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William Willett | |
|---|---|
 Willett,c. 1910–1915 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's14th district | |
| In office March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1911 | |
| Preceded by | Charles A. Towne |
| Succeeded by | John J. Kindred |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Forte Willett Jr. (1869-11-27)November 27, 1869 New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 12, 1938(1938-02-12) (aged 68) New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery,Brooklyn, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | New York University (LLB) |
William Forte Willett Jr. (November 27, 1869 – February 12, 1938) was an American lawyer and politician who served two terms as aU.S. Representative fromNew York from 1907 to 1911 and fourteen months inSing Sing for conspiracy and bribery shortly thereafter.
William Willett Jr. was born inBrooklyn, New York, on November 27, 1869. He attended the public schools of his native city and then graduated from the law department ofNew York University,New York City, in 1895. He wasadmitted to the bar the following year and commenced the practice of law in New York City.
Willett was elected as aDemocrat to theSixtieth andSixty-first Congresses (March 4, 1907 - March 3, 1911).
On January 18, 1909, Willett denounced PresidentTheodore Roosevelt in a speech that was so outrageous that he was ordered to sit down, and the House voted 126 to 78 against allowing him to continue.[1] On January 27, the House, by voice vote, expunged the speech from theCongressional Record for "language improper and in violation of the privileges of debate".[2]
Willett did not stand for renomination in 1910.
Willett was indicted in 1912 on charges that he paid Democratic Party leaders for a seat on the State Supreme Court. In 1913, he was convicted of conspiracy and bribery.[2] After exhausting his appeals he served 14 months inSing Sing.[3]
Willett then went into thereal estate business.
Willett died in New York City on February 12, 1938, his body interred inCemetery of the Evergreens, Brooklyn.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Willett Jr. | 17,675 | 46.3% | |
| Republican | Frank E. Losee | 10,006 | 26.2% | |
| Independence | Charles E. Shober | 8,110 | 21.3% | |
| Socialist | Richard Morton | 2,328 | 6.1% | |
| Prohibition | Albert Wadhams | 40 | 0.1% | |
| Total votes | 38,159 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Willett Jr. (incumbent) | 21,643 | 52.2% | |
| Republican | Emanuel Castka | 14,189 | 34.2% | |
| Socialist | Phillip H. Schmitt | 3,055 | 7.4% | |
| Independence | Herbert Wade | 2,485 | 6.0% | |
| Prohibition | Joseph. H Ralph | 69 | 0.2% | |
| Total votes | 41,451 | 100% | ||
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 14th congressional district 1907–1911 | Succeeded by |
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromBiographical Directory of the United States Congress.Federal government of the United States.
