Cool Things - Legislative War Artifacts Both the Populist and
Republican parties claimed control of the Kansas House of
Representatives during the Legislative War. The collections
include this sledge hammer used by the Republicans to smash the
chamber doors and regain control. The People's or Populist Party
was a significant third party movement in Kansas politics during
the 1890s. Its adherents promised to protect government from the
influence of corrupt politicians and big business. The peak of
the Kansas Populists' dominance came with the fall elections of
1892, when the ticket won the governor's office, four
congressional seats, and control of the state Senate. The status
of the House of Representatives was much murkier, though, with
both Populists and Republicans claiming control of that hall.
The Populists charged the Republicans with election fraud, and a
strange situation came to pass. Two Parties, One Chamber Both a
Populist-led and a Republican-led House were seated in early
1893. Both were called t