Albert Ottinger
Encyclopedia
Albert E. Ottinger was an American lawyer and politician
.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
from 1917 to 1918, afterwards an assistant Attorney General of the United States. As such, Ottinger ruled that the U.S. Congress could grant independence to the Philippines
if it wished, since the Philippines were an "insular possession" and therefore to be distinguished from the United States
' states and territorial possessions.
He was New York State Attorney General
from 1925 to 1928, elected in 1924 and 1926. During his second term, he was the only Republican who held state office, and was responsible for closing down the notorious “bucket shops” on Wall Street. He was a delegate to the 1928
and 1932 Republican National Convention
s.
In 1928, while the Democratic Party nominated New York Governor Al Smith
for the Presidency, the first time a Catholic
from a major party was running for that office, the Republican Party of New York nominated Ottinger for Governor, the first Jewish gubernatorial candidate in New York history. The Democratic Party nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt
for governor, and Herbert Lehman, also a Jew, as the candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York
. On the national ticket, Herbert Hoover
won by a landslide over Al Smith, the latter's religion clearly a national issue. The gubernatorial contest, however, was one of the closest in New York history. Against the national Republican trend, Roosevelt won by only 25,000 votes, less than 1% of the four million ballots cast.
At the end of his term as New York state's attorney general, Ottinger summed up his record as follows: "Hammer, hammer, hammer, at every manner and means of fraud and dishonesty, the prevention and assertion of which the Legislature has assigned to the Attorney General."
U.S. Representative Richard L. Ottinger was his nephew.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Life
He was the son of Moses Ottinger and Amelia Gottlieb Ottinger.He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
from 1917 to 1918, afterwards an assistant Attorney General of the United States. As such, Ottinger ruled that the U.S. Congress could grant independence to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
if it wished, since the Philippines were an "insular possession" and therefore to be distinguished from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' states and territorial possessions.
He was New York State Attorney General
New York State Attorney General
The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman...
from 1925 to 1928, elected in 1924 and 1926. During his second term, he was the only Republican who held state office, and was responsible for closing down the notorious “bucket shops” on Wall Street. He was a delegate to the 1928
1928 Republican National Convention
The 1928 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held at Convention Hall in Kansas City, Missouri, from June 12 to June 15, 1928....
and 1932 Republican National Convention
1932 Republican National Convention
The 1932 Republican National Convention was held at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, from June 14 to June 16, 1932. It renominated President Herbert Hoover and Vice President Charles Curtis for their respective positions....
s.
In 1928, while the Democratic Party nominated New York Governor Al Smith
Al Smith
Alfred Emanuel Smith. , known in private and public life as Al Smith, was an American statesman who was elected the 42nd Governor of New York three times, and was the Democratic U.S. presidential candidate in 1928...
for the Presidency, the first time a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
from a major party was running for that office, the Republican Party of New York nominated Ottinger for Governor, the first Jewish gubernatorial candidate in New York history. The Democratic Party nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
for governor, and Herbert Lehman, also a Jew, as the candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
. On the national ticket, Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
won by a landslide over Al Smith, the latter's religion clearly a national issue. The gubernatorial contest, however, was one of the closest in New York history. Against the national Republican trend, Roosevelt won by only 25,000 votes, less than 1% of the four million ballots cast.
At the end of his term as New York state's attorney general, Ottinger summed up his record as follows: "Hammer, hammer, hammer, at every manner and means of fraud and dishonesty, the prevention and assertion of which the Legislature has assigned to the Attorney General."
U.S. Representative Richard L. Ottinger was his nephew.
Sources
- http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/otjen-overstolz.html Political Graveyard
- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,758980,00.html Obit notice, in TIME Magazine on January 24, 1938
- http://www.oag.state.ny.us/previous_aglist.html List of New York Attorneys General, at Office of the NYSAG