Matthew Quay
Encyclopedia
Matthew Stanley Quay was an immensely powerful Pennsylvania political boss
; "kingmaker" (Benjamin Harrison
, 1888). "Boss" Quay's political principles and actions stood in contrast to an unusually attractive personality. He was a resident of Beaver
, northwest of Pittsburgh; today, his house
is a National Historic Landmark
.
, York County, Pennsylvania
, the son of a preacher, Anderson Quay. He graduated at Jefferson College (now Washington and Jefferson College) in 1850 and was admitted to the bar in 1854. He served in various capacities in the American Civil War
and Congress awarded him the Medal of Honor
for gallantry at the battle of Fredericksburg
. From 1865–1867 he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
. From 1869, when he had served as secretary of the Republican State Committee, until his death, he was the most influential Republican politician in Pennsylvania. He became Secretary of the Commonwealth
for 1873–1878 and again in 1879–1882, recorder of Philadelphia
in 1878–1879, and state treasurer in 1886–1887. He became chairman of the Republican National Committee
in 1888, and was a member of the United States Senate
from 1887–1899, but he failed to succeed himself, partly due to an accusation that he had been instrumental in the misapplication of public funds deposited in the People's Bank, in which he was interested.
He was appointed a United States Senator ad interim by the Governor, but the Senate refused to admit him. He was nominated to succeed himself by the Republican State Convention in 1901 for the term to expire in 1905, and was re-elected.
, and also played a very prominent part in national affairs. In 1898 he was brought to trial on a charge of misappropriating state funds, and, although he was acquitted the following year, the feeling among the reform element in his own party was so bitter against him that the legislature was deadlocked and his re-election was postponed for two years.
Quay County, New Mexico
is named in his honor.
Matthew Quay appears on a 45p (£0.45) commemorative stamp from the Isle of Man Post Office, as part of a series honoring Manx-Americans.
in 1888, Benjamin Harrison told Quay that "Providence has given us the victory." "Think of the man!" Quay indignantly told reporters in Philadelphia a few weeks later. "He ought to know that Providence hadn't a damn thing to do with it." Harrison, Quay added, would "never know how close a number of men were compelled to approach the gates of the penitentiary to make him president."
Quay, not surprisingly, wasn't nearly as thrilled to work for Harrison's re-election campaign in 1892, even referring to Harrison as the "White House iceberg" for his cool, unfriendly demeanor. When Harrison told Quay that God had made him president, Quay snapped back, "Then let God re-elect you," and stomped out.
Rank and Organization:
Citation:
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
; "kingmaker" (Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
, 1888). "Boss" Quay's political principles and actions stood in contrast to an unusually attractive personality. He was a resident of Beaver
Beaver, Pennsylvania
Beaver is a borough in and the county seat of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States, at the confluence of the Beaver and Ohio Rivers. As of the 2000 census, the borough population was 4,775, having dropped from 5,641 in 1940....
, northwest of Pittsburgh; today, his house
Matthew S. Quay House
The Matthew S. Quay House is a historic structure and was a home of Matthew Stanley Quay, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, Medal of Honor winner, and Republican National Committee chairman who was campaign manager for Benjamin Harrison's successful presidential campaign.Located in Beaver,...
is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
Biography
Quay was born in DillsburgDillsburg, Pennsylvania
Dillsburg is a borough adjacent to Carroll Township in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,563 as of the 2010 census.-Geography:Dillsburg is surrounded by Carroll Township in northwestern York County, Pennsylvania...
, York County, Pennsylvania
York County, Pennsylvania
York County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 434,972. It is in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania....
, the son of a preacher, Anderson Quay. He graduated at Jefferson College (now Washington and Jefferson College) in 1850 and was admitted to the bar in 1854. He served in various capacities in 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...
and Congress awarded him the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for gallantry at the battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
. From 1865–1867 he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
. From 1869, when he had served as secretary of the Republican State Committee, until his death, he was the most influential Republican politician in Pennsylvania. He became Secretary of the Commonwealth
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania administers the Pennsylvania Department of State of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania...
for 1873–1878 and again in 1879–1882, recorder of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
in 1878–1879, and state treasurer in 1886–1887. He became chairman of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
in 1888, and was a member of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from 1887–1899, but he failed to succeed himself, partly due to an accusation that he had been instrumental in the misapplication of public funds deposited in the People's Bank, in which he was interested.
