Thrid Parties: Past and Prospective

Report Outline
Strength of the Two Party Systems
Third Party Movements of the Past
Minor Parties in 1924
Third Party Conventions
La Follette Movement's Prospecis

Introduction

The country at present faces the probability of a new third, party movement which, whatever its fortunes at the polls in 1924, may have an important influence upon the future political history of the United States. While the strength of the two party system is beyond question, an examination of American political history shows that independent political movements frequently have had an important influence upon election results and considerable influence in molding subsequent political and governmental policies.

The dominant figure in the new political movement is Robert Marion LaFollette, the senior senator from Wisconsin. Senator LaFollette has as yet made no formal announcement of his candidacy or his plans for the coming campaign. A fairly definite indication of what is in his mind has been given, however, in his letter of May 26 to the Attorney General of Wisconsin.

Lafollette's Present Position

“The approaching Democratic and Republican conventions will demonstrate to the people whether either of those parties can and will purge itself of the evil influences which have long dominated them,” he said. “This cannot be accomplished by merely nominating some alleged progressive and filling the platform with misleading promises. It demands the elimination of monopoly control, the downfall of the corrupt political bosses, the adoption of truly progressive principles and the repudiation of those great campaign contributors who have in the past bought up both parties.