Pin, Campaign - Cohoes Club Smith-Robinson
Object number2018.015.02
Date1928
Associated LocationNew York City, New York, United States of America
MediumMetal
Dimensions1/2 × 7/8 in. (1.3 × 2.2 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
DescriptionA campaign button for the Al Smith/Joe T Robinson presidential campaign. The button has a dark blue background with yellow lettering and reads "Cohoes Smith Robinson Club".Joseph Taylor "Joe T." Robinson was born on August 16, 1872 in Lonoke County, Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Robinson won his 1894 campaign for state representative. He later won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1902, a position he held for a decade. In 1912, Robinson ran for governor and won. However, on March 8, 1913, Robinson resigned the governorship to take his United States Senate seat which he won after the death of Senator Jeff Davis. While in the senate, Robinson fought for progressive legislation such the termination of child labor, military preparation with the onset of WWI and for declaring war with Germany in 1917, to name a few examples. He also became a champion of religious tolerance and President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” legislation. During his tenure in the Senate, Robinson was chosen as the Permanent Chairman of the Democratic National Convention three times and served as the majority leader of the Senate after the 1932 election. Overall, Robinson was an excellent politician with national stature by the time of his death on July 14, 1937.
Status
On view
