Matthew Quay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matthew Quay
Portrait, c. 1904
United States Senator from Pennsylvania
In office January 16, 1901 – May 28, 1904
Preceded by	Vacant
Succeeded by	Philander C. Knox
In office March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1899
Preceded by	John I. Mitchell
Succeeded by	Vacant
Chair of the Republican National Committee
In office July 1888 – July 1891
Preceded by	Benjamin Jones
Succeeded by	James Clarkson
State offices Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania In office January 22, 1873 – May 2, 1878 Governor John F. Hartranft Preceded by Francis Jordan Succeeded by John Blair Linn In office January 30, 1879 – November 3, 1882 Governor Henry M. Hoyt Preceded by John Blair Linn Succeeded by Francis Jordan Treasurer of Pennsylvania In office 1886–1887 Governor Robert E. Pattison James A. Beaver Preceded by William Livsey Succeeded by William Livsey Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Beaver and Washington counties In office 1865–1868 Preceded by Isaiah White (as member for Beaver and Lawrence counties) Succeeded by Thomas Nicholson Recorder of Philadelphia In office 1878–1879 Preceded by Office created Succeeded by David H. Lane Prothonotary of Beaver County In office 1856–1861 Preceded by A.R. Thomson Succeeded by Michael Weyand
Personal details
Born	Matthew Stanley Quay (1833-09-30)September 30, 1833 Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	May 28, 1904(1904-05-28) (aged 70) Beaver, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Agnes Barclay ​ (m. 1855)​
Children	5
Education	Washington and Jefferson College (BA)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1861–1862
Rank	Colonel
Unit	134th Pennsylvania Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg
Awards	Medal of Honor

Matthew Stanley Quay (September 30, 1833 – May 28, 1904) was an American politician from Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Republican Party. He served as a United States Senator for Pennsylvania from 1887 to 1899, and again from 1901 until his death in 1904.

Quay was known for his strong influence in Pennsylvania politics. He was a key leader of the Pennsylvania Republican political machine. This made him one of the most powerful politicians in the country for nearly 20 years. He also helped elect Benjamin Harrison as president in 1888 and Theodore Roosevelt as vice president in 1900.

Early Life and Education

Matthew Stanley Quay was born in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, on September 30, 1833. His father, Anderson Beaton Quay, was a Presbyterian minister. His mother was Catherine McCain. The family moved often during Matthew's childhood. They finally settled in Beaver in 1850.

Matthew went to Beaver and Indiana academies. Then he studied at Jefferson College, which is now Washington & Jefferson College. After graduating in 1850, he studied law. He was allowed to practice law in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in 1854.

In 1856, Governor James Pollock appointed Quay as the prothonotary of Beaver County. This job involved managing court records. He was elected to this position twice more. Quay joined the new Republican Party. He helped Andrew Curtin get elected as governor in 1860. Curtin was impressed by Quay's political skills.

Service in the Civil War

When Andrew Curtin became governor in 1861, he made Quay his private secretary. This was a big step up for a young lawyer. When the Civil War began, Quay volunteered to serve. He became an assistant commissary general for Pennsylvania. This role involved managing supplies for the state's soldiers.

Quay wanted to fight in battles. In August 1862, he became a colonel in the 134th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. His troops joined General George McClellan's army. Quay became sick with typhoid fever and resigned in December 1862.

Heroism at Fredericksburg

Even though his resignation was accepted, Quay refused to leave his men. He stayed to help as a voluntary aide-de-camp during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Doctors warned him not to fight because of his health. Quay famously replied, "I'd rather die like a fool than live like a coward."

The battle was very difficult for the Union forces. Quay's troops attacked Confederate positions. They faced heavy fire. Quay rode his horse, urging his men forward. His bravery earned him the Medal of Honor.

After the battle, Quay worked as Pennsylvania's military agent in Washington. He helped soldiers from Pennsylvania and answered their letters. In 1863, he moved back to Harrisburg to help Governor Curtin. He also helped Curtin win re-election.

Early Political Career (1864–1879)

In 1864, Quay was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented Beaver and Washington counties. He was re-elected twice. In 1866, he became the leader of the Republican majority in the House. He also chaired the Ways and Means Committee.

Quay became friends with Senator Simon Cameron. Cameron was building a powerful Republican political organization, often called a "machine." By 1880, Quay was a top helper for Cameron and his son, Don Cameron.

Quay continued to hold public offices. He was Secretary of the Commonwealth, Philadelphia County Recorder, and Pennsylvania Treasurer. Being Treasurer gave him a lot of power. He used this power to become the main Republican leader in Pennsylvania. This set him up to run for the U.S. Senate.

