James Smith Jr.
James Smith, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from New Jersey | |
| In office March 4, 1893 – March 4, 1899 | |
| Preceded by | Rufus Blodgett |
| Succeeded by | John Kean |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 12, 1851 Newark, New Jersey |
| Died | April 1, 1927 (aged 75) Newark, New Jersey |
| Political party | Democratic |
James Smith, Jr. (June 12, 1851– April 1, 1927) was a US Senator from New Jersey.
Biography
Born in Newark, New Jersey; attended private schools and St. Mary's College, Wilmington, Delaware; engaged in the dry-goods and importing business, later becoming a manufacturer of leather in Newark, New Jersey. He owned two newspapers, the Northern Star and the Evening Star.
He was a member of the board of aldermen of Newark 1883-1887. He declined the nomination for mayor of Newark in 1884. Served as president of the first works board in Newark.
He was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1893, to March 4, 1899, but did not seek re-election after one term. He had been the Chairman of the Committee on the Organization, Conduct and Expenditures of Executive Departments (in the Fifty-third United States Congress). He later tried unsuccessfully to be elected again to the United States Senate twelve years later (1911).
Smith was credited with giving Woodrow Wilson his political start. He engineered Wilson's nomination as Governor of New Jersey, the position Wilson held when elected President in 1912. However, Smith broke with Wilson in 1911 when Wilson did not support Smith's 1911 Senate bid, but instead supported James Marrine, who was ultimately elected. Martine had won the Democratic preference primary, but Smith and his supporters refuesd to abide by the outcome of the primary. After failing to persuade Smith to withdraw, Wilson threw his support to Martine, who was then chosen by the New Jersey Legislature. Thereafter, Smith's newspaper editorials were consistently critical of Wilson.
After his political career, Smith resumed manufacturing leather, engaged in banking and newspaper publishing, and raised his son.
Died in Newark, aged 75, and was interred in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Orange.
- United States Congress. "James Smith Jr. (id: S000561)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
