Nicholas Longworth - Early years and education, Professional life and entry into politics, Majority Leader and Speaker, Legacy

US representative, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The son of a wealthy, prominent Cincinnati family, he graduated from Harvard University and the University of Cincinnati Law School. He entered Republican politics, serving in the Ohio house (1899–1901) and senate (1901–3) before going to Congress (Republican, Ohio, 1903–13 and 1915–31). In 1906 he made a brilliant match when he married Alice Lee Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, in the White House. He studied parliamentary procedures and was Republican floor leader before being elected Speaker (1925–31), where he advocated strong leadership, adherence to House rules, and co-operation. His fairness endeared him to Democrats and he eliminated the use of personal invective in congressional debates. A natural mediator, he did not hesitate to oppose his father-in-law when he supported Taft's presidential bid in 1912. A talented musician, he and his wife were much admired in Washington, DC society.

Nicholas Longworth (November 5, 1869 - April 9, 1931) was a prominent American politician in the Republican Party during the first few decades of the 20th century. He served as House Majority Leader from 1923 to 1925 and subsequently as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1925 to 1931.

Early years and education

Longworth was born into an old, prominent, and wealthy Cincinnati, Ohio family. The Longworths dominated Cincinnati life as the Lytle family did before them and the Taft family would after them.

Nicholas Longworth attended Harvard College, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon.

A gifted musician, Longworth was considered by Efrem Zimbalist and others as one of the most talented amateur violinists in the United States (Longworth owned a 1690 Stradivarius).

Professional life and entry into politics

Longworth began a law practice in Cincinnati after being admitted to the Ohio bar in 1894.

As the protégé of Republican boss George Cox, Longworth was elected to the Ohio state legislature, serving in the lower house in 1899 and 1900, then in the State Senate from 1901 to 1903. In 1902, Longworth was elected to the United States House of Representatives from a Cincinnati-area district.

The new representative, still a bachelor, quickly became a popular bon vivant in Washington, D.C.

Already well-known for his social success, Longworth first came to political prominence in 1910, when he led the successful Republican revolt against the autocratic rule of House Speaker Joseph G. Throughout his political career, Longworth was a workhorse, especially on issues regarding foreign affairs and the protective tariff.

As the insurgent (or "Progressive") Republicans pulled apart from the conservatives in 1910-12, Longworth sided with the conservatives. Theodore Roosevelt, Longworth's father-in-law, led the Progressives, and bolted the Republican convention in the 1912 election to set up a third party. However, many of Roosevelt's closest political allies, including Longworth, supported conservative standard-bearer President William Howard Taft. Longworth's decision caused a permanent chill in his marriage to Roosevelt's daughter, Alice. For men like Longworth expecting a future in politics, bolting the Republican party ticket was simply too radical a step. Also, Longworth agreed more with Taft than Roosevelt on critical issues like an independent judiciary and support for business.

Because the Progressive party ran a candidate in his district, Longworth was defeated (by only 105 votes) in 1912. (Longworth's wife appeared at a speech by his Progressive opponent and would thereafter joke that it was she who cost her husband at least 100 of those 105 votes.)

Majority Leader and Speaker

Longworth returned to Congress in 1914, serving until his death, and became Majority Leader of the House in 1923.

After an effective term as Majority Leader, Longworth moved up to become Speaker in 1925 after Frederick Gillett took a seat in the United States Senate.

Longworth reached across the aisle to democrats forging a productive relationship with John Nance Garner, the minority leader, who relied upon informal methods to strengthen his party's influence. In the "bureau' Longworth said that Garner operated as "a one man cabal." Longworth took control of the Steering Committee and Committee on Committees and placed his own men on the Rules Committee, guaranteeing that he controlled the work of the House. However in 1931 Longworth defied President Herbert Hoover supporting the long-stalled veterans bonus bill; What Mr. Longworth clearly proved was this matter of leadership depends not so much on the rules but on the man.

While visiting his friend Dwight Filley Davis (of Davis Cup fame), in Aiken, South Carolina, Longworth caught pneumonia and died unexpectedly.

Legacy

Nicholas Longworth strengthened the power of the House of Representatives. He was popular on both sides of the aisle, and his years of leadership are commemorated in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill.

Besides his widow, Longworth left one child, Paulina.