COXEY's CHALLENGE in the POPULIST MOMENT by Jerry Prout
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COXEY'S CHALLENGE IN THE POPULIST MOMENT by Jerry Prout A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of George Mason University in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy History Committee: Director Department Chairperson Program Director Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Date: J 16,.)I;/} Spring Semester 2012 George Mason University Fairfax, VA Coxey‘s Challenge in the Populist Moment A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at George Mason University By Jerry Prout Master of Arts American University, 1979 Master of Arts Duke University, 1972 Bachelor of Arts Westminster College, 1971 Director: Michael O‘Malley, Professor Department of History Spring Semester 2012 George Mason University Fairfax, VA Copyright 2012 Jerry Prout All Rights Reserved ii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to Charles Henry Prout, Jr., who died on December 23, 2010, at the age of ninety. His lifelong insatiable curiosity, dedication to ideas, enthusiasm for life, and love of history provides the inspiration to never to stop searching for insight as revealed in our past. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In 2006 upon resuming the pursuit of a doctorate after a prolonged hiatus (1972), I needed plenty of inspiration and guidance. Members of George Mason University history faculty provided these. In doing so, they revealed just how dramatically the field had changed, and how much it had stayed the same. In her rigorous demands on a minor field statement, Dina Copelman reminded me of the obligations and boundaries of historical inquiry. With her enthusiasm and insight, Rosemarie Zagarri reinforced that this was the right path. Jack Censer was kind to serve as a sounding board and reassure me through episodes of anxiety; one of my long suits. In addition, one of my undergraduate professors, William E. Parrish, has visited me every year since I reengaged, and found ways to keep me plowing ahead. He is now Professor Emeritus of History at Mississippi State University. I recall his spectacular lectures on the Civil War era when he taught at tiny Westminster College. His high standards and passion for the field left indelible marks. Despite writing his own next masterwork, my principal advisor, Michael O‘Malley, was what an excellent Sherpa should be. He inspired with his provocative Socratic classroom style, and then allowed the dissertation to take its course. In a statement that was both reassuring and frightening, he reminded, ―This is your dissertation.‖ Early in the climb, Zachary Schrag astutely advised getting things right in the beginning to save steps in the end. His intriguing questions at the outset echoed throughout this project. And Professor William Schneider‘s fresh perspectives and simple question, ―Why am I reading this?‖ continued to reverberate during the seemingly never ending editing process. While I could not possibly have researched this without the amazing resources now available electronically, the wonderful little town of Massillon, Ohio--known for its glorious high school football program--provided a welcome site for archival research. In its well-kept, turn-of-the-century buildings, the city exudes memories of Jacob Sechler Coxey. The Coxey papers are conscientiously maintained by archivist Mandy Altimus Pond, whose special attention to my research was greatly appreciated. And museum volunteer John Sparks reminded me what Coxey must have been like as a person. ―We called him the General,‖ he told me, recalling how the old man would march into town-- though well into his nineties--with his Edwardian collar up and a smile on his face. I am also indebted to Jean Adkins at the Massillon Public Museum for going out of her way to help me. So, too, did the dedicated staffs at the National Archives and Library of Congress in Washington, the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg, and the Ohio Historical Library in Columbus. iv One of the most reassuring aspects of this endeavor, and one of the most helpful, has been discussions with my work colleagues. While they never tired of asking, ―And so, aren‘t you finished?‖ their kind words of encouragement and admiration helped sustain me. In particular, I was buoyed by the remarkable coincidence that my work colleague, Joseph Pattison, is the great-grandson of former Pennsylvania Governor Robert E. Pattison. Gov. Pattison in the aftermath of his much criticized ambivalence on the use of force in the Homestead strike now had to decide what to do as Coxey‘s Army approached. How should he respond to the incursion of unemployed into his state? Joe assisted in my quest for his great-grandfather‘s dispersed papers. Joe, himself an Edgar Award-winning mystery novelist under the pseudonym Eliot Pattison, also provided much encouragement. Not surprisingly, my family played a valuable supportive role. My four sons took an interest in the undertaking, while apparently viewing this as confirmation that I had finally taken total leave of my senses. In the months before he died, my father read rough drafts, and encouraged me to complete my Ph.D. In the end, though against his Depression era instincts, he also reluctantly agreed it was a wonderful idea to try and teach for free at my little alma mater. ―In retrospect I think it‘s a wonderful idea to do it that way,‖ he said near his end understanding my intent. Most importantly, Claudia, my lovely wife of thirty-five years, was the most predictably steadfast of all in her understanding and support. She never complained as I descended repeatedly into the depths of my basement study and emerged with glazed eyes, babbling about some remote discovery I had made. She also provided a fresh view of each draft. Her encouragement at every turn meant more to me than I can express. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Figures ............................................................................................................... ix Abstract ...........................................................................................................................x Introduction: The Challenge .......................................................................................... 1 Challenged ............................................................................................................4 Historiography .................................................................................................. 12 Industrial Army Paradigm ..................................................................................21 Populist Connection ............................................................................................29 Reaction .............................................................................................................42 Restless Energy ...................................................................................................52 Chapter 1: The Plan .......................................................................................................55 Producers............................................................................................................62 Greenback Economy ..........................................................................................68 Alternative Model ..............................................................................................76 Bold Ideas ..........................................................................................................87 Good Roads ........................................................................................................93 Chapter 2: The Petition .................................................................................................111 Fusion Politics .................................................................................................118 Bimetallic Convention ....................................................................................124 Conestoga Cowboy .........................................................................................131 To March .........................................................................................................141 Planning ..........................................................................................................149 Chapter 3: The Spectacle .............................................................................................157 Millennial .......................................................................................................164 Anticipation....................................................................................................175 Industrial Army ..............................................................................................181 Tramp Army...................................................................................................188 Color Line ......................................................................................................195 Women ...........................................................................................................201 Chapter 4: The Demons ................................................................................................209 New Journalism .............................................................................................216 Reporters ........................................................................................................227 Baker and Sparks ...........................................................................................237