USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > Governors for three hundred years, 1638-1959; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations > Part 26
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He has been a member of Board of Fellows, Brown University since 1929; Chair- man. Committee on Lectureships. Brown University; Trustee of Rhode Island School of Design since 1900, and Vice-President 1907-1939; Trustee, Providence Public Library. since 1903. and Secretary since 1908; Chairman of Board of Directors of Plantations Bank of Rhode Island since 1915; Director. Bankers Security Life Insurance Society (of New York); Director and President. Netop Land Company; Member, Board of Gover- nors, Morris Plan Bankers Association (National) ; Director and President, The John Thayer Company; Charter Member of Roosevelt Memorial Association (National) ; Charter Member of American Law Institute (National) ; Charter Member of Stable Money League (National); Charter Member and Director. Legal Aid Society of Rhode Island: Fellow, American Geographical Society: Rhode Island Member, National Coun- cil of National Economic League; Member, Council of Legal Education of American Bar Association; Member of General Council. American Bar Association; Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association; Chairman. Rhode Island Committee Victory Fund; National Democratic Party; Member, Committee on Friendly Relations Among Foreign Students; Member, Board of Directors, Rhode Island Discount Company.
Member, Rhode Island Organization for Public Health Nursing since 1932; Mem- ber, Corporation of Providence Boys' Club since 1933; Honorary Member, Boy Scouts Troop 31 of Providence, 1931; Honorary Member, National Council of Boy Scouts of America since 1933; Honorary Member, Woonsocket Kiwanis Club since 1933; Honor- ary Member Fellow American Academy of Arts and Sciences (Boston) since 1933; Honor- ary President, Providence Junior Chamber of Commerce since 1933; Member Providence Grange No. 45 since 1935.
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He was President, R. I. Society of the Cincinnati, 1947-1953. Was appointed by President Truman as Representative of the U. S. of America to the Seventh Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, 1952. Was also appointed by President Eisenhower to finish the Seventh Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in January. 1953. Has been Vice President of the Society of the Cincinnati, Inc. (Na- tional) since 1950; Member, Standing Committee of the General Society of the Cincin- nati (R. I.) since 1953; Director. Society of the Cincinnati, Inc. since 1953; Member, R. I. Society of the Sons of the Revolution since 1949; Member, Sphinx Club since 1953.
He is member also of the following: Phi Beta Kappa Associates, Psi Upsilon Frater- nity Alumni Association of Psi Upsilon, Vice President, 1932; Member of Founders' Committee, Psi Upsilon Alumni Association of the District of Columbia. 1956; Rheno Colonia zu Bonn; American Bar Association, Rhode Island Bar Association, Harvard Law School Association, American Philological Association, Rhode Island Historical Society, American-Scandinavian Foundation, American Federation of Arts, American Free Art League, Rhode Island Library Association, Charitable Baptist Society, Greater Providence Young Men's Christian Association; Hereditary member of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Rhode Island; China Institute in America, a chief of the National Algon- quin Indian Council; Providence Preservation Society.
He is a member of the following Clubs: Hope, Agawam Hunt, Providence Art, Psi Upsilon, University, Town Criers, Economic, all of Providence; Chomowauke Lodge; Uni- versity of New York, Brown of New York; University, National Press, National Capitol Democratic Club, Army-Navy Club, Brown of Washington, D. C., R. I Press Club- - Providence.
Residence, No. 14 John Street; business address, 32 Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island. Residence, University Club, Washington, D C .; business address, 221 Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C.
Became the oldest Member ever to serve in the Congress of the United States.
Washington, Jan. 31, 1959, Prov. Journal - Yesterday was a day of emotion and drama in the life of a 91-year-old man who with the stoicism of his pilgrim ancestory al- ways has tried to avoid show and feeling, and instead has served practicality.
In a way it was a practical move that Sen. Theodore Francis Green made when he resigned as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The reasons he gave for his exit from one of the nation's most powerful jobs were couched in terms of realism. His eyesight, his hearing.
But the chamber wherein he spoke was supercharged with tension and regret as tears came into the eyes of Senator Green's colleagues at this reluctant yielding to age by a man who had defied it so long.
