USA > Massachusetts > Commonwealth history of Massachusetts, colony, province and state, volume 4 > Part 54
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CONTESTED NATIONAL ELECTION OF 1876
In 1876 occurred the first contest for the Republican presi- dential nomination since 1860. James G. Blaine of Maine,
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though the most popular man in the party, had many bitter enemies who fought him vigorously; and he had given great offense in Massachusetts by a speech in Congress recalling the attitude of Massachusetts in the embargo days and the Hartford Convention of 1814. Though Blaine barely failed of the nomination on the first ballot, the convention ultimately nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, Governor of Ohio. In the convention two young politicians worked hard against Blaine -Henry Cabot Lodge, of Massachusetts, and Theodore Roosevelt, of New York. The Democrats nominated Sam- uel J. Tilden, governor of New York, on a platform of reform in government service. The popular discontent at the evils which had appeared during the recent years of Republican control was capitalized by the Democrats; and for the first time the Republican party was placed on the defensive.
The result of the election was exceedingly close, with Tilden falling just short of the required number of electoral votes, with but three States missing. The ultimate returns from these States, however, favored Hayes, which would result in his election. Thereupon, the Democrats all over the country raised such a cry of fraud and such intense excitement pre- vailed that it was feared another civil war was impending, and a special tribunal for the decision of the election was pro- vided by Congress.
This tribunal consisted of five representatives from the Senate, five from the House, and five from the Supreme Court. This was the first time in the history of the country that the outcome of a presidential election had been disputed. On the second of March, 1877, by a vote of eight to seven, this elec- toral commission declared that Hayes was elected ; and he was inaugurated as President two days later.
In the State election, the Republican candidate, Alexander H. Rice, was reelected governor, defeating the Democratic candidate, Charles Francis Adams, of Quincy, brother of John Quincy Adams, and the Prohibition-Suffragist candi- date, John I. Baker. During his three years of service as chief executive, Governor Rice advocated biennial sessions of the legislature on the ground that they would "secure greater economic advantage and prevent much of the evil of special and temporary legislation." In 1876 he signed the Massa-
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chusetts Savings Bank Law, which has proved very beneficial; and in 1877 he vetoed the local-option liquor bill. Certain reforms in State institutions were also instituted upon dis- covery of irregularities in their management.
STATE ELECTIONS AND ADMINISTRATIONS (1877-1879)
In 1877, the people for a third time selected Governor Rice over his Democratic opponent, William Gaston. Both the Prohibition and Independent Greenback parties had candi- dates for governor in the field, and the total vote for other contestants than Alexander H. Rice was 93,199, as compared with the 91,255 he received.
During his administration the legislature considered many important questions, among them the so-called Hoosac Tun- nel Bill, in which it was attempted to establish a policy with respect to the relation of the Commonwealth to the railroads that subsequent legislatures would be required to follow for a term of seven years. Governor Rice vetoed the bill and in his message to the Senate said: "The present bill imposes on the executive department, for a long period, and as part of an established policy, the duties of a board of railroad direc- tors. ... I can entertain no doubt ... that neither the Governor of the State should be ex-officio president of its State railroad, nor the treasury of the State the treasury of a business enter- prise. The present bill, therefore, I regard as peculiarly open to objection, in that it permanently imposes on the executive department of the government, functions of a purely com- mercial character never contemplated by the constitution."
An editorial from the Transcript at the time is pertinent : "Through an appropriate committee the Legislature investi- gated for weeks the Hoosac Tunnel question and . . . came very near 'chaining' the Commonwealth ... to a policy which . . . might have proved one of disaster to the public. Here slipped in Governor Rice with one of the most beneficent vetoes ever emanating from the Executive Chamber. ... It was a brave and wise act on his part, one completely justify- ing the popular judgment that made him chief magistrate of the Commonwealth."
In the election of 1878, Thomas Talbot, the Republican nominee, was named as chief executive, defeating his leading
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antagonist, Benjamin F. Butler, by about 25,000 votes. There were six parties in the field, each with a full slate of candi- dates, and Butler was the nominee of three.
