Flossi Goes to Washington

The record for the highest number of new members in the U.S. Congress was set during the 63rd Congress (1913–1915), when a large wave of new members joined following the election of 1912. This influx was mainly due to several unique factors:

1. Electoral Changes: The 17th Amendment, which established the direct election of senators, was ratified in 1913, leading to the election of new senators in several states.

2. Political Shifts: The 1912 election saw a significant split in the Republican Party. Former President Theodore Roosevelt ran as a Progressive (or "Bull Moose" candidate), which divided the vote and led to a Democratic landslide in Congress and the White House with the election of Woodrow Wilson. This shift brought many new members from both parties.

3. Territorial Changes: The addition of Arizona and New Mexico as states in 1912 also increased congressional representation.

During this period, he marked a unique transformation in Congress, with an influx of freshman senators and representatives, creating one of the most substantial turnovers in the history of the legislative body.

During the 63rd Congress (1913–1915), the Senate Majority Leader Thomas S. Martin (D-VA) and Vice President Thomas R. Marshall as the presiding officer led the Senate. However, the concept of a formal “majority leader” was not as established as today, and party leadership was more informal. Woodrow Wilson was president then, with Democrats holding the majority in both the Senate and the House.

Here’s a closer look at both key figures:

Thomas S. Martin

Given his influence and seniority, Thomas Staples Martin of Virginia was considered the de facto leader of the Democrats in the Senate. However, he did not hold the title "majority leader" in the same sense it is understood today. Martin was a conservative Democrat and a proponent of states’ rights who often worked to unify his party behind important legislation.

Background and Accomplishments:

Early Life and Career: Martin was a Confederate veteran who served in the Civil War as a teenager. After the war, he studied law at the University of Virginia, which propelled him into a career in law and politics in Virginia.

- Political Influence: As a senior Democratic senator, he was influential in helping President Wilson pass landmark Progressive Era legislation, including the Federal Reserve Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act.

- Advocacy for States’ Rights: Martin often aligned with the South’s conservative bloc, opposing specific Progressive reforms that he felt overreached federal authority.

Vice President Thomas R. Marshall

Thomas R. Marshall of Indiana served as Vice President and was technically the Senate’s presiding officer. He was a lawyer and the former governor of Indiana known for his wit and dry humour.

Background and Accomplishments:

- Early Life and Career: Marshall was a lawyer and served as the governor of Indiana from 1909 to 1913. His governorship was known for implementing progressive reforms, such as child labour laws and educational improvements.

- Role as Vice President: Although primarily ceremonial at the time, Marshall was known for his humorous remarks and amicable personality. He famously quipped, “What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar.”