John D. Long
John Davis Long (October 27, 1838 – August 28, 1915) was a lawyer and Republican from Massachusetts who represented the state's second congressional district for three terms from 1883 to 1889, previously being elected governor. Prior to that, he was the lieutenant governor of the state under Thomas Talbot. Long later served under the McKinley and Roosevelt administrations as Secretary of the Navy.
Background
Long was born in Buckfield, Maine to Zadoc Long and the former Julia Temple Davis.[1] After preparations in Hebron Academy, Long proceeded to attend Harvard University.
During the late 1850s, Long sought out a career in teaching and became the principal of Westford Academy for some time.[1] He eventually decided to become a lawyer, studying at Harvard Law School in 1860 and being admitted to the bar in the following year. Long later moved to Boston.[1]
Political career
Prior to joining the Republican Party, Long was an Independent, under such credentials successfully running for the state legislature in the mid-1870s.[1] Politically aligned at times with Democrat and Liberal Republican Party politicians, he was associated with civil service reform advocates and considered a moderate in his support for temperance, women's suffrage, and prison reform.[1]
In 1877 and 1878, Long ran for Governor of Massachusetts. He failed to garner the party nomination in both races though accepted a consolation bid in the latter election cycle to run for lieutenant governor instead.[1]
Governor of Massachusetts
Long ran in the 1880 gubernatorial election, and defeated nominal Democrat Benjamin Butler by six percentage points.[2] He then handily won re-election in 1881[3] and 1882 by double-digit margins.[4]
During his tenure, Gov. Long re-organized the state government, disputed a statewide law regarding the death penalty, and cut taxes on mortgages in addition to local shipping.[5] Viewing his administration as efficient, Long wrote in his journal that he:[1]
| “ | filled [the governorship] well and honestly and not without grace and brilliancy. | ” |
—Long | ||
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 John Davis Long Papers. Massachusetts Historical Society. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ↑ MA Governor Race - Nov 04, 1879. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ↑ MA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1880. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ↑ MA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1881. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ↑ Gov. John Davis Long. National Governors Association. Retrieved December 22, 2021.