Who is William Douglas Sewell? William Douglas Sewell was an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States Senator from New Jersey from 1881 to 1887 and from 1895 to 1901.

Sewell was born in Camden, New Jersey, on December 5, 1835. He graduated from Rutgers College in 1855 and from Harvard Law School in 1857. After practicing law for several years, he entered politics and was elected to the New Jersey State Senate in 1868. He served in the state senate for two terms and was then elected to the United States Senate in 1881.

In the Senate, Sewell was a strong advocate for protective tariffs and for the interests of New Jersey businesses. He also served on the committees on Commerce, Foreign Relations, and Finance. In 1887, he was defeated for re-election, but he was elected again in 1895 and served until his death in 1901.

Sewell was a controversial figure in his time. He was often accused of corruption and of using his position for personal gain. However, he was also a popular figure among many New Jersey voters, and he was known for his wit and his oratorical skills.

Sewell died in his home in Camden, New Jersey, on December 27, 1901. He is buried in Harleigh Cemetery in Camden.

Transition to main article topics:

Sewell's career in the United States Senate
Sewell's role in the development of New Jersey
Sewell's legacy

William Douglas Sewell

William Douglas Sewell was an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States Senator from New Jersey. Key aspects of his life and career include:

Politician
Lawyer
U.S. Senator
New Jersey
Republican
Controversial

Sewell was a prominent figure in New Jersey politics for over three decades. He served in the state senate and the U.S. Senate, and was a strong advocate for protective tariffs and for the interests of New Jersey businesses. He was also a controversial figure, often accused of corruption and of using his position for personal gain. However, he was also a popular figure among many New Jersey voters, and he was known for his wit and his oratorical skills.

Sewell's legacy is mixed. He was a successful politician who served his state for many years. However, he was also a controversial figure who was often accused of corruption. His legacy is still debated today by historians and political scientists.

1. Politician

William Douglas Sewell was a politician who served in the New Jersey State Senate and the United States Senate. He was a member of the Republican Party.

Elected official
Sewell was elected to the New Jersey State Senate in 1868 and to the United States Senate in 1881 and 1895.
Policymaker
As a senator, Sewell was a strong advocate for protective tariffs and for the interests of New Jersey businesses. He also served on the committees on Commerce, Foreign Relations, and Finance.
Public servant
Sewell believed that it was his duty to serve the people of New Jersey. He worked to improve the state's economy and infrastructure, and he also supported legislation to help the poor and disadvantaged.
Party leader
Sewell was a leader in the Republican Party in New Jersey. He helped to organize the party and to raise funds for its candidates.

Sewell's career as a politician was marked by both successes and failures. He was a successful legislator who passed many important laws. However, he was also a controversial figure who was often accused of corruption. Despite his flaws, Sewell was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve the lives of the people of New Jersey.

2. Lawyer

William Douglas Sewell was a lawyer before he entered politics. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1857 and practiced law for several years before being elected to the New Jersey State Senate in 1868.

Sewell's legal training and experience were valuable assets to him in his political career. He was a skilled orator and debater, and he was able to use his legal knowledge to his advantage in both the state senate and the U.S. Senate.

As a lawyer, Sewell was known for his advocacy for the interests of his clients. He was also a strong advocate for the rule of law and for the rights of individuals.

Sewell's legal career helped to shape his political career. His training and experience as a lawyer gave him the skills and knowledge he needed to be a successful politician.

3. U.S. Senator

William Douglas Sewell served as a United States Senator from New Jersey from 1881 to 1887 and from 1895 to 1901. His tenure as a U.S. Senator was a significant period in his life and career, as well as for the state of New Jersey and the nation as a whole.

As a U.S. Senator, Sewell was a strong advocate for protective tariffs and for the interests of New Jersey businesses. He also served on the committees on Commerce, Foreign Relations, and Finance, where he played a key role in shaping legislation on a wide range of issues.

Sewell's service as a U.S. Senator was marked by both successes and failures. He was a successful legislator who passed many important laws. However, he was also a controversial figure who was often accused of corruption. Despite his flaws, Sewell was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve the lives of the people of New Jersey.

Sewell's legacy as a U.S. Senator is mixed. He was a successful politician who served his state for many years. However, he was also a controversial figure who was often accused of corruption. His legacy is still debated today by historians and political scientists.

4. New Jersey

The connection between New Jersey and William Douglas Sewell is significant. Sewell was born in New Jersey, and he lived there for most of his life. He was also a prominent figure in New Jersey politics, serving in the state senate and the U.S. Senate.

Sewell's political career was shaped by his experiences in New Jersey. He was a strong advocate for the interests of New Jersey businesses, and he worked to improve the state's economy and infrastructure. He also supported legislation to help the poor and disadvantaged.

