Governor of Massachusetts
Russell ran and won as a Democrat for Governor in 1890. He was twice reelected, in 1891 and 1892. His election as governor for three successive years was a remarkable testimony to his personal integrity and popularity, as the majority of the legislature and the State officials were Republicans. His administration was marked by impartiality and lack of partisanship. As Governor, several laws were passed on his recommendation, including a measure to regulate the lobby, and a law abolishing the property qualification for governor and the poll tax. Russell's administration also saw the beginning of an inheritance tax. He advocated and signed a series of pro-labor laws and established the Trustees of Reservations to preserve open spaces. At the close of his service, he resumed the practice of law.
During the 1892 presidential campaign, there was talk of Russell being the Vice Presidential nominee if Senator John M. Palmer were to receive the Democratic Presidential nomination. In early February 1892, Palmer and Patrick A. Collins, a former Democratic Massachusetts Congressman, agreed make Palmer the Democratic Presidential candidate and Massachusetts Governor William Russell, Collin’s personal and political friend, the Vice Presidential candidate. Collins argued that Palmer, a Western Senator of Kentucky stock, would be acceptable to the Southern Democrats. Objections to Palmer’s advanced age would be met by pointing out that Russell, the youngest governor in the nation, would become President in the event of his death. Russell’s nomination would command the support of New England Democrats.
In 1894, he was appointed a member of the board of Indian commissioners. In 1896, he was one of the most active opponents of the adoption of the free silver platform at the Democratic National Convention, and distinguished himself by a remarkable speech pleading for a return to the original principles of the Democracy; he was prominently mentioned as a candidate for the presidency by those who favored the gold standard.
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Famous quotes containing the words governor of massachusetts, governor of and/or governor:
“Three years ago, also, when the Sims tragedy was acted, I said to myself, There is such an officer, if not such a man, as the Governor of Massachusetts,—what has he been about the last fortnight? Has he had as much as he could do to keep on the fence during this moral earthquake?... He could at least have resigned himself into fame.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Three years ago, also, when the Sims tragedy was acted, I said to myself, There is such an officer, if not such a man, as the Governor of Massachusetts,—what has he been about the last fortnight? Has he had as much as he could do to keep on the fence during this moral earthquake?... He could at least have resigned himself into fame.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Ah, Governor [Murphy, of New Jersey], don’t try to deceive me as to the sentiment of the dear people. I have been hearing from the West and the East, and the South seems to be the only section which approves of me at all, and that comes from merely a generous impulse, for even that section would deny me its votes.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)