Channing H. Cox

Channing Harris Cox (October 28, 1879 – August 20, 1968) was a Massachusetts Republican politician and the 49th Governor of Massachusetts born in Manchester, New Hampshire. Channing Cox served as Lieutenant Governor to Calvin Coolidge and continued his policies after Coolidge declined reelection to serve as Vice President. Mr. Cox was noted for advancing progressive labor legislation and adjusting administrative law to Massachusetts' changing economy. He was also known for being the first Massachusetts governor to use radio, when he broadcast live from the Eastern States Exposition on September 19, 1921, at the debut of station WBZ.

A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Mr. Cox served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1911–19. Over the next several years he was Lieutenant Governor to Calvin Coolidge. As a Republican, Cox won the governorship by a wide margin in the popular election. His administration expanded upon many existing laws: workman's compensation payments were increased, farmers and domestic workers were included as workers and made eligible for state benefits, compulsory education was extended to all children, and child labor laws were expanded.

Governor Cox also responded to changes in the Massachusetts economy. He advocated policies and reforms to discourage speculative investment with borrowed funds. He instituted a corporate tax on income from real estate holdings and enabled trade unions both to sue and be sued. After governing two terms, Channing Cox retired to practice law in a private practice and worked with various banking and industrial firms.

External links

• Official Commonwealth of Massachusetts Governor Biography