2033-12 Hoosiers American Story.indd 166 free trade. free industry and protection rary political slogans about but alsoroots contempo- hisIndiana illustrate to Harrison used alog cabin Henry Harrison. Benjamin William his grandfather, campaign ofpresidential successful the back to tial campaign harkened 1888presiden- Harrison’s for Benjamin This poster Campaign Poster Benjamin Harrison LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS DIVISION, LC-DIG-PGA-03586 8/29/14 11:00 AM 7 Progressive Era Politics and Reform We must turn to these new social and economic questions which have to do with the daily lives and happiness of human beings and which press for answer; questions that involve the righteousness of American business, a juster distribution of wealth by preventing dishonest accumulation of gain; questions that look to the physical, mental, moral upbuilding of all the workers in factory and on farm throughout the entire Republic. — Indiana Senator Albert Beveridge to the Republican State Convention, 1906 Hoosiers loved politics. On the frontier they gath- alty passed from father to son. Everyone knew there ered eagerly for stump speakers and campaign hoopla. were Republican families and Democratic families. William Henry Harrison’s log cabin campaign of 1840 Politics was so intense, in part, because elections were was great fun, but politics could also be deadly serious, always close. Often Hoosiers divided almost fifty-fifty as in the Civil War era, when Indiana’s political choices in their choice of political party. Thus, a shift in a few helped decide the future of the nation. In the late votes could decide an election. Especially important nineteenth century Hoosiers created their own style for each party was to make sure all their loyal voters of politics to fit their beliefs. Politics became a means turned out on Election Day. by which Hoosiers created an identity, a sense of To encourage voter turnout, parties provided belonging to the same state and caring about it. entertainment. Campaigns became raucous spectacles with parades, barbecues, songs, food, and often whis- Indiana’s Intense style of Politics key. Banners flew and campaign buttons appeared on Hoosiers created a political culture that was among coats. What fun it was as an election approached and the strongest in the nation. They turned out in huge each party sought to make sure its voters cast a ballot! numbers to vote. From 1860 to 1900 an average of 91 Indiana’s close elections drew national attention percent of the state’s eligible voters cast their ballot in to the state in presidential election years. Indiana was presidential election years. This high turnout placed one of a handful of swing states that could tip the bal- the state far ahead of its midwestern neighbors. ance from one candidate to favor another on the basis Hoosiers also showed unusually strong attach- of only a few thousand votes. Swing states were so very ment to a political party. Nearly all Indiana voters were important because of the Electoral College. In order either Republicans or Democrats. They voted a straight to win a majority of electoral votes, each party spent ticket and rarely wavered—few Democrats ever voted most of its time and money in Indiana and other swing for a Republican and vice versa. Intense partisan loy- states. There was no reason to campaign in the South, Chapter 7 | Progressive Era Politics and Reform | 167 2033-12 Hoosiers American Story.indd 167 8/29/14 11:00 AM for example, since voters there always chose Political Issues and Progressive Reform Democratic candidates. Likewise, there was no Beneath all the waving flags, buttons, and speeches reason to campaign in New England, since New were real political issues and real differences between England states always voted Republican. the two parties. Indiana Democrats held to the The national parties also sought the Indiana Jefferson–Jackson tradition of individual freedom. vote by putting a Hoosier on the national ballot, They preferred small government and low taxes and particularly as a vice-presidential candidate. These claimed to represent the common man. They attracted included Schuyler Colfax (1868), William H. English particularly strong support among descendants of (1880), Thomas A. Hendricks (1876, 1884), Charles W. Upland southern pioneers in southern Indiana. Fairbanks (1904, 1916), John W. Kern (1908), and Republicans tended to expect more from govern- Thomas R. Marshall (1912, 1916). Republican ment. They wanted local, state, and national govern- Benjamin Harrison was the only major-party Hoosier ments to play a larger role in such areas as education, presidential nominee (1888, 1892). Harrison served public health, women’s rights, and prohibition of as president from 1889 to 1893. alcohol. Republicans believed government could make life better. Political Event Y R A in New Albany R IB L Political events could be C grand affairs with waving flags and live music. state politician