James Aloysius O'Gorman
Encyclopedia
James Aloysius O'Gorman, Sr. (May 5, 1860 – May 17, 1943) was a one-term United States Senator from New York
.
. He attended the public schools, the College of the City of New York
, and then graduated from the law department of New York University
in 1882. He was admitted to the New York bar the same year.
O'Gorman served as a justice of the New York District Court from 1893 to 1899. He was then elected as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court
, on which he served from 1900 to March 31, 1911 when he resigned.
On March 31, 1911, after a three-month long deadlock
in the New York State Legislature, O'Gorman was elected as a Democrat
to serve in the U.S. Senate
. Tammany
boss Charles Francis Murphy
wanted his upstate ally William F. Sheehan
to be elected, but a faction of the Democratic Party, led by State Senator Franklin D. Roosevelt
, blocked Sheehan's election. After 62 ballots in 73 days, and three dozens of names voted for, they compromised on Justice O'Gorman. He served a single term until March 4, 1917. He was Chairman of the Committee on Interoceanic Canals and a member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. O'Gorman was the last U.S. Senator elected by a State Legislature, and from 1914 on they have been elected by general ballot on the state ticket. O'Gorman did not run for re-election in 1916.
After leaving the Senate, O'Gorman resumed the practice of law in New York City and served as President of the New York County Lawyers' Association. He also served as an official referee of the New York Supreme Court from 1934 until his death. O'Gorman died in New York City
in 1943.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Biography
O'Gorman was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He attended the public schools, the College of the City of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
, and then graduated from the law department of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1882. He was admitted to the New York bar the same year.
O'Gorman served as a justice of the New York District Court from 1893 to 1899. He was then elected as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
, on which he served from 1900 to March 31, 1911 when he resigned.
On March 31, 1911, after a three-month long deadlock
United States Senate election in New York, 1911
The 1911 United States Senate election in New York was held from January 17 to March 31, 1911, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.-Background:Republican Chauncey M...
in the New York State Legislature, O'Gorman was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to serve in the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. Tammany
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
boss Charles Francis Murphy
Charles Francis Murphy
Charles Francis "Silent Charlie" Murphy was a U.S. political figure, head of New York City's Tammany Hall.-Biography:...
wanted his upstate ally William F. Sheehan
William F. Sheehan
William Francis Sheehan was an American lawyer and politician. During his political career he became known as Blue-Eyed Billy.-Biography:He was born on November 6, 1859 in Buffalo, New York....
to be elected, but a faction of the Democratic Party, led by State Senator 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...
, blocked Sheehan's election. After 62 ballots in 73 days, and three dozens of names voted for, they compromised on Justice O'Gorman. He served a single term until March 4, 1917. He was Chairman of the Committee on Interoceanic Canals and a member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. O'Gorman was the last U.S. Senator elected by a State Legislature, and from 1914 on they have been elected by general ballot on the state ticket. O'Gorman did not run for re-election in 1916.
After leaving the Senate, O'Gorman resumed the practice of law in New York City and served as President of the New York County Lawyers' Association. He also served as an official referee of the New York Supreme Court from 1934 until his death. O'Gorman died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1943.