Senator Henry Ford? Did you know? What would have happened? 274 Bonus NAPODPOMO

1918 Newberry-Ford Senatorial Showdown

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The 1918 Michigan senatorial race ignited national concern for regulating political campaign funds. Wealthy Republican industrialist Truman H. Newberry and Democratic automobile magnate Henry Ford clashed like titans. President Woodrow Wilson's favored candidate, Ford, ran in both the Republican and Democratic primaries.

Desperate to prevent Ford's sweeping victory, Newberry's team unleashed a torrent of ads and scathing accusations, painting Ford as a pacifist and anti-Semite. Consequently, Newberry claimed the Republican nomination while Ford secured the Democratic.

In November 1918, despite Ford's renowned status, Newberry triumphed in the general election, sparking outrage from citizens appalled by his campaign's lavish spending. Calls for his removal echoed throughout newspapers and among Republicans.

Newberry's troubles began even before his victory as allegations of excessive campaign expenses surfaced. The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections investigated these claims alongside petitions from Henry Ford contesting the election results.

Although Newberry faced criminal charges for violating federal and state campaign laws, the Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1921. However, his battles within the Senate persisted.

After recounting ballots and investigating fraud allegations, the majority of the Senate committee found no evidence of improper use of money and exonerated Newberry. Dissenting Democrats insisted he knew about excessive expenditures and argued for his removal.

Debates raged in the Senate chambers until January 1922, with opponents asserting that Newberry's massive spending could not have gone unnoticed. Progressive Senator George W. Norris warned of a Senate dominated by wealthy men if Newberry were cleared.

On January 12, 1922, the Senate condemned Newberry's excessive expenditures as harmful to its honor and dignity, yet voted 46 to 41 in favor of him as a duly elected Senator from Michigan. The vote divided along party lines, with independent and radical Republicans siding with Democrats against Newberry while regular Republicans supported him. This concluded the formal Senate action in the Newberry-Ford contest.

Henry Ford, relentless when angered, seemed unwilling to accept the decision. Faced with Ford's looming challenge and a shifting political landscape, Newberry resigned on November 18, 1922. He returned to his business in Michigan until his death in 1945.

The Newberry-Ford saga drew national attention to the power of wealthy candidates. Both enjoyed political benefits from their fortunes—Ford pursued his grievance in court when insulted by Newberry's campaign. Though a personal vendetta, Ford's success hinged on public support for progressive ideals seeking to eliminate financial corruption from politics.

The Supreme Court's ruling in Newberry v. United States weakened attempts to control federal campaign expenditures. In response, Congress passed the Federal Corrupt Practices Act in 1925. Despite these efforts, financial irregularities persisted in congressional campaigns for decades.

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