Robert La Follette and the 1924 Progressive Convention
In the early 1920s, a growing wave of political unrest led to the formation of a coalition dedicated to the interests of the producing classes. This movement sought to challenge the dominance of established political structures and promote genuine democracy across agriculture, industry, and government. The culmination of these efforts was the 1924 convention that nominated Senator Robert M. La Follette, Sr. for the presidency.
The Road to the Convention
The momentum began on February 11 and 12, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri. Approximately 120 delegates from the Conference for Progressive Political Action (CPPA)—an organization aimed at electing officials pledged to the working and farming classes—met with representatives from railroad brotherhoods and other small organizations. While they viewed the 1922 election results with satisfaction, they found themselves in a political vacuum for the upcoming November 1924 campaign.
At the time, neither the Democratic nor Republican parties had passed political platforms or nominated candidates. Furthermore, there was little appetite for a campaign run solely through the Socialist Party of America (SPA) or the Farmer-Labor Party (FLP). Consequently, the CPPA National Committee was tasked with scheduling a convention over the July 4th holiday to formally nominate candidates for President and Vice President, while attempting to coordinate with the FLP's organizing committee in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Convention Proceedings
The convention drew 1,200 delegates and 9,000 spectators. Despite the large crowd, the atmosphere was notably more sober than the enthusiastic 1912 convention of Theodore Roosevelt. The demographics of the gathering reflected the economic hardships of the era; Senator Lynn Frazier noted that many farmers were too "broke" to attend. The audience was predominantly composed of radical labor leaders and students, including a significant group from Columbia University, though it lacked diversity, with only one African-American attendee and very few eastern intellectuals.
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The event was not without internal conflict. The Credentials Committee rejected the credentials of William Mahoney. While the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party was granted a seat, Mahoney was excluded due to his activities at the St. Louis Conference and his participation in the June 1924 St. Paul Convention of the Federated Farmer-Labor Party, which the CPPA National Committee viewed as an extension of the Workers Party of America.
The Nomination of Robert M. La Follette
Senator Robert M. La Follette, Sr. had been urged by the CPPA National Committee to run for president. His son, Robert M. La Follette Jr., delivered a message to the convention accepting the nomination and calling for a "militant political movement" independent of the two major parties. However, La Follette strategically declined to form a formal third party at that moment to protect progressives who had been elected as nominal Republicans or Democrats.
La Follette identified the central issue of the 1924 campaign as the need to break the private monopoly system—the concentrated economic power of large corporations—and its control over American political and economic life. He suggested that a unified progressive party could be established after the November election.
Strategic Goals and the Vice Presidency
While La Follette focused on the monopoly system, other Progressives, such as John A. H. Hopkins, harbored a different ambition: replacing the Democratic Party entirely to create a clearer ideological divide in American politics. Hopkins proposed a strategy to prevent either major party from winning a majority in the Electoral College, which would force the House of Representatives to select the President.
The convention concluded with the selection of a running mate. After Justice Louis Brandeis declined the offer, Senator Burton K. Wheeler of Montana accepted the nomination for Vice President.
Key Facts
- Primary Goal: To elect officials pledged to the producing classes and genuine democracy.
- Main Opponent: The "combined power of the private monopoly system."
- Presidential Nominee: Senator Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
- Vice Presidential Nominee: Senator Burton K. Wheeler.
- Key Organizing Body: Conference for Progressive Political Action (CPPA).
- Attendance: 1,200 delegates and 9,000 spectators.
Convention Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Presidential Candidate | Robert M. La Follette, Sr. |
| Vice Presidential Candidate | Burton K. Wheeler |
| Organizing Group | Conference for Progressive Political Action (CPPA) |
| Key Theme | Anti-monopoly and producing class interests |
| Notable Absentees | Impoverished farmers and Communist party members |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Robert La Follette refuse to start a third party immediately?
La Follette wanted to protect progressive politicians who had already been elected under the banners of the Republican and Democratic parties, fearing that a formal third party would jeopardize their positions.
What was the "private monopoly system" mentioned by La Follette?
It referred to the concentrated economic and political power held by large corporations and monopolies, which La Follette believed dominated the lives of the American people.
Who was the original choice for Vice President?
La Follette first offered the vice presidential nomination to Justice Louis Brandeis, but Brandeis refused the position.
What was the strategy proposed by John A. H. Hopkins?
Hopkins suggested preventing either major party from securing an Electoral College majority, thereby forcing the House of Representatives to decide the presidency, with the ultimate goal of replacing the Democratic Party.
Which groups were excluded from the convention?
Members of the Communist party were refused entry into the building, and William Mahoney was denied credentials due to his associations with the Workers Party of America.