World War I and the Roaring Twenties (part 5) |
State politics saw the impeachment of two successive Democratic governors and a rise and fall in Republican fortunes. The 1920 Harding landslide carried Republicans into every state office contested, brought about a Republican majority in the House delegation (five of the eight seats), and ended the monopoly of Democrats in the Senate. John W. Harreld succeeded Thomas P. Gore in the Senate. Four years later, Robert L. Owen was replaced by William B. Pine. The Sixty-Ninth Congress (1925-1926) saw Harreld and Pine in both Senate seats. For the remainder of the decade, the GOP held from one to three of the eight seats, gaining in presidential election years and retreating in off-year elections. |
 |
Above: Senator John W. Harreld (R-OK, 1919-1920, House; 1921-1926, Senate) and Representative Samuel J. Montgomery (R-OK, 1925-1926) pose with Osage Indians at the White House when they called upon President Calvin Coolidge. Oklahoma’s first Republican senator, Harreld was a member of the committees on Agriculture and Forestry, Claims, Post Offices and Post Roads, and Public Buildings and Grounds. He also chaired the Indian Affairs Committee. (Courtesy Library of Congress) |
|
|
|
Left
Manuel Herrick (R-OK, 1921-1922), called the “Okie Jesus Congressman” by a biographer, was a perennial office seeker–who also made several trips to the insane asylum. Because it was too late for any other Republican to enter the campaign, he slipped into the candidacy for the Eighth District following the untimely death of Dick T. Morgan. Although he worked diligently for constituents, his efforts were overshadowed by his eccentricities and lack of knowledge of the governmental process. (Courtesy Library of Congress) |
|
 |
Right
|
California native Milton C. Garber (R-OK, 1923-1932) (at right) came to Oklahoma with his father and brother to make the Cherokee Outlet land run in 1893. They established a general store and oil business in what became Garber, Oklahoma. During the territorial and early statehood periods, Garber was as a judge. In Congress, Garber remained a staunch opponent of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, and sought adjusted compensation for veterans. After leaving office, Garber was co-publisher and editor of the Enid Morning News and the Enid Daily Eagle. |
|
Right: Major independent oil producer William B. Pine (R-OK, 1925-1930) was Oklahoma’s second Republican senator. After service on the Appropriations, Banking and Currency, and Indian Affairs committees, Pine had to seek reelection as the shadow of the Great Depression darkened every Republicans' prospects. He lost the 1930 election to Thomas P. Gore. Here, Pine (fourth from left) confers with other senators and members of the coal industry. Also shown are President Morrow of the Pittsburgh Coal Company; Senator Burton K. Wheeler (D-MT); Senator Frank R. Gooding (R-ID); Senator Robert F. Wagner (D-NY); and President Baker of the Pittsburgh Terminal Coal Company. (Courtesy Western History Collections, University of Oklahoma Libraries) |
|
 |
Left:
Attorney Charles O’Connor (R-OK, 1929-1930) served but one term in the House. |
|
|
|
|