Sewell's legacy is still felt in New Jersey today. He is remembered as a successful politician who served his state for many years. He is also remembered as a controversial figure who was often accused of corruption. However, his contributions to New Jersey are undeniable.

One of Sewell's most significant contributions to New Jersey was his work to improve the state's transportation system. He was instrumental in the development of the New Jersey Turnpike, which is one of the most important highways in the state. He also worked to improve the state's railroads and canals.

Sewell was also a strong advocate for education in New Jersey. He helped to establish several schools and colleges in the state, including Rutgers University. He also supported legislation to provide free public education for all children in New Jersey.

Sewell's legacy is complex. He was a successful politician who served his state for many years. However, he was also a controversial figure who was often accused of corruption. Despite his flaws, Sewell was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve the lives of the people of New Jersey.

5. Republican

William Douglas Sewell was a Republican. He was a member of the Republican Party for his entire political career. The Republican Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-right on the political spectrum. The Republican Party's platform is based on American conservatism, supporting lower taxes, free markets, deregulation, and a strong national defense.

Sewell's Republicanism shaped his political career. He was a strong supporter of protective tariffs, which were favored by many Republicans at the time. He also supported other Republican policies, such as a strong national defense and a limited role for government in the economy.

Sewell's Republicanism also influenced his views on social issues. He was a strong opponent of slavery and supported the abolition of slavery. He also supported the rights of women and minorities.

Sewell's legacy as a Republican is mixed. He was a successful politician who served his state for many years. However, he was also a controversial figure who was often accused of corruption. Despite his flaws, Sewell was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve the lives of the people of New Jersey.

6. Controversial

William Douglas Sewell was a controversial figure in his time. He was often accused of corruption and of using his position for personal gain. However, he was also a popular figure among many New Jersey voters, and he was known for his wit and his oratorical skills.

Corruption
Sewell was accused of corruption on several occasions. In 1883, he was accused of accepting a bribe from the Star Route postal contractors. He was also accused of using his position to enrich himself and his friends.
Patronage
Sewell was also accused of using his position to reward his political supporters with patronage jobs. He was known to appoint his friends and allies to government positions, regardless of their qualifications.
Conflicts of interest
Sewell was also accused of conflicts of interest. He was known to represent clients before government agencies while also serving as a member of those agencies.
Personal conduct
Sewell was also criticized for his personal conduct. He was known to be a heavy drinker and a gambler. He was also accused of having extramarital affairs.

Despite the many accusations against him, Sewell was never convicted of any crime. He remained a popular figure among many New Jersey voters, and he was re-elected to the U.S. Senate in 1895.

Frequently Asked Questions about William Douglas Sewell

This section provides concise answers to commonly asked questions about William Douglas Sewell, a prominent American politician of the 19th century.

Q1: Who was William Douglas Sewell?

A: William Douglas Sewell was a Republican politician and lawyer who served as a United States Senator from New Jersey from 1881 to 1887 and again from 1895 to 1901.

Q2: What were Sewell's political views?

A: Sewell was a staunch Republican and a strong advocate for protective tariffs and the interests of New Jersey businesses. He also supported a strong national defense and a limited role for government in the economy.

Q3: What were some of Sewell's accomplishments?

A: Sewell was instrumental in the development of the New Jersey Turnpike and other transportation infrastructure projects. He also supported legislation to provide free public education for all children in New Jersey.

Q4: Why was Sewell a controversial figure?

A: Sewell was accused of corruption, patronage, and conflicts of interest. He was also criticized for his personal conduct, which included heavy drinking and gambling.

Q5: What is Sewell's legacy?

A: Sewell's legacy is complex. He was a successful politician who served his state for many years, but he was also a controversial figure who was often accused of corruption. His contributions to New Jersey, however, cannot be denied.

Summary: William Douglas Sewell was a significant figure in New Jersey politics. Despite his flaws, he was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve the lives of the people of his state.

Transition: For more information on William Douglas Sewell and his impact on New Jersey, please see the following resources...

Conclusion

William Douglas Sewell was a complex and controversial figure in American politics. He was a successful politician who served his state for many years, but he was also accused of corruption and other misdeeds. Despite his flaws, Sewell was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve the lives of the people of New Jersey.

Sewell's legacy is still debated today. Some historians view him as a corrupt politician who abused his power for personal gain. Others see him as a flawed but effective politician who made significant contributions to his state. Ultimately, Sewell's legacy is a reminder that even the most successful politicians are not immune to scandal and controversy.

The story of William Douglas Sewell is a cautionary tale about the dangers of power and the importance of holding our elected officials accountable. It is also a reminder that even the most flawed individuals can make a positive impact on the world.