Becoming a Political Leader

After the Civil War, Simon Cameron built a strong Republican political organization in Pennsylvania. This "machine" was a network of local Republican groups. Their goal was to work together and win elections. Quay became a key part of this system.

In 1872, Quay strongly supported President Ulysses S. Grant and Governor John F. Hartranft. Both Republicans won their elections. As a reward, Quay became Secretary of the Commonwealth. He helped Cameron get re-elected to the Senate.

Quay became chairman of the state Republican Party. He helped Rutherford B. Hayes win Pennsylvania in the 1876 presidential election. This was a close election nationwide. Quay was invited to Louisiana to investigate the election results there.

In 1878, Quay moved to Philadelphia to become the County Recorder. This was a new and important position. He worked to elect Republican Governor Henry M. Hoyt. Quay then returned to his role as Secretary of the Commonwealth. By this time, he was seen as the top Republican leader in Pennsylvania.

Path to the Senate (1880–1887)

In 1880, Quay faced some financial issues related to state funds. He took responsibility for the money that was missing. He sold much of his own property to help cover the amount. He also received a loan from Don Cameron. Quay's actions satisfied the public.

Quay also had financial dealings with Standard Oil. He received "loans" from the company. He continued to work with Standard Oil financially throughout his time in the Senate.

In 1880, Quay and Don Cameron supported former president Grant for a third term. They wanted to make sure Pennsylvania's votes went to a candidate who would support their political goals. The national convention chose James A. Garfield instead.

In 1882, the Republican Party in Pennsylvania was divided. Quay worked to bring the party back together. He tried to unite different groups of Republicans. He also focused on state-level politics. State employees were expected to contribute a part of their salaries to the party. Businesses also gave money to Quay because of his influence.

Quay had always wanted to be a U.S. Senator. In 1885, he ran for state treasurer. This job gave him great control over the party's money. He could deposit state funds in friendly banks. This brought in a lot of money for the political organization. He once said, "I don't mind losing the governorship or a legislature now and then, but I always need the state treasuryship."

In 1886, Quay helped James A. Beaver get elected governor. With a strong Republican majority in the state legislature, Quay was ready to run for the Senate. On January 4, 1887, he was nominated by the Republican legislative group. He was then elected as a U.S. Senator. He became the undisputed political leader of Pennsylvania.

U.S. Senate Career

1888 Presidential Campaign

Quay's first term in the Senate began in March 1887. He resigned as state treasurer in August. He chose Boies Penrose to manage things in Harrisburg while he was in Washington. Quay used Penrose to keep his strong control over state politics.

As the 1888 presidential election approached, Quay became chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). This meant he was the campaign manager for the Republican candidate. He helped Benjamin Harrison win the nomination.

Quay raised a lot of money for the campaign. He asked businesses for contributions. This method was later copied by other political leaders. Quay also worked to prevent voter fraud in New York City. He hired people to create a list of eligible voters. He also offered rewards for information about illegal voting.

Harrison won the election, even though he lost the national popular vote. Quay's successful campaign made him famous across the country. He showed he could help elect a president.

Working with President Harrison (1889–1893)

President Harrison appointed John Wanamaker as Postmaster General. Quay was not happy about this. Wanamaker would become a political opponent for Quay.

Quay and Harrison often disagreed about who should be appointed to federal jobs. Harrison wanted to choose people based on their skills. Quay wanted to appoint people who had helped his political organization. This caused tension between them.

In Congress, Republicans wanted to pass new laws about tariffs and money. Quay wanted the tariff bill to pass because it helped Pennsylvania manufacturers. He also wanted to protect jobs in his home state. He spoke for a long time in the Senate to make sure the bill included protections for Pennsylvania industries.

Newspapers began to write articles criticizing Quay's methods. Some people called him a political genius, while others saw him as a powerful and sometimes unfair leader. In 1890, the New York World published stories about his past. Quay usually stayed silent about such accusations.

In the 1890 elections, Republicans lost control of Congress. In Pennsylvania, a Democrat, Robert E. Pattison, was elected governor. Many people believed this was because of opposition to Quay.

Quay finally spoke about the accusations in the Senate in February 1891. He called them "false and foul." He resigned as RNC chairman in July 1891. Quay did not fully support Harrison's re-election in 1892. Harrison lost to Grover Cleveland.

In 1892, Quay faced a challenge for his Senate seat. He was criticized for not attending Congress often. He said he was often sick and needed to spend time in Florida. Despite the challenges, Quay won re-election for his second term in January 1893.

Later Years and Challenges (1893–1901)

With President Cleveland back in office, Democrats wanted to change the tariff laws. Quay fought hard to protect Pennsylvania's manufacturers. He spoke for over two months in the Senate to make sure tariffs on manufactured goods were kept high. This showed his strong support for Pennsylvania's industries.

