Robert P. Bass
Encyclopedia
Robert Perkins Bass was an American
farmer, forestry
expert, and Republican
politician from Peterborough
, New Hampshire
. He served in both houses of the New Hampshire Legislature and as chairman of the state's Forestry Commission before being elected governor of New Hampshire
in 1910. He started one of the state's political dynasties: both his son, Perkins Bass
, and grandson, Charles F. Bass, were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
.
, although his family moved to Peterborough when he was nine. He grew up on a family farm that is still owned by descendants. He graduated from Harvard College
in 1896. Bass was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1905 and 1909, and the state Senate in 1910. He was governor from 1911 to 1913.
His status was hurt however after the 1912 presidential election
, when he supported Theodore Roosevelt's
Progressive Party
(Bull Moose Party) against the Republican nominee, President William Howard Taft
. The move threw the state Republicans into disarray and led to a Democratic governor and a Democratic legislature. In retaliation, the party rejected Bass when he sought a U.S. Senate
seat in 1913 and 1926.
Bass is remembered today for his stint as chairman of the New Hampshire Forestry Commission, when popular concern with forests' well-being was intense due to extreme over-logging in the White Mountains
, and for sponsoring the legislation that led to the first direct primary law east of the Mississippi River
.
In 1945, Bass, along with retired Supreme Court Associate Justice
Owen J. Roberts, convened the assembly that produced the Dublin Declaration, which proposed the transformation of the United Nations General Assembly
into a world legislature
with "limited but definite and adequate power for the prevention of war."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
farmer, forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
expert, and Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician from Peterborough
Peterborough, New Hampshire
Peterborough is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,284 at the 2010 census. Home to the MacDowell Art Colony, the town is a popular tourist destination....
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. He served in both houses of the New Hampshire Legislature and as chairman of the state's Forestry Commission before being elected governor of New Hampshire
Governor of New Hampshire
The Governor of the State of New Hampshire is the supreme executive magistrate of the U.S. state of New Hampshire.The governor is elected at the biennial state general election in November of even-numbered years. New Hampshire is one of only two states, along with bordering Vermont, to hold...
in 1910. He started one of the state's political dynasties: both his son, Perkins Bass
Perkins Bass
Perkins Bass was an American elected official from the state of New Hampshire, including four terms as a U.S. Representative from 1955-63.-Biography:...
, and grandson, Charles F. Bass, were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
.
Life and career
The son of Perkins Bass and Clara (Foster) Bass, Robert P. Bass was born in Chicago, IllinoisIllinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, although his family moved to Peterborough when he was nine. He grew up on a family farm that is still owned by descendants. He graduated from Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1896. Bass was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1905 and 1909, and the state Senate in 1910. He was governor from 1911 to 1913.
His status was hurt however after the 1912 presidential election
United States presidential election, 1912
The United States presidential election of 1912 was a rare four-way contest. Incumbent President William Howard Taft was renominated by the Republican Party with the support of its conservative wing. After former President Theodore Roosevelt failed to receive the Republican nomination, he called...
, when he supported Theodore Roosevelt's
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
Progressive Party
Progressive Party (United States, 1912)
The Progressive Party of 1912 was an American political party. It was formed after a split in the Republican Party between President William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt....
(Bull Moose Party) against the Republican nominee, President William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
. The move threw the state Republicans into disarray and led to a Democratic governor and a Democratic legislature. In retaliation, the party rejected Bass when he sought a 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...
seat in 1913 and 1926.
Bass is remembered today for his stint as chairman of the New Hampshire Forestry Commission, when popular concern with forests' well-being was intense due to extreme over-logging in the White Mountains
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
, and for sponsoring the legislation that led to the first direct primary law east of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
In 1945, Bass, along with retired Supreme Court Associate Justice
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are the members of the Supreme Court of the United States other than the Chief Justice of the United States...
Owen J. Roberts, convened the assembly that produced the Dublin Declaration, which proposed the transformation of the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
into a world legislature
World government
World government is the notion of a single common political authority for all of humanity. Its modern conception is rooted in European history, particularly in the philosophy of ancient Greece, in the political formation of the Roman Empire, and in the subsequent struggle between secular authority,...
with "limited but definite and adequate power for the prevention of war."