William Willett Jr.
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William Willett | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 14th district | |
| In office March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1911 | |
| Preceded by | Charles A. Towne |
| Succeeded by | John J. Kindred |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Forte Willett Jr. November 27, 1869 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 12, 1938 (aged 68) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | New York University (LLB) |
William Forte Willett Jr. (November 27, 1869 – February 12, 1938) was an American lawyer and politician who served two terms as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1907 to 1911.
Biography[edit]
William Willett was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 27, 1869. He attended the public schools of his native city and then graduated from the law department of New York University, New York City, in 1895. He was admitted to the bar the following year and commenced the practice of law in New York City.
Congress[edit]
Willett was elected as a Democrat to the Sixtieth and Sixty-first Congresses (March 4, 1907 - March 3, 1911).
On January 18, 1909, Congressman Willett denounced President Theodore Roosevelt in a speech that was so outrageous that he was ordered to sit down, and the House voted 126 to 78 against allowing him to continue.[1] On January 27, the House, by voice vote, expunged the speech from the Congressional Record for "language improper and in violation of the privileges of debate".[2]
After Congress[edit]
He did not stand for renomination in 1910.
Indictment and sentencing[edit]
He was indicted in 1912 on charges that he paid Democratic Party leaders for a seat on the State Supreme Court. In 1913, Willett was convicted of conspiracy and "corrupt practices", specifically bribery.[2] After exhausting his appeals he served 14 months in Sing Sing.[3]
Later career[edit]
Willett then went into the real estate business.
Death[edit]
He died in New York City on February 12, 1938, and was interred in Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
Electoral history[edit]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Willett Jr. | 17,675 | 46.3% | |
| Republican | Frank E. Losee | 10,006 | 26.2% | |
| Independence | Charles E. Shober | 8,110 | 21.3% | |
| Socialist | Richard Morton | 2,328 | 6.1% | |
| Prohibition | Albert Wadhams | 40 | 0.1% | |
| Total votes | 38,159 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Willett Jr. (incumbent) | 21,643 | 52.2% | |
| Republican | Emanuel Castka | 14,189 | 34.2% | |
| Socialist | Phillip H. Schmitt | 3,055 | 7.4% | |
| Independence | Herbert Wade | 2,485 | 6.0% | |
| Prohibition | Joseph. H Ralph | 69 | 0.2% | |
| Total votes | 41,451 | 100% | ||
References[edit]
- ^ "Roosevelt Scored- Representative Willett Makes Sensational Attack", Washington Post, January 19, 1909, p.1
- ^ a b Mark Grossman, Political Corruption in America: An Encyclopedia of Scandals, Power, and Greed (ABC-CLIO, 2003), p.369
- ^ "Willett, William Forte Jr.." Political Corruption in America: An Encyclopedia of Scandals, Power & Greed. Amenia: Grey House Publishing, 2008. Credo Reference. Web. 15 August 2012.
- ^ The New York Red Book, 1907. 1907. p. 617. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ The New York Red Book, 1909. 1909. p. 638. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- United States Congress. "William Willett Jr. (id: W000481)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- 1869 births
- 1938 deaths
- 20th-century American criminals
- 20th-century American legislators
- American politicians convicted of bribery
- American prisoners and detainees
- Burials at the Cemetery of the Evergreens
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)
- Inmates of Sing Sing
- New York (state) politicians convicted of crimes
- New York University School of Law alumni
- Politicians from Brooklyn