Albert B. Cummins
Albert Baird Cummins (February 15, 1850 – July 30, 1926) was a lawyer from Iowa who served as the state's governor and U.S. senator during the Gilded Age and afterwards, previously being a member of the state legislature. A member of the Republican Party, he was initially conservative, later swinging towards progressives against the "Old Guard" and eventually returning to the political right.
Background
Cummins was born in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania (located in Green County) to Thomas L. Cummins and the former Sarah Baird Flenniken. He was reared under a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian tradition and learned the importance of education in addition to individual independence, graduating from Waynesburg College at only the age of nineteen.[1]
Political career
Staunchly active in the GOP, Cummins served as a delegate to every party convention on the statewide and national from 1880 to 1924.[1] Although earlier a conservative, Cummins in the 1890s turned towards the left, leading an insurgent faction opposing conservatives led by Sen. William B. Allison, who supported railroad and business interests.[1]
In 1894 and 1900, Cummins unsuccessfully waged campaigns for the United States Senate.[1]
Governor of Iowa
Cummins ran in the 1901 gubernatorial election, being part of a slate of five party nominees in the general election. He defeated Democrat opponent T. J. Phillips by a landslide, polling nearly sixty percent of the vote.[2] Cummins would later be re-elected in 1903[3] and 1906.[4]
During his tenure, Cummins embodied ideals shaped during the Progressive Era,[5] signing legislation into law that enacted regulations on insurance companies and railroads.[6] Laws pertaining to child labor were improvised, and railroad pass distributions were eliminated. In addition, Cummins oversaw a change in statewide election laws, with direct primaries being made mandatory.[6]
The state GOP faction led by Cummins rivaled the "Standpatters," conservatives opposed to progressive reforms and expansion of government powers.[5] By the end of Cummin's gubernatorial tenure, progressives effectively controlled the party.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Buenker, John D. Cummins, Albert Baird. The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
- ↑ IA Governor Race - Nov 05, 1901. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
- ↑ IA Governor Race - Nov 03, 1903 Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
- ↑ IA Governor Race - Nov 06, 1906. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Harrington, Jerry. Governors of influence: Cummins and Hughes — Progressive governors from different eras, parties. Iowa History Journal. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Gov. Albert Baird Cummins. National Governors Association. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
