A hallmark of the Progressive Era was "muckraker journalism" -- investigative magazine articles and books that revealed the corruption of certain aspects of American life, especially business and government. Lincoln Steffens' "The Shame of Minneapolis" (1903), posted elsewhere on this website, is considered a classic example of this genre.
In 1910 Lynn Haines published "The Minnesota Legislature of 1909," subtitled "A History of the Session, with an Inside View of Men and Measures." According to the Introduction, Haines' study of the 36th Legislature "belongs to the 'literature of exposure.' It is an honest, sincere attempt to inform the people of Minnesota about the actual methods by which the laws of the state are made." Haines was the Secretary of the reformist Minnesota Citizen League at the time.
Haines writes that "political plunder of all kinds abounds in the Minnesota legislature" and reforms bills are regularly "chloroformed in committees, and members thereby saved from going on record."
He concludes by characterizing each member of the House and Senate on how he voted on key reform legislation--that is, whether he was "representing the people or the corporations."
It is posted here.
View Article