Changes

'''Benjamin Wilson Olcott''' (October 15, 1872 – July 21, 1952), known as '''Ben W. Olcott''', was an [[Oregon]] [[Republican]] who served as the state's governor for a term from 1919 to 1923, previously being the Secretary of State. Known largely for his unwavering opposition towards the [[Ku Klux Klan]],<ref>[https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/ku_klux_klan/ Ku Klux Klan]. ''The Oregon History Project''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> Olcott's principled stand against racial and religious bigotry ultimately ended his political career in a era where the KKK heavily influenced state politics.

'''Benjamin Wilson Olcott''' (October 15, 1872 – July 21, 1952), known as '''Ben W. Olcott''', was an [[Oregon]] [[Republican]] who served as the state's governor for a term from 1919 to 1923, previously being the Secretary of State. Known largely for his unwavering opposition towards the [[Ku Klux Klan]],<ref>[https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/ku_klux_klan/ Ku Klux Klan]. ''The Oregon History Project''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> Olcott's principled stand against racial and religious bigotry ultimately ended his political career in a era where the KKK heavily influenced state politics.

==Governor of Oregon==

===Governor of Oregon===

Following the death of incumbent Governor James Withycombe in 1919, Olcott, then the Secretary of State, assumed the office under the state's line of succession. Although he held some [[nativist]] views against Japanese-Americans,<ref>[https://www.nga.org/governor/ben-olcott/ Gov. Ben Olcott]. ''National Governors Association''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> Olcott stood strongly against the KKK and issued a proclamation in 1922 strongly condemning the Klan following three assaults that year.<ref name=proclamation>[https://www.oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/proclamation-against-the-ku-klux-klan-1922/ Proclamation Against the Ku Klux Klan, 1922]. ''The Oregon History Project''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref>

Following the death of incumbent Governor James Withycombe in 1919, Olcott, then the Secretary of State, assumed the office under the state's line of succession. Although he held some [[nativist]] views against Japanese-Americans,<ref>[https://www.nga.org/governor/ben-olcott/ Gov. Ben Olcott]. ''National Governors Association''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> Olcott stood strongly against the KKK and issued a proclamation in 1922 strongly condemning the Klan following three assaults that year.<ref name=proclamation>[https://www.oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/proclamation-against-the-ku-klux-klan-1922/ Proclamation Against the Ku Klux Klan, 1922]. ''The Oregon History Project''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref>