Part 3: Chapter IX - Page 52 - 1902 Election Results
1902 Congressional Elections
Senate
Republican: 45 (+4)
Democratic: 45 (+6)
Populist: 0 (-4)
Silver Republican: 0 (-2)
Silver: 0 (-2)
House
Republican: 200 (+2)
Democratic: 180 (+28)
Independent: 4 (+4)
Populist: 0 (-4)
Silver Republican: 0 (-1)
House of Representatives Leadership
Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-IL)
Minority Leader John J. Lentz (D-OH)
Senate
Republican: 45 (+4)
Democratic: 45 (+6)
Populist: 0 (-4)
Silver Republican: 0 (-2)
Silver: 0 (-2)
House
Republican: 200 (+2)
Democratic: 180 (+28)
Independent: 4 (+4)
Populist: 0 (-4)
Silver Republican: 0 (-1)
House of Representatives Leadership
Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-IL)
Minority Leader John J. Lentz (D-OH)
On November 30th, 1901, the Missouri state government ratified the proposed 16th Amendment to the Constitution, making it the 34th state to do so. With that, State Secretary Hay thereafter certified the amendment as part of the U.S. Constitution. From thence on, every senator was required to be directly elected to Congress. More so, statewide governors were now required to call for a special election to fill senate vacancies, and, if found necessary, state governments could allow for governors to fill vacant seats with temporary appointments. The 1902 Senate elections were the first in American history in which every senator was popularly elected as opposed to appointed by the state legislatures. Not even the wisest political analyst waged a prediction on the outcome of the nationwide races. The final results, showing a deadlocked 45-45 Senate, appeared to epitomize deep-seated division in the United States at the turn of the century.
Senator James K. Jones of Arkansas, Democratic National Committee Chairman since Bryan's election, faced a tough senatorial nomination challenge from former Governor James Paul Clarke (D-AR). Regardless of his status as a Confederate Army veteran and a political moderate, some within the state party disliked Jones' affiliation with former President Bryan and his wing of the party. The incumbent senator denied any accusations that he helped engineer the Nebraskan's crowning in 1896 and reiterated his neutrality concerning the disparate sects of the national organization. Governor Clarke, a self-proclaimed devotee of "upholding white supremacy" and "the white standards of civilization," sparred with Jones in the lead-up to the state party convention, particularly calling to attention Jones' failure to unite Democrats. Overcoming the allegations made against him, however, Jones retained support by the Arkansas Democratic Party and succeeded in winning a third senatorial term.
Alienated from the Republican Party, Senator Henry M. Teller of Colorado ran for re-election as a Democrat in 1902. Teller expressed hesitation prior to pursuing this action, likely out of a desire to maintain ties with close Republican colleagues, but eventually chose to abandon the GOP. The Colorado Republican Party selected San Miguel County Attorney Herschel M. Hogg (R-CO) to contest the election. Somewhat of a moderate reformist, Hogg called on Silver Republicans to move on from the currency issue and instead work to enact legislation protecting Coloradan land from federal mining intrusion. On a pro-Silver and anti-imperialist platform, and despite embarrassment at the national level for his defeat on bimetallism, Teller won re-election against Hogg with about 63% of the vote.
In Delaware, with the bickering state General Assembly relieved of its duty to appoint senators, vacant Senate seats were filled in 1902 special elections. Former Attorney General George Gray reluctantly chose to run for his old Senate seat in one of the two elections, easily winning it without worthy opposition. For the other seat, however, a bitter nomination contest materialized between Representative L. Heisler Ball (R-DE) and Businessman Henry A. du Point (R-DE). The latter candidate, a conservative Depew supporter and former military officer, fostered immense support by the local Old Guard of the Delaware Republican Party. Ball, though a youthful reform-minded moderate more in line with the Beveridge mold, had been routinely considered a carpetbagger upon relocating to New Castle County from Philadelphia. The nominating session concluded with the narrow edge granted to Du Pont: the victor in the general election.
