David Rowland Francis (D)

Overview

At a Glance

• Withstood efforts to move the University of Missouri from Columbia after Academic Hall burned in 1892 and secured a $250,000 state appropriation for new building to replace Academic Hall
• Passed secret-ballot law
• Passed state's first anti-trust law to benefit small farmers (1889)
• Passed uniform textbook law for public schools
• Created state grain inspector
• Tightened regulations on railroads
• Appointed geologic survey commission

Personal History

David Rowland Francis was born in Richmond, Kentucky, on October 1, 1850. For Francis's early education, he attended Robert Breck's Academy for Girls, where he became a companion to the owner's son. This unique arrangement facilitated his entry into Washington University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1870. Although he aspired to earn a law degree, financial constraints prevented him from attending law school. Instead, he found employment with his uncle, David Pitt Rowland, in St. Louis, working at his grain commission house. Within six years, Francis not only mastered the intricacies of the grain business but also paid off his college debts and saved enough capital to establish his own firm in 1877. He later reorganized his business under the name David R. Francis and Brother, which helped solidify his growing reputation in the industry. Francis was married for nearly 50 years to Jane Perry, and together they raised six sons.

Francis's success in business quickly translated into political influence. In 1884, at the young age of 34, he became the president of the St. Louis Merchants' Exchange, making him the youngest person to ever hold this prestigious position. This role served as a launching pad for his subsequent political career, paving the way for his involvement in various civic and state initiatives.

During the late 1890s and early 1900s, Francis dedicated himself to organizing the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. He was an advocate for bringing the celebration to St. Louis, spearheading fundraising efforts to finance the event and assuming the presidency of the board of directors overseeing the fair. His commitment was unparalleled, as he devoted countless hours and immense energy to ensuring the success of the 1904 World's Fair, which became a landmark event for the city.

Over the course of nearly four decades, Francis held various influential positions such as mayor of St. Louis, governor of Missouri, secretary of the interior, president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and ambassador to Russia. As a prominent member of St. Louis's "Big Cinch," an elite group of economic and political leaders, Francis amassed significant wealth as a grain dealer. He was involved in several enterprises, including the Mississippi Valley Trust Company, the Terminal Railway Association, Union Electric Company, and three street railway companies.

Following his appointment as ambassador to Russia, Francis experienced a decline in health two years later, prompting his return to St. Louis in 1918. He lived there for another nine years before passing away on January 15, 1927. He was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.

Political History

In 1885, David R. Francis was narrowly elected mayor of St. Louis, where he utilized his business skills to streamline city operations and implement cost-cutting measures. Demonstrating strong ethics and leadership, he actively vetoed any legislation he deemed corrupt, reinforcing his commitment to integrity in governance. In 1888, the Democratic Party nominated Francis as its candidate for governor of Missouri. He won the election against Republican E.E. Kimball by a margin of over 13,000 votes.

Francis cultivated relationships with committee chairmen and legislators by hosting dinners and receptions, during which he articulated his vision for the state's needs. His efforts led to the successful passage of legislation aimed at tightening railroad regulations, establishing a state grain inspector, and enacting Missouri's first antitrust law. He was also instrumental in increasing appropriations for the state university. Following a fire that destroyed Academic Hall on the Columbia campus in 1892, Francis resisted efforts to relocate the institution and successfully pushed for a $250,000 appropriation to construct a new building. Additionally, he championed legislation for the first secret-ballot law, a uniform textbook law for public schools, and the creation of a geological survey commission.

After his gubernatorial tenure, Francis remained active in Democratic politics, particularly during the national debate over the free coinage of silver, where he supported the gold standard and President Grover Cleveland. This alignment with Cleveland led to his appointment as Secretary of the Interior in 1896, a position he held until Cleveland's departure from office in 1897.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson appointed Francis as ambassador to Russia. Departing St. Louis on March 23, he advocated for military preparedness while also expressing hopes for peace. Francis’s ambassadorship was marked by significant upheaval, as he witnessed the fall of the Russian monarchy under Tsar Nicholas II, the establishment of a provisional government led by Alexander Kerensky, and its eventual overthrow by Vladimir I. Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Under Francis's influence, the United States was among the first nations to recognize the Kerensky government.

However, the Bolshevik Revolution brought challenges for Francis. Bolshevik officials obstructed his communications with Washington, and he faced sporadic contact from the State Department. In a desperate situation, he armed himself with a pistol to confront mobs threatening the safety of the American embassy in Petrograd. Ultimately, as German troops advanced, Francis fled the capital, relocating the embassy by train until settling in Vologda, where he became the dean of the remaining diplomatic corps. Throughout this crisis, he consistently encouraged the Russian people to remain aligned with the Allies and protested the terms of the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, cautioning them against falling under German influence.

Historical Significance

The quadrangle at the University of Missouri serves as a tribute to Gov. David R. Francis, particularly for his actions that ensured the university remained in Columbia after the fire destroyed Academic Hall in 1892. A bust of Gov. Francis is displayed north of Jesse Hall. According to campus tradition, students believe that rubbing the nose of the bust will guarantee them an 'A' on their next exam, highlighting his lasting influence on the university community.

Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of Missouri's economy, which significantly shaped Francis's time as governor. During his administration, Missouri farmers were calling for antitrust legislation as many struggled to compete with larger, more efficient farms that were underpricing them. In response, the Democratic Party increasingly aligned itself with farmers' needs, particularly through the Farmer's Alliance, a significant agricultural advocacy group of that era.

Francis's background in the grain industry likely informed his decision to establish a state grain inspector to address these issues. This initiative laid the foundation for what is now the Missouri Department of Agriculture, which oversees the regulation and inspection of grain throughout Missouri, ensuring quality and fairness in agricultural practices.

In addition to his agricultural initiatives, Francis was a proponent of electoral reform. He recognized the importance of a fair voting process and successfully worked to pass a secret ballot voting law, a measure that also received strong support from his predecessor, Gov. Morehouse. This legislation marked a significant advancement in promoting transparency and integrity in Missouri's electoral system.