Henry McBride (politician)

Henry McBride (politician)
Henry McBride (February 7, 1856 – October 7, 1937) was an American politician who served as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Washington from 1900 to 1901 and as the fourth governor of Washington from 1901 to 1905.
McBride came to Washington State in 1882. He worked as a teacher while studying law, and was admitted to the bar in 1884 in La Conner, Washington. In 1888, he became the Republican candidate for and was elected to the position of Prosecuting Attorney for Skagit, Whatcom, and Snohomish counties. In 1891, he became the first Superior Judge for the newly established judicial district of Skagit and Island counties. He ran for re-election in 1896, but, like every Republican candidate that year, was defeated by a candidate from the Fusionists party (a combination of Populists, Democrats, and Silver Republicans).
McBride was elected lieutenant-governor in 1900, but didn't finish his term as he became governor after the death of Governor Rogers in 1901. McBride was the first Washington State governor born in the west, the first candidate to become governor as a result of the previous office-holder's death, and the first to succeed to the position from the lieutenant-governor office. From the beginning, McBride promoted the establishment of the State Railroad Commission and new railroad regulations. He advocated for the separation of politics from institutions' activity, in particular decreasing the railroads' monopolistic practices in the Legislature. This placed him in strong opposition to the railroad lobbyists who effectively controlled the Legislature and political parties. The outcome of McBride's confrontation with the railroads was mixed. On one hand, the lobbyists successfully prevented McBride's re-election in 1904. On the other hand, eventually the commission was established and the Legislature cleared of powerful railroad lobbies. McBride ran for governor again in 1908 and 1916, but wasn't re-elected.
As his political influence dwindled, McBride kept following political events and supported the Republican party, but decided to pursue a career in banking and law in Seattle. He was a partner in the law firm McBride, Stratton & Dalton, until he left it to become a labor conciliator. In later years and until his retirement, McBride was president of the Provident Savings & Loan Association, which he co-founded with Herbert S. Conner.
Early life and family
Henry McBride was born in February 1856, in Farmington, Utah. His parents were Ruth Ann Miller, born in Indiana, and George McBride, born in New York. McBride's ancestors were from Scotland and Ireland on his father's side, and England on his mother's side.
In 1858, McBride's father was killed by Shoshonee Indians at Fort Lemhi, Idaho. Many of the attacking Indians lived around the Fort and "had previously been very friendly." A member of Governor Stevens' surveying party fought with the natives.
After his father's death, McBride lived with his mother, who lived to be at least seventy years old. McBride's family was known for longevity; his maternal grandmother reached at least one hundred years old.
Education
McBride began his education in the public schools of Utah, and attended an Episcopalian high school in Logan. He wanted to pursue a career in Episcopal ministry, so he went to study in the preparatory school in Trinity College, located in Hartford, Connecticut. He planned to attend Episcopalian theological school after that.
At Trinity College, McBride contracted malaria, becoming a "physical wreck," and was later transferred to Hobart College in New York, another Episcopalian institution. McBride's health failed during his time in New York. The president of Hobart College suggested McBride had less than a year to live, and advised him to return home to the west.
Eventually, McBride left Hobart College and returned home. In 1880, he moved to California, where he spent two years recuperating.
In 1882, McBride moved to Washington Territory. He wanted to start career in law, and went to La Conner (at the time the county seat of Skagit County) to pursue better educational opportunities. He had been learning law for three years.
Teaching and legal career
Teaching and becoming a lawyer (1882–1884)
Coming to Washington, McBride was "literally fighting for existence" until he passed a teacher's examination and started teaching in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. There, he also worked as an operator in a telegraph office. Later, McBride moved from Island to Skagit County, settling in La Conner and becoming a school teacher there. He spent three years combining teaching with his study of the law. As an educator, McBride was a member of the examining board during the first teachers' examination held in Skagit County.
In 1884, McBride was admitted to the bar in La Conner by Territorial Judge Roger S. Greene. McBride entered the practice alongside older specialists, whose "reputation and patronage were already assured," and received essential experience and skills in the field.
Legal career in 1886–1896
In 1886, McBride was a nominee for the position of Probate Judge in Skagit County on a Republican ticket, but he lost the election to Democrat Harrison Clothier. McBride proceeded with his legal practice, and the following year moved to Mount Vernon to partner with E. M. Carr and Harold Preston, co-owners of a law firm in Seattle. For two years, he handled the firm's branch office in Mount Vernon. After two years, the partnership ended and the firm was dissolved.
In 1888, McBride became Prosecuting Attorney for Skagit, Whatcom, and Snohomish Counties, serving at the position for one term.
