Matthew Quay

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Matthew S. Quay

In office
1888 – 1891
Preceded by B. F. Jones
Succeeded by James S. Clarkson

Born September 30, 1833
Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
Died May 28, 1904
Beaver, Pennsylvania

Matthew Stanley Quay (September 30, 1833 - May 28, 1904) 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.

Quay was born in Dillsburg, 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; Congress awarded him the Medal of Honor for gallantry at the battle of Fredericksburg. From 18651867 he was a member of the state 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 18731878 and again in 18791882, recorder of Philadelphia in 18781879, and state treasurer in 18861887. He became chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1888, and was a member of the United States Senate from 18871899, 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 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.

Contents

[edit] Scandal

For nearly twenty years he dominated the government of Pennsylvania, 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.


[edit] Timeline

Quay County, New Mexico is named in his honor.

[edit] Quotes

After his narrow victory over Grover Cleveland 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 many Republicans 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.

[edit] Trivia

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.

[edit] Sources

Preceded by
John I. Mitchell
United States Senator (Class 1) from Pennsylvania
1887–1899
Served alongside: J. Donald Cameron, Boies Penrose
Succeeded by
Matthew S. Quay
Preceded by
Matthew S. Quay
United States Senator (Class 1) from Pennsylvania
1901–1904
Served alongside: Boies Penrose
Succeeded by
Philander C. Knox
Preceded by
B. F. Jones
Chairman of the Republican National Committee
18921896
Succeeded by
Thomas H. Carter