Governor Talbot advocated economy and the pay-as-you-go policy, and urged certain changes in prison management, in the system of education, and a definite policy in regard to the Hoosac Tunnel and the Troy and Greenfield Railroad. Fur- ther sales of the New York and New England Railroad stock without the consent of the General Court were forbidden. A bill consolidating the land and harbor commissions was passed, and the Prison Commission was established. The defeat by the legislature of an act relating to the registration of voters was criticized by the Transcript of May 1, 1879 as follows: "The registration act was so fair in its provisions .. . that the go-by it received is in the highest degree discreditable. . Some of the legislation of 1878 has been injudicious, but in the main its acts are creditable."
In 1879, John D. Long, of Hingham, who had served as Speaker of the House, and as lieutenant-governor the previous year under Governor Talbot, was elected to the governorship on the Republican ticket, although he had supported Horace Greeley in 1872. His Democratic opponent was Benjamin F. Butler, who was defeated by about 13,000 votes.
NATIONAL AND STATE ELECTIONS (1880-1883)
The contest for nomination and election in the presidential campaign of 1880 was particularly free from bitterness and personal abuse. In the Republican National Convention, al- though President Grant nearly succeeded in obtaining the nomination for a third term, a dark horse, General James A. Garfield, of Ohio, was nominated for President; and Chester A. Arthur, of New York, for Vice-President. The Demo- cratic standard bearers were General Winfield S. Hancock, of Pennsylvania, and William H. English, of Indiana.
The vote in the Commonwealth favored the Republican nominee, and General Garfield received a plurality of about 53,000. In the State election, Governor Long was reelected, defeating his Democratic opponent, Charles P. Thompson, of Gloucester, by a large majority. Governor Long's ad- ministration gave such general satisfaction that he was again
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elected in 1881, for a third time, and again his unsuccessful opponent was Charles P. Thompson.
In November of this year, a special session of the legislature was held to adopt as law the new revision of the statutes. Governor Long in his message protested against the "barbar- ism of capital punishment," and recommended general laws instead of special legislation for incorporating cities, for en- abling municipalities to supply pure water, and for the payment of damages for public use of private property. The Governor further advocated the most rigid public economy. "The removal of double taxation on mortgages and of local taxes on shipping will stand as a monument to the legislature of 1881," the Transcript declared in an editorial of May 14.
Governor Long was later elected to the National House of Representatives, where he served for three terms. He opposed the nomination of James G. Blaine at the Republican Conven- tion in 1884, but remained loyal to the party and did much to stem the tide of. revolt that followed. In 1897, President Mckinley appointed him Secretary of the Navy, and Theodore Roosevelt served as his first assistant secretary.
GOVERNOR BUTLER ARRIVES (1882)
The State election of 1882 was close and bitterly contested. The Republican nominee was Robert R. Bishop, of Newton, President of the Senate. Benjamin F. Butler, of Lowell, the candidate of the Democratic and Greenback parties, was at last successful in his ambition of many years' standing.
Before the war Butler had been the Democratic candidate for governor of Massachusetts, yet he was independent enough to withdraw from the Democratic National Convention at Charleston, South Carolina, with other Northern delegates, because, as he said, "I would not sit in a convention where the African Slave Law, which is piracy by the laws of my country, is approvingly advocated." He entered Congress in 1866 as a Republican, and served there, with the exception of two years, until 1879. He was said to have more influence with President Grant than any other member of the National House. He actively favored the impeachment of Andrew Johnson-whom he believed to have "even been implicated in the plot to assassinate President Lincoln."
From a photograph by Warren
Courtesy of Harvard College Library
BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
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GOVERNOR BUTLER ARRIVES
In the fall of 1871, several Republicans, each with a strong following, aspired to the office of governor of the Common- wealth. Foremost among these stood General Butler, who left no stone unturned to secure the nomination. Although the press refused to support him, and he was bitterly opposed in the campaign, he nearly succeeded in achieving his purpose. After several unsuccessful attempts as the Greenback candi- date he again entered the political arena in 1882 in a contest for the governorship, but this time as the nominee of the Democratic party, and was successful.
