Morgan Foster Larson
Morgan Foster Larson | |
---|---|
Walter Evans Edge | |
Member of the New Jersey Senate from Middlesex County | |
In office 1922–1928 | |
Preceded by | Thomas Brown |
Succeeded by | Arthur A. Quinn (1929) |
Personal details | |
Born | Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S.[1] | June 15, 1882
Died | March 21, 1961 Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | (aged 78)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Jennie Brogger Adda Schmidt |
Morgan Foster Larson (June 15, 1882 – March 21, 1961) was an American Republican politician who served as the 40th governor of New Jersey.
Early life
Morgan Foster Larson was born on June 15, 1882, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to Peter and Regina (Knudson) Larson. His father was a Danish immigrant who arrived in the United States at the age of twenty-two and worked as a blacksmith.[2]
He attended Perth Amboy public schools before studying engineering at the
From 1907 to 1910 and again from 1923 to 1924, Larson served as Middlesex County engineer. He also served as city engineer for Perth Amboy and township engineer for Woodbridge.[2]
State senator
In 1921, Larson was elected to his first public office as a State Senator from Middlesex County. Though Larson was a Republican, he won three terms in the normally Democratic county.[2] In 1925, he was elevated to Senate Majority Leader, and in 1926, he became Senate President.[2]
As Senator, Larson took a leading role in state transportation reform. The increasing popularity of
His high profile as a leader on transportation reform also established Larson as a statewide power, enabling his climb through the Republican hierarchy and shore up his standing in his Democratic home county.[2] As Majority Leader in 1925, he reportedly "went along with the majority of members in anything they proposed," effectively building associations with the stronger Republican leaders. He also worked to build allegiances in Middlesex, where he retained a strong personal popularity despite the partisan leanings of the county.[2]
His greatest success as Senator was the passage of the 1927 highway system bill, which he sponsored.[2] His bill provided for 1,700 miles of road improvements for an estimated $162 million. Perhaps more importantly, the Larson bill established a comprehensive plan for the construction of future highways, which put an end to acrimonious debates and pork-barrel highway bills that had stalled modernization.[2]
By 1927, Larson was already seen as a potential contender for Governor. He faced a stiff challenge for re-election from Frederic M. P. Pearse. Despite a vigorous campaign, Larson handily won with the largest plurality in the history of Middlesex County.[2]
Governor of New Jersey
1928 gubernatorial election
As the 1928 election approached, Larson was viewed as a strong potential nominee.[2] The powerful Essex County Republican machine (and thus the state party) was divided between Senator J. Henry Harrison, a candidate for Governor himself, and Fred G. Stickley Jr.[2]
The Republican Party faced an uphill battle in the general election as well; the Democratic Party, under the leadership of
Early in the general election campaign, Larson ran an amiable, indulgent campaign. He cited water conservation and transportation development as key issues, but did little to stimulate interest in the electorate.
Term in office: 1929–1932
The Larson administration was quickly plagued by internal party divisions and challenges to his authority, a consistent theme for New Jersey governors through the 1920s and 1930s.[2] Larson in particular struggled despite his party's control of both chambers of the legislature, as he developed an early reputation as a maverick unwilling to cooperate on appointments.[2] He became rapidly unpopular and politically ineffective shortly after taking office.
His first confrontation was over the office of Attorney General, for which he nominated Senator
The Republican legislature spent much of the year stripping the Governor's office of authority to appoint officials, making efficient administration virtually impossible.[2] Larson's problems compounded in when the Great Depression hit the state.[2] In September 1930, he directed the Attorney General to bring an action against alleged discriminatory freight costs in New York Harbor; the case was rejected by the Interstate Commerce Commission.[2]
Though by now a political liability within his state, Larson's second year in office was more successful; he cooperated with Governor of New York Franklin D. Roosevelt to construct the Lincoln Tunnel.[2] His final year in office was the most frustrating. In his third and final annual message to the legislature, Larson prioritized unemployment and called on the legislators to "meet the state's responsibility in the crisis." He backed the creation of the temporary state Emergency Relief Administration.[2]
Later career
After leaving office in 1932, Larson worked as an engineer for the
In 1945, Governor Walter Evans Edge appointed Larson to his cabinet as commissioner of the new Department of Conservation; he remained in office until 1949.[2] He continued on the state payroll as a consulting engineer with the Water Policy and Supply Council.[2]
Personal life
Larson married Jennie Brogger in 1914; their marriage lasted until her death in 1927.[2] He remarried to Adda Schmidt, a native of Denmark and his mother's secretary and companion, during his second year as Governor.[2]
In 1921, Larson's brothers Lawrence and George were killed in a grade-crossing accident. He adopted his brothers' seven children and provided each with a college education.[2]
Death
Larson died March 21, 1961, and was buried in Alpine Cemetery in Perth Amboy.
See also
References
- ^ "New Jersey Governor Morgan Foster Larson". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al Biography of Morgan Foster Larson (PDF), New Jersey State Library
- ^ "Arthur A. Quinn Papers (1901-1960)". Seton Hall University. Retrieved June 13, 2023.