The day had started differently from most others for the oldest man ever to sit in the U. S. Senate. The wispy little senator from Rhode Island had foregone his usual 21/2-mile walk to the Capitol. He had urgent business - his resignation.
Senator Green did not change the habits of a long lifetime too much, though. He took a cab, but as he related with a chuckle, others paid for the ride.
The senator told his friends, "I had to take a cab, but I saw two other men waiting for cabs on the way, so we picked them up."
"And to show you I haven't lost all common sense," he quipped, "I let them pay for the cab!"
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The senator laughed and his hearers joined in the laughter. Behind the words there was a meaning . .. "I haven't lost all common sense" ... and behind the apparent gaiety a sigh lurked.
An air of poignancy had crept into the room when the microphones and television cameras were set for what amounted to a sort of limited political hara-kiri. Sen. Lyn- don Johnson (D-Tex) , the majority leader and a fellow Democrat, stood at his side as the Rhode Islander took the floor.
Members of the Foreign Relations Committee had asked Senator Green to stay on. But he had made his decision, and he was to repeat it for the world.
The Senate's most enthusiastic party-goer and bachelor gave his official statement. His eyesight was failing, his hearing poor, the workload was too great. ... You almost could hear a feather drop on the carpeted floor.
Senator Green outwardly was gay, as if time had played a joke on him and he wasn't going to take it too seriously.
He has been known to take in six social events in one evening. A reporter asked politely whether the senator planned an orderly withdrawal on the social front.
"Not at all." he replied. "I've got to eat somewhere, haven't I? May as well have a free lunch!"
The old-timers in Washington said they couldn't recall a precedent for Senator Green's decision to yield his powerful post. There had been talk that some members of Congress strongly had urged him to take the step.
The old man was scornful of the theory that such urging had been a determining factor in his decision. He spoke of "callous" critics in discussing his move with the press.
New glasses he got after an operation for a cataract had been giving him trouble, he said. On several recent occasions he has been unable to hear properly, despite his hear- ing aid.
Senator Green quickly added, lest anyone misinterpret these signs, that his mind was as sharp as ever and he intended to serve in the Senate, at least until he is 100.
Earlier, the Foreign Relations Committee had passed a formal resolution beseech- ing Senator Green to reconsider. When it became obvious that he meant to quit and while he was making his little speech, moves already were afoot to show how his fellow senators felt.
Sen. J. William Fulbright (D-Ark), who will succeed him, was talking about mak- ing the Rhode Island senator "chairman emeritus" of the Foreign Relations Committee.
Everyone was shaking the elder statesman's hand and wishing him well. A compli- mentary statement was issued by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. It began with the usual " It is with sincere regret" and praised Senator Green's services.
Relaxing a bit with the press after the formalities, Senator Green, speaking in his high-pitched nasal twang, said:
"My life is filled to overflowing with the things I had to do and the things that I want to do."
He looked around a bit wanly. "Quite a sendoff you are giving me," he remarked. "A real patriot, a great American." Senator Johnson was heard to say.
(Courtesy of Providence Journal)
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Address by Hon. Theodore Francis Green, of Rhode Island
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Wednesday, July 7, 1954
On Sunday, July 4, it was my privilege to join with the citizens of Rhode Island in dedicating and marking the graves of former Governors of my State.
Ceremonies were held in many cemeteries in Rhode Island and at Newport I delivered the address at the dedication.
I ask unanimous consent to have this address printed in the Appendix of the Record.
There being no objection, the address was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
Mayor Sullivan, Mr. Taylor, Senator Murray, Mr. Gildea, officials of the Newport city govern- ment, members of the armed services and New- port civic organizations, fellow citizens, today we join with citizens of our State in other places, in identifying and properly marking the graves of former Governors of Rhode Island. Not only in Rhode Island are exercises such as this being conducted, but also in other States where the remains of a few former chief executives are interred. It is quite remarkable that here in New- port cemeteries lie the remains of 23 former Governors of our State. In the Coddington Ceme- tery across the way are buried six of them. All of these men served their State with honor, and history records their accomplishments and en- deavors. Many held office before we declared our independence, and others during the hectic days when our country was fighting to achieve it. Still others served during those trying days when we were fighting to preserve it and for our very existence as a Nation. It seems appropriate from this large number of governors to commemorate one as a representative of them all, and one has been chosen who is buried in Coddington Ceme- tery and who was the first chief executive to hear the title of governor, William Coddington. He was a friend of Roger Williams and was first elected with the title not of governor but of judge. Born in Lancashire, England, in 1601, Governor Coddington was a man of fortune and position who came to Boston in 1630. In Boston
he served as a judge with Dr. John Clarke later organized a new colony in the vicinity of New York. It was Roger Williams who induced both Judge Coddington and Dr. Clarke to locate on Narragansett Bay and it was soon after he estab- lished himself on the Island of Rhode Island that he was elected the first judge of Newport. Later he was elected the first governor, holding office from 1640 to 1647. He died here in November 1678.
