George K. Shiel
George Knox Shiel | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's At-large district | |
In office July 30, 1861 – March 3, 1863 | |
Preceded by | Andrew J. Thayer |
Succeeded by | John R. McBride |
Personal details | |
Born | c. 1825 Ireland, U.K. |
Died | December 12, 1893 Salem, Oregon, U.S. | (aged 67–68)
Political party | Democratic |
George Knox Shiel (c. 1825 – December 12, 1893) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term as a Democratic U.S. congressman from Oregon from 1861 to 1863.
Early life
Born on the
Congressional election
In June 1860, Shiel was elected as a
Shiel contested the election on the grounds that the Oregon constitution had set the election date and no law had been passed to change it. Thayer argued that the Oregon constitution referred only to Oregon's first congressional election in 1858, and that Shiel's election in June was invalid. Since Oregonians had a right to Congressional representation, and since the Oregon Legislature had the clear intent for a November election, Thayer argued his election was the only valid one.[3][4]
On July 30, 1861, the House of Representatives' Committee on Elections, led by Henry L. Dawes of Massachusetts, sided with Shiel, holding that the state constitution's June election date should be considered law, and that even if the Oregon Legislature had successfully changed it, it would have been unconstitutional.[4]
An amendment by Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania to declare the seat vacant was defeated by a vote of 77-37. Stevens was concerned that the decision was in violation of Article I, Section 4 of the United States Constitution.[5] The House stripped Thayer of his seat and Shiel was immediately sworn in.[6]
Shiel's tenure in Congress was not particularly notable. Despite being considered a great orator,
After Congress
After serving in Congress, Shiel returned to Oregon, where he had a checkered career. He was barred from practicing law for a time as he refused to take the required oath of allegiance.[1] On the night of December 12, 1893, after socializing at the Willamette Hotel (later renamed the Marion Hotel) in Salem, he fell through a railing along the sidewalk into a 14-foot-deep (4.3 m) basement stairwell, breaking his neck and dying almost instantly. Reports vary as to whether Shiel, who had a reputation as a drinker, was drunk at the time.[1]
Shiel is buried in Salem Pioneer Cemetery, though his name is misspelled as "Shields" on the tombstone.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Lynn, Capi (February 10, 2005). "Error etched into history". Salem Statesman Journal. p. 3c. Retrieved January 9, 2007.
- ^ Cong. Globe, 37th Cong., 1st Sess. 352–353 (1861).
- ^ Cong. Globe, 37th Cong., 1st Sess. 353–356 (1861).
- ^ a b Smith, Hayward H. (Winter 2001). "History of the Article II Independent State Legislature Doctrine" (PDF). Florida State University Law Review. 29 (2): 773–774. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 4, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2007.
- ^ Cong. Globe, 37th Cong., 1st Sess. 356-357 (1861).
- ^ Cong. Globe, 37th Cong., 1st Sess. 357 (1861).
External links
- United States Congress. "George K. Shiel (id: S000358)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- George K. Shiel at Find a Grave