194 THE GREEN RISING 



Republican party leaders realized that the farm 

 discontent was widespread. It was difficult at first 

 to determine which party would be more seriously 

 affected by the Third Party movement led by La 

 Follette and Wheeler. Both of the candidates of 

 the Farm Labor Party made a vigorous campaign, 

 devoting most of their time to the states where the 

 discontent among the farm population was most 

 pronounced. But, as the campaign progressed, it 

 became increasingly apparent that the anticipated 

 strength of this latest political movement would not 

 materialize. As the campaign neared its end, it was 

 generally conceded that La Follette would probably 

 carry only Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. 

 In fact, he carried only his home state of Wisconsin. 



But the popular vote of the three candidates 

 emphasized the fact that the discontent of the farm 

 labor element was rather widespread and significant. 

 Coolidge received 15,718,789 votes; Davis 8,378,- 

 962; and La Follette 4,822,319. It is not without 

 significance that La Follette received more than half 

 the number of votes of Davis. He received a sur- 

 prisingly large popular vote in California, Illinois, 

 Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Penn- 

 sylvania, and Wisconsin. 



Various views have been expressed as to the 

 significance of the Third Party movement in 1924. 

 Some contend that it marks the end of farm labor 

 political agitation in this country. Others express 

 the view that the farm labor forces of the country 



