Richard L. Murphy

Richard L. Murphy

Richard Louis Murphy (born November 6, 1875 in Dubuque , Iowa , †  July 16, 1936 in Chippewa Falls , Wisconsin ) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ). He represented the state of Iowa in the US Senate .

Professional career

Richard Murphy's father was the editor of the Telegraph Herald , the daily newspaper in his hometown Dubuque. There he attended public schools and high school for two years; but since his family was dependent on a further income, he finished his education and started working as a journalist at the age of 15. From 1890 to 1892 he did this in Illinois for the Galena Gazette before he returned to Dubuque and was employed there as a reporter by the Times Journal ; later he became an editor there. After the death of his father in 1902 he took over this post at the Telegraph Herald and held it until 1914.

In 1913 he was appointed to his first public office as a collector of internal revenue for Iowa, which he remained until 1920. From 1920 to 1931 he worked as a tax attorney.

politics

It wasn't until late, at almost 55 years old, that Murphy decided to pursue a political career. He ran in 1932 as a Democratic candidate for one of Iowa's two seats in the US Senate. The incumbent was Smith W. Brookhart , but this lost the Republican nomination to Henry Field. In the election, Murphy had no problems asserting himself against Field, although the presidential election that took place at the same time also played a role. In the wake of Franklin D. Roosevelt's success over Herbert Hoover , numerous Democrats achieved unexpected or unexpectedly significant successes. He also won approval by campaigning for an end to alcohol prohibition . He became only the second Democratic Senator from Iowa since 1858.

In the Senate, Richard Murphy strongly supported the new president's policies. But on July 16, 1936, he was killed in a car accident near Chippewa Falls. His wife, who was also in the car, was seriously injured but survived. With Murphy, the Roosevelt administration lost an important ally in the Senate, especially since his successor Guy Gillette , also a Democrat, was critical of the president and often took a stand against his plans.

Web links

• Richard L. Murphy in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)