Charles T. Saxton
Encyclopedia
Charles Terry Saxton was an American
lawyer and politician
from New York
.
In 1861, he joined the 19th Regiment of New York Volunteers, and finished the American Civil War
as a major
. He fought in the Red River Campaign
and in the Battle of Port Hudson. Afterwards he studied law and was admitted to the bar. He was a Justice of the Peace
, and President of the Village of Clyde.
He was an alternate delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention
, and a delegate to the 1900 Republican National Convention
.
He was a member from Wayne County of the New York State Assembly
from 1887 to 1889. In 1888, as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, he took charge of the Ballot Reform Bill and secured its passage in both Assembly and Senate, but it was veto
ed by Gov. David B. Hill
. The next year, he had the bill passed again, but it was vetoed again by Gov. Hill.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
from 1890 to 1894, and was President pro tempore
in 1894. In 1890, considering the governor's objections, he made a few changes to the Ballot Reform Bill and had it passed again, and it was finally enacted. He also was largely instrumental for the Electric Execution
Bill to be passed and enacted.
In 1891, he was Chancellor of Union College
, and the College conferred the title of LL.D. on him.
He was Lieutenant Governor of New York
from 1895 to 1896, elected on the Republican ticket with Levi P. Morton
in 1894. On November 19, 1896, his wife Helen M. Saxton died at Clyde.
On March 30, 1897, he was appointed one of the first judges of the New York Court of Claims
, to take office on January 1, 1898, for a six-year term. Until the end of 1897, this body had been the Board of Claims, with three commissioners. He was chosen Chief Judge, and died in office.
Because of his failing health, he went in the fall of 1903 to Clifton Springs, New York
, but did not get better. After several weeks, he entered the City Hospital at Rochester, and died a week later.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Biography
He was the son of Daniel Saxton and Eliza A. Saxton. He was educated at the Clyde High School.In 1861, he joined the 19th Regiment of New York Volunteers, and finished the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
as a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
. He fought in the Red River Campaign
Red River Campaign
The Red River Campaign or Red River Expedition consisted of a series of battles fought along the Red River in Louisiana during the American Civil War from March 10 to May 22, 1864. The campaign was a Union initiative, fought between approximately 30,000 Union troops under the command of Maj. Gen....
and in the Battle of Port Hudson. Afterwards he studied law and was admitted to the bar. He was a Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, and President of the Village of Clyde.
He was an alternate delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention
1884 Republican National Convention
The 1884 Republican National Convention was a presidential nominating convention held at the Exposition Hall in Chicago, Illinois, on June 3–6, 1884. It resulted in the nomination of James G. Blaine and John A. Logan for President and Vice President of the United States. The ticket lost in the...
, and a delegate to the 1900 Republican National Convention
1900 Republican National Convention
The 1900 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held June 19 to June 21 in the Exposition Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Exposition Auditorium was located south of the University of Pennsylvania, and the later Convention Hall was constructed along the...
.
He was a member from Wayne County of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
from 1887 to 1889. In 1888, as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, he took charge of the Ballot Reform Bill and secured its passage in both Assembly and Senate, but it was veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
ed by Gov. David B. Hill
David B. Hill
David Bennett Hill was an American politician from New York who was the 29th Governor of New York from 1885 to 1891.-Life:...
. The next year, he had the bill passed again, but it was vetoed again by Gov. Hill.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
from 1890 to 1894, and was President pro tempore
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
The Majority Leader of the New York State Senate is elected by the majority of the members of the New York State Senate. The position usually coincides with the title of Temporary President of the State Senate, who presides over the session of the State Senate if the Lieutenant Governor of New York...
in 1894. In 1890, considering the governor's objections, he made a few changes to the Ballot Reform Bill and had it passed again, and it was finally enacted. He also was largely instrumental for the Electric Execution
Electric chair
Execution by electrocution, usually performed using an electric chair, is an execution method originating in the United States in which the condemned person is strapped to a specially built wooden chair and electrocuted through electrodes placed on the body...
Bill to be passed and enacted.
In 1891, he was Chancellor of Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
, and the College conferred the title of LL.D. on him.
He was Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
from 1895 to 1896, elected on the Republican ticket with Levi P. Morton
Levi P. Morton
Levi Parsons Morton was a Representative from New York and the 22nd Vice President of the United States . He also later served as the 31st Governor of New York.-Biography:...
in 1894. On November 19, 1896, his wife Helen M. Saxton died at Clyde.
On March 30, 1897, he was appointed one of the first judges of the New York Court of Claims
New York Court of Claims
The New York State Court of Claims is the court which handles all claims against the State of New York and certain state agencies. It is not a small claims court. Judges of the Court of Claims are appointed by the Governor of New York and confirmed by the State Senate for a 9-year term...
, to take office on January 1, 1898, for a six-year term. Until the end of 1897, this body had been the Board of Claims, with three commissioners. He was chosen Chief Judge, and died in office.
Because of his failing health, he went in the fall of 1903 to Clifton Springs, New York
Clifton Springs, New York
Clifton Springs is a village located in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 2,223 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from local mineral springs....
, but did not get better. After several weeks, he entered the City Hospital at Rochester, and died a week later.
See also
- List of New York Legislature members expelled or censured