and attorney LOYD COUNTY PUBLI LOYD Evan Stotsenberg from F LBANY– A New Albany spoke at this NEW event, ca. 1895–1937. , M Y ROO R ISTO H NDIANA I E G RE . W . B T R TUA S E TIONS OF TH OF TIONS EC COLL 168 | Hoosiers and the American Story 2033-12 Hoosiers American Story.indd 168 8/29/14 11:00 AM COLLECTIONS OF THE INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Election Day with Suffragists Suffragists and other citizens of Brookville, Indiana, gather on Election Day in this photo by Ben Winans, ca. 1900– 1909. Although women would not have the right to vote until 1920, they could still be politically active. Here, women encouraged the male voters with signs that stated “Vote ‘Yes’ for Me” and “When you go in the booth think of us.” There were always new issues to influence parties New reform issues flooded the political arena in and voters. An economic depression from 1873 to the first decade and a half of the twentieth century. 1878 touched off a wave of reform across the country, Progressive reformers in both parties urged more gov- involving farming, education, democratic methods, ernment action to solve some of the negative conse- and the economy. Reformers came together to form quences of urban and industrial growth. Progressives the Populist Party in the 1890s. While the Populist sought wide-ranging reform: stricter child labor laws, Party attracted some notice in Indiana, most Hoosiers regulation of monopolies, a state income tax, public rejected this third party because its political and social health measures, conservation of natural resources, ideas were radically different than the political beliefs prohibition of the sale of alcohol, and expanded de- they held traditionally. By 1896 the Populist Party mocracy through direct primary elections, direct elec- joined the Democratic Party. Although the Populists tions of United States senators, and women’s suffrage. were largely unsuccessful in Indiana, they laid the Progressives also sought the powers of initiative and foundations for future Hoosier reformers. referendum on the state level. Initiative gave citizens Chapter 7 | Progressive Era Politics and Reform | 169 2033-12 Hoosiers American Story.indd 169 8/29/14 11:00 AM 2033-12 Hoosiers American Story.indd 170 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS DIVISION, LC-DIG-PPMSCA-27886 to 1913. to 1909 of Indianagovernor from been had Marshall level, federal 1921. Priorserving to the at served and won 1913to from right.the Wilson Marshall and on Marshall Thomas candidate leftthe presidential vice and Wilson on Woodrow candidate presidential 1912 features from This campaign illustration Thomas Marshall Woodrow Wilsonand 8/29/14 11:00 AM the power to propose laws and referendum allowed Indiana at 100 citizens to voice their opinions on proposed Although there were certainly unsolved problems legislation. facing Hoosiers as they celebrated their centennial of Progressive reform issues bitterly divided Hoo- statehood in 1916, there were also good reasons to siers. The Republican Party’s progressive wing, be proud of Indiana. Economic growth had created a led by Senator Albert Beveridge, eventually joined booming economy with factories pushing out goods Theodore Roosevelt’s new political organization, the and fields waving with corn. Cities bustled with new “Bull Moose” Party. Standpat Republicans, who were cultural and social opportunities. Indiana authors, staunchly conservative and resistant to change, saw such as Booth Tarkington and James Whitcomb Riley, little need for reform. This caused a split in the Repub- and Indiana painters, such as T. C. Steele, were among lican Party that helped Democrats dominate Indiana’s the best in the nation. For many Hoosiers there was political stage between 1909 and 1916. It also ended a singular contentment in their state during the new Beveridge’s political career since standpat Republicans century. This feeling was captured in a poem published turned their backs on the reformer. in an Indianapolis newspaper in 1919. The author, The reform movement divided Democrats as well. William Herschell, had been a young railroad worker However, Democrats found popular leaders such as and participated in the 1894 Pullman Strike before Thomas Marshall who minimized conflict within the becoming a journalist. He titled his poem, reproduced party by implementing programs of slow and cautious below, “Ain’t God Good to Indiana?” reform. As Indiana’s governor (1909–1913), Marshall Ain’t God good to Indiana? was described as a “‘liberal with the brakes on.’” he Other spots may look as fair, sought modest progressive legislation that included But they lack th’ soothin’ somethin’ some increased state regulation. Marshall also wanted In th’ Hoosier sky and air. the state to write a more modern constitution but They don’t have that snug-up feelin’ this proposal failed. Marshall later served as Woodrow Like a mother gives a child; Wilson’s vice president from 1913 to 1921.