,
and have thus brought about the sue
cess &C the more liberal. Always. too,
they have brought forth large brood
Of political creeds and dogmas, some
of which would not stan dthe test or
logic and common sense. and otners
that become blanks Of other party
/ platforms and were enacted into law.
! BY far the most interesting OF these
third parties was the populist party OF
Kansas. which polled formidable
vote for president in two elections,
was represented in both houses OF con-
gress. and controlled several state gov
| ernments. To it's splitting OF the
vote was largely due Cleyelands de'
feat of Harrison by narrow margin,
1t fathered the notorious free silver
doctrine, which died a natural death
after having helped to defeat the DEM
, ocratic party. On the other hand, the
, income tax was populist doctrine,
and to the prestige attained by that
party is largely due the adoption of the
| income tax as plank in the demo-
cratic platform, and it's final enactment
| into law.
The story of the populist party Is a
| typical of third party movements that
; it is worth a detailed account. nad
| it's origin in the eighteen-eighties, ana
in the discomfort of western farmers.
| At that time the American market tor
| foodstuffs was in a condition almost
incredible in this day of high living
expense. Farmers got only forty
cents for corn, while fat cattle SOLD al
one and one-half to three cents 4
pound. The farmer could live off his
own acres, but he sought In vim to get
any cash. In some states, corn was
actually burned because 1t was cheap
er than coal. ,...-
| This condition was probably due, IN
considerable measure. to over produc'
ton, Our urban population was
great deal smaller then; the country
could not eat what it raised. The
farmers. however, however, encourag.
ed by ambitious political leaders, laid
the blame upon monometallism (the
gold standard) protective tariffs, ex-
orbitant freight rates, and many other
| things that might be remedied by leg
islation.
The immediate outcome of this sit
nation was the formation of large
number of farmers organizations,
among the strongest of which was the
national farmers alliance and INDUS
trial union, which ultimately attained
membership of millions. This and
other similar organizations met and
discussed at length their grievances
IA einst the politicians and the ran.
roads, and sought measure that
would bring relief The silver miners
of the western states suggested one.
They pointed out that scarclty OF tne
| circulating medium, especially AZ CROP
moving time, was at the root OF the !,
farmers trouble, and that unlimited