Austin Lane Crothers
Austin Lane Crothers ( born May 17, 1860, Cecil County, Maryland, † May 25 1912 in Elkton, Maryland ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and 1908-1912 Governor of Maryland.
Early years and political rise
Austin Crothers grew up on his father's farm. He attended Nottingham Academy and then studied at the University of Maryland law. After his made in 1890 admitted to the bar, he began practicing in Elkton.
Between 1891 and 1895, was Crothers District Attorney in Cecil County. In 1898 he was elected to succeed his brother Charles in the Senate of Maryland. There he remained until 1901. Meanwhile, he was Chairman of the Finance Committee. At the same time he was chairman of the party in Cecil County. In 1901, he defeated a Republican competitors, and so had to resign from the Senate of Maryland. Another attempt to return there, failed in 1905. 1906 he became a judge in the Second Judicial District of Maryland, including the Cecil County belonged. On November 5, 1907, he was elected as the successor to Edwin Warfield as the new governor of his state.
Governor of Maryland, and end of life
Austin Crothers began his four -year term on January 8, 1908. During this time, a road authority (State Road Commission ) was established. Given the increasing traffic, the roads were developed in Maryland by the new Commission. For this, the vehicle tax has been increased. At that time, the so-called " Corrupt Practices Act " was enacted a law that allows more transparency should be brought in the management of campaign funds. The governor also supported a Food Control Act. In addition, the office of state bank officer was created in ( State Bank Commissioner). In the field of health care, he argued for better care for the mentally handicapped.
Crothers also tried to control corruption in the police in Baltimore. His action in this respect, however, remained unsuccessful because a court denied him the power to intervene in the police administration of Baltimore. Crothers but also supported a law that would restrict the voting rights of blacks. This law was rejected in a referendum. Towards the end of his tenure, he fell out, much like its predecessor, with other politicians from Maryland, which included members of his own party. At the time of his departure from office on January 10, 1912 Crothers was marked by a severe illness, he succumbed In May 1912, a few months later.