William H. Robertson
William Henry Robertson (October 10, 1823 Bedford, Westchester County, New York – December 6, 1898 Katonah, Westchester Co., NY), also known as W. H. Robertson,[1] was an American lawyer and politician from New York.
Robertson was known to have allied with the GOP
Life
He was the son of Henry Robertson (d. 1881). He received an academic education, studied law, and began practice in his native town.
He was a
.Robertson was elected as a Republican to the 40th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1867, to March 3, 1869. He was again a member of the State Senate from 1872 to 1881, sitting in the 95th, 96th, 97th, 98th, 99th, 100th, 101st, 102nd (all eight 9th D.), 103rd and 104th New York State Legislatures (both 12th D.). In 1874, after a constitutional amendment created it as a standing office, he was chosen President pro tempore of the New York State Senate. He remained on this post until his retirement from the Senate in May 1881 upon his federal appointment.
In 1881, he was appointed
He was again a member of the State Senate (12th D.) from 1888 to 1891, sitting in the 111th, 112th, 113th and 114th New York State Legislatures.
Stalwarts vs. Half-Breeds, President Garfield hands post to Robertson
During the
Ultimately, an alliance between the Blaine faction and Half-Breeds successfully nominated dark house candidate James A. Garfield, who promised to appease the Stalwart agenda during the campaign to ensure party unity.[2] Once elected president, Garfield betrayed his vows, an example being his appointment of Robertson to New York Collector of the Port and customhouse head without consulting Sen. Conkling[3][7] in a rebuke of the latter's political machine.[2]
According to historian Heather Cox Richardson, Conkling was "undoubtedly personally affronted."[7] The Stalwart leader voiced opposition towards Garfield's appointment of Robertson by arguing that presidents were expected to obtain the agreement of senators from the states they sought to give positions to, though Richardson asserted:[7]
What was really at stake, was whether or not Conkling would control New York.
— Historian Heather Cox Richardson
Conkling and his New York senatorial colleague Thomas C. Platt resigned from their seats in protest, expecting to be immediately elected to their same positions by the state legislature that would serve as a rebuke to President Garfield.[2] They instead were simply outmaneuvered by the Half-Breeds within the legislature,[3] which ended Conkling's career in politics.[8]
References
- Autobiography of Thomas Collier Platt (edited by L. J. Lang, New York, 1910)
- ^ Welch, Richard E. Jr. (1971). George Frisbie Hoar and the Half-Breed Republicans, p. 102. Harvard University Press.
- ^ a b c d e About the Vice President | Levi Parsons Morton, 22nd Vice President (1889-1893). United States Senate. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c Dwyer, Owen. Stalwarts vs. Half-Breeds: Charisma and Vindictiveness in 19th Century Politics. Aspects of History. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Fascinating Politics (October 26, 2019). James G. Blaine: The Defeated Candidate. Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ The Remarkable Roscoe: Friend and Nemesis of Presidents (Part I). National Park Service. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ The Remarkable Roscoe, Part III. National Park Service. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c Stalwarts, Half Breeds, and Political Assassination. National Park Service. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Both New York Senators Resign. United States Senate. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
Sources
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.)
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