Solon Chase(1823 – November 23, 1909) was an American farmer, orchardist, politician and newspaper publisher fromMaine.[1]Chase served two single year terms in theMaine House of Representatives.[2]In 1873,an economic depressionbegan and Chase joined the nationalGreenback Party.He is credited with founding the Greenback Party in Maine.[3]Chase sought to build an independent movement of farmers and workers through the Greenback Party and opposedelectoral fusionwith theMaine Democratic Party.
Solon Chase | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theMaine House of Representatives from the Turner district | |
| In office 1862–1863 | |
| Preceded by | D.H. Teague |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1823 |
| Political party | Republican Greenback |
| Residence | Turner, Maine |
| Occupation | Farmer, Orchardist, Newspaper publisher |
A farmer, Chase was nationally known for the catchphrase and stump speech 'them steers'. In 'them steers', he spoke of the tending hissteersfor the benefit of the financial elite, but not his town, county or state.[3]Upon his death, the New York Times, which was a Republican newspaper, remembered Chase for his unusual stump speeches, noting that "during the height of the greenback campaign, Chase stumped the country as far as the Middle West, driving a pair of steers hitched to a hayrack from the rear end of which he delivered his speeches."[4]
Political career
editChase was born in the Chase's Mill area ofTurner, Mainein 1823.[5]Chase was a member of theWhig Partyprior to theAmerican Civil War.During the Civil War, he joined theRepublican Partyand served two terms in theMaine House of Representatives.He was appointed an internal revenue collector by PresidentAndrew Johnson,though like most of Johnson's appointments, Chase was never confirmed.[6]
During the June1880 Greenback National Convention,Chase was a prominent candidate for the presidential nomination.[3]Chase, known as "the farmer's friend," was nominated by fellow Maine delegateFrank M. Fogg.In the first vote, Chase received 89 votes, which was a distant 5th place from the eventual nominee, Iowa CongressmanJames B. Weaver.
In1882,Chase was the nominee of the Greenback Party for governor and received.9% (1,324) of the total vote. He ran against Republican nominee and eventual winnerFrederick Robieas well as DemocratHarris M. Plaisted.Plaisted was a fusion nominee of the Democratic Party and some in the Greenback Party.[7]
Newspaper publishing
editIn January 1875, Chase began published "Chase's Chronicle" from his farm in Turner. By 1879, the publication had a circulation of 6,000. It then moved to Portland, where it was renamed the "Greenback Labor Chronicle". However, the Labor Chronicle was discontinued a year later. Just a year later, a stock company owned by Solon Chase created "Chase's Enquirer". However, in 1882, the company took the paper over from its editor, Chase, and moved the publication to Lewiston. It was suspended within six months. In March 1882, Chase formed yet another newspaper, this called "Them Steers" in honor of the catchphrase popularized by the editor. Them Steers also failed and the publication ceased to print in 1883.[8]
Farming
editChase was a lifelong farmer. Notice of Chase's death received special attention in the annual report of the Maine Commissioner of Agriculture, "In the death of Solon Chase, which occurred on November 23, 1909, the orchard interests of Maine lost a firm friend."[5]Chase had more than six hundredNorthern Spyapple trees in his orchard at the time of his death. The report by Commissioner of Agriculture called Solon Chase the "spy" king of Maine.[5]
References
edit- ^Appleby, Bruce (1960).Uncle Solon and Them Steers: Greenback Protect from Maine.Bowdoin College.Retrieved4 January2015.
- ^"Legislators Biographical Search".Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library.Retrieved4 January2015.
- ^abcLeavitt, Samuel (1896).Our Money Wars: The Example and Warning of American Finance.Arena Pub. pp. 197–.Retrieved4 January2015.
- ^Solon Chase, Old Greenbacker, Dead, New York Times, November 24, 1909, p. 9
- ^abcAgriculture, Maine. Dept. of (1910).Agriculture of Maine: Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture.pp. 304–.Retrieved4 January2015.
- ^The Turner Register, 1903-4.H. E. Mitchell publishing Company. 1904. pp.46–.
- ^Maine Register Or State Year-book and Legislative Manual.J.B. Gregory. 1891. pp.110–.
- ^French, William Riley (1887).A History of Turner, Maine, from Its Settlement to 1886.Hoyt, Fogg & Donham. pp.95–96.Retrieved4 January2015.