Harry Stewart New (December 31, 1858 – May 9, 1937) was a U.S. politician, journalist, and Spanish–American War veteran. He served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee, a United States Senator from Indiana, and United States Postmaster General.
Harry Stewart New | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 48th United States Postmaster General | |
| In office March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1929 | |
| President | Warren G. Harding Calvin Coolidge |
| Preceded by | Hubert Work |
| Succeeded by | Walter F. Brown |
| United States Senator from Indiana | |
| In office March 4, 1917 – March 3, 1923 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Kern |
| Succeeded by | Samuel M. Ralston |
| Member of the Indiana State Senate | |
| In office 1896-1900 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 31, 1858 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| Died | May 9, 1937 (aged 78) Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Resting place | Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Katherine Virginia Milligan New Catherine McLean Brown New |
| Children | Virginia New; (daughter) |
| Parent(s) | John Chalfant New Melissa Beeler New |
| Alma mater | Butler University |
| Profession | Politician, Journalist |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War |
Biography
Harry Stewart New was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 31, 1858, the son of John C. New and his wife, Melissa (Beeler) New. His father served as Treasurer of the United States and his uncle, Jeptha D. New, was a U.S. Representative. He attended Butler University before going to work with the Indianapolis Journal where he was a reporter, editor, part owner, and publisher from 1878 to 1903. He served in the Indiana State Senate from 1896 to 1900 and served in the Spanish–American War as captain and assistant adjutant general of the 7th Army Corps. He was a member of the Republican National Committee from 1900 to 1912, serving as chairman from 1907 to 1908, and later engaged in the stone quarrying and construction business.
New got back into politics when he was elected to the United States Senate in 1916, defeating incumbent John W. Kern. In the Senate, he served as chairman of the Committee on Territories and the Committee on Territories and Insular Possessions. He was also a "wet" or an anti-prohibitionist, and in August 1919 introduced early legislation proposing an independent United States Air Force.
In late March 1922, New became one of the first senators to use radio in his campaign—at that time, broadcasting a political speech was not widely done by candidates.[1] New was defeated by Albert J. Beveridge for renomination in 1922 who lost the general election to Samuel M. Ralston. He was then appointed Postmaster General in the cabinet of President Warren G. Harding in 1923 and was reappointed by Calvin Coolidge in 1925.
After the end of the Coolidge Administration, New retired from active business pursuits and resided in Washington, D.C.. In 1933, he was appointed a United States Commissioner to the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. He died in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 9, 1937, and was interred in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
References
- ^ "Will Campaign by Radio." Lexington KY Herald, 30 March 1922, p. 1
External links
- United States Congress. "Harry S. New (id: N000059)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Harry Stewart New at Find A Grave
