William J. Stone (D)

Overview

At a Glance

• Failed to pass railroad fellow servants law (forerunner of worker's compensation)
• Attempted to pass anti-lobbying law - unsuccessful
• Attempted to pass election-reform law - unsuccessful
• Named vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee and given a prominent role in the 1896 presidential campaign

Personal History

William J. Stone was born in Kentucky to William Stone, a farmer. At the age of 15, he left home amidst the outbreak of the Civil War and the guerrilla fighting that plagued his community. Stone made his way on foot to Columbia, Missouri, where his sister lived. She and her husband, an attorney, offered him a home and encouraged his education by sending him to the University of Missouri and providing opportunities to study law in her husband’s law office.

After being admitted to the bar in 1869, Stone began his legal career in Nevada, Missouri. In 1874, he married Sarah Louise Winston from Jefferson City, Missouri, and together they had three children—one son and two daughters. Following his term as governor, Stone dedicated himself to building a successful law practice with the intention of creating a foundation for his son to take over the business. He also worked diligently to generate enough income to support a potential U.S. senatorial campaign and ensure the financial stability of his family while living in Washington, D.C.

As a U.S. senator, Stone was known for his strong work ethic, rarely missing a session. He became a favorite among reporters for his engaging storytelling and philosophical musings. In April 1918, Stone suffered a stroke, while on his way to work at the U.S. Capitol. Despite falling from his seat, he remained conscious and insisted on being taken directly to his office, determined to address the Sedition Bill that was set for discussion that day. His commitment to his duties was evident, as even after a doctor advised him to return home and rest, he continued to fret about missing an important vote. Stone passed away four days later while still expressing a desire to rise and conduct business by telephone. Stone was buried at Deepwood Cemetery in Nevada, Missouri.

Political History

William J. Stone's political career began in 1884 when he was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. Over the course of three terms, he won two additional elections to the house, but his time in the legislature was marked by a lack of significant accomplishments. It was not until 1893 that he achieved a notable milestone by being elected governor of Missouri.

In the realm of national politics, Stone collaborated with the Governor of Illinois and three U.S. senators to lay the groundwork for securing the Democratic Party's control by advocating for unlimited silver coinage. This effort culminated in the nomination of William Jennings Bryan for president on a silver platform. Recognizing Stone's ability to bridge differing perspectives, Bryan appointed him to the Democratic National Committee, where he emerged as vice chairman and temporarily assumed the role of chairman when Bryan left for health reasons.

Stone was elected to the U.S. Senate in January 1903. He dedicated himself to understanding vital foreign policy issues, including traveling to the Philippines to assess conditions in the Pacific firsthand. During his second term, the Progressive movement gained momentum across the nation, with tariff reduction becoming a central topic. President William Howard Taft relied on Stone's insight and support to pass the Canadian Reciprocity Treaty.

Stone became a highly regarded senator and trusted adviser during President Woodrow Wilson's administration. Wilson leaned on Stone's expertise to maintain cohesion within the slim Democratic majority and to push through major reforms. Stone was a ranking majority member on the Finance Committee, helping to navigate the tariff bill in 1913, which ultimately reduced rates, and he was instrumental in refining the Federal Reserve bill. By March 1914, he had ascended to the role of chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

At the outset of World War I, Stone shared President Wilson’s confidence in a peaceful resolution to the war and supported the president's advocacy for mediation and a league of nations. However, as events in Europe escalated, policy differences between Stone and Wilson began to surface. Both agreed on the necessity of severing diplomatic relations with Germany following its announcement to resume unrestricted submarine warfare against neutral and enemy shipping. However, tensions rose when Wilson asked Stone to expedite an armed ship bill through the Senate without prior consultation. Although the timing of the bill’s presentation was complicated due to a Republican filibuster on major appropriation bills, Stone made it clear that he would not support the bill, declaring it unconstitutional for granting the president unilateral authority to dictate war or peace. When the congressional session expired without passing the measure, Wilson criticized its opponents as being obstructive.

Following Congress's declaration of war, Stone aligned himself with the administration and supported all war-related measures, including the draft, bond sales to citizens, and economic regulations.During his tenure, he faced the challenges of the 1894 railroad strike, notably refusing to deploy the state militia to protect strikebreakers. Instead, he assigned troops only to critical areas to prevent looting and damage to property. Stone advocated for an employers' liability law during the 1895 legislative session, aiming to make it easier for workers or their families to claim damages from employers following work-related accidents—an early precursor to modern workers' compensation. However, powerful railroad lobbyists successfully thwarted the passage of this and subsequent anti-lobbying and election reform measures that Stone tried to introduce.

Historical Significance

William J. Stone holds the distinction of being the only Missourian to serve his state as a representative in Missouri’s legislature, governor, and U.S. senator.

Stone's tenure as governor coincided with a time marked by numerous railroad strikes throughout Missouri. Previous governors had typically managed these strikes through mediation or by deploying the state militia to prevent violence. In contrast, Governor Stone took a different approach. He firmly rejected the use of military intervention and focused instead on implementing legislative reforms to enhance worker rights.

One of his key initiatives was advocating for a railroad fellow servants law. This proposed law aimed to hold railroad companies accountable when an employee was injured due to the negligence of a fellow worker. Stone's push for this important legislation demonstrated his commitment to labor rights and belief in corporate responsibility. However, the proposed law faced intense opposition from powerful railroad lobbyists, ultimately resulting in its defeat even after Stone called a special session of the legislature to address the issue.