United States Senate election in New York, 1903
Encyclopedia
The 1903 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 20, 1903, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator (Class 3) to represent the State of New York
in the United States Senate
.
had been re-elected to this seat in 1897
, and his term would expire on March 3, 1903.
At the State election in November 1902, 28 Republicans and 22 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1903-1904) in the State Senate; and 89 Republicans and 61 Democrats were elected for the session of 1903 to the Assembly. State Senator Patrick F. Trainor (Dem., 16th D.), who had been re-elected, died on December 25, 1902, and his successor Peter J. Dooling
was elected only after the senatorial election, on January 27. The 126th State Legislature met from January 6, 1903, on at Albany, New York
.
presided. The caucus re-nominated the incumbent U.S. Senator Thomas C. Platt
almost unanimously. A single vote was cast for U.S. Secretary of War Elihu Root
by Assemblyman William A. Denison, of Jefferson County
. Besides Denison voting against Platt, a small number of anti-Platt men did not attend the caucus. Boss Platt had forced the nomination of Attorney General John C. Davies
to the New York Supreme Court
in the 5th District, against the local Republican organization's wishes who accused Davies of incompetence. Davies was defeated in a landslide by Democrat Watson M. Rogers although the 5th District was heavily Republican. Thus boss Platt's power began to wane.
, presided. They nominated John B. Stanchfield
unanimously. Stanchfield had been Mayor of Elmira
, and was defeated when running for Governor of New York
in 1900 by Republican Benjamin B. Odell, Jr.
and Nathaniel A. Elsberg (15th D.), voted for Elihu Root.
Note: The votes were cast on January 20, but both Houses met in a joint session on January 21 to compare nominations, and declare the result.
was chosen by the Republicans to succeed Platt.
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...
in 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...
.
Background
Republican Thomas C. PlattThomas C. Platt
Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century...
had been re-elected to this seat in 1897
United States Senate election in New York, 1897
The 1897 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 19, 1897, 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:Democrat David B...
, and his term would expire on March 3, 1903.
At the State election in November 1902, 28 Republicans and 22 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1903-1904) in the State Senate; and 89 Republicans and 61 Democrats were elected for the session of 1903 to the Assembly. State Senator Patrick F. Trainor (Dem., 16th D.), who had been re-elected, died on December 25, 1902, and his successor Peter J. Dooling
Peter J. Dooling
Peter Joseph Dooling was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in New York City, Dooling attended the public schools.He engaged in the real-estate business....
was elected only after the senatorial election, on January 27. The 126th State Legislature met from January 6, 1903, on at Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
.
Republican caucus
The Republican caucus met on January 19. 25 State senators and 84 assemblymen attended, and State Senator William W. ArmstrongWilliam W. Armstrong
William W. Armstrong was an American lawyer and politician form Rochester, New York. In addition to his long legal career in Rochester, he represented his city in both houses of the state legislature...
presided. The caucus re-nominated the incumbent U.S. Senator Thomas C. Platt
Thomas C. Platt
Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century...
almost unanimously. A single vote was cast for U.S. Secretary of War Elihu Root
Elihu Root
Elihu Root was an American lawyer and statesman and the 1912 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the prototype of the 20th century "wise man", who shuttled between high-level government positions in Washington, D.C...
by Assemblyman William A. Denison, of Jefferson County
Jefferson County, New York
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,229. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, and president at the time the county was created in 1805...
. Besides Denison voting against Platt, a small number of anti-Platt men did not attend the caucus. Boss Platt had forced the nomination of Attorney General John C. Davies
John C. Davies (lawyer)
John Clay Davies was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:He was Deputy Attorney General under Theodore E. Hancock from 1894 to 1898. He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1894. He was New York State Attorney General from 1899 to 1902, elected in 1898 and 1900...
to 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...
in the 5th District, against the local Republican organization's wishes who accused Davies of incompetence. Davies was defeated in a landslide by Democrat Watson M. Rogers although the 5th District was heavily Republican. Thus boss Platt's power began to wane.
| Office | Candidate | First ballot |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senator (Class 3) | Thomas C. Platt Thomas C. Platt Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century... |
108 |
| Elihu Root Elihu Root Elihu Root was an American lawyer and statesman and the 1912 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the prototype of the 20th century "wise man", who shuttled between high-level government positions in Washington, D.C... |
1 | |
Democratic caucus
The Democratic caucus met also on January 19. All 62 State legislators attended, and Assemblyman Charles W. Hinson, of Erie CountyErie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
, presided. They nominated John B. Stanchfield
John B. Stanchfield
John Barry Stanchfield was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a prominent litigator and the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 1900.-Life:...
unanimously. Stanchfield had been Mayor of Elmira
Elmira, New York
Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York, USA. It is the principal city of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.The City of Elmira is located in...
, and was defeated when running for Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
in 1900 by Republican Benjamin B. Odell, Jr.
Result
Thomas C. Platt was the choice of both the Assembly and the State Senate, and was declared elected. Three Republican anti-Platt men, State Senators Edgar T. Brackett (28th D.), Elon R. BrownElon R. Brown
Elon Rouse Brown was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was President pro tempore of the New York State Senate from 1915 to 1918.-Life:He was the son of Elon Galusha Brown and Lucretia Brown. He graduated from Brown University in 1876...
and Nathaniel A. Elsberg (15th D.), voted for Elihu Root.
| Office | House | Republican | Democrat | Republican | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senator (Class 3) | 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... (50 members) |
Thomas C. Platt Thomas C. Platt Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century... |
25 | John B. Stanchfield John B. Stanchfield John Barry Stanchfield was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a prominent litigator and the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 1900.-Life:... |
21 | Elihu Root Elihu Root Elihu Root was an American lawyer and statesman and the 1912 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the prototype of the 20th century "wise man", who shuttled between high-level government positions in Washington, D.C... |
3 |
| State Assembly New York State Assembly The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652... (150 members) |
Thomas C. Platt Thomas C. Platt Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century... |
86 | John B. Stanchfield John B. Stanchfield John Barry Stanchfield was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a prominent litigator and the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 1900.-Life:... |
57 | |||
Note: The votes were cast on January 20, but both Houses met in a joint session on January 21 to compare nominations, and declare the result.
Aftermath
Platt remained in the U.S. Senate until March 3, 1909 when he retired. In January 1909, Elihu RootElihu Root
Elihu Root was an American lawyer and statesman and the 1912 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the prototype of the 20th century "wise man", who shuttled between high-level government positions in Washington, D.C...
was chosen by the Republicans to succeed Platt.
Sources
- Members of the 58th United States Congress
- PLATT IS RENOMINATED, ONE VOTE AGAINST HIM; ...Devery Protest Against an Utterance of Mr. Stanchfield in Democratic Caucus in NYT on January 20, 1903
- MR. PLATT ELECTED AFTER DENUNCIATION in NYT on January 21, 1903