Governor Coddington was a devout follower of Roger Williams the founder of our State and believed in his principle of complete religious liberty. He was a broad-minded and beneficent gentleman of sturdy character whose work was dedicated to establishing here in Rhode Island a colony where respectable citizens could reside without fear of being molested by the British Crown.
I love Newport and the whole island of Rhode Island. I am glad to be taking part in this dedi- catory exercise of marking the graves of Governor Coddington, and the other 22 governors buried here. There naturally come to mind the graves elsewhere of other Governors of Rhode Island, among whom are several of my own ancestors. I think especially of the grave of my direct an- cestor, Gov. William Greene of Warwick, buried in the family graveyard on the Greene farm there. Perhaps I may say a few words about him, since his record is, I think, unique. He was an able and a very independent Yankee. After being elected governor in 1743, his independence aroused so much opposition that after two years they elected Gov. Gideon Wanton in his place. However, after 1 year of the latter, the people decided they had made a mistake and reelected Governor Greene. Again after a year, in their vacillation they reelected Governor Wanton, Again after a year, they returned to their first love Governor Greene. This third time he stayed 7 years in office, when he was again retired and Gov. Stephen Hopkins was elected in his place, but lasted only 2 years, and Governor Greene
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came back for the fourth time into the office of governor, which he held until his death in 1758. So he really served as governor 4 separate times for a total of 11 terms, a record which, as I said before, is, I think, unique, a monument to a Rhode Islander's spirit of independence and to political success in spite of it.
We in Rhode Island are the beneficiaries of the endeavors of our early governors. These men had various views and, with their interest, train- ing, education, and background, representing many political philosophies, they were an inspira- tion to their fellow citizens and made magnificent individual contributions to the forward progress of our State.
Although I have spoken in particular of Gov- ernor Coddington and Governor Greene, I real- ize that when we recall the numerous patriotic acts in the history of our State, it is both difficult and unfair to single out any one or two governors for particular praise. A recital of their acts of patriotism, however, should stimulate us to fol- low their example. Rhode Island has always been independent. It was the general assembly of the colony of Rhode Island, acting on the advice of its governor, which adopted the resolu- tion of independence and which widened the breach between our colony and its mother coun- try.
Nowhere did the love of civil liberty manifest itself more clearly than here in Rhode Island, the birthplace of religious liberty. It was our gen- eral assembly which adopted the first resolution denying the right of any other power to levy taxes upon this colony. It was a governor of Rhode Island who alone refused to take the oath to support the Stamp Act. Here in Newport the citizens committed the first overt act of violence by destroying the British sloop Liberty. Later in Providence the citizens occasioned the first
bloodshed by burning the British Schooner Gas- pee.
Our Governors all had a part in these historic events of our State and country. A review of their patriotic, independent acts arouses our admiration. It was acts such as these which finally led to the Declaration of Independence which we celebrate today.
Over the years there has been from time to time local interest in locating and caring for some of the graves of the former Governors of our State. However, no concentrated, organized effort was made until the State Graves Registration Committee was named in accordance with an act of the Rhode Island Legislature. It took initia- tive, time, effort, and foresightedness to carry out this program of locating and identifying all the graves of the former Governors of our State. Mr. Ralph Mohr, a former State Commander of the American Legion and Chairman of the State Graves Registration Committee and his assistants at headquarters and in the various cities and towns, deserve the heartfelt thanks of all the citizens of our State for their successful efforts culminating today at the various cemeteries in Rhode Island and elsewhere.
