James Norris Gillett
22nd Governor of California
In office January 9, 1907 – January 3, 1911
Lieutenant	Warren R. Porter
Preceded by	George Pardee
Succeeded by	Hiram Johnson
Born	September 20, 1860(1860-09-20) Viroqua, Wisconsin
Died	April 21, 1937 (aged 76) Berkeley, California
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Adelaide Pratt, Isabella Erzgraber
Profession	Lawyer, politician

James Norris Gillett (September 20, 1860 – April 21, 1937) was an American lawyer and politician. The Governor of California is the highest executive authority in the state government whose responsibilities include making annual "State of the State" addresses Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1911 ( MCMXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California Warren R Porter was a Republican politician from California He served as the Lieutenant Governor of California 1907 to 1911 George Cooper Pardee ( July 25, 1857 September 1, 1941) was an American Medical doctor and Politician. Hiram Warren Johnson ( September 2, 1866 August 6, 1945) was a leading American progressive and later Isolationist Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting Viroqua is also a genus of Jumping spiders. Viroqua is the County seat of Vernon County, Wisconsin Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Berkeley is a city on the east shore of San Francisco Bay in Northern California, in the United States. A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law as an attorney, Counsel or Solicitor; a person A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law as an attorney, Counsel or Solicitor; a person A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person A Republican involved in federal and state politics, Gillett was elected both a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California from March 4, 1903 to November 4, 1906 and as the 22nd Governor of California from January 9, 1907 to January 3, 1911. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 1903 ( MCMIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar or a Common year starting Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The Governor of California is the highest executive authority in the state government whose responsibilities include making annual "State of the State" addresses Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1911 ( MCMXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year

Biography

James Gillett was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin on September 20, 1860. Viroqua is also a genus of Jumping spiders. Viroqua is the County seat of Vernon County, Wisconsin Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting As a young child, Gillett moved with his parents to Sparta, Wisconsin at the age of five. There is also a Town of Sparta. Sparta is a city in and the County seat of Monroe County, Wisconsin, United He would remain in Sparta for nearly fifteen years, attending the local grammar and high school in the town. In 1881, Gillett was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar, beginning a law practice in Sparta shortly afterwards. Year 1881 ( MDCCCLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common In the early 1880s, Gillett permanently relocated out of his native Wisconsin for the West, living briefly in both the Montana Territory and Washington Territory before moving to California, settling in Eureka in 1884. Events and Trends Technology Development and commercial production of Electric lighting Development and commercial production of gasoline-powered Wisconsin ( or wɪˈskɑnsɨn (French Ouisconsin) is one of the fifty United States of America, located in the north central part of the United States The Western United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American West or simply the West &mdashtraditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost The The Washington Territory was a historic Organized territory of the United States that was formed in February 8, 1853 from the portion of the California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Eureka is the County seat and principal city in Humboldt County, California, United States. Year 1884 ( MDCCCLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year ^[1]

Once in Eureka, Gillett joined the state militia as a private in the Eureka Guard Company in 1885. The role of Militia, also known as civilian military service and duty in the United States is complex and has transformed over time Year 1885 ( MDCCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Based primarily in Santa Cruz, Gillett's unit would be called into active military service only once, assisting Humboldt County sherrifs in protecting a local town jail during the height of Sinophobic riots in Eureka. Santa Cruz is the County seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California, United States. Humboldt County is located on the far North Coast of California. Sinophobia (from Latin Sinae "the Chinese" + Ancient Greek φόβος -phobos "fear" or anti-Chinese sentiment ^[2] Following the end of his state military service, Gillett quickly resumed his career as a lawyer. In 1890, Gillett became the Eureka City Attorney, holding the position until 1895. Year 1890 ( MDCCCXC) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1895 ( MDCCCXCV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year ^[3]

By the mid-1890s, Gillett had become interested in state politics. The 1890s were sometimes referred to as the " Mauve Decade" because William Henry Perkin 's aniline dye allowed the widespread use of that Running as a Republican, Gillett was elected to the California State Senate in the 1896 general elections. The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. Year 1896 ( MDCCCXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year After serving a single term in the State Senate, Gillett successfully ran for the federal U.S. House of Representatives in the 1902 House elections. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. The 1902 elections for the United States House of Representatives occurred in the middle of President Theodore Roosevelt 's first term about a year after the He successfully defended his seat again in the 1904 elections. The US House election 1904 was an election for the United States House of Representatives in 1904 which coincided with the re-election of President Theodore ^[4]

