Socialist Party of New York

Socialist Party of New York
Senate leader	None
House leader	None
Founded	1973
Headquarters	339 Lafayette St., New York City, New York
Ideology	Democratic socialism
National affiliation	Socialist Party USA
Colors	Red

The Socialist Party of New York (SPNY) is the state chapter of the Socialist Party USA (SPUSA) in New York.

History

Socialist Party of America

During its height in the 1910s, the party fielded candidates for the office of Mayor,^[1] seats in the New York State Assembly and the House of Representatives.^[2] In 1917, several anti-war organizations along with SPNY gathered to discuss the War in Europe.^[3] When they nominated Morris Hillquit for Mayor, the party was afraid he along with other members faced imprisonment because of the party's anti-conscriptionist platform. During the national convention for the SPNY of 1917, the party decided to create a party bureau which would support socialist agitators who faced jail time or where sent behind bars.^[4] During the national convention in 1918, they discussed the crisis in Russia and the election strategy for the gubernatorial election which was held later in 1918.^[5]

In 1920, Samuel Orr, Louis Waldman, Charles Solomon, Samuel DeWitt, and August Claessens were called before the Speaker of the New York State Assembly. The five were charged with being unfit for membership in the Assembly through their membership in the Socialist Party of America and its state affiliate, and were suspended from their seats by a vote of 140 supporting to 6 against suspension.^[6] A protracted political trial followed as to the fitness of the five Socialists to assume their seats, which ran throughout the winter and spring. The trial began on January 20, 1920.^[7]

Socialist Party USA

The party is affiliated with the Socialist Party USA. It has a close relationship with the Green Party; as such, the Socialist Party almost never seeks ballot access, instead endorsing Green Party candidates.

At the SPA's 1972 National Convention, which was held in Manhattan,^[8] the SPA changed its name to "Social Democrats, USA" by a vote of 73 to 34.^[9] During the convention, the majority won every vote, by a ratio of two to one. The Convention elected a national committee of 33 members, with 22 seats for the majority caucus, 8 seats for the coalition caucus of Michael Harrington, 2 for the Debs caucus, and one for the "independent" Samuel H. Friedman.^[10] Many former members of the Debs caucus joined David McReynolds in founding the Socialist Party of the United States of America in 1973.

Presidential nominee results

In 1956, Darlington Hoopes ran as the final nominee of the Socialist Party of America but was not on the New York ballot. In 1976, following a split in the Socialist Party, Socialist Party USA began running independent candidates with the Socialist Party label. However, no SPUSA presidential nominee has appeared on the ballot in New York.

Year	Nominee	Total Votes	Percent	Notes
1900	Eugene V. Debs	12,869	0.83%	Social Democratic Party of America nominee
1904	Eugene V. Debs	36,883	2.28%
1908	Eugene V. Debs	38,451	2.35%
1912	Eugene V. Debs	63,434	3.99%
1916	Allan L. Benson	45,944	2.69%
1920	Eugene V. Debs	203,201	7.01%
1924	Robert M. La Follette Sr.	268,510	8.23%	Dual endorsed Progressive Party nominee
1928	Norman Thomas	107,332	2.44%
1932	Norman Thomas	177,397	3.78%
1936	Norman Thomas	86,897	1.55%
1940	Norman Thomas	18,950	0.30%
1944	Norman Thomas	10,553	0.17%
1948	Norman Thomas	40,879	0.66%
1952	Darlington Hoopes	2,664	0.04%

Footnotes

1. "Socialists Fling at all the Parties" (PDF). The New York Times. October 13, 1913. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
2. "Sulzer Appeal Under Way?" (PDF). The New York Times. October 26, 1913. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
3. "Pacifist Demand War Referendum" (PDF). The New York Times. February 5, 1917. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
4. "Socialist Expect Trouble for Ticket". The New York Times. July 9, 1917. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
5. "Socialist Count on Anti-War Voters" (PDF). The New York Times. June 30, 1918. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
6. Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York, Volum 4. University of Michigan. 1920. pp. 33–55. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
7. Waldman, Louis (1920). Albany: The Crisis in Government. Boni & Liveright, New York. p. 50. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
8. Anonymous (27 December 1972). "Young Socialists open parley; to weigh 'New Politics' split". New York Times. p. 25.
9. • Anonymous (31 December 1972). "Socialist Party now the Social Democrats, U.S.A.". New York Times. p. 36. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
   The New York Times reported on the 1972 Convention on other days, e.g.,
   • Johnston, Laurie (31 December 1972). "Young Socialists support Meany; Group urges the Democrats to join labor movement". New York Times. p. 36.
   • Johnston, Laurie (28 December 1972). "Young Socialists defeat motion favoring recognition of Cuba". New York Times. p. 15.
10. Anonymous (1 January 1973). "'Firmness' urged on Communists: Social Democrats reach end of U.S. Convention here". New York Times. p. 11.

Further reading

• Robert Wark, "Historical Sketch of The New Age, Founded, June 1912: 10 Years of Struggle for the Emancipation of the Masses," The New Age, vol. 11, whole no. 516 (July 13, 1922), pp. 1, 10. —History of the Socialist movement in the city of Buffalo.

External links

• Socialist Party USA
• Socialist Party of Central New York