James Robert Mann (Illinois)

James Robert Mann
4th Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives
In office 1911–1919
Preceded by	Champ Clark
Succeeded by	Champ Clark
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1903 – November 30, 1922
Preceded by	John J. Feely
Succeeded by	Morton D. Hull
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district
In office March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1903
Preceded by	J. Frank Aldrich
Succeeded by	Martin Emerich
Personal details
Born	October 20, 1856(1856-10-20)
Died	November 30, 1922(1922-11-30) (aged 66) Washington D.C.
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of Illinois at Urbana

James Robert Mann (October 20, 1856 – November 30, 1922) was an American legislator and U.S. Representative from Illinois, 1897–1922. He was a member of the Republican party, and served as House Minority Leader from 1911 to 1919.

Early life

James Robert Mann was born near Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois on October 20, 1856. Mann attended University of Illinois at Urbana and graduated in 1876. He graduated from Union College of Law in 1881 and became a lawyer in Chicago. Mann held several local political offices before serving in the House of Representatives.

His older brother was US Army general William Abram Mann.

Education

• Bloomington County public schools
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduated 1876
• Union College of Law, Chicago, graduated 1881

Professional life

He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1881 and commenced his practice in Chicago. He held several local offices before being elected as a congressman:

• Member of the Oakland Board of Education in Chicago (1887)
• Attorney for Hyde Park and the South Park commissioners of Chicago
• Chairman of the Illinois State Republican convention (1894)
• Member of the City Council of Chicago (1892–1896)
• Master in chancery of the Superior Court of Cook County
• Chairman of the Republican county conventions at Chicago (1895, 1902)
• Elected as Republican (1896) to the 55th Congress with 13 successive terms

James Mann (right) with Speaker of the House Champ Clark.
1911–1919

Service in the House

• Chairman, Committee on Elections No. 1 (58th – 60th Congresses)
• Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce (61st Congress)
• Committee on Women Suffrage (66th Congress)
• Minority Leader (62nd – 65th Congresses)

Notable legislation

Congressman Mann was one of the sponsors of the Mann-Elkins Act, which gave more power to the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad rates. He is probably best known for his authorship of the Mann Act of 1910, which was a reaction to the "white slavery" issue and prohibited transportation of women between states for purposes of prostitution. He introduced legislation that became the Pure Food and Drugs Act of 1906.

He was considered to be a leader in the cause of amending the United States Constitution to grant suffrage to women. However, he was quoted as saying, "'They should have been at home where they belonged,' referring to the women in the pageant." He was a leading opponent of the Harrison Act and Prohibition, despite the popularity of such legislation amongst his fellow Midwestern progressives.

Death

Congressman Mann died in Washington, D.C. on November 30, 1922 at age 66 before the close of the 67th United States Congress. He was interred in Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago.

Additional information

• Ellis, L. Ethan. “James Robert Mann: Legislator Extraordinary”. Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 46 (Spring 1953): 28-44.
• Extended bibliography – United States Congress website

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress document "MANN, James Robert".

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by J. Frank Aldrich	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st congressional district 1897-1903	Succeeded by Martin Emerich
Preceded by John J. Feely	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 2nd congressional district 1903-1922	Succeeded by Morton D. Hull