Private Gillett (marked by "11") while serving in the Eureka Guards in Santa Cruz in August 1885. Santa Cruz is the County seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California, United States. Year 1885 ( MDCCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

Gillett's success in Washington was noticed by state Republicans and lobbyists for the Southern Pacific Railroad, who saw Gillett's politics as supporting their own corporate interests. Attending the state Republican convention in Santa Cruz in 1906, party machine boss Abe Ruef sought to replace incumbent Governor George Pardee with Gillett for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Santa Cruz is the County seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California, United States. Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting A political machine is an unofficial system of a political organization based on Patronage, the Spoils system, "behind-the-scenes" control and longstanding Abraham Rueff ( September 2, 1864 San Francisco California - February 29, 1936 San Francisco California) known as The Governor of California is the highest executive authority in the state government whose responsibilities include making annual "State of the State" addresses George Cooper Pardee ( July 25, 1857 September 1, 1941) was an American Medical doctor and Politician. Pardee, a medical physician and staunch Progressive and conservationist politician, openly opposed the Southern Pacific's monopoly over cargo and transportation, believing its business influence harmful to the state's economy and politics. Progressivism is a term that refers to a broad school of international social and political philosophies. The conservation movement also known as nature conservation is a political social and to some extent scientific movement that seeks to protect natural resources including In backroom deals, Southern Pacific lobbyists, including Ruef and Southern Pacific political bureau chief William Herrin, persuaded the attending Republican delegates to refuse Pardee renomination, instead handing the nomination to the railroad-friendly Gillett. ^[5] In response to their support, Gillett promised the Southern Pacific waterfront patrongage.

The denying of Pardee's renomination caused immediate controversy and outrage. Pardee, due to his efficient bureaucracy and direction of the state government's response to the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, remained an enormously popular politician. His replacement by Gillett, a Railroad Republican, caused anger both in the press and within political circles. The San Francisco Call printed a photograph taken at the convention's end of Gillett among top party bosses entitled "the Shame of California. The San Francisco Call was a Newspaper that served San Francisco California. "^[6] Gillett's nomination by special interests would fuel calls for a direct primary law in the state. A primary election ( nominating primary) also referred to simply as a primary, is an election in which voters in a Jurisdiction select candidates

Despite his highly controversial nomination, Gillett would successfully win the governorship in the 1906 general elections, defeating Democrat Theodore A. Bell, Socialist Austin Lewis, Prohibitionist James H. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Theodore Arlington Bell ( July 25, 1872 – September 4, 1922) was a Democratic politician from California. The Socialist Party of America (SPA was a socialist Political party in the United States. The Prohibition Party is a political party in the United States best known for its historic opposition to the sale or consumption of Alcoholic beverages Blanchard, and William H. Langdon of the Independence League. This article deals with a defunct American political party For the party formed in 2007 see Independence Party of America. Langdon's strong third place showing of 14. 4% successfully sapped votes away from both the popular contenders Gillett and Bell, yet enough to tip the balance in Gillett's favor. ^[7]

Following his successful election, Gillett resigned from his U.S. House seat. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate.

Governorship

Inaugurated on January 9, 1907 as the 22nd Governor of California Gillett's agenda included the construction of more transcontinental railroads between California and the East. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Governor of California is the highest executive authority in the state government whose responsibilities include making annual "State of the State" addresses California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The Eastern Half of The United States, the American East, or simply the East is traditionally defined as the states east of the Mississippi River. In addition, Gillett, like his predecessor Pardee, encouraged the California State Legislature to debate the direct primary, though remained vague on his support for any such law. George Cooper Pardee ( July 25, 1857 September 1, 1941) was an American Medical doctor and Politician. The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U A primary election ( nominating primary) also referred to simply as a primary, is an election in which voters in a Jurisdiction select candidates ^[8] Gillett also included within his agenda the expansion of harbors, especially in the case of the Port of San Francisco following the 1906 firestorm, to keep up with the state's expanding commerce and ongoing population boom. The Port of San Francisco lies on the western edge of the San Francisco Bay near the Golden Gate. Gillett also pushed bills through the Legislature to create state measures assisting federal food safety laws, particularly for the expanding fruit and California wine industries. The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U California wine is Wine made in the US state of California. Nearly three-quarters the size of France, California accounts for nearly 90

A George Herriman cartoon featuring Gillett as a mule surrounded by prominent Southern Pacific lobbyists in 1906. George Joseph Herriman ( August 22, 1880 &ndash April 25, 1944) was an American Cartoonist, best known for his comic strip In its common modern meaning a mule is the offspring of a male Donkey and a female Horse, which is classified as a kind of F1 hybrid. Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Herriman frequently depicted Gillett as a mule.

