Edward Curtis Smith
Encyclopedia
Edward Curtis Smith was an American politician
from the US state of Vermont
. He was a Republican
. He was married to Anna Bailey James, the granddaughter of Amaziah Bailey James on October 3, 1888, and they had four children; James Gregory, Edward Fairchild, Curtis Ripley and Anna Dorothea Bradford.
, grandson of Congressman John Smith, and grandson of Senator Lawrence Brainerd
he graduated from Yale University
in 1875, and was a member of the Skull and Bones Society. He received a law degree from Columbia University
in 1877 and became an attorney in St. Albans, Vermont
. The Smith family was one of Vermont's most prominent, with business holdings in railroads, manufacturing and other enterprises.
In 1876 Smith enlisted in Company D, 1st Vermont Militia Regiment, in which he served for several years.
, Smith served as a Colonel
in the Vermont Militia
and was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives
from 1891 to 1892, serving as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. In 1892 he declined the Republican nomination for Vermont State Senator from Franklin County
, and in 1896 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention
.
nomination for Governor. As the Republican nominee in a state that elected only Republicans to statewide office from the 1850s to the 1960s, Smith easily won the general election and served the one two year term available to Governors under the "Mountain Rule".
(Under the Mountain Rule, the Republican party alternated candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor between the east and west side of the Green Mountains
, identified nominees years in advance, and restricted governors to two years in office.
Smith was from the west side of the Green Mountains
, and his predecessor, Josiah Grout
and successor, William Wallace Stickney were from the east. Republicans also apportioned the state's two U.S. Senate seats between each side of the Green Mountains.
The Republican party maintained this rule, with few exceptions, for more than 100 years, winning every election for Governor from the 1850s until 1960, and every U.S. Senate election from the 1850s until 1974.)
As Governor from 1898 to 1900 Smith was a strong opponent of all efforts to regulate or tax corporations.
In 1899 he officiated at the welcome home ceremony in Bennington for Admiral George Dewey
, hero of the Spanish American War. Smith was also the organizer of Old Home Week
, the fair and festival designed to celebrate rural life and the Vermont roots of Americans living in other states.
In 1901 he received an honorary degree from Norwich University
.
Smith was active in the Society of Colonial Wars, the Sons of the American Revolution
and the Vermont Historical Society
.
Politics of the United States
The United States is a federal constitutional republic, in which the President of the United States , Congress, and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government, and the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments.The executive branch is headed by the President...
from the US state of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. He was a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. He was married to Anna Bailey James, the granddaughter of Amaziah Bailey James on October 3, 1888, and they had four children; James Gregory, Edward Fairchild, Curtis Ripley and Anna Dorothea Bradford.
Early life
The son of Governor J. Gregory Smith, nephew of Congressman Worthington SmithWorthington Curtis Smith
Worthington Curtis Smith was a U.S. Representative from Vermont, son of John Smith, of Vermont.Born in St...
, grandson of Congressman John Smith, and grandson of Senator Lawrence Brainerd
Lawrence Brainerd
Lawrence Brainerd was a businessman, abolitionist and United States Senator from Vermont. He was the father of Anne Eliza Brainerd Smith and the father-in-law of Vermont Governor J. Gregory Smith....
he graduated from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1875, and was a member of the Skull and Bones Society. He received a law degree from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1877 and became an attorney in St. Albans, Vermont
St. Albans, Vermont
Places named St. Albans, Vermont:*St. Albans , Vermont, town in Franklin County, Vermont, established in 1763**St. Albans Raid, 1864*St. Albans , Vermont, city in Franklin County, Vermont, established in 1902...
. The Smith family was one of Vermont's most prominent, with business holdings in railroads, manufacturing and other enterprises.
Business career
Edward Smith succeeded his father as President of the Central Vermont Railroad. He was also President of Welden National Bank, and a founder of People's Trust Bank of St. Albans and New York City's Sherman National Bank. His other holdings included an ammunition manufacturing company and various mining ventures.In 1876 Smith enlisted in Company D, 1st Vermont Militia Regiment, in which he served for several years.
Political career
A RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, Smith served as a Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
in the Vermont Militia
Vermont National Guard
The Vermont National Guard is composed of the Vermont Army National Guard and the Vermont Air National Guard. Green Mountain Boys, despite the inclusion of women in both branches since the mid-twentieth century. Flag of the Green Mountain Boys as their banner...
and was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives
Vermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
from 1891 to 1892, serving as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. In 1892 he declined the Republican nomination for Vermont State Senator from Franklin County
Franklin County, Vermont
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 47,746. Its shire town is the City of St. Albans.-Geography:...
, and in 1896 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention
1896 Republican National Convention
The 1896 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held in a temporary structure south of the St. Louis City Hall in Saint Louis, Missouri, from June 16 to June 18, 1896....
.
Election as governor
In 1898 Smith received the RepublicanVermont Republican Party
The Vermont Republican Party is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Vermont. Patricia McDonald serves as Chairwoman of the Vermont Republican State Committee.-Current elected officials:...
nomination for Governor. As the Republican nominee in a state that elected only Republicans to statewide office from the 1850s to the 1960s, Smith easily won the general election and served the one two year term available to Governors under the "Mountain Rule".
(Under the Mountain Rule, the Republican party alternated candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor between the east and west side of the Green Mountains
Green Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
, identified nominees years in advance, and restricted governors to two years in office.
Smith was from the west side of the Green Mountains
Green Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
, and his predecessor, Josiah Grout
Josiah Grout
Josiah Grout, Jr. was an American lawyer and politician in the US state of Vermont.Born in Quebec, Canada to Vermonter parents, he served in the American Civil War as a Union Army officer before entering the legal profession after the war...
and successor, William Wallace Stickney were from the east. Republicans also apportioned the state's two U.S. Senate seats between each side of the Green Mountains.
The Republican party maintained this rule, with few exceptions, for more than 100 years, winning every election for Governor from the 1850s until 1960, and every U.S. Senate election from the 1850s until 1974.)
As Governor from 1898 to 1900 Smith was a strong opponent of all efforts to regulate or tax corporations.
In 1899 he officiated at the welcome home ceremony in Bennington for Admiral George Dewey
George Dewey
George Dewey was an admiral of the United States Navy. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War...
, hero of the Spanish American War. Smith was also the organizer of Old Home Week
Old Home Week
Old Home Week is a practice that originated in the New England region of the United States similar to a holiday or festival. In its beginning in the 19th-20th century it involved a municipal effort to invite former residents of a village, town, or city - usually individuals who grew up in the...
, the fair and festival designed to celebrate rural life and the Vermont roots of Americans living in other states.
Later career
After serving as Governor Smith returned to his railroad, manufacturing and banking interests.In 1901 he received an honorary degree from Norwich University
Norwich University
Norwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
.
Smith was active in the Society of Colonial Wars, the Sons of the American Revolution
Sons of the American Revolution
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a Louisville, Kentucky-based fraternal organization in the United States...
and the Vermont Historical Society
Vermont Historical Society
The Vermont Historical Society was founded in 1838 to preserve and record the cultural history of the US state of Vermont. Headquartered in the old Spaulding School Building in Barre, the Vermont History Center is home to the Vermont Historical Society's administrative offices, the Leahy Library...
.