In 1895, Quay faced more challenges within the Republican Party in Pennsylvania. He worked to unite the party and promised reforms. He won control of the Republican State Committee.

In 1896, Quay was a "favorite son" candidate for president at the 1896 Republican National Convention. This meant he was nominated by his home state. He received some votes, but William McKinley won the nomination. Quay then helped McKinley's campaign. McKinley won the election, carrying Pennsylvania by a large margin.

In 1897, Quay's political opponent, John Wanamaker, wanted to become a senator. Quay did not support Wanamaker. Instead, Boies Penrose was elected as Pennsylvania's junior senator. Wanamaker continued to oppose Quay until Quay's death.

In October 1898, Quay was arrested. He was accused of trying to defraud a bank in Philadelphia. It was claimed that state funds were used in a stock deal that went wrong. Despite these accusations, Quay's chosen candidate, William A. Stone, won the election for governor.

Quay was nominated for re-election to the Senate in January 1899. However, he did not get enough votes in the state legislature. His term in the Senate ended, leaving the seat empty. The legislature was stuck for three months, unable to elect a senator.

Quay's trial on the fraud charges took place in April 1899. He was quickly found not guilty. Governor Stone then appointed Quay to fill the empty Senate seat. However, the U.S. Senate questioned if this appointment was legal. In April 1900, the Senate voted not to seat Quay.

Quay got his revenge at the 1900 Republican National Convention. With the death of the Vice President, McKinley needed a new running mate. Many supported New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt. Quay helped get Roosevelt nominated for Vice President. This was partly to get back at Mark Hanna, who had opposed Quay in the Senate.

In August 1900, the Republican State Convention supported Quay. They wanted him back in the Senate. Quay, who rarely gave public speeches, spoke 19 times across Pennsylvania. The McKinley/Roosevelt ticket won the election. In January 1901, Quay was re-elected to the Senate. He won with the help of some Democratic lawmakers.

Final Years and Legacy (1901–1904)

Quay began his third term in the Senate on January 18, 1901. He announced that he would not seek another term. The long political battles had tired him.

When President McKinley was assassinated in September 1901, Theodore Roosevelt became president. Quay supported Roosevelt. Roosevelt gave Quay a strong voice in choosing federal officials in Pennsylvania. This helped keep Quay loyal to the president.

Quay also worked to get statehood for Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. He believed these territories were ready to become states. He supported this effort to help his political allies. This work affected his health, as he stayed in Washington instead of going to Florida. The territories did not become states during his lifetime.

Quay was a strong supporter of Native Americans. He believed they were treated unfairly by the government. He helped them in various ways, even paying for a group of Chief Joseph's people to return home. He also took an interest in the Seminole Indians in Florida.

Quay's health declined around 1903. He died in Beaver, Pennsylvania, on May 28, 1904. He was buried in Beaver. Many people, including senators, attended his funeral.

Family and Memorials

In 1855, Quay married Agnes Barclay (1831–1911). They had five children. Their eldest son, Richard Rogers Quay, also served in the Pennsylvania legislature.

Several places are named in Quay's honor:

• In 1905, Hanover Square in Beaver was renamed Quay Square.
• The Matthew S. Quay House in Beaver is a National Historic Landmark.
• Quay County, New Mexico was named for him in 1903.
• A statue of Quay stands in the rotunda of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg.

Quay spent a lot of time in Florida for his health and for fishing. He was called "Florida's Third Senator" by some. He supported federal projects along the Indian River. A town in Florida, Woodley, was renamed Quay in 1902, but later became Winter Beach.

Assessment of Matthew Quay

Quay's death led to new discussions about his impact. Some saw him as a brilliant politician. Others believed he was corrupt. The North American newspaper said his death removed a "malign influence" from Pennsylvania. President Roosevelt and Governor Pennypacker praised his contributions.

Quay helped the Republican Party in Pennsylvania regain power. He was good at working with different groups. He was known for working quietly behind the scenes. Historian John W. Oliver called him "the most colorful leader in Pennsylvania's history."

Quay rarely gave speeches in the Senate. His power came from his influence in committee rooms and over dinners. He did not write many major laws. His main goal was to control how laws were passed. He chaired the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. This allowed him to influence where federal buildings were constructed.

Quay used his influence to help people get government jobs. He expected contributions from those he helped. This money was important for his political power. He was very careful with money and decided where it should be spent. This made it hard for candidates who did not have his support to win elections.

By the early 1900s, some reformers wanted to end the "boss system" in politics. They saw Quay as a main target. After Quay died, the Pennsylvania Republican Party became divided. However, his successor, Boies Penrose, continued to run the political organization. Penrose allowed some reforms, like direct primary elections.