US Congressman. He was a British-born Congressman who was elected to as a Democrat to represent New York's 6th Congressional District in the United States House of Representative, serving a single term from March 4, 1903 to March 3, 1905. He was an ardent reformer known as "No-Pass Bob" during his single term in Congress because of his opposition to free train rides for legislators. A firm believer in progressive thinker Henry George's "Single Tax" theory, in April 1893 he hosted the first meeting of the Citizen's Union at his home at St. Marks Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. The Citizen's Union still exists as a powerful, independent watchdog organization in New York municipal affairs (though it has long since abandoned its allegiance to Henry George). Elected to Congress in 1903, he had an eventful single term in office. He refused to appoint any cadets to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and offered a resolution to prevent American manufacture of warships, for example, because he opposed militarism. He also led the opposition to a pay increase for the President - from $50,000 to $100,000 a year - on the grounds that, in a republic, it wasn't necessary. Ridiculed as a "comedian" who would "rather be different than right", he was defeated for the seat in 1904 by Congressman and future United States Senator William Musgrave Calder.
US Congressman. He was a British-born Congressman who was elected to as a Democrat to represent New York's 6th Congressional District in the United States House of Representative, serving a single term from March 4, 1903 to March 3, 1905. He was an ardent reformer known as "No-Pass Bob" during his single term in Congress because of his opposition to free train rides for legislators. A firm believer in progressive thinker Henry George's "Single Tax" theory, in April 1893 he hosted the first meeting of the Citizen's Union at his home at St. Marks Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. The Citizen's Union still exists as a powerful, independent watchdog organization in New York municipal affairs (though it has long since abandoned its allegiance to Henry George). Elected to Congress in 1903, he had an eventful single term in office. He refused to appoint any cadets to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and offered a resolution to prevent American manufacture of warships, for example, because he opposed militarism. He also led the opposition to a pay increase for the President - from $50,000 to $100,000 a year - on the grounds that, in a republic, it wasn't necessary. Ridiculed as a "comedian" who would "rather be different than right", he was defeated for the seat in 1904 by Congressman and future United States Senator William Musgrave Calder.
Bio by: Joe Fodor
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