As a student of history I can well imagine the painstaking search of records which was required in order to establish definitely the true location of the graves of some of our Governors. The dedication of these graves today with the placing of these new markers should serve as a lasting reminder, that we should take proper care of them and give devoted respect to those who held the highest office within the power of the citi- zens of our State to grant, and whose sturdy character and inspiration have led us here in Rhode Island to be good, conscientious, patri- otic American citizens. May the inspiration of their example help us to be their worthy suc- cessors.
Reprinted from the Congressional Record
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PRESENTATION OF FIRST VOLUME
Presentation of the first book "Rhode Island Governors for 300 Years" by Ralph S. Mohr to Gov. Dennis Roberts.
Left to Right, standing: Leo Reardon, State Photographer, Ralph S. Mohr, Author, Henry Jackson, Alice T. Smith, Robert Scott, Eva Paquin, Chester W. Williams, Chief of the State Division of Soldier's Welfare.
Seated: Governor Roberts.
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ROBERT EMMET QUINN
Governor: 1937 to 1939.
War Service: U. S. Diplomatic Service and Com. U. S. N. Res., World Wars I & II. Born: April 2, 1894 in Phenix, Rhode Island.
ROBERT EMMET QUINN, son of Charles and Mary Ann (McCabe) Quinn, of West Warwick, was born in Phenix. Warwick, April 2, 1894, receiving his education at the War- wick High School. Brown University (A. B., Class of 1915), and Harvard Law School (LL. B. Class of 1918.) During World War I served in the United States diplomatic intelligence service in England and France. President Kent County Bar Association and member of American Bar Association and Rhode Island Bar Association, also member of various social and civic service clubs. Served as senator, 1923-1925, and 1929-1933. He played a prominent part in the "filibuster" of 1923-1924 which resulted in the abolition of the property qualification in Rhode Island cities and a partial re-districting of the Rhode Is- land State Senate. Elected Lieutenant-Governor at the general election held November 8, 1932 and re-elected November 6, 1934. He was the central figure in the so-called "bloodless revolution" of January 1. 1935 which resulted in the abolition of the state ap- pointed Public Safety Board in Providence and the election of an entirely new Rhode Is- land Supreme Court. The governmental changes effected on that date were by far the most important since the Dorr Rebellion. Elected Governor, November 3, 1936 and served the term from 1937 to 1939.
He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Superior Court in 1941 and served until the outbreak of World War II. The Rhode Island Senate and House unanimously gave him a leave of absence for the duration of the war.
He reported for duty in the Navy in February 1942 as a Lieutenant Commander and served until January 1946 when he went on in-active duty as a Captain. He was cited by both Army and Navy for distinguished service. He was recommended for the Legion of Merit by Admiral Thomas L. Gatch and was decorated for distinguished serv- ice by both Secretary Forrestal and Secretary Matthews. He was also awarded the Rhode Island Cross.
In 1951 he was appointed by President Truman to be the first Chief Judge of the United States Court of Military Appeals and has served in that capacity ever since.
Judge Quinn married Miss Mary Carter on August 3, 1923. They have four chil- dren. Their home is in West Warwick, Rhode Island.
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HON. ROBERT E. QUINN 1937-1939
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WILLIAM HENRY VANDERBILT
Governor: 1939 to 1941.
War Service: Midshipman Coast Defense in World War I; Captain, USNR, World War II.
Born: November 24th, 1901 in New York City.
WILLIAM HENRY VANDERBILT was born in New York City, November 24th, 1901, the son of Alfred Gwynne and Ellen (French) Vanderbilt. His education was obtained ac St. George's School, Newport; Evans School, Arizona; and at Princeton University. At the age of sixteen he enlisted as midshipman in the Naval Coast Defense for service in the first World War. In 1925 he became actively interested in public transportation through the establishment of interstate bus lines. He served as State senator from New- port from 1928 to 1934; and in 1938 was elected Governor of Rhode Island. He was re- nominated by his party in 1940, but was defeated in the election by J. Howard McGrath.
