James H. Duff

James Henderson Duff ( born January 21, 1883 in Mansfield, now Carnegie, Pennsylvania, † December 20, 1969 in Washington DC ) was an American politician of the Republican Party. He represented the State of Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate and was its 36th Governor.

Early years

After graduating Princeton in 1904, he took in the same year on a law degree at the University of Pennsylvania. At the local Law School in 1907, he made his statements; In the same year he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Pittsburgh. For 35 years he was a partner of the law firm Duff, Scott & Smith. In 1909 he married Jean Taylor.

Political career

Politically active Duff spent most of his adult life, but only in 1943 he ran for public office and became Minister of Justice ( Attorney General ) of the State of Pennsylvania. Four years later, the Republican was elected governor of the state. Duff took up his new post on January 21, 1947. In his four-year tenure, he increased the tax on cigarettes, soft drinks and share profits. The additional revenue was invested in environmental protection and in the construction and health care. The Port of Philadelphia was expanded and he took steps to detoxify the polluted Schuylkill River. At that time, new bridges were built across the Delaware. The overcrowded hospitals were extended and complemented by new buildings. In education the teaching profession was made ​​more attractive by increasing their salaries. To ensure the public utilities, the governor forbade strikes at the utilities. Duff campaigned for equal pay for men and women for equal work. On the other hand, the maximum weekly working time for women from previously 40 was extended to 48 hours.

After his four-year tenure, he ran for the U.S. Senate and was again successful. The re-election he did not succeed: Six years later he was defeated by Democrat Joseph S. Clark and had to resign from his post. He thus ended his political career, but remained in Washington and became a partner in a law firm. James Duff was married to Jean Taylor.

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