Stephen F. Chadwick
Encyclopedia
Stephen Fowler Chadwick was an American Democratic politician who served as the fifth Governor of Oregon
from 1877 to 1878. Governor Chadwick was the first person to obtain the governorship by way of the state's Line of Succession.
in the settlement of Scottsburg on April 21, 1851. Chadwick served as the town's first postmaster.
, Chadwick ran for the newly created position of Judge of Douglas County. Later he would go on to represent Douglas County at the State Constitutional Convention
. In the 1864 and 1868 Presidential elections, Chadwick served as a Democratic elector.
Chadwick won the 1870 election to the position of Secretary of State
, and was subsequently reelected in 1874.
resigned the governorship after his election to the United States Senate
by the State Legislature
. Chadwick, as Secretary of State and second in the gubernatorial line of succession, was inaugurated to fill out the remaining year of Governor Grover's term.
Although unconstitutional under Article V, Section 1 of the State Constitution
, Chadwick also kept his position of Secretary of State. When signing official documents requiring the signatures of both the Secretary of State and Governor, he would sign first on the left side, then on the right.
The most notable policy of his administration was Chadwick's stand on the Nez Perce War
raging in the northeastern part of the state. Chadwick was unhappy with the stalemated situation, going so far as to inspect the front lines first-hand. He aided white settlers during the conflict, and argued for much harsher punishments for rebellious and uncooperative tribal leaders than the Army's policies.
At the time of the 1878 elections, Governor Chadwick declined a second term and went back to practicing law. He died on February 15, 1895, in Salem, Oregon
.
Governor of Oregon
The Governor of Oregon is the top executive of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The title of governor was also applied to the office of Oregon's chief executive during the provisional and U.S. territorial governments....
from 1877 to 1878. Governor Chadwick was the first person to obtain the governorship by way of the state's Line of Succession.
Occupational background
Chadwick was a lawyer, admitted to the New York State Bar on May 30, 1850. He soon made his way to Oregon, setting up a law firm in Douglas CountyDouglas County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -...
in the settlement of Scottsburg on April 21, 1851. Chadwick served as the town's first postmaster.
Early political career
After moving from Scottsburg to RoseburgRoseburg, Oregon
Roseburg is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the county seat of Douglas County. The population was 21,181 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, Chadwick ran for the newly created position of Judge of Douglas County. Later he would go on to represent Douglas County at the State Constitutional Convention
Oregon Constitutional Convention
The Oregon Constitutional Convention in 1857 drafted the Oregon Constitution in preparation for the Oregon Territory to become a U.S. state. Held from mid-August through September, 60 men met in Salem, Oregon, and created the foundation for Oregon's law. The proposal passed with a vote of 35 for...
. In the 1864 and 1868 Presidential elections, Chadwick served as a Democratic elector.
Chadwick won the 1870 election to the position of Secretary of State
Secretary of State (U.S. state government)
Secretary of State is an official in the state governments of 47 of the 50 states of the United States, as well as Puerto Rico and other U.S. possessions. In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, this official is called the Secretary of the Commonwealth...
, and was subsequently reelected in 1874.
Governorship
In 1877, La Fayette GroverLa Fayette Grover
La Fayette Grover was a Democratic politician and lawyer from the US state of Oregon. He was the fourth Governor of Oregon, serving from 1870 to 1877...
resigned the governorship after his election to the United States 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...
by the State Legislature
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
. Chadwick, as Secretary of State and second in the gubernatorial line of succession, was inaugurated to fill out the remaining year of Governor Grover's term.
Although unconstitutional under Article V, Section 1 of the State Constitution
Oregon Constitution
The Oregon Constitution is the governing document of the U.S. state of Oregon, originally enacted in 1857. As amended the current state constitution contains eighteen sections, beginning with a bill of rights. This contains most of the rights and privileges granted in the United States Bill of...
, Chadwick also kept his position of Secretary of State. When signing official documents requiring the signatures of both the Secretary of State and Governor, he would sign first on the left side, then on the right.
The most notable policy of his administration was Chadwick's stand on the Nez Perce War
Nez Perce War
The Nez Perce War was an armed conflict between the Nez Perce and the United States government fought in 1877 as part of the American Indian Wars. After a series of battles in which both the U.S. Army and native people sustained significant casualties, the Nez Perce surrendered and were relocated...
raging in the northeastern part of the state. Chadwick was unhappy with the stalemated situation, going so far as to inspect the front lines first-hand. He aided white settlers during the conflict, and argued for much harsher punishments for rebellious and uncooperative tribal leaders than the Army's policies.
At the time of the 1878 elections, Governor Chadwick declined a second term and went back to practicing law. He died on February 15, 1895, in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
.
Sources
- Klooster, Karl. Round the Roses II: More Past Portland Perspectives, pg. 107, 1992, ISBN 0-9619847-1-6
External links
- Oregon State Archives: Chadwick Administration-Photo, and link to Chadwick's 1878 Biennial message