Austin Lane Crothers

Austin Lane Crothers

Austin Lane Crothers (born May 17, 1860 in Cecil County , Maryland , †  May 25, 1912 in Elkton , Maryland) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and from 1908 to 1912 governor of the state of Maryland.

Early years and political advancement

Austin Crothers grew up on his father's farm. He attended Nottingham Academy and then studied law at the University of Maryland . After his admission to the bar in 1890, he began practicing in Elkton.

Between 1891 and 1895, Crothers was a district attorney in Cecil County. In 1898 he was elected to the Maryland Senate to succeed his brother Charles . He stayed there until 1901. In the meantime, he was chairman of the finance committee. At the same time he was party chairman in Cecil County. In 1901 he was defeated by a Republican competitor and therefore had to retire from the Maryland Senate. Another attempt to return there failed in 1905. In 1906 he became a judge in the Second Judicial District of Maryland, which also included Cecil County. On November 5, 1907, he was elected to succeed Edwin Warfield as the new governor of his state.

Maryland Governor and End of Life

Austin Crothers began his four-year term on January 8, 1908. During this time a State Road Commission was established. In light of the increasing traffic in Maryland, the roads were upgraded by the new commission. In addition, the vehicle tax was increased. At that time the so-called "Corrupt Practices Act" was passed, a law with the help of which more transparency in the administration of campaign funds should be brought. The governor also supported a food control law. In addition, the office of a State Bank Commissioner was created . In the area of ​​health care he advocated better care for the mentally handicapped.

Crothers also tried to deal with corruption in the Baltimore police force . His measures in this regard were unsuccessful, however, because a court denied him the authority to intervene in the police administration of Baltimore. But Crothers also supported a law that was supposed to restrict black voting rights. This law was rejected in a referendum. Towards the end of his tenure, like his predecessor, he fell out with other Maryland politicians, including members of his own party. By the time he left office on January 10, 1912, Crothers was already suffering from a serious illness, which he succumbed to just a few months later in May 1912.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Austin Crothers in the National Governors Association (English)
• The Political Graveyard (English)
• Austin Lane Crothers in the database of Find a Grave (English)