During his governorship, Gillett encouraged and signed laws to reform state parole guidelines, assisting prisoners to more quickly reform themselves and return as productive members of society. Parole may have different meanings depending on the field and judiciary system In 1909, Gillett passed the state's first eugenics law, making it legal for state officials to sterilize mental patients considered clinically insane, prisoners exhibiting sexual or moral perversions, and anyone with more than three criminal convictions. Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Eugenics is a social Philosophy which advocates the improvement of Human Hereditary traits through various forms of intervention ^[9] The law was passed unanimously in the Assembly, and had one dissenting vote in the Senate. The California State Assembly is the Lower house of the California State Legislature. The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. Some 19,000 people were sterilized between 1909 and 1950, when eugenics became generally disfavored by the medical profession due to its connections with Nazi Germany. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers

As automobiles became more common along California's roads, Gillett agreed with the Legislature to pass the State Highway Bond Act of 1909. Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The act, which created a bond worth $18 million dollars, effectively established the California state highway system. Each State highway in the US State of California is maintained by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans and is assigned a ^[10] The system would collectively organize state roads, numbering them sequentially, and provide greater funds for maintenance and expansion.

Gillett's governorship, however, remained continually marred with controversy due to his Republican nomination by party machine business interests. A political machine is an unofficial system of a political organization based on Patronage, the Spoils system, "behind-the-scenes" control and longstanding Writing in the Los Angeles Examiner, influential cartoonist George Herriman continually depicted Governor Gillett as a mule for Southern Pacific interests. The Los Angeles Herald-Examiner was a major Los Angeles daily newspaper published Monday through Friday in the afternoon and in the morning on Saturdays and George Joseph Herriman ( August 22, 1880 &ndash April 25, 1944) was an American Cartoonist, best known for his comic strip In its common modern meaning a mule is the offspring of a male Donkey and a female Horse, which is classified as a kind of F1 hybrid. Indeed while in office, Gillett appealed to the railroads to not levy excessive charges on shipping companies and municipalities, yet still warmly welcomed their economic and political presence in the state. ^[11] His warm relations with the Southern Pacific led in part to rising Progressive anger within state Republican ranks, culminating in the election of Hiram Johnson and a large number of like-minded Progressive state legislators in the 1910 elections. Progressivism is a term that refers to a broad school of international social and political philosophies. Hiram Warren Johnson ( September 2, 1866 August 6, 1945) was a leading American progressive and later Isolationist Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting

By 1910, Gillett was falling quickly into financial trouble, and decided not to seek re-election. Privately, however, it is believed that his wife, Isabella, did not want Gillett to continue the governorship. ^[12]

Post governorship

Following his departure from the Governor's Office, Gillett opened a law practice in San Francisco. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city From 1916 to 1920, Gillett worked in Washington, D.C. as an attorney and lobbyist for the San Francisco-based Associated Oil Company and the Oil Industry Association. Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D The Dabney Oil Syndicate refers to a number of Petroleum -drilling enterprises in California involving Joseph B Gillett's lobbying in the U.S. Congress helped secure passage of the Oil Leasing Bill in 1920, which pertained to leases in the naval petroleum reserves. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses Gillett would go on to represent many oil industry companies and individuals in oil lease matters. ^[13] Throughout the 1920s Gillett completed over twenty years' work in obtaining compensation for the owners and crews of sailing vessels seized by the U.S. federal government in the Bering Sea between 1886 and 1894. The 1920s is sometimes referred to as the " Jazz Age " or the " Roaring Twenties " when speaking about the United States and Canada The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. The Bering (or Imarpik) Sea is a body of water in the Pacific Ocean that comprises a deep water basin (the Aleutian Basin) which rises through Year 1886 ( MDCCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1894 ( MDCCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

Gillett retired from the law practice in 1929, only to begin a new practice in 1934 in Oakland with his son, James Gillett, Jr. Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1934 ( MCMXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Oakland (ˈoʊklənd founded in 1852 is the eighth-largest city in the U

Gillett died April 20, 1937 in Berkeley at the age of 76. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Berkeley is a city on the east shore of San Francisco Bay in Northern California, in the United States.

References

External links

• Official Biography from the State of California

• James Gillett at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress