Coxey’s Army originated in Ohio with 100 men all fed up with the lack of jobs during the Panic of 1893. The group was led by Jacob Coxey, a man who would go on to lead another similar march in 1914. The aim of the march was to convince the government to create jobs by investing in the infrastructure of the country.
In The Bully Pulpit, Goodwin talks about how articles written by Ray Stannard Baker in the Chicago News-Record helped generate publicity for the march. The increased awareness led to more unemployed workers joining the protest as the group marched it’s way to Washington D.C. This event showed Baker how powerful a role the press could play in shaping the sentiment of the nation. Years later, Baker would accept a position at McClure’s magazine and join other journalists who realized the potential power the pen could wield.