With William Allison now serving as Treasury Secretary, his post in the Senate remained vacated until the midterm elections. Former Representative John J. Seerly (D-IA), the middle-of-the-road Democratic nominee, ran in the special election to replace Secretary Allison, yet he proved unable to move the increasingly pro-Republican population of the Hawkeye State. Following a grueling fight for the nomination, Representative William Peters Hepburn became the choice of the state party for Senate. Hepburn was chiefly known for his roles in chairing the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce and co-authoring the Sulzer-Hepburn Act. Perhaps the most likely choice of any Iowan to draw in disaffected Bryan Democrats alongside interventionist Republicans, Hepburn eventually gained the vital support of then-President Beveridge and Secretary Roosevelt, thus propelling him to the finish line during lengthy nomination proceedings.
Former Secretary of State William J. Stone won his election to the U.S. Senate as a Missourian representative, succeeding retiring incumbent George G. Vest (D-MO). Against the advice of his advisers, Stone ran on a platform espousing his experience under President Bryan. He promoted Democratic governance as "Capable [...] of discerning wars which must be waged in defense of liberty [versus] those fought in the name of commerce." Missouri, albeit a solid Bryan state, contained an evenly divided population in terms of political party membership. It was therefore considered foolhardy for Stone to concentrate on controversial national issues instead of relying on his tenure as governor in the 1890s. Nonetheless, Stone handily defeated Republican Richard Kerens (R-MO) and prepared for a contentious 58th Congress.
Populists experienced their greatest downfall in the 1902 elections, stumbling to total decimation. Of the eight representatives of the People's Party stationed in the 57th Congress, none were re-elected as Populists. Senator James H. Kyle of South Dakota died in 1901, prompting a special election for his seat (won by a Republican). Senators Heitfeld and Harris, both avid Populists and proponents of the Farmer's Alliance, learned that their sole chance of victory wholly depended upon fusion with state Democratic parties. In an unenthusiastic motion, these two incumbents (as well as fellow Populist Senator William Allen) abandoned the People's Party moniker. By slim margins, the former Populists won re-election as Democrats.
As a result of the 1900 U.S. Census, the House of Representatives too endured a significant change. Census reapportionment led to an increase in the amount of total House seats, from 357 to 386. This, in addition to the benefits won through redistricting, set off a spark amongst Democrats - a sliver of hope. Considering the abundance of new seats were set to be located in areas with large second-wave immigrant populations, the Democratic Party thought it possible to expand their paltry representation in the lower house regardless of mass public sympathy toward the late president.
Minority Leader John J. Lentz found himself in the midst of an intra-party revolt as the Bourbons sided closer to the Republican Party with each passing day. Firm in his belief that the issue of ongoing conflict in the Philippines would negate popular favor for expansionism and, more so, trusting that the electorate remained receptive to Bryanist populist rhetoric, Lentz instructed House candidates to promote the Bryan brand of Democracy moving forward. On the whole, judging by the final, state-by-state results, it appeared as though the strategy did indeed work as intended. Democrats won 28 seats while Republicans managed a far smaller two-seat win.
Some notable House races included the election of Charles Hamlin (R-ME), Union Army veteran and the son of former Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, as well as four "Anti-Machine" Republicans in Pennsylvania to the federal legislature. One of the more fascinating developments had undoubtedly been the surprise election of publisher and Bryan-ally William Randolph Hearst to the U.S. House. Running as a Bryan Democrat in New York's 11th District, Hearst proclaimed the urgent need establish worker protections, mandate the 8-hour working day, and nationalize the telegraph industry. He also railed against the Philippine-American War, citing "Thousands of American lives needlessly lost in the racket of war." Largely self-funded, Hearst succeeded in swaying the electorate to his side.
