Oswald West
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Oswald West (May 20, 1873 - August 22, 1960) was an American politician, a Democrat, who served most notably as the 14th Governor of Oregon. His friends called him "Os West."
West was born in Ontario, Canada but moved to Salem, Oregon with his family at the age of four where he attended school and eventually went into banking. After several years as a banker in Salem and Astoria, Oregon and a six month stint searching for gold in Alaska West gained an appointment as the State Land Agent. He proved effective in his position, recovering almost 1 million acres (4,000 km²) of fraudulently held state land. In 1907 he left his position as Land Agent and was appointed to the Oregon Railroad Commission where he again found a great deal of success.
In 1910 he gained the Democratic nomination for Governor and went on to defeat his opponent, Jay Bowerman, and take the office in 1911. While in office West defended what he called the "Oregon System" which included initiative and referendum systems still in use in many western American states today. Through these processes women's suffrage, various workers rights laws and most infamously prohibition all came into effect during West's administration.
West was a fervent prohibitionist. He believed so strongly in the idea that he once declared martial law and dispatched National Guard troops, chaperoned by his own personal secretary Fern Hobbs, to shut down liqour selling establishments in the town of Copperfield, Oregon on New Years Eve 1913. The move made headlines across the country. When his "invasion" of the small town in Baker County failed to garner local support he sought, (but failed) to void the town's incorporation citing that it was "in the hands of a lawless element." He also once declared that he wanted to "shoot a bartender."
West's time as governor is still felt in Oregon today because of his work to protect the state's natural resources. It was under his administration the beaches bordering the Pacific Ocean were protected for public use; the office of State Forester and the Bureau of Forestry were established; and the Fish Commission and Game Commission were created.
West served only one term, opting not to run for re-election in 1914. He instead moved his family to Portland, Oregon where he practiced law. He was the Democratic party's nominee for the United States Senate in 1918, losing to Charles L. McNary. He largely limited his involvement in politics to spirited letters to the editor, though he was an influental adviser to Governor Charles H. Martin in the 1930s. He retired from his law practice after suffering a heart attack in 1945. He died in Portland on August 22, 1960.
Oswald West State Park on the Oregon Coast is named in his honor.
| Preceded by: Jay Bowerman | Governors of Oregon | Succeeded by: James Withycombe |