Difference between revisions of "Henry W. Blair"

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Revision as of 21:09, November 26, 2021

Henry William Blair
Former U.S. Representative from New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District
From: March 4, 1893 – March 4, 1895
Predecessor Luther F. McKinney
Successor Cyrus A. Sulloway
Former U.S. Senator from New Hampshire
From: June 18, 1879 – March 4, 1891
Predecessor Charles H. Bell
Successor Jacob H. Gallinger
Former U.S. Representative from New Hampshire's 3rd Congressional District
From: March 4, 1875 – March 4, 1879
Predecessor Hosea W. Parker
Successor Evarts W. Farr
Former {{{office}}}
From: 1867–1868
Predecessor ???
Successor ???
Information
Party Republican
Spouse(s) Eliza A. Nelson

Henry William Blair (December 6, 1834 – March 14, 1920) was a lawyer and Republican from New Hampshire who served as the state's U.S. representative and senator, previously being a member of the state legislator. During the American Civil War, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Union Army.

A Radical Republican in his earlier political career,[1] Blair later became associated with the moderate Half-Breeds[2] who pushed for civil service reform at the expense of Southern blacks. However, he himself consistently fought to aid blacks, and his efforts were considered decades ahead of his time.[3]

Political career

U.S. House, 1875–79

Blair narrowly won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1875, defeating Democrat opponent Henry O. Kent by less than one percentage point from the 3rd congressional district.[4] He was re-elected to a second term in 1877 over Kent in a rematch.[5]

According to The New York Times:[1]

“ His record in Congress, both as an advocate of radical Republican principles, and of all the genuine moral reforms, particularly temperance reform, is highly spoken of. He is also recommended as an able, honest, and a courageous man; a faithful soldier in the war of the rebellion, and a faithful member of the national House. ”

—The New York Times, June 12, 1879

Education bill

In 1876, Blair introduced legislation that would spend government revenue generated from public land sales to aid public schools throughout the nation.[3] Known as the "Blair Education Bill," it aimed to allocate $77 million in federal funds based proportionately on illiteracy rates, with the aim of bolstering Southern blacks.[6]

Such legislation passed the U.S. Senate on several occasions, but were blocked by the Democrat-controlled U.S. House.[6]

U.S. Senate

In 1879, Blair ran for U.S. Senate. Among his intraparty opponents, he led former Sen. Bainbridge Wadleigh on the first ballot, nearly began to trail ex-Governor Benjamin F. Prescott on the fourth ballot, though ultimately secured the party nomination.[1] Blair then won the appointment race to serve as U.S. senator.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 June 13, 1879. POLITICS AND POLITICIANS; THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE FIGHT ENDED THE HON. HENRY W. BLAIR NOMINATED TO BE UNITED STATES SENATOR BY THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS MR. WADLEIGH BADLY BEATEN. The New York Times. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  2. ↑ Welch, Robert E., Jr. (1971). George Frisbie Hoar and the Half-Breed Republicans, pp. 91. Harvard University Press. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Henry William Blair | American politician. Britannica. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  4. ↑ NH District 3 Race - Mar 09, 1875. Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  5. ↑ NH District 3 Race - Mar 13, 1877. Our Campaigns. Retrieved Novemebr 26, 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wilder, Bert (October 10, 1891). “Blair, the White Elephant of the Administration”. HarpWeek. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  7. ↑ NH US Senate - Appointment Race - Jun 16, 1879. Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 26, 2021.

External links

  • Profile at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
  • Profile at Find a Grave