In the 1912 election, three candidates ran for president. Those being, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. All three of these men wanted progressivism which is gradual changes in the social aspect of society. But, the candidates differed in the ways that were progressive, and ways that were not progressive. The candidate that was the most progressive all around was Theodore roosevelt. Roosevelt should be elected because he was the most progressive overall, and was the most progressive in regulating business, labor, and conservation. First off, the most progressive president in regulating business was Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt began to attack the large monopolistic corporations, which were companies that controlled the supply and trade of the commodity. Roosevelt wanted balance in the businesses. So because of this, he was the first president to use the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up these large monopolies. Roosevelt wanted balance in the businesses. Amongst breaking up the monopolies, he also passed the Hepburn Act in 1906. This act was passed which allowed the commission to set maximum rates, inspect a company 's book, and investigate railroads, sleeping car …show more content…
He put the most effort into labor than any of the other candidates. One of the biggest things Roosevelt was a part of, was the Anthracite Coal Strike. This was when miners went on strike because they were demanding greater rights and protection because the corporation 's expected them to remain cheap. The miners then wanted a 20% pay increase, so they met with Roosevelt and were very unsympathetic and refused to negotiate with the labor representatives. But in result, they ended up with a 10% pay increase. As Roosevelt was the most progressive in labor, taft was the least progressive because many people had thought he lacked the mental and physical stamina to be effective as a