U.S. Congressman, New York Governor. He graduated from Fordham University, in 1894, studied law at Albany Law School, was admitted to the bar in 1896 and opened a legal practice in Albany, New York. He also engaged in journalistic work and was editor-publisher of the Albany Times Union. In 1899, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth Congress, serving until 1901. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he was vice president of the National Commission of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, (1901-05), comptroller of New York State (1906-08) and was Lieutenant Governor of New York, in 1912. In 1913, he was elected as a Democrat the 43rd Governor of New York, serving until 1915. During his term, state taxes were cut, a statewide primary election law was sanctioned and a workmen’s compensation bill was authorized. After leaving office, he served as the chairman of the Democratic National Convention in 1916 and was a member of the Federal Industrial Commission in 1919. Due to suffering from chronic back pain most of his life, he committed suicide at age 53.

U.S. Congressman, New York Governor. He graduated from Fordham University, in 1894, studied law at Albany Law School, was admitted to the bar in 1896 and opened a legal practice in Albany, New York. He also engaged in journalistic work and was editor-publisher of the Albany Times Union. In 1899, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth Congress, serving until 1901. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he was vice president of the National Commission of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, (1901-05), comptroller of New York State (1906-08) and was Lieutenant Governor of New York, in 1912. In 1913, he was elected as a Democrat the 43rd Governor of New York, serving until 1915. During his term, state taxes were cut, a statewide primary election law was sanctioned and a workmen’s compensation bill was authorized. After leaving office, he served as the chairman of the Democratic National Convention in 1916 and was a member of the Federal Industrial Commission in 1919. Due to suffering from chronic back pain most of his life, he committed suicide at age 53.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith