And it was the Plutocracy, through its secret agents of course, that encouraged the Grange Party and even spread it to the cities into the ranks of the dying middle class.
Nevertheless the socialist landslide occurred.

But, instead of a sweeping victory with chief executive officers and majorities in all legislative bodies, we found ourselves in the minority.

It is true, we elected fifty Congressmen; but when they took their seats in the spring of 1913, they found themselves without power of any sort.

Yet they were more fortunate than the Grangers, who captured a dozen state governments, and who, in the spring, were not permitted to take possession of the captured offices.

The incumbents refused to retire, and the courts were in the hands of the Oligarchy.