CARTER, THOMAS HENRY
“OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE NOT CHILDREN. YOU ARE DEALING WITH A GOOD, HUSKY, LUSTY, VIGOROUS BODY OF PEOPLE, WHO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND ARE DETERMINED TO HAVE THEIR RIGHTS.” —THOMAS CARTER
Thomas Henry Carter, born October 30, 1854, in Scioto County, Ohio, concentrated his career efforts in Montana.He pursued legal studies and relocated to Helena in 1882 where he established a successful law practice.
In 1889 Montana was admitted as a state to
the United States, and Carter became its first
representative to participate in Congress. In this
capacity he favored less stringent laws concerning
homesteaders. In 1890 he became commissioner
of the general land office and was able to
put his views into effect, to the advantage of the
Western settlers. In 1892 he was the presiding
officer of the Republican National Committee
and directed the unsuccessful reelection campaign
of President BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Carter entered a new phase of his career in
1895 when he became a U.S. senator. He represented Montana until 1901 and again from 1905 to 1911. During his tenure he supported various policies, including bimetallism—the use of both
gold and silver as the foundation of the currency
system; civil service legislation; a protective tariff
on raw materials—such as wool, lumber, and
lead; and a postal savings system. He also
worked extensively in the field of conservation
and was instrumental in the establishment of
Glacier National Park.
Carter died September 17, 1911, in Helena.
Robert Lee Carter 1917–