During Governor Vanderbilt's administration four major objectives were achieved. (1) The first Civil Service law in the State's history was enacted, embracing a large ma- jority of the personnel of the State government, with competitive examinations, pro- viding for the competency and security of tenure in office of the great majority of all personnel in the State service. (2) The fiscal organization of the executive branch was revised to establish a means of control over budgets and expenditures. (3) The admini- strative work of the government was completely reorganized, following a comprehensive study by specialists in that field; numerous independent boards and commissions were eliminated; a system of quasi-judicial appellate tribunals was instituted, to guard against arbitrary or unwise administrative action in various fields; and departmental organization was clarified and made responsive to the control of officials on whom public responsibility could be centered. (4) An unbalanced budget was corrected and an operating surplus was produced.
Governor Vanderbilt served as Captain, United States Naval Reserve in World War II. He has been twice married, first in 1923 to Emily Davies, by whom he had one daughter, and secondly. in 1929, to Anne, daughter of Major Everett and Edith Colby. They are the parents of two daughters and a son, William.
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HON. WILLIAM H. VANDERBILT 1939-1941
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JAMES HOWARD MCGRATH
Governor: 1941 to October 6, 1945.
Born: November 28th, 1903 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
JAMES HOWARD MCGRATH was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on November 28, 1903, the son of James J. and Ida E. (May) McGrath. His father, an Irish emigrant, started work in his adopted country as a knitter in 1895. Later the senior McGrath was associated with the Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal insurance organization with headquarters in Toronto, Canada. During the last twenty-five years of his life he was manager and organizer for this body in Rhode Island and other New England States. McGrath's mother was a bookkeeper in Providence before her marriage. There were four children in the McGrath family: T. Russell McGrath, now assistant treasurer, First Federal Savings and Loan Association, of Providence; two girls, now married; and James Howard McGrath. They were reared in Providence.
A newspaper subscription contest, sponsored by Senator Peter G. Gerry, owner of the Providence paper, gave young McGrath his first opportunity to show ability as an or- ganizer. Utilizing his father's connection with the Foresters, the boy obtained subscrip- tions throughout the State, won the contest, and gained Senator Gerry's attention. After graduation from LaSalle Academy in 1922, McGrath entered Providence College, receiv- ing his Ph.B. degree in 1926. During this period and during that of McGrath's subse- quent attendance at Boston University, from which he was graduated with a degree in law in 1929. Senator Gerry had employed him as a junior assistant. McGrath was admitted to the Rhode Island bar in 1929.
From the age of sixteen McGrath had ambitions for a political career, and with Gerry's aid he became vice chairman of the Democratic State Committee while still a law student. He was president of the Young Men's Democratic League of Rhode Island (1924-28), and in 1930 he served as city solicitor of Central Falls, Rhode Island, a post he held until 1934. From chairman of the Democratic State Committee, he rose to chairman of the Rhode Island delegation to the Democratic national convention in 1932. He was the youngest man holding such a post. (He was also present at the 1936 con- vention.) At this time (1932) McGrath transferred his political support from Senator Gerry to Theodore F. Green, and joined the latter's law firm. In 1934 McGrath became United States District Attorney for Rhode Island, an office he held for the following six years.
In 1940 McGrath accepted the Democratic nomination for Governor of Rhode Is- land. Defeating the Republican candidate William H. Vanderbilt. McGrath polled more votes than any previous gubernatorial candidate. He was twice re-elected to the office (in 1942 and 1944) . At the Democratic national convention in 1944, at which he was chairman of the permanent organization committee, Governor McGrath was the one who seconded Harry S. Truman's Vice-Presidential nomination. Truman liked Mc- Grath; and later when Truman became President, he selected the Rhode Island Gover- nor to be Solicitor General of the United States. McGrath's appointment was well re-
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HON. J. HOWARD MCGRATH 1941-1945 By Wilfred I. Duphiney Governor's Office State House
ceived in Washington circles when he resigned as Governor to assume his Federal posi- tion in October 1945. As Solicitor General he defended before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the Public Utility Holding Company Act and supported the convic- tion of Yamashita, the Japanese general.
The Democratic nomination for United States Senator from Rhode Island was open in the year 1946, and McGrath returned to his native State to try for the candidacy. The State convention subsequently nominated him. He conducted his campaign at a time when the Republican party was gaining strength throughout New England; but despite the resultant general Republican landslide, McGrath was elected Senator on the Demo- cratic ticket. He returned to Washington in the company of his law partner, the senior Senator from Rhode Island, Theodore F. Green.
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