John W. Davis (governor)
Encyclopedia
John William Davis was a United States Democratic
politician, who served as the 38th and 41st Governor of Rhode Island (1887–1888 and 1890–1891).
, Davis attended public schools in Rehoboth and a private school in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
. Before entering politics, he was engaged in various occupations, like mechanical masonry, teaching, and grain dealing.
, over which body he presided for two years.
For a number of years he was a Rhode Island State Senator
, before he was appointed by fellow Democratic President
Grover Cleveland
as an Appraiser of Foreign Merchandise for the Providence U.S. Customs District.
Davis became Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 1887 and defeated incumbent Republican
George P. Wetmore
. In his bid Davis was supported by many Republicans, who were dissatisfied.
During his first term as chief executive, Rhode Island approved the Women’s Suffrage Amendment to the state constitution. Also he presided over establishment of the boundary line between Rhode Island and Connecticut
and reform of election law to eliminate frauds. Despite these record, Davis was defeated for re-election in 1888 by Republican candidate Royal C. Taft
. His comeback attempt in 1889 was also failed.
Davis, however, was elected Governor again in 1890 and served until 1891. During his second administration the governor was given authorization to appoint a commission to revise and codify general statutes, and funds were appropriated for completion of a Soldiers’ Home. Also during his second administration he undertok the construction of College Hall at the University of Rhode Island
, then the largest building on campus. When it burned down in 1895 and rebuilt, it was renamed Davis Hall in his honor.
Governor Davis was defeated for re-election once again in 1891, but didn't retire from active politics, being elected to the State Senate and Mayor of Pawtucket in 1897.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician, who served as the 38th and 41st Governor of Rhode Island (1887–1888 and 1890–1891).
Early life
Born in Rehoboth, MassachusettsRehoboth, Massachusetts
Rehoboth is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,172 at the 2000 census.-History:It was incorporated in 1643 making it one of the earliest Massachusetts towns to be incorporated. The Rehoboth Carpenter Family is among the founding families...
, Davis attended public schools in Rehoboth and a private school in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
. Before entering politics, he was engaged in various occupations, like mechanical masonry, teaching, and grain dealing.
Political career
His first public office was a seat in the Pawtucket Town CouncilTown council
A town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities or civil parishes. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch....
, over which body he presided for two years.
For a number of years he was a Rhode Island State Senator
Rhode Island Senate
The Rhode Island Senate is the upper house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 38 Senators, each of whom is elected to a two-year term. Rhode Island is one of the 14 states where its upper house serves at a two-year...
, before he was appointed by fellow Democratic President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
as an Appraiser of Foreign Merchandise for the Providence U.S. Customs District.
Davis became Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 1887 and defeated incumbent 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...
George P. Wetmore
George P. Wetmore
George Peabody Wetmore was the 37th Governor and a United States Senator from Rhode Island.-Early life:George Peabody Wetmore was born in London, England, during a visit of his parents abroad. His father was William Shepard Wetmore, a wealthy Yankee trader. George Wetmore received his early...
. In his bid Davis was supported by many Republicans, who were dissatisfied.
During his first term as chief executive, Rhode Island approved the Women’s Suffrage Amendment to the state constitution. Also he presided over establishment of the boundary line between Rhode Island and Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
and reform of election law to eliminate frauds. Despite these record, Davis was defeated for re-election in 1888 by Republican candidate Royal C. Taft
Royal C. Taft
Royal Chapin Taft was a US politician and businessman, whose most distinguished post was that as the 39th Governor of Rhode Island, an office he held from 1888–1889...
. His comeback attempt in 1889 was also failed.
Davis, however, was elected Governor again in 1890 and served until 1891. During his second administration the governor was given authorization to appoint a commission to revise and codify general statutes, and funds were appropriated for completion of a Soldiers’ Home. Also during his second administration he undertok the construction of College Hall at the University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
, then the largest building on campus. When it burned down in 1895 and rebuilt, it was renamed Davis Hall in his honor.
Governor Davis was defeated for re-election once again in 1891, but didn't retire from active politics, being elected to the State Senate and Mayor of Pawtucket in 1897.