WILSON NOMINATES FORMER REPUBLICAN FOR STATE SECRETARY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) In a recent debate of presidential candidates of the Democratic Party, Pete Buttigieg said, "It might be nice to nominate someone who is actually a Democrat."
Those words might well have been spoken by Democratic senators a century ago when President Woodrow Wilson (Feb 26, 1920) nominated Bainbridge Colby* for Secretary of State.
The President's nomination met with bewilderment not only because Mr. Bainbridge had been a Republican, Bull-Mooser and Independent, but also because he had no diplomatic experience. Mr. Wilson had fired Secretary of State Robert Lansing** for insubordination.
Despite the grumblings of Democratic Senators, Bainbridge Colby was confirmed as Secretary of State on March 23, 1920. He served until the end of Woodrow Wilson's second term.
Secretary Colby pushed for the ratification of the Versailles Treaty, supported the proposed League of Nations, and did not support U.S. recognition of communist Russia. After his service in the State Department, Mr. Colby opened a law practice with former President Wilson in Washington, D.C.
Although originally a supporter of FDR, Mr. Colby founded the anti-Roosevelt American Liberty League.
*Bainbridge Colby (1869-1950) was born in St. Louis, Mo & graduated from Williams College (1890), & NY School of Law (1892). BC served as a member of the NY State Assembly (1901-02) but was defeated as a Progressive for U.S. Senate (1916). He served as a member of the US Shipping Board during WWI.
**Robert Lansing (1864-1928) served as Secretary of State (1915-1920). RL was a conservative pro-business Democrat who fell out of favor with Woodrow Wilson because of his opposition to the Versailles Treaty.
SOURCES
"Bainbridge Colby (1920-1921)," Miller Center, www.millercenter.org/
"Today-100: February 26, 1920: Of present political affiliations, the draft, by-elections, opium, shackles and glue," www.whateveritisimagainstit.blogspot.com/
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) In a recent debate of presidential candidates of the Democratic Party, Pete Buttigieg said, "It might be nice to nominate someone who is actually a Democrat."
Those words might well have been spoken by Democratic senators a century ago when President Woodrow Wilson (Feb 26, 1920) nominated Bainbridge Colby* for Secretary of State.
The President's nomination met with bewilderment not only because Mr. Bainbridge had been a Republican, Bull-Mooser and Independent, but also because he had no diplomatic experience. Mr. Wilson had fired Secretary of State Robert Lansing** for insubordination.
Despite the grumblings of Democratic Senators, Bainbridge Colby was confirmed as Secretary of State on March 23, 1920. He served until the end of Woodrow Wilson's second term.
Secretary Colby pushed for the ratification of the Versailles Treaty, supported the proposed League of Nations, and did not support U.S. recognition of communist Russia. After his service in the State Department, Mr. Colby opened a law practice with former President Wilson in Washington, D.C.
Although originally a supporter of FDR, Mr. Colby founded the anti-Roosevelt American Liberty League.
*Bainbridge Colby (1869-1950) was born in St. Louis, Mo & graduated from Williams College (1890), & NY School of Law (1892). BC served as a member of the NY State Assembly (1901-02) but was defeated as a Progressive for U.S. Senate (1916). He served as a member of the US Shipping Board during WWI.
**Robert Lansing (1864-1928) served as Secretary of State (1915-1920). RL was a conservative pro-business Democrat who fell out of favor with Woodrow Wilson because of his opposition to the Versailles Treaty.
SOURCES
"Bainbridge Colby (1920-1921)," Miller Center, www.millercenter.org/
"Today-100: February 26, 1920: Of present political affiliations, the draft, by-elections, opium, shackles and glue," www.whateveritisimagainstit.blogspot.com/
Bainbridge Colby
Secretary of State
Photo by Harris & Ewing (1920)
www.hdl.loc.gov/
loc.pnp/cph3a14198
