Robert M. LaFollette

Thesis

As a progressive politician, Robert M. La Follette helped pass legislation that contributed greatly to the Progressive Era.

Background

The Seaman's Act

• June 14, 1855 - June 18, 1925
• Father died when he was only 8 months old
• Stressed humble origins as "proof of his inherent sturdiness, plainness, and integrity"
• Attended the University of Wisconsin
• Married Belle Case, also a progressive
• First of three terms as Governor of Wisconsin in 1900
• Elected Senator in 1906, served for 19 years
• Ran for president on Progressive Ticket in 1924

• Sailors faced long hours, low wages, and dangerous conditions (corporal punishment, poor vessel maintainance)
• Worked with International Seamen's Union leader to create the bill, which finally passed in 1915 after years of effort
• Ship owners had nearly unlimited power, and the government almost always ruled in their favor until the passage of the act
• Cramped living quarters modified from 72 to 100 cubic feet
• Helped rectify the limited, poor quality meals sailors often received

More Legislation

More on The Seaman's Act

• Creation of Department of Labor, Tariff Commission, Federal Trade Commission
• Helped expand power of Interstate Commerce Commission through support of the Hepburn Act
• This led to the "physical valuation of railroad property, rate classification"
• Supported rights of women, African Americans, and Jews
• Investigation of Teapot Dome Scandal
• Involved a private company covertly given rights to drill on federal land
• Led to complete conservation of government oil reserves

• 75% of crew required to understand English
• Increased number of lifeboats
• "Creditors could no longer engage in the unscrupulous practice of coercion, which involved demanding a "mortgage" on a sailor's wages in exchange for lodging and food"
• Corporal punishment banned, desertion no longer required a prison sentence

Andrew Furuseth, Robert M. La Follette, Lincoln Steffens

Robert M. La Follette

Rivals

The Wisconsin Idea

• Under Roosevelt, progressivism had grown from a local to national level
• Thus Roosevelt was viewed as the greatest progressive
• "Half a loaf is better than no bread" vs. "No loaf is better than half a loaf. Half a loaf, as a rule, dulls the appetite, and destroys the keenness of interest in attaining the full loaf."
• Wilson proved that progressive movement had passed party lines, La Follette, as a major leader of the Senate, hoped to work cooperatively with him
• La Follettte believed that war is a"dreadful diversion for peoples demanding juster distribution of wealth. War is the money changer's opportunity and the social reformer's doom."

Progressive Politician

• "When La Follette was first elected governor in 1900... 45% of the farms in Wisconsin were mortgaged. Eighty percent of the population owned 10% of the wealth, and 1% of the population owned half the state's property"
• Tried to solve the problem through"a comprehensive plan of tax and election reform, business regulation, health and safety standards"
• Aimed to distribute wealth and power
• After LaFollette's election to the Senate, many expected the Wisconsin idea to be applied nationwide