He was appointed a United States Senator ad interim by the Governor, but the Senate refused to admit him. He was nominated to succeed himself by the Republican State Convention in 1901 for the term to expire in 1905, and was re-elected.
Scandal
For nearly twenty years he dominated the government of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and also played a very prominent part in national affairs. In 1898 he was brought to trial on a charge of misappropriating state funds, and, although he was acquitted the following year, the feeling among the reform element in his own party was so bitter against him that the legislature was deadlocked and his re-election was postponed for two years.
Timeline
- 1833: Born DillsburgDillsburg, PennsylvaniaDillsburg is a borough adjacent to Carroll Township in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,563 as of the 2010 census.-Geography:Dillsburg is surrounded by Carroll Township in northwestern York County, Pennsylvania...
, York County, Pennsylvania; educ. Beaver Academy. - 1850: He graduated at Jefferson College; then studied law under Judge Sterret.
- 1851-53: MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. - 1854: Admitted to Beaver CountyBeaver County, Pennsylvania-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 181,412 people, 72,576 households, and 50,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 418 people per square mile . There were 77,765 housing units at an average density of 179 per square mile...
bar. - 1855: Beaver County, prothonotaryProthonotaryThe word prothonotary is recorded in English since 1447, as "principal clerk of a court," from L.L. prothonotarius , from Greek protonotarios "first scribe," originally the chief of the college of recorders of the court of the Byzantine Empire, from Greek protos "first" + Latin notarius ; the -h-...
; marries Agnes Barclay. - 1856: Beaver County, prothonotary.
- 1859: Beaver County, prothonotary.
- 1861: 10th Pa. Reserves (Lt., Lt.-Col.).
- 1862: Governor Andrew Curtin, private secretary.
- 1862: 134th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, commissioned, Col. (August)
- 1862: Leaves 134th Pennsylvania Regiment Volunteers (health) (7 December)
- 1862: Battle of Marye's HeightsBattle of FredericksburgThe Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
(13 December) - 1864: Elected to Pa. state legislature.
- 1865-1867 : Pa. state legislature.
- 1869: Founds Beaver Radical
- 1873-78: Pa. state secretary.
- 1878-79: City of Philadelphia, Recorder. (resigned)
- 1879-82: Pa. state secretary. (named January; resigned October)
- 1886-87: Pa. state treasurer.
- 1887: Entered United States SenateUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. - 1888: Republican National CommitteeRepublican National CommitteeThe Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
, Chairman. - 1892: Re-elected, U.S. Senate.
- 1898: Not re-elected; term expires 1899.
- 1901: U.S. Senate
- 1904; Death; buried in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
Quay County, New Mexico
Quay County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*86.1% White*1.1% Black*1.2% Native American*1.0% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.4% Two or more races*7.2% Other races*42.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
is named in his honor.
Matthew Quay appears on a 45p (£0.45) commemorative stamp from the Isle of Man Post Office, as part of a series honoring Manx-Americans.
Quotes
After his narrow victory over Grover ClevelandGrover 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...
in 1888, Benjamin Harrison told Quay that "Providence has given us the victory." "Think of the man!" Quay indignantly told reporters in Philadelphia a few weeks later. "He ought to know that Providence hadn't a damn thing to do with it." Harrison, Quay added, would "never know how close a number of men were compelled to approach the gates of the penitentiary to make him president."
Quay, not surprisingly, wasn't nearly as thrilled to work for Harrison's re-election campaign in 1892, even referring to Harrison as the "White House iceberg" for his cool, unfriendly demeanor. When Harrison told Quay that God had made him president, Quay snapped back, "Then let God re-elect you," and stomped out.
Medal of Honor citation
- Colonel, 134th Pennsylvania Infantry. Place and date: At Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862. Entered service at: Beaver County, Pa. Born: September 30, 1833, Dilkburg, Pa. Date of issue: July 9, 1888.
Citation:
- Although out of service, he voluntarily resumed duty on the eve of battle and took a conspicuous part in the charge on the heights.