Bertrand H. Snell
| Bertrand Hollis Snell | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Former House Minority Leader From: March 4, 1931 – January 3, 1939 | |||
| Predecessor | John Nance Garner | ||
| Successor | Joseph W. Martin | ||
| Former Leader of the House Republican Conference From: March 4, 1931 – January 3, 1939 | |||
| Predecessor | Nicholas Longworth | ||
| Successor | Joseph W. Martin | ||
| Former U.S. Representative from New York's 31st Congressional District From: November 2, 1915 – January 3, 1939 | |||
| Predecessor | Edwin A. Merritt | ||
| Successor | Wallace E. Pierce | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Republican | ||
| Spouse(s) | Sara Louise Merrick[1] | ||
Bertrand Hollis Snell (December 9, 1870 – February 2, 1958) was a New York Republican who served from the state's now-defunct 31st congressional district from the mid-1910s to the late 1930s. He was the leader of the House Republican Conference during his last eight years in office.
He was the most previous Republican congressional leader from the North Country region of New York until congresswoman Elise Stefanik replaced Liz Cheney as chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021.[2]
Contents
Early life and career
Snell was born in Colton, New York (located in St. Lawrence County). He attended public schools and later graduated in 1894 from Amherst College, where he met future president Calvin Coolidge.[1] Both shared traditional conservative values, especially supporting free-market economics.
Having learned the importance of hard work and self-discipline from his father, who worked in the lumber industry, Snell established a number of businesses prior to his political career.[1] His work in lumber camps during summers helped establish respect which helped organize a grassroots support base that propelled his election to Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
After incumbent Republican congressman Edwin Albert Merritt died in office, Snell ran for the open seat in the 1915 special election and easily won by a landslide.[3] He was elected to a full House term in 1916[4] and continued to be re-elected before retiring in the 1938 midterms.[5]
Snell was a vigorous opponent of Democrat president Franklin D. Roosevelt and most New Deal programs, including the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933.[6] However, he backed the Emergency Banking Act of 1933, asserting on the matter:[7]
| “ | The house is burning down, and the President of the United States says this is the way to put out the fire. | ” |
Along with nearly all House Republicans, Snell voted for the Anti-Lynching Bill of 1937,[8] also known as the Gavagan–Wagner Act.[9]
On August 21, 1937, as the House overrode several of President Roosevelt's vetoes and the 1937 court packing scheme was halted, Snell stated:[10]
| “ | When the gavel fell on Saturday, we reached the end of the greatest do-nothing session of Congress in the last half century. | ” |
Personal life
Snell married the former Sara Louise Merrick in 1901, with whom he had two children.[1] She died in 1964, six years after his death.[11]
Legacy
Snell has the Bertrand H. Snell Awards named after him.[12]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bertrand H. Snell - A North Country Leader. Clarkson University. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ Editorial (May 6, 2021). Concerns and congrats for Stefanik’s ascent. Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ NY District 31 Special Race - Nov 02, 1915. Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ NY District 31 Race - Nov 07, 1916. Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ Candidate - Bertrand H. Snell. Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ TO PASS H.R. 3835 (P.L. 10) TO RELIEVE THE EXISTING NATIONAL ECONOMIC EMERGENCY BY INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PURCHASING POWER, TO RAISE REVENUE FOR EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES INCURRED BY REASON OF SUCH EMERGENCY, TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY RELIEF WITH RESPECT TO AGRICULTURAL INDEBTEDNESS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ORDERLY LIQUIDATION OF JOINT-STOCK LAND, BANKS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ Woods, Thomas E. (August 13, 2008). The Great Gold Robbery of 1933. Mises Institute. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ TO PASS H. R. 1507, AN ANTI-LYNCHING BILL.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ On Ideology and Anti-Lynching Legislation. Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ The 75th Congress and the Legislative Program of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. US House of Representatives: History, ARt & Archives. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ Mrs. Bertrand Snell, 84, Dies. The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ↑ Bertrand H. Snell Awards. Clarkson University. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
External links
- Profile at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