Senators Elected in 1902 (Class 3)
Edmund Pettus (D-AL): Democratic Hold, Unopposed
James K. Jones (D-AR): Democratic Hold, 81%
George Perkins (R-CA): Republican Hold, 56%
Henry M. Teller (D-CO): Democratic Gain, 63%
Orville H. Platt (R-CT): Republican Hold, 74%
*George Gray (D-DE): Democratic Gain, 68%
*Henry A. du Pont (R-DE): Republican Gain, 60%
Stephen Mallory II (D-FL): Democratic Hold, Unopposed
Alexander S. Clay (D-GA): Democratic Hold, 93%
Henry Heitfeld (D-ID): Democratic Gain, 51%
Albert J. Hopkins (R-IL): Republican Hold, 58%
Charles W. Fairbanks (R-IN): Republican Hold, 58%
*Jonathan P. Dolliver (R-IA): Republican Hold, 65%
*William P. Hepburn (R-IA): Republican Hold, 77%
William A. Harris (P-KS): Democratic Gain, 52%
James B. McCreary (D-KY): Democratic Gain, 59%
Samuel D. McEnery (D-LA): Democratic Hold, 88%
George L. Wellington (R-MD): Republican Hold, 53%
*Russell A. Alger (R-MI): Republican Hold, 64%
William J. Stone (D-MO): Democratic Hold, 61%
Francis G. Newlands (D-NV): Democratic Gain, 56%
Jacob Gallinger (R-NH): Republican Hold, 74%
*John F. Dryden (R-NJ): Republican Hold, 60%
Thomas C. Platt (R-NY): Republican Hold, 57%
Lee Overman (D-NC): Democratic Gain, 82%
Henry C. Hansbrough (R-ND): Republican Hold, 53%
Joseph B. Foraker (R-OH): Republican Hold, 55%
Charles W. Fulton (R-OR): Republican Hold, 52%
Boies Penrose (R-PA): Republican Hold, 62%
Asbury Latimer (D-SC): Democratic Hold, Unopposed
Alfred B. Kittredge (R-SD): Republican Gain, 61%
Reed Smoot (R-UT): Republican Gain, 53%
William P. Dilingham (R-VT): Republican Hold, 80%
Levi Ankeny (R-WA): Republican Gain, 55%
John C. Spooner (R-WI): Republican Hold, 59%
*Special Election
Edmund Pettus (D-AL): Democratic Hold, Unopposed
James K. Jones (D-AR): Democratic Hold, 81%
George Perkins (R-CA): Republican Hold, 56%
Henry M. Teller (D-CO): Democratic Gain, 63%
Orville H. Platt (R-CT): Republican Hold, 74%
*George Gray (D-DE): Democratic Gain, 68%
*Henry A. du Pont (R-DE): Republican Gain, 60%
Stephen Mallory II (D-FL): Democratic Hold, Unopposed
Alexander S. Clay (D-GA): Democratic Hold, 93%
Henry Heitfeld (D-ID): Democratic Gain, 51%
Albert J. Hopkins (R-IL): Republican Hold, 58%
Charles W. Fairbanks (R-IN): Republican Hold, 58%
*Jonathan P. Dolliver (R-IA): Republican Hold, 65%
*William P. Hepburn (R-IA): Republican Hold, 77%
William A. Harris (P-KS): Democratic Gain, 52%
James B. McCreary (D-KY): Democratic Gain, 59%
Samuel D. McEnery (D-LA): Democratic Hold, 88%
George L. Wellington (R-MD): Republican Hold, 53%
*Russell A. Alger (R-MI): Republican Hold, 64%
William J. Stone (D-MO): Democratic Hold, 61%
Francis G. Newlands (D-NV): Democratic Gain, 56%
Jacob Gallinger (R-NH): Republican Hold, 74%
*John F. Dryden (R-NJ): Republican Hold, 60%
Thomas C. Platt (R-NY): Republican Hold, 57%
Lee Overman (D-NC): Democratic Gain, 82%
Henry C. Hansbrough (R-ND): Republican Hold, 53%
Joseph B. Foraker (R-OH): Republican Hold, 55%
Charles W. Fulton (R-OR): Republican Hold, 52%
Boies Penrose (R-PA): Republican Hold, 62%
Asbury Latimer (D-SC): Democratic Hold, Unopposed
Alfred B. Kittredge (R-SD): Republican Gain, 61%
Reed Smoot (R-UT): Republican Gain, 53%
William P. Dilingham (R-VT): Republican Hold, 80%
Levi Ankeny (R-WA): Republican Gain, 55%
John C. Spooner (R-WI): Republican Hold, 59%
*Special Election
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