John Walter Smith

John Walter Smith ( born February 5, 1845 Worcester County, Maryland, † April 19, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland ) was an American politician and 1900-1904 Governor of Maryland. He also represented his country in both chambers of the U.S. Congress.

Early years and political rise

After the early death of his parents John Smith grew up as an orphan. He was educated by the later U.S. Senator Ephraim King Wilson. Smith attended private schools and the Union Academy. He then worked in the lumber business and in the insurance industry. Smith was also involved in many other stores in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. He was, among others, President of the First National Bank of Snow Hill.

Smith was a member of the Democratic Party. In the years 1889, 1893 and 1897, he was elected to the Senate from Maryland. In 1894 he was even President of the Senate. After the death of Senator Ephraim Wilson in 1891, he hoped in vain as his successor to be determined. Between March 4, 1899 to January 12, 1900, he represented his country in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington.

Governor of Maryland

In 1899, Smith was surprisingly nominated by his party as a candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election. After he beat in the election on November 7, 1899 the incumbent Lloyd Lowndes, he could begin his four-year term on 10 January 1900. At the same time he resigned his seat in Congress. During his tenure, the school system in Maryland has been improved. At that time, a first law on free textbooks was adopted among others. The public health laws were changed and thus the health generally improved. At that time was also a sanatorium for patients with tuberculosis. The Agricultural College of the State was reorganized and the State assumed. The organization of elections has been improved. The governor also worked at the reduction of public debt.

U.S. Senator

Smith's term as governor ended on 13 January 1904. During the same year he applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the Senate. After the death of Senator William Pinkney Whyte in 1908, he was appointed to succeed him as a Class 3 Senator. Smith ended the legislative session started by Whyte and was elected again in 1908 and 1914. He was between 25 March 1908 and 3 March 1921 as a representative of Maryland in the U.S. Senate. There he was a member of several committees ( Committee to Investigate Trespassers Upon Land, Committee on the District of Columbia and the Committee to Examine Branches of the Civil Service ). In 1920, an attempt at re-election failed. His Senate seat was lost to Ovington Weller.

After the end of his time in Congress, Smith retired from politics and devoted himself to his private interests. He died in April 1925 in Baltimore. With his wife, Mary Francis Richardson he had two children.