Reform in New Hampshire: Robert Bass Wins the Primary

Abstract

E XCEPT for New York, study of Progressive Era generally begins and ends with states west of Mississippi. The Wisconsin idea is rarely traced in New England. However, in New Hampshire, a lightly settled state tucked away in lazy roll of its countryside, a determined and devoted group of men carefully nurtured a progressive movement. The politics of New Hampshire at turn of century was tightly controlled by Boston and Maine Railroad. Particularly through state's legal talent, paid lobbyists, a large number of legislative representatives at state capitol and Congressional delegation, political machinery of Granite State was manipulated in behalf of few., A band of welleducated, economically secure, and socially prominent men organized Republicans to divest greedy magnates and selfish bosses of political power in behalf of the people. The story of these New Hampshire progressives' first important victory-the nomination of Robert P. Bass for Governor in 191o-came to some as a surprise in light of many defeats inflicted elsewhere on Republican party in 1909 and 1910o. Woodrow Wilson became governor in New Jersey; in Ohio, Judson Harmon; Eugene Foss in Massachusetts; and John Dix in New York-Democrats all. Furthermore, Bass was able to defeat his Democratic opponent despite a tense and difficult battle in primary. Sparked by noted American novelist, Winston Churchill, who in 1906 completed his novitiate as a member of New Hampshire's House of Representatives, a group of reputable middleand upper-class men organized Lincoln Republican Club. Dominated by lawyers allied with representatives of small business and professional men, group became a caucus within Republican party. Dissatisfied with nar-