The story of Butler's administration is the history of an out- standing and bitter struggle between the executive and the legislature. He urged better civil-service laws, and a con- stitutional amendment to allow women to vote; and he met with considerable success in supporting somewhat radical and far-reaching labor legislation. In his inaugural address, he so severely criticized conditions at the Tewksbury Alms- house, a charitable institution of the State, that a legislative committee was appointed to make a special investigation. Some undesirable conditions were disclosed in the sixty-five hearings, extending over three and a half months, but the most serious of the governor's charges were not sustained by the committee. During his administration, forty bills became law without the governor's signature, and four were signed by the lieutenant-governor during the governor's absence from the Commonwealth.
The election of 1883 was even more bitterly contested, and Governor Butler was again the candidate of the Democratic party. This time he was opposed by George D. Robinson, of Chicopee, the Republican nominee, who was elected by almost 10,000 plurality. From this time on, General Butler ceased to be an important factor in State politics. The following year, however, he was chosen standard-bearer of the National Green- back as well as of the new Antimonopoly party, but received only 24,382 votes in Massachusetts. Butler's was a masterful personality, which left its imprint upon the political history of the nation. His positive nature and belligerent disposition were responsible for much of the animosity against him.
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GOVERNOR ROBINSON (1884-1886)
In 1884, the Democrats nominated as their presidential candidate Grover Cleveland, a former mayor of Buffalo, and then governor of New York. Cleveland stood pledged to a policy of tariff reform, urging the substitution of a tariff for revenue only to replace the Republican protective tariff. Though Massachusetts had always favored protection because its textiles, shoes, and other industrial products were in close competition with those of foreign countries, yet the Republican party admitted that there were inequalities in the existing protective tariff which should be corrected.
James G. Blaine was again the leading Republican candi- date, but was bitterly opposed in the National Convention by most of the Massachusetts delegation. In fact, the Transcript of June 4th declared, "It was the delegation from this State which did the most effective work towards defeating the un- scrupulous scheme of the Blaine managers to elect a tempo- rary chairman. Much of the credit of the victory is due to Henry Cabot Lodge, who was ably assisted by young Roose- velt." Nevertheless, James G. Blaine received the Republican nomination ..
Throughout the twenty-four years of Republican rule, there had been a weakening of the solidarity of the Republican forces. The Grant-Sumner controversy, corruption within the party, the tariff question, civil-service reform, and the hostility to Blaine caused serious defection in the Republican ranks and resulted in the election of Grover Cleveland as President. In the State election of 1884, Governor Robinson was reelected, defeating the Democratic nominee, William C. Endicott, of Salem, by about 48,000 plurality. Robinson was popular as governor and was reelected the following year (1885), this time defeating Frederick O. Prince, of Boston, who had been named by the Democrats.
A law passed during 1886 to improve the civil service in cities and towns provided that no rum seller or convict should be appointed to public office, and that there should be no in- timidation or political influence brought to bear upon public officers. During this administration, also, certain commis- sions, including a State Board of Arbitration for the settle-
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ment of differences between employers and employees, were established. An act was passed to provide for the weekly payment of wages by corporations, as was an act to authorize the consolidation of the Connecticut River and Ashuelot Rail- roads. An employers' liability bill, as well as various elevated railroad plans, was killed. A free textbook bill, and measures relating to the conduct of elections and the registration of voters were also passed during Governor Robinson's adminis- tration.
GOVERNOR AMES (1887-1889)
For the next three years, Oliver Ames, of Easton, who had already served as lieutenant governor for four years, was the people's choice for chief executive over his Democratic op- ponents. In 1886, he first defeated John F. Andrew, of Boston (son of the Civil War Governor) by about 9,000 plurality ; then Henry B. Lovering, of Lynn; and finally, dur- ing the presidential campaign of 1888, he was elected over William E. Russell, mayor of Cambridge, by a plurality of about 28,000.
