George M. Robeson - Legal and Congressional Career

Legal and Congressional Career

After leaving the Navy Department in 1877 Robeson returned to his law practice in Camden County. In 1878, Robeson ran for and was elected to the U.S. Congress and served as U.S. Congressman representing New Jersey's 1st congressional district starting on March 4, 1879 until March 4, 1881. Robeson was elected a second term in 1880 serving from March 4, 1881 to March 3, 1883. During the 1882 election Robeson was defeated by Democrat Thomas M. Ferrell in a bitter campaign that left Robeson financially in debt $60,000 and he was forced to sell his Washington D.C. property. Robeson's political enemy, New Jersey U.S. Senator William J. Sewell, a Republican, was behind Democratic Party Ferrel's successful campaign; as a result of the election loss Robeson moved from Camden to Trenton and established a law practice having been induced to represent the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The election loss caused contention between his wife and family and everyone in New Jersey who knew the intellectual Robeson, called him "Poor Roby". His family having left him, a friend, James L. Hayes, selected a small house near the State House in Trenton where Robeson lived and practiced law. Robeson lived a modest bachelor lifestyle in stark contrast to his luxurious home while he was Secretary of the Navy in the Grant Administration. In 1891, Robeson became interested in running for U.S. Congressman for a fourth time, however, the Trenton district was content with the Democratic ticket, and nothing became of Robeson's inquiry into public office.