Difference between revisions of "Benjamin W. Olcott"
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==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> | ||
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| + | Among Olcott's achievements included aerial navigation and forest fire prevention with the help of the [[United States Army]].<ref name=snac/> He also advocated for the development of hard-surface roads and was a [[conservation]]ist who stated in 1921 to the Oregon Legislature:<ref>[https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/facts/history/recreation-two.aspx Oregon Recreation History: Part Two]. ''Oregon Blue Book''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> | ||
| + | {{cquote|All of the things we have been striving for, the development of tourist travel; the urge to make and keep our state the most livable in the Union; the desire to keep our children in God’s own environment, surrounded by the beauties to which they are the true heirs, all of these will be surrendered and lost unless we act and act promptly.}} | ||
As he ran for re-election in 1922 against KKK-backed [[liberal]] Democrat [[Walter M. Pierce]], Olcott opposed the Compulsory Public Education Act, a ballot measure supported by Pierce and the Klan which would have forced all children in Oregon to attend [[public school]]s and shut down private schools (especially Catholic schools) from operating.<ref name=proclamation/> During the campaign, he received the support and endorsement of future Republican U.S. senator [[Charles McNary]].<ref>[https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/mcnary_charles_1874_1944_/ Charles L. McNary (1874-1944)]. ''Oregon Encyclopedia''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref><ref>FascinatingPolitics (July 31, 2021). [https://fascinatingpolitics.com/2021/07/31/charles-mcnary-a-steady-captain-in-stormy-waters/ Charles McNary: A Steady Captain in Stormy Waters]. ''Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> However, Olcott was defeated in the general election by fifteen percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=263433 OR Governor Race - Nov 07, 1922]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> The measure was also approved, though later deemed unconstitutional.<ref>[https://www.oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/from-wr-burner-to-governor-olcott-1923/ From W.R. Burner to Governor Olcott, 1923]. ''The Oregon History Project''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> | As he ran for re-election in 1922 against KKK-backed [[liberal]] Democrat [[Walter M. Pierce]], Olcott opposed the Compulsory Public Education Act, a ballot measure supported by Pierce and the Klan which would have forced all children in Oregon to attend [[public school]]s and shut down private schools (especially Catholic schools) from operating.<ref name=proclamation/> During the campaign, he received the support and endorsement of future Republican U.S. senator [[Charles McNary]].<ref>[https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/mcnary_charles_1874_1944_/ Charles L. McNary (1874-1944)]. ''Oregon Encyclopedia''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref><ref>FascinatingPolitics (July 31, 2021). [https://fascinatingpolitics.com/2021/07/31/charles-mcnary-a-steady-captain-in-stormy-waters/ Charles McNary: A Steady Captain in Stormy Waters]. ''Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> However, Olcott was defeated in the general election by fifteen percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=263433 OR Governor Race - Nov 07, 1922]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> The measure was also approved, though later deemed unconstitutional.<ref>[https://www.oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/from-wr-burner-to-governor-olcott-1923/ From W.R. Burner to Governor Olcott, 1923]. ''The Oregon History Project''. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 03:42, August 5, 2021
| Benjamin Wilson Olcott | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Former Governor of Oregon From: March 3, 1919 – January 8, 1923 | |||
| Predecessor | James Withycombe | ||
| Successor | Walter M. Pierce | ||
| Former Secretary of State of Oregon From: April 17, 1911 – May 28, 1920 | |||
| Predecessor | Frank W. Benson | ||
| Successor | Sam A. Kozer | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Republican | ||
| Spouse(s) | Lena Hutton | ||
| Religion | Protestant[1] | ||
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,[2] 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
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,[3] Olcott stood strongly against the KKK and issued a proclamation in 1922 strongly condemning the Klan following three assaults that year.[4]
Among Olcott's achievements included aerial navigation and forest fire prevention with the help of the United States Army.[1] He also advocated for the development of hard-surface roads and was a conservationist who stated in 1921 to the Oregon Legislature:[5]
| “ | All of the things we have been striving for, the development of tourist travel; the urge to make and keep our state the most livable in the Union; the desire to keep our children in God’s own environment, surrounded by the beauties to which they are the true heirs, all of these will be surrendered and lost unless we act and act promptly. | ” |
As he ran for re-election in 1922 against KKK-backed liberal Democrat Walter M. Pierce, Olcott opposed the Compulsory Public Education Act, a ballot measure supported by Pierce and the Klan which would have forced all children in Oregon to attend public schools and shut down private schools (especially Catholic schools) from operating.[4] During the campaign, he received the support and endorsement of future Republican U.S. senator Charles McNary.[6][7] However, Olcott was defeated in the general election by fifteen percentage points.[8] The measure was also approved, though later deemed unconstitutional.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Olcott, Ben W. (Ben Wilson), 1872-1952. Social Networks and Archival Context. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ↑ Ku Klux Klan. The Oregon History Project. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ↑ Gov. Ben Olcott. National Governors Association. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Proclamation Against the Ku Klux Klan, 1922. The Oregon History Project. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ↑ Oregon Recreation History: Part Two. Oregon Blue Book. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ↑ Charles L. McNary (1874-1944). Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ↑ FascinatingPolitics (July 31, 2021). Charles McNary: A Steady Captain in Stormy Waters. Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ↑ OR Governor Race - Nov 07, 1922. Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ↑ From W.R. Burner to Governor Olcott, 1923. The Oregon History Project. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
External links
- Profile at Find a Grave