"MISS STINSON TESTIFIES BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE"

DAUGHERTY ALLEGED TO BE 'INFLUENTIAL FACTOR' IN 'WHISKY' DEALS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 23, 1924, The Sunday Star reports Miss Roxie Stinson* testified before a Senate investigating committee yesterday about "a 'deal' at the 1920 republican convention to nominate (Warren G.) Harding," and told "of more whisky 'deals'" in which Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty was "an influential factor."

Miss Stinson denied charges from the Attorney General that she had attempted to blackmail him as a price for her silence.

The 'deal' she described as a promise for a cabinet position offered to a "former Oklahoma millionaire oil operator" in return for helping to get Harding the presidential nomination.  Miss Stinson allegedly obtained this information from her former husband, Jess Smith**, who was a "constant companion" to Mr. Daugherty.

*Roxie Stinson (1889-1973) married 35 year old Jess Smith in 1908 when she was 19 years old.  The couple divorced in 1910 but remained close friends.  RS remarried in 1926 & lived in Washington, D.C. for the next 45 years.

**Jess Smith was depressed & in poor health at the time of his death.  His death in Harry Daugherty's apartment on May 30, 1923 was ruled a suicide.  Roxie Stinson held the AG 'morally responsible' for her former husband's death. 

SOURCES

"Daugherty Linked By Woman To 1920 Deal For Harding," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., March 23, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Looking Back:  Remembering Roxie Stinson," Record Herald, April  3, 2018, www.recordhearld.com/

 

 

Roxie Stinson's Fortune Told

March 27 1923

LOC's Public Domain Image Collections

"LIQUORS MAY BE SOLD ON U.S. VESSELS ON HIGH SEAS"

HIGH COURT STRIKES DOWN DAUGHERTY RULING 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 30, 1923, the United States Supreme Court overturned a ruling by Attorney General Harry Daugherty* "against the selling of liquors on American vessels on the high seas."

The high court also ruled, however, that the prohibition of both American and foreign ships from bringing liquors into American ports under bond "is legal and enforceable."

According to the Supreme Court ruling, the prohibition amendment does not apply to American ships selling liquor outside of American territorial waters. 

The Evening Capital reports steamship companies are holding meetings to devise plans to comply with the court rulings.

*Harry M. Daugherty (1860-1941) was born in Ohio & served as Attorney General of the United States under Presidents Harding & Coolidge, 1921-1924.

SOURCE

"Court Overturns Daugherty Ruling," The Evening Capital, Annapolis, Maryland, April 30, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Harry M. Daugherty

Attorney General of the United States

1920

 

"HARDING COULD BE BESIEGED BY HUNDREDS OF CALLERS"

PRESIDENT-ELECT TO CUT CAPITAL VISIT FROM 3 DAYS TO 1

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 3, 1920, the Washington Times reported that President-elect Warren G. Harding's three-day visit to the Nation's Capital would likely be reduced to one day.

It seems the President's advisers were fearful that Mr. Harding would be besieged by "hundreds of callers" who wanted either to talk policy or had axes to grind.

The Times reported that the President-elect would return home to Marion, Ohio after the brief visit and remain there for the winter.  Concerning Harding's choices for the cabinet, aide Harry Daugherty* let it be known that "the situation is unsettled as ever."

*Harry Micajah Daugherty (1860-1941) was born in Ohio & graduated from the University of Michigan School of Law (1881).  HMD served as Attorney General from 1921 to 1924 & was involved in the infamous Teapot Dome scandal.

SOURCE

"Harding May Cut D.C. Visit," The Washington Times, December 3, 1920, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Harry M. Daugherty

Attorney General of the United States

(1921-1924)