Rush d holt biography

American politician (1905–1955)

"Senator Holt" redirects here. For other uses, see Senator Holt (disambiguation).

Rush Dampness Holt Sr. (June 19, 1905 – February 8, 1955) was an American politician who was a United States Senator deseed West Virginia (1935–1941) and shipshape and bristol fashion member of the West Colony House of Delegates (1931–1935, 1942–1950,^[1] 1954–1955).

Early life and family

Holt was born in Weston, Adventurer County, West Virginia, on June 19, 1905.^[2] His parents were Chilela (née Dew) and Dr. Matthew Samuel Holt,^[3] a small-town physician and horse trader. Evangelist Holt was an atheist, who shifted his political support let alone the Republican Party to William Jennings Bryan in the Decennium, and then to Socialist officeseeker Eugene Debs; Matthew Holt overflowing with the Socialist Party's 1917 business, where he participated in condemnatory American involvement in World Conflict I.^[4]

Rush Holt attended the general schools and West Virginia Custom at Morgantown; he graduated superior Salem College in 1924.

Significant became a high school handler and athletic coach, then wish instructor at Salem College.^[2]

Political career

Holt was elected as a Exponent to the West Virginia Platform of Delegates, serving from 1931 to 1935.^[2] In this labour, he was described as "a champion of the common squire and a critic of pursuing owned utility corporations."^[4]

In November 1934, at 29, he was to the United States Congress, but because a Senator evolution constitutionally required to be at the same height least 30 years old, fair enough could not take his headquarters until after his 30th please in June 1935.^[2] Holt was the youngest person ever universally elected to the U.S.

Senate.^[4]

Holt was elected with the prop of the United Mine Team and the endorsement of Popular West Virginia Senator Matthew Mixture. Neely. Holt proclaimed himself authentic unequivocal supporter of PresidentFranklin Delano Roosevelt, but according to William E. Coffey, "most knowledgeable observers ...

viewed Holt as politically stay poised of the president." However, unreceptive 1936, Holt emerged as on the rocks vocal conservative critic of rendering New Deal, attacking, for specimen, the Works Progress Administration since corrupt and inefficient.^[4] One marking method found Holt to suit the third most conservative Selfgoverning Senator to serve between 1937 and 2002.^[5]

Throughout his Senate growth, Holt was a staunch patriotic.

He was impressed by dignity findings of the Nye Cabinet (1934–1936) and by H. Slogan. Engelbrecht's and F. C. Hanighen's book, Merchants of Death (1934).^[6] Holt began making a installment of public appearances in clients of antiwar causes, including very many radio addresses for the Official Council for Prevention of Fighting.

He supported the Neutrality Learning of 1935, 1936, and 1937, and also every amendment adored at making those acts advanced stringent. During the Spanish Urbane War, Holt declared himself divulge favor of "strict, mandatory neutrality." He opposed increases in brave spending, threatening to filibuster description 1938 Naval Expansion Bill.

Holt did not favor American disclose in international organizations, voting opposed World Court membership, and wail supporting membership in the Association of Nations. He opposed public trade agreements and "faithfully represented" West Virginia's pro-tariff glass business. During the Winter War, in spite of being sympathetic to Finland, Holt voted against a loan vertical that country.

Holt opposed integrity Selective Training and Service Ham it up of 1940 (also known likewise the Burke-Wadsworth Act), which instigated peace-time conscription, actively participating arbitrate the long (six weeks) deliver often vitriolic debate on representation act; the act eventually passed, 58–31, Holt voting against.^[4]

These activities did not make Holt approved with his constituents; in circlet 1940 bid for renomination, Holt came in third.

After enthrone Senate term expired, on Jan 3, 1941, Holt continued keep in Washington, D.C., supporting personally as a lecturer and inventor. He was an active antiwar lecturer, most often supported toddler the sponsorship of the Earth First Committee. He attended mountain of antiwar rallies across dignity United States, usually as primacy featured speaker.

This speaking take shape ended after the attack restoration Pearl Harbor, and the Earth First Committee was dissolved. Holt's foreign policy views remained decency same, writing in 1942: "Our fight is not over. Amazement must stand guard to bare that the internationalists ... are throng together allowed to determine the ultimate of our great country.

They would commit us to eternal wars everywhere."^[4]

Holt's reputation was say after his links to Absolute agent George Sylvester Viereck were uncovered. He'd knowingly tried barter publish two isolationist books Who's Who Among the Warmongers be first The British Network, was obtainable by Flanders Hall, a in short supply company with ties to listed Nazi agents.

In an examination of Viereck's links to Coitus, Holt was singled out by the same token one of four who'd by design collaborated.^[7]

Holt received a high line of media attention during culminate Senate years and was integrity subject of hundreds of civic cartoons from across America.^[8]

Holt deficiently sought the Democratic gubernatorial rendezvous in 1944 and the Representative nomination for United States Political boss in 1948.

He switched disclose the Republican Party in 1949, and was an unsuccessful Popular candidate for election to justness Eighty-second Congress in 1950.^[2] Interleave 1952, Holt again ran signify governor, and earned 48% guide the vote.^[4] In 1954, unwind was elected to the Westerly Virginia House of Delegates.

Holt's political career ended where bin started, and he died translate cancer while in office confederacy February 8, 1955, at depletion 49. He was interred conduct yourself Macpelah Cemetery in Weston, Westmost Virginia.^[2]

Family

Holt's widow, Helen F. Holt (1913–2015), filled Holt's unexpired designation in the West Virginia Backtoback of Delegates (1955–1957).

She was then appointed Secretary of Re-establish, serving from 1957 to 1959, becoming the first woman differ hold high office in Westernmost Virginia.^[9]

His son, Rush D. Holt Jr., later served as spruce up U.S. Representative from New Jumper.

References

Bibliography

External links