Thomas Duncan (American politician) explained

Thomas Duncan
State:Wisconsin
State Senate:Wisconsin
District:6th
Term Start:January 7, 1929
Term End:January 2, 1933
Predecessor:Alex C. Ruffing
Successor:Charles H. Phillips
State Assembly1:Wisconsin
District1:Milwaukee 4th
Term Start1:January 1, 1923
Term End1:January 7, 1929
Predecessor1:Fred Hasley
Successor1:Fred W. Springer
Party:Socialist
Otherparty:Progressive
Democratic
Birth Date:5 March 1893
Birth Place:Westboro, Wisconsin, U.S.
Death Place:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting Place:Forest Home Cemetery
Alma Mater:Yale University
Profession:Clerk
Spouse:Catherine Cody
Children:2

Thomas McEwing Duncan (March 5, 1893  - February 22, 1959) was an American clerical worker from Milwaukee who served three terms as a Socialist member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1923–1928) and one term (1929–1932) as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate representing the Milwaukee-based 6th Senate district.[1]

Background

Duncan was born in Wisconsin on March 5, 1893 and was educated in the Milwaukee Public Schools. He graduated from Yale University in 1915. After graduation he was employed in the bond department of the First Wisconsin Trust Company, and later in the consolidated bond department of the First Wisconsin National Bank.[2] He served as Secretary to Milwaukee Mayor Daniel Hoan from April 1920 to January 1, 1925, and as a member of the Milwaukee Firemen's and Policemen's Pension Commission.

Legislative service

He was first elected to the Assembly in November 1922 without opposition to succeed fellow Socialist Fred Hasley.[3] to represent the Fourth Milwaukee County Assembly district (the 21st ward of the City of Milwaukee).

Duncan was responsible for the 1930 introduction and passage of the partial veto into the Wisconsin state constitution, considered "the most extensive" veto power that has been "given to any state executive."[4]

After the death of Congressman Victor Berger, Duncan was considered his successor as leader of the Wisconsin socialists. He was seen as less doctrinaire than Berger, and at one time was discussed as a potential progressive candidate for Governor of Wisconsin under some form of Progressive/Socialist fusion ticket.[5] He acted as executive secretary to Governor Philip La Follette, and was asserted to have (unsuccessfully) led efforts to lure Socialists into the La Follette camp.[6]

He did not seek re-election to the Senate in 1932; Socialist Assemblyman George Hampel was nominated to succeed Duncan in the 6th District,[7] but was defeated by a Democrat in the 1932 Democratic landslide.

References

  1. http://lrbdigital.legis.wisconsin.gov/digital/collection/p16831coll2/id/1303/rec/45 Members of the Wisconsin State Legislature 1848-1999
  2. Book: Gregory, John Goadby. History of Milwaukee Wisconsin, Volume III. 1930. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. Wisconsin Historical Society State Historical Library. 566–570.
  3. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1923 The Wisconsin blue book, 1923 p. 629
  4. http://www.wisbar.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Wisconsin_Lawyer&template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&contentid=70436 Wade, Frederick B. "The Origin and Evolution of Partial Veto Power", Wisconsin Lawyer Vol. 81, No. 3 (March 2008)
  5. Winter, Everett. "Berger's Passing To Alter Wisconsin Socialist Party: Duncan, New Leader, Differs In Political Philosophy, Action." Wisconsin State Journal, August 11, 1929.
  6. Everett, Winter. "Blaming Each Other" Wisconsin State Journal n.d., reprinted in the Rhinelander Daily News September 28, 1932; p. 4, col. 2
  7. "Senate Power Given Kohler If He Goes In", Manitowoc Herald-Times September 23, 1932; p. 6, col. 3