Dissatisfaction of Democratic party workers over Grover Cleveland's civil-service appointments, and the contest over the tariff issue were largely responsible for the Democratic defeat and the election of the Republican nominee, Benjamin Harrison, of Indiana, in the election of 1888. The contest was very close and, as in 1884, New York was the pivotal State. Cleveland's plurality in the country at large was more than 100,000; but he received only 168 of the electoral votes cast, while Harrison received 233 votes in the Electoral College. Massachusetts, as usual in presidential elections, was strongly Republican, and gave Benjamin Harrison a plurality of some 32,000 votes.
Governor Ames brought to his task a marked administrative ability, gained in a long business experience as a manu- facturer of plows and shovels, which served him well in directing the affairs of the Commonwealth with efficiency. Important legislation considered during his three years as governor related to the revision of the insurance laws and to questions of labor, liquor, and education. Bills dealing with the consolidation of the street railways of Boston and vicinity
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into the West End Street Railway Company, and with the drainage of the Mystic and Charles River basins were passed. A bill to authorize the granting of a charter for an elevated railroad met with much opposition. "Before another Legisla- ture convenes, it is hoped that the suburban districts will have such facilities of conveyance that not even in their behalf can a plausible case be made out for an elevated railway," declared the Transcript of June 1, 1889. At the time of the Johnstown Flood, the legislature, in a moment of sympathy, hastily ap- propriated thirty thousand dollars for the relief of the suf- ferers. Such action was severely censured by the press and was reconsidered by the legislature, as it was found to be unconstitutional.
During the first year of Governor Ames's administration, there was a strenuously contested senatorial election. Henry L. Dawes, who had served the Commonwealth as United States Senator since 1875, was finally chosen to fill that of- fice for a third time, defeating two ex-governors of the State, George D. Robinson and John D. Long. Two years later, George F. Hoar, of Worcester, who had served in the United States Senate since 1877, was reelected, practically without opposition. In fact, a series of very able and illustrious men served the Commonwealth in the United States Senate during this period. The line beginning with Charles Sumner com- prised William B. Washburn and Henry L. Dawes, while that beginning with Henry Wilson included George S. Boutwell and George F. Hoar.
In 1889, the Democratic party was becoming so strong polit- ically that the Republican candidate for Governor, John Q. A. Brackett, of Arlington, was elected by but 7,000 plurality over his Democratic opponent, William E. Russell, of Cam- bridge.
ISSUES OF LIQUOR LEGISLATION (1855-1874)
The question of regulating or prohibiting the sale of liquor had a very marked effect upon the political history of the State during this period. In 1855, a law had been passed forbidding the sale of all intoxicating liquors, including wine, beer, and cider, to be used either as a beverage or as medicine,
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unless sold by agents of the State. The legislature was con- stantly petitioned to enact a moderate-license law instead of the prohibitory statute. In 1867, 31 members of the senate and 184 members of the house went into office pledged for license. A law was accordingly enacted providing for a system of licensing; but Governor Claflin, in his inaugural message at the next session of the legislature, maintained that the practical working of this law was not successful.
Significantly, no political party wanted to tackle this liquor question. According to Warrington, "We ... couldn't get the Republicans to declare for one side or the other. The reason why the law cannot be enforced, and why it will before long either be upheld or become a dead letter ... , is simply because a majority of the people buy liquor and use it as a bever- age ... and as far as my observation goes, the Republicans drink their share." The Democratic party even went so far as to put a "hands off" plank in their platform in 1868, on the ground that prohibitory legislation infringed too much "on the rights of the individual." In 1874 an anti-prohibition governor was elected.
PROHIBITION REPEALED (1875-1889)
In his inaugural message, Governor Gaston, in 1875, recom- mended the repeal of the existing Prohibition Law, and the enactment of a law in its stead which would place the sale of intoxicating liquors in responsible hands surrounded by the "strongest practicable limitations, restraints, and safeguards." In accordance with the suggestion, the legislature did pass during the year an act giving cities and towns the right to license the sale of liquor within their limits. This law re- mained in force for the rest of this twenty-five-year period.
Further regulations and restrictions of the traffic were, however, adopted from time to time. Laws for licensing druggists and apothecaries were passed in 1878, and a year later the "civil damages" law was passed, after stout opposi- tion by the liquor interests. The famous "screen law," which required that the place for serving drinks be in public view, was in 1881; and this was followed by the law which made the buildings used by liquor clubs in no-license cities and
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towns common nuisances. Legislation was passed during this period for official inspection and analysis of liquor, prohibition of the sale or delivery of liquor to "charity" persons, the hours in which liquor selling was permitted, and for the use of temperance text books.
In accordance with the recommendation by Governor Ames, in a special message in 1887, laws were passed permitting local authorities to close retail liquor shops in case of riot. Self-registering, self-canceling ballot boxes were required in voting on the liquor issue under the Local Option Law. In 1889, although the people defeated the constitutional amend- ment forbidding the manufacture of intoxicating drinks by a vote of 131,062 to 85,242, material additions were made to the restrictive liquor laws.
Thus was the struggle between the liquor interest and its opponents carried on with varying fortunes, though ultimate- ly resulting in the further restriction and limitation of the sale of liquor. No other issue in the legislature approached this subject in perennial interest, and no other issue seemed of greater importance to the people.
LABOR CONTROVERSY (1870-1887)
The Knights of Saint Crispin, a lodge of shoemakers, was chartered in 1870 as a charitable organization, and formed the nucleus of the Labor Reform party. It originated through agitation in Massachusetts against the importation of Chinese laborers, caused by the bringing in of a body of Celestials to work in a factory at North Adams, on the ground that it would tend to lower the standard of living of American labor. The platform of the Labor Reform party in 1870 consisted of three main issues : an eight-hour labor day, pro- tection for home industries, and government control of railways and telegraphs. In the election of 1871, the Labor Reform party nominated Edwin M. Chamberlain for gover- nor, and advocated legal-tender government notes as the only safe currency for quick payment of the national debt.
The Labor party never became powerful politically, either because its leaders were not of sufficient influence in the com- munity to win for it der sive votes in the elections, or because
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enough men of both leading parties were ready and desirous of putting on the statute book measures for the improvement of working conditions of labor which the Labor party was urging. The labor leaders, finding that they could achieve greater results by efforts made within the Republican and Democratic parties than by independent action as a political party, chose the former way of carrying out their program. They gradually lessened their activities as a separate political party, and concentrated on the adoption of certain labor meas- ures by the legislature.
Due to this sentiment in favor of improving the conditions of labor, as well as to the influence of the labor leaders, legis- lation was adopted to protect the health and property of employees, and to regulate the hours of labor, especially those of women and children. After years of bitter struggle, legis- lation was enacted, in 1882, requiring weekly payment of wages and establishing also a State Board of Arbitration. The Employers Liability Law was, after a contest of many years, passed in 1887, after which time the first Monday in September was made a legal holiday, to be known as Labor Day.
AGITATION FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE (1849-1878)
Another important issue was that of woman suffrage. In 1849, William Lloyd Garrison presented to the State legis- lature the first petition favoring woman suffrage. In 1865, Governor John A. Andrew, seeing the magnitude of the subject, discussed it in his annual message; but no further ac- tion was taken. From this time on, the subject was con- tinually agitated, with but little progress. In 1871, Governor William Claflin recommended woman suffrage to the favor- able consideration of the legislature; and eight years later, Governor Talbot proposed the adoption of a constitutional amendment securing the ballot to women on the same terms as men.
Although the proposition of general suffrage for women made little perceptible progress, the continued agitation of the subject resulted, in 1878, in the passage of a law giving to women the right to vote for school committees; and although
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the list of women voters was to be kept separate, the registra- tion laws for men were made applicable to women.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM (1883-1884)
One of the greatest obstacles to the efficient administration of governmental activities has always been the paying of polit- ical debts through the giving of government positions. Ac- companying the corruption that appeared after the Civil War was the organized "spoils system," the filling of government positions with the henchmen of the political party then in power, and making the government employee practically re- sponsible to the party leaders or bosses. This was a serious menace to the efficient and economical administration of na- tional, state, and municipal governments, and greatly impaired their effective operation.
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