×

Political family life and learning

During the last several years I have been trying to collect Kump family letters, newspaper clippings, and other firsthand sources about the people who lived in the Kump House. My sources start in the 1880s and go up through the 1930s. As I read these materials, I notice how much the family followed politics during that 50 year period.

Current TV news reporters give one the impression that American political life is at the brink of disaster. Things seem to be worse than they have ever been before; however, I can see that liberal and conservative factions were battling back and forth in the USA throughout the “Gay ’90s,” “Turn of the Century,” World War I, “Roaring ’20s,” and “Great Depression.” The president was always a popular topic of entertainment.

Edna Scott Kump’s mother, Fanny Logan Scott, even worked a political campaign ribbon into her crazy quilt design. Her interest in politics was strong enough that Fanny saved a campaign ribbon from Grover Cleveland’s first bid for president in 1884.

In those days Democrats were frugal with three candidates’ names on one 2×5 inch, pink, satin ribbon. An eagle’s wings embrace two oval portraits of “Our Next President: Grover Cleveland of New York” and “Our Next Vice-President: Allen G. Thurman of Ohio.” Below a decorative bar we have: “Our Next Congressman: Wm. L. Wilson of Jefferson County.” Fanny planned to use the plain side of the ribbon in her quilt design and hide the political advertising on the underside of the quilt.

The democratic process in America has been characterized by conflicting philosophies. Some of the causes championed by “liberal” and “conservative” leaders have changed over time.

For example, liberal Grover Cleveland opposed tariffs and favored a laissez-faire, free market form of capitalism. Cleveland did not favor women’s suffrage.

More important to many people of the time was the fact that Cleveland was the only Democrat elected president during the “Republican Era.” (1860-1912). Known as a liberal, “Bourbon Democrat,” Cleveland was pro-business, and he used his veto powers heavily to rein in a Republican Congress.

I wonder if Fanny Logan had met her husband, West Virginia Sen. Scott, in 1884 when this presidential campaign was in the news. At that time Grover Cleveland was running for office without a first lady. He was married after he took office, and he had a paternity suit that gained much attention. The names have changed, but the drama goes on and on.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe Today