| Charles James Bell | |
|---|---|
| Official Vermont State House portrait | |
| 50th Governor of Vermont | |
| In office 1904–1906 |
|
| Lieutenant | Charles H. Stearns |
| Preceded by | John G. McCullough |
| Succeeded by | Fletcher D. Proctor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 10, 1845 Walden, Vermont |
| Died | September 25, 1909 (aged 64) New York City |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Louisa Perry (1849–1918) |
| Profession | Farmer and horse breeder |
Charles James Bell (March 10, 1845 – September 25, 1909), a Republican, was the 50th Governor of the U.S. state of Vermont from 1904 to 1906.
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He graduated from Peacham Academy and at 17 enlisted for the Civil War in Company B, 15th Vermont Infantry Regiment.
After he was mustered out he reenlisted in Company C, 1st Vermont Cavalry Regiment and was promoted to Corporal in 1864. Bell was wounded at Appomattox Station in April, 1865, and was mustered out in June. He then returned to Walden, where he farmed and raised horses.
In addition to operating his farm and breeding horses, Bell was elected and appointed to various local offices, including school board member, selectman, and chairman of the select board.
A Republican, he served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1882 to 1883, and the Vermont Senate from 1894 to 1895.
He was a member of the state Board of Railroad Commissioners from 1894 to 1896, and the state Board of Agriculture from 1896 to 1904.
From 1898 to 1902 Bell was Secretary of the state Board of Cattle Commissioners.
Bell also served as President of the Caledonia County Agriculture Society, a Director of the Vermont Agricultural Society, Treasurer and Master of the Vermont Grange, and an executive committee member and Secretary of the National Grange.
Bell was nominated for Governor in 1904. He easily won the general election, and served two years, in keeping with the Vermont Republican party's "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.
Bell was from the west side of the Green Mountains, and his predecessor, John G. McCullough and successor, Fletcher D. Proctor 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.)
During his administration Bell was involved in a controversy that gained national attention. He was besieged by pleas to commute the sentence of Mary Rogers, who had been convicted of murdering her husband. Bell reconsidered her case, but ultimately decided to allow the original sentence to be carried out, and Mary Rogers was executed by hanging.
After leaving office Bell returned to his agricultural interests and remained active in the Grange and other farming organizations. In 1906 he received an honorary degree from Norwich University, and one from the University of Vermont.
Bell became ill while visiting New York City. He decided to return home early, and died from a heart attack while on a train at Grand Central Station. He was buried in North Walden Cemetery, North Walden, Vermont.
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