Ohio Gang
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| Ohio Gang | |
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 Warren G. Harding and his cabinet. |
The Ohio Gang (1921-1923) was a group of politicians and industry leaders who came to be associated with Warren G. Harding, the twenty-ninth President of the United States of America.
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[edit] Background
Warren G. Harding was elected President by promising to return the nation to "normalcy,” and opposing the idealism of his predecessor Woodrow Wilson. He captured 60% of American's votes and won by a landslide. After Harding had won the election he appointed many of his allies and campaign contributors to powerful political positions in control of vast amounts of government money and resources.
[edit] Description
Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty, Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall, and Navy Secretary Edwin C. Denby, were considered to have been responsible for acts of corruption and cronyism. There are a number of things they were accused of, including keeping bootleg whisky in the White house.
The Ohio Gang was responsible for the Teapot Dome scandal. The Teapot Dome was considered America’s biggest political scandal up until Watergate. The group met regularly at the infamous Little Green House on K Street. Also associated with the secret hide out was Jess Smith; who was said to have committed suicide because he faced scrutiny from Harding’s supporters about his involvement.
There is no information that proves that Harding knew of the scandals that were going on during his time in office. He may not have learned much of it until the eve of his death. Fall was mainly responsible for the Teapot Dome scandal and was eventually jailed for taking bribes. Later President Coolidge forced the resignation of Daugherty for the same crimes.
[edit] Resistance to definition from Ohio-based commentary
Some commentators from Ohio have challenged the term "The Ohio Gang" on the grounds that many of the individuals so designated came from outside the state.[1]
[edit] Members
- Warren G. Harding
- Harry M. Daugherty[2]
- Albert B. Fall (from New Mexico)
- Edwin C. Denby (from Michigan)
- Charles R. Forbes
- Thomas W. Miller (from Delaware)[3]
- Jess Smith
- Gaston Means
[edit] References
- ^ Ohio Gang Ohio History Central
- ^ "Ohio Gang (American politician)". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-426002/Ohio-Gang. Retrieved 2007-08-04. "Leader of the Ohio Gang was Harry M. Daugherty"
- ^ Thomas Miller Ohio History Central
- ^ [1] Politics in the 1920
- ^ [2] Britannica
- ^ The Ohio Gang: The World of Warren G. Harding by Charles L. Mee
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