Thomas A. Jenckes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromRhode Island's 1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1871 | |
| Preceded by | William Paine Sheffield, Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin T. Eames |
| Member of theRhode Island House of Representatives | |
| In office 1854–1857 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1818-11-02)November 2, 1818 Cumberland, Rhode Island |
| Died | November 4, 1875(1875-11-04) (aged 57) Cumberland, Rhode Island |
| Resting place | Swan Point Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Brown University |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Signature | .png) |
Thomas Allen Jenckes I (November 2, 1818 – November 4, 1875) was a United States representative fromRhode Island. Jenckes was best known for introducing a bill that created theUnited States Department of Justice. PresidentUlysses S. Grant then signed the bill into law on June 22, 1870. Jenckes was also a supporter of civil service reform.
Thomas Jenckes was born inCumberland, Rhode Island on November 2, 1818.[1] He graduated fromBrown University in 1838. Jenckes was admitted to the Rhode Islandstate bar in 1840. He was clerk in theRhode Island state legislature from 1840 until 1844. From 1854 until 1857 he was a member of the State house of representatives. He was elected as Republican to theUnited States Congress in 1863 and served until 1871 when he lost a bid for reelection. He then resumed the practice of law in Cumberland.
Jenckes was first elected to the U.S. House in 1863, defeatingDemocratic opponent Charles J. Bradley by seventeen percentage points.[2] He was subsequently re-elected three times by landslide margins.[3][4]
During his House tenure, Jenckes was mostly known for introducing legislation which created theUnited States Department of Justice.[5] Contrary to some narratives that suggest this was an effort to bolsterReconstruction policies during the presidency ofUlysses S. Grant and safeguard the constitutional rights of blacks, it was primarily for the purpose of professionalizing legal practice.[6] Indeed, Jenckes "paid little attention" to protecting Southern blacks.[5]
Considered a "reformer," Jenckes was an early advocate of civil service reform[7] and known as "the father of civil service."[5] When he introduced legislation pushing it, fierce opposition was met byRadical Republican colleagueJohn A. Logan ofIllinois,[8] who was concerned with the plight of Southern blacks and called the bill "probably unconstitutional."[9] The enactment of acivil service system to replace the traditionalspoils system would prevent Republicans from utilizing patronage to benefit blacks, and it was later implemented via thePendleton Civil Service Reform Act years after Jenckes left office.[10]
Having prosecuted fraud implicated in theCredit Mobilier scandal, Jenckes' tenure was also marked by his revisions of bankruptcy law and involvement in cases related to Goodyear rubber, the Corliss steam engine, in addition to patents pertaining to refrigeration and ventilation.[7]
In the1870 United States House of Representatives elections, Jenckes was defeated by fellow RepublicanBenjamin T. Eames.[11]
Jenckes died in Cumberland, Rhode Island on November 4, 1875, and is interred atSwan Point Cemetery inProvidence.[1][12]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromRhode Island's 1st congressional district 1863-1871 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
