Robert M. LaFolette and the Insurgent Spirit, David P. Thelen, 1976

Robert M. LaFolette and the Insurgent Spirit, David P. Thelen, 1976

a. January 4, 1906: Senator John Coit Spooner represented “old politics”
b. La Folette, represented “new politics”
c. different philosophies were struggling to control the Republican Party
d. the atmosphere of Washington was worried that LaFolette would “rock the boat”
e. 1906, people were looking to President Teddy Roosevelt for reform
f. Roosevelt gave “bully pulpits” which condemned the class that widened the gap between the rich & the poor
g. Roosevelt promoted corporate regulation, labor regulations, conservation
h. 1905, 5 Senators were convicted or involved in fraud or insurance scandals
i. 1899, Hearst’s magazine “Cosmopolitan” promoted direct election of senators
j. 1906, Hearst publishes “The Treason of the Senate,”: consumers, taxpayers and citizens were being abused/defrauded
k. Senators needed to resist/challenge powerful corporate interests
l. Americans needed to elect senators that would challenge the status quo and get rid of the corporate traitors
m. LaFolette was on an influential Indian Affairs Committee but decided to expose gouging of oil & coal consumers by monopolies, & introduced a resolution to ensure lower prices for consumers
n. April, 19, 1906: have a 148 page speech, other senators left
o. the people watching witnessed his condemnation of other senators as traitors 
p. wanted the government to protect consumers 
q. the organized rich received special privileges that defied the “natural law of trade and commerce.”
r. property acquired by special privilege is robbery
s. the thief can have no vested rights in stolen property
t. the promotion of community discipline is patriotic
u. the government might need to nationalize the railroads
v. ethics 1) love of competition (capitalist) & love of community (preindustrial)