Governor of Puerto Rico
During his congressional service, Towner was chairman for four years of the United States House Committee on Insular Affairs, a committee with oversight responsibility over protectorates and territories. In early 1923, President Warren G. Harding appointed Towner Governor of Puerto Rico, a post he held until September 29, 1929. His incumbency was characterized by the construction of a great number of public works projects, such as the system of aqueducts in various sectors, the irrigation system in Isabela, the School of Tropical Medicine building in Puerta de Tierra and the penitentiary. He also implemented a retirement law for public employees and a new tax law.
Towner resumed the practice of law in Corning, until his death on November 23, 1937. He was interred in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
He is the namesake of Horace Mann Towner Primary School in Comerío, Puerto Rico.
Read more about this topic: Horace Mann Towner
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