David Hazzard

David Hazzard ( born May 18, 1781 Milton, Delaware; † July 8, 1864 ) was an American politician and 1830-1833 Governor of the State of Delaware.

Early years and political rise

David Hazzard's education was rather modest, but he has taught with the help of a self- study even the basic necessities. In 1807 he became a member of the militia of Delaware. There he rose to 1812 up to captain. Between 1812 and 1817 he was a Justice of the Peace in Sussex County. In the years 1823 and 1826, he competed unsuccessfully in each case to the office of governor of his state. On October 6, 1829, he then managed the third attempt still to be elected to the highest office in his state. At that time he was a member of the National Republican Party, which had been formed from parts of the former Democratic-Republican Party, who had Hazzard also belongs. Later, the party should become part of the Whigs.

Governor of Delaware

David Hazzard took up his new post on January 19, 1830. The main event of his three-year tenure was adopted in 1831 a constitutional reform. Under the new Constitution, the terms of office of Governors were extended from three to four years. A direct re-election was excluded. The state senators were given a four-year term, while the members of the House of Representatives from Delaware were given two -year terms. Until then, whose administration ran for only one year. The general election date was moved from October to November. Apart from the constitutional reform, the infrastructure of the state was expanded. It created new roads and bridges as well as the New Castle & Frenchtown Railroad as one of the first railroads in the United States. The railway used initially wooden rails. Even the judicial system of the state at that time underwent a renovation. The number of judges was reduced from nine to five.

In 1831 there were in Virginia to a run by Nat Turner slave revolt that sparked great concern in Delaware. Here came the free African-Americans, of which there are about 16,000 were in Delaware at the time, on suspicion of conspiracy. It was feared they could move about 3,000 slaves in the state to rebel. Therefore, the additional free African American immigration was further restricted and the residents were already made ​​strict conditions. They were allowed to carry among other without permission no more weapons and at night no longer congregate without supervision. Governor Hazzard was the last governor, who completed a three-year term under the old constitution.

Further CV

Even after the end of his governorship David Hazzard remained politically active. Between 1835 and 1836, and from 1837 to 1838 he was a member of the Senate from Delaware. In 1844 he was appointed so far the only judge to a court in Delaware, without that he had ever enjoyed a legal education. This office he held until 1847. In 1852 he was a member of Assembly for further revision of the State Constitution. But he resigned in protest against the choice of Commissioners from this body. Their draft constitution was rejected in a referendum. Governor Hazzard died in July 1864. He was married to Elizabeth Collins, daughter of John Collins, who also was Governor of Delaware from 1821 to 1822. The couple had five children.

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