In 1891, McBride became one of the charter members for the newly-established Bar Association of Skagit County. That year, the Superior Court of the new judicial district for Skagit and Island Counties was formed, and McBride was appointed to become its first Superior Judge.
He was first appointed to the office on March 10, 1891, to work until 1892 as a substitute for Judge Winn, who was transferred to Whatcom County. At the end of this term, McBride travelled around the counties on a bicycle, campaigning for re-election. He was re-elected for the full term of four years and stayed in the office until 1896.
At the end of his four-year term as Superior Judge, McBride ran for re-election on the Republican ticket, but was defeated, as was every other Republican nominee that year, due to the "fusion" between the Populists, Democrats and Silver Republicans, who "swept the county" that year. After McBride left the Superior Court, he dedicated his time to practicing law in Mount Vernon.
Over the years, McBride gained recognition on the state level due to his part in a number of important court proceedings and sensational murder cases.
Career in politics
Early political activity
From the start of his legal career, McBride lead an active political life. He was a member of the Republican party, attending party conventions and promoting the party. By 1888, he became a "recognized leader" in political circles of Washington State.
In 1884, McBride was a member of the Republican Central Committee. That year, the towns of La Conner and Mount Vernon competed to become the county seat of Skagit County, and McBride took an active part in the event. He personally rode to Sedro-Woolley to prevent potential voter fraud there in favor of Mount Vernon. Nevertheless, Mount Vernon received the majority of votes to become the county seat instead of La Conner, which had played the role of temporary county seat.
In 1898, McBride became a chairman of the Republican County Central Committee. He was in charge of a county campaign, and his work was esteemed as "well planned and efficiently carried." That year, the campaign resulted in the victory of the entire Republican ticket.
Lieutenant-governor and becoming governor (1900–1901)
In 1900, McBride became a Skagit County nominee for governor of Washington State. However, at the party convention, it was decided to make John M. Frink a governor candidate instead, and McBride was up for the lieutenant-governor. McBride received public support and won the election by a vast majority of votes.
Prior to 1900, all state offices were under control of Populists, Democrats, and Silver Republicans elected in 1896. However, the picture changed completely: in 1900, members of the Republican ticket won every office except for the governor. Governor Rogers was the only Democratic candidate to succeed. His victory was a surprise for Republicans, especially after the "upsurge" of their party at the 1898 elections.
Governor Rogers died within a year, on December 26, 1901. By constitutional rule, McBride was appointed in his place, becoming the 4th Washington State governor. He didn't find out about his appointment right away due to a storm that broke down communications.
McBride officially started his governor term in January 1902, giving the Republican party full control of official positions for the 1901–1905 term.
Governorship (1901–1905)
McBride was the first governor of Washington State, born in the U.S. west, the first who succeeded to the office from the position of the lieutenant-governor, and the first man in Washington State to become governor as a result of the death of the previous office-holder.
Starting his term as governor, McBride believed the Legislature was throttled by "certain interests" and that "business meddled too much with politics." His aim was to defeat the lobbyists' "death grip on the Legislature." His other interest was the demarcation of educational institutions from politics, but he was mostly known as the "recognized leader" fighting against the railroad monopoly and supporting the railroad reform. In this he followed in the footsteps of his former law partner, Harold Preston, who advocated for the new railroad regulations between 1887 and 1901.
Railroad Commission promotion (1901–1903)
In the 1890s, the question of regulating the railroads was raised by many politicians, but was seen as a "revolt against the established order." By the time McBride became governor, a number of railroad companies operated in the state and competed to dominate the state government. Railroad control of the Legislature became one of the biggest political issues of that time, and McBride was in active opposition to it. He started to promote the establishment of the State Railroad Commission, claiming it was his "first priority." Despite the fact that Democrats as well as Republicans supported the creation of the commission at first, the opposition, led by powerful railroad lobbyists and influential politicians, "restrained" the Legislature from any action in regard to it. Legislature failed to pass a number of commission bills, and some
"questionable rulings in favor of the anti-commission" were met with near-riots.
McBride's campaign against the railroad lobby caused the most notable gathering of "famous transportation chiefs" in the history of the inland Northwest on August 4, 1902. The meeting discussed softening McBride's hit on the railroad lobby and soothing "people's clamor" in regard to regulating common carriers. McBride hoped to persuade the Republican state convention in September 1902 to accept the Railroad Commission and create it in 1903; the subject was a "notable plank" in the Republican platform of that year. However, that campaign promise disappeared from the official committee report presented at the convention, and was replaced by one in favor of "equitable railroad legislation."
McBride kept promoting the state regulation and separation of railroads from politics. His stance at the Legislature convention of 1903 was described as "resolute and uncompromising." He was ready for a strong confrontation and built his campaign for the Railroad Commission thoroughly. He convinced many delegations of the necessity of the commission, drew public attention to the railroad's "brazen interference with politics," and spurred public resentment towards it. McBride was present at every convention to defend his idea and to build and discuss strategy in regard to the commission. The Legislature didn't go through with the commission in 1903, as McBride wanted. Eventually, the railroads agreed to establish the commission but postponed it until the next year's legislative session. McBride was considered a winner in the fight for the commission. The entire campaign was called the "hardest floor battle" the Republicans were a part of in a decade.
1904 campaign and defeat
McBride decided to "take the issue to the people," building his 1904 electoral campaign around the question of railroad regulation and the commission making it the main controversy of that year's election.
In the beginning of the campaign, McBride gained strong support as a candidate for governor. His candidacy was supported by the majority of Washington State Republicans, especially in eastern Washington, where organizations came out strongly in favor of him.
Several railroads that operated in Washington State and their lobbies were still tightly connected to the state politics and had a strong influence on it. They "controlled" the Republican party, were in opposition to McBride, and planned to remove him from politics by nominating their own Republican candidate and writing the platform. McBride's opposition controlled the majority of the votes in several Washington counties and encouraged western counties to give up on McBride's candidacy and come up with others. McBride was supported by the majority of counties, but fewer votes.
Trying to win over some votes and break up the railroad's agreements in the west, McBride's steering committee tried to make a deal with the King County delegation. J. D. Farrell, vice president of the Great Northern Railway, spokesman for railroad political interests, and one of the men leading the anti-McBride's campaigns, found out about the deal and rushed to the Tacoma convention to veto it.
The day after Farrell's arrival, the convention was held, McBride's nomination for governor was rejected, and Whatcom lawyer Albert E. Mead was nominated instead, subsequently becoming the new governor of Washington State. That year, all of the Republican state ticket won to make up the new Legislature.
The outcome of Governor McBride's official term
During the election of 1904, Albert E. Mead answered the Democratic party's demand for the Railroad Commission, stating he was ready to approve it if the Legislature passed it. At the same time, immediately after McBride's defeat, the railroads agreed to accept the Railroad Commission and keep their lobbying away from the Legislature in Olympia.
In early 1905, Mead proceeded to create the commission, but it wasn't based on McBride's ideas and was mainly aimed in the railroads' favor. Although McBride didn't achieve his main goal during his official term, the railroads finally took a step back, gave up their Legislature lobbyists, and accepted the Railroad Commission. For years afterwards, it was considered the strongest organized lobby to exist in the state.
Afterwards, the Railroad Commission duties were re-appointed to the Board of Public Works, which had authority not only over railroads, but over all corporations providing public service. Later, the responsibility was moved to the State Department of Public Service.
During McBride's official service, Prosser, founder of Washington State Historical Society, described him as a "painstaking and careful" governor who concentrated all of his abilities "in behalf of the state." Years after McBride's governorship, he was considered "one of the most independent, honestly self-sufficient figures in the political history of the state" not only a Washington State pioneer but a "pioneer in progressive Republican leadership."
Other activity as governor
On July 4, 1902, the keel was laid for the first Washington-built battleship, the USS Nebraska, and a special ceremony was held to celebrate the event. McBride attended the ceremony with Governor Savage of Nebraska. Both governors made speeches and drove the first rivet into the ship's keel. The ship, built by the Moran Brothers shipyard in Seattle, Washington, was launched on October 7, 1904. It later became part of the Great White Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, and served during World War I.
For years, the Washington State Good Roads Association has been lobbying to improve and expand the state's highways. In 1903, the Legislature was finally convinced to pass House Substitute Bill No. 30, Providing for the Establishment and Repair of Certain State Roads. On March 21, 1903, Governor McBride vetoed a vast array of appropriations, including Bill No. 30, due to the fact that their costs significantly exceeded provided funds. McBride's veto of the road bill, as well as a number of other vetoes, were overridden by Governor Mead in 1905. Only two Senators voted in support of McBride's road veto during the 1905 convention.
Career in later years
Later political activity
Defeated in the 1904 elections, McBride proceeded with his political career and campaigned for re-election as governor in 1908. At the time, he was considered "the leading 'first choice' candidate" for the gubernatorial nomination on the Republican ticket, but eventually was defeated by Samuel G. Cosgrove.
In 1912, McBride presided at the Republican State Convention, which preceded the National Convention in Chicago. There were two conventions held in Aberdeen; McBride took part in the one supporting Theodore Roosevelt's candidacy over William Howard Taft's in the presidential election.
In 1916, McBride became a nominee for governor elections, but was defeated by his opponent, Democrat Ernest Lister. McBride called the direct primary elections of that time "the cause of all that is wrong in politics" and "the cause of public overspending." He was against the new governor, calling him an "inferior type of man," and complained about the deterioration of the political and electoral situation with the creation of the new direct primary system.
In later years, McBride continued to closely follow political events and actively support the Republican party, despite the New Deal's influence on it.
Later career in banking, law and timber businesses
In 1907, McBride became president of the Lake Goodwin Shingle Mill Company in Snohomish County.
Although McBride was still active politically, between 1913 and 1918 he also became recognized in Seattle banking and law circles. He worked with W. B. Stratton and Charley Dalton in a law firm named McBride, Stratton & Dalton. At the beginning of World War I, McBride left his law practice to become a Pacific Coast labor conciliator.
In later years, McBride entered the lumber business once more to manufacture shingles and lumber. He partnered with Herbert S. Conner to open their own enterprise. They left the business after some time and founded the Provident Savings & Loan Association in Seattle, where McBride served as president.
Although McBride officially retired from business by 1933, he still regularly attended shareholder meetings of the Provident Savings & Loan Association. Around 1935, McBride started to withdraw from his remaining duties due to failing health.
Other activity
McBride was one of the main stockholders of the La Conner Water Works Company, which managed all the water works of La Conner.
From 1885 to 1887, McBride became co-editor and manager of the Puget Sound Mail. It was the oldest newspaper in western Washington publishing first on July 5, 1873, under the name Bellingham Bay Mail. Its office was originally situated in Whatcom (Bellingham), but later moved to La Conner. In 1891, McBride was publisher for the Birdsview Bell newspaper, which quickly closed. In 1902, McBride became a co-owner of the Republican newspaper. Its first issue was published under the name of Wenatchee Republican on September 8, 1898, and it changed owners a number of times both before and after McBride's ownership.
Personal life
McBride married Alice Marie Garrett on February 7, 1884, in La Conner, Washington. Alice was born in Coupeville, Washington, on February 27, 1864. Her father was an Englishman known as a "prominent pioneer" of Island County. While McBride became the first governor of Washington State who was born in west, Alice was the first Washington-born First Lady.
The McBrides had no children. They were both members of the Episcopal Church.
Alice McBride died on August 15, 1925, in the family home in Seattle. Her body was entombed in Washelli Mausoleum.
After his wife's death and his own retirement, McBride moved to Kirkland, Washington. He spent his later years living with his friends, the Bouchard family, on their ranch at Juanita Beach (or Juanita Point) near Lake Washington. The most exercise he did at the time, in his own words, were walks with his three collies: Laddie, Bonnie, and Sandy.
Hobbies and memberships
As bicycles became popular, McBride used to ride from town to town campaigning and for personal pleasure. In his own words, he used to leave the court where he worked "at 4 o'clock in the afternoon and ride 50 miles before dinner." Among his other interests was fishing. McBride used to get up at 3 o'clock in the morning to ride with a friend to fish for trout.
McBride was a member of a number of popular fraternities and organizations, including the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Death and heritage
After a long illness, McBride died on October 7, 1937, near Juanita, where he lived for the last eleven years of his life. His last request was to be buried near his wife in Washelli Cemetery in Seattle.
McBride's funeral was held on October 11, 1937, in Sessions Mortuary in Kirkland. His funeral was attended by many of his friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, including the only surviving former Washington State governor at the time, Roland Hartley, and McBride's former colleague, Harold Preston, founder of the Preston Gates & Ellis law firm.
At the time of his death, McBride had an estate valued at $11,000 ($203,000 in 2020 dollars). In his will, McBride left $7,500 ($138,000) to the Bouchard family, with whom he lived for the last years of his life. His will also mentioned two of his sisters-in-law, his brother William, and his niece, Alys Garret.
See also
List of governors of Washington
Lieutenant Governor of Washington
John Rankin Rogers
Albert E. Mead
Samuel G. Cosgrove
Ernest Lister
Notes
References
Literature cited
External links
Henry McBride on National Governors Association web-site
Henry McBride on Washington State Legislature web-site
Henry McBride on Washington Rural Heritage web-site
Washington (state) pioneers
Republican Party governors of Washington (state)
Lieutenant Governors of Washington (state)
Trinity College (Connecticut) alumni
People from Farmington, Utah
American prosecutors
20th-century American politicians
Episcopalians from Utah