Edmund Ross

Edmund Ross was an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Kansas during the tumultuous period following the American Civil War. A member of the Republican Party, Ross is most notably recognized for his pivotal role in the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, where his vote against conviction allowed Johnson to remain in office. His political career spanned various roles, including a brief tenure as the governor of the New Mexico Territory. Ross's life and career were marked by his strong anti-slavery stance, military service, and involvement in journalism.

Early life and career

Edmund Gibson Ross was born on December 7, 1826, in Ashland, Ohio, as the third of fourteen children in the family of Sylvester Ross Sr. and Cynthia (Rice) Ross. His early education took place in Ohio, where he developed an interest in the printing trade. At the age of 11, he began an apprenticeship as a printer at the Huron, Ohio, Commercial Advertiser. By 1841, he had moved to Sandusky, Ohio, to work on the Sandusky Mirror, a newspaper owned by his brother Sylvester.

Throughout the late 1840s and early 1850s, Ross worked as a journeyman printer and typesetter, traveling across Ohio and neighboring states to find employment. His political views were shaped by his opposition to slavery, leading him to migrate to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1852. In Milwaukee, he contributed to the Milwaukee Free Democrat and later the Milwaukee Daily Sentinel. Ross was actively involved in the abolitionist movement; in 1854, he participated in a notable incident where he helped rescue Joshua Glover, an escaped slave, from recapture.

Ross's commitment to anti-slavery activism led him to Kansas during the contentious period surrounding the state's admission to the Union. He settled in Topeka, Kansas, where he became a prominent figure in the free state movement. As the publisher of the Topeka Tribune from 1856 to 1858 and the founder of the Kansas State Record in 1859, Ross used his platform to advocate for Kansas's admission as a free state. His involvement extended to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, where he served on the board of directors and was a chief promoter of the project.

In addition to his journalistic endeavors, Ross took an active role in the military during the Civil War. He joined the Union Army in 1862 as a private and eventually rose to the rank of captain, commanding Company E of the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. His regiment participated in several significant battles across the southwestern and western United States. By the end of the war, Ross had been promoted to major and was mustered out following the Confederacy's surrender in 1865.

Senate tenure

Following the Civil War, Ross returned to Kansas to continue his career in journalism, serving as the editor of the Kansas Tribune from 1865 until 1866. In 1866, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate by the governor of Kansas as a Republican to fill the vacancy left by the death of Senator James H. Lane. Subsequently, Ross was elected by the state legislature to complete Lane's term, serving from July 19, 1866, until March 3, 1871. His time in the Senate was marked by significant political challenges and controversies, particularly surrounding the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.

Ross's most notable act as a senator occurred during the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson in 1868. He cast the decisive vote that acquitted Johnson, allowing the president to remain in office. This vote was critical, as it resulted in the failure of the conviction, which required a two-thirds majority. The implications of his decision were profound, and it placed Ross in a contentious position within the Republican Party, as he was one of the few senators to break ranks with his party on this issue.

During his Senate tenure, Ross served as chairman of the Committee on Enrolled Bills during the Fortieth Congress and the Committee on Engrossed Bills during the Forty-first Congress. His legislative focus included issues pertinent to the post-war reconstruction era, although specific details of his legislative initiatives are less documented.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout his time in the Senate, Ross was involved in various legislative matters, particularly those related to the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. His role as chairman of the Committee on Enrolled Bills and the Committee on Engrossed Bills indicates his engagement with the legislative process, overseeing the final stages of bill passage and ensuring that legislation was properly prepared for enactment.

Ross's vote during the impeachment trial of President Johnson remains a focal point of his legacy. The circumstances surrounding his decision have been the subject of much speculation and debate. Some historians suggest that Ross's vote was influenced by political considerations, including concerns about patronage and the potential repercussions of his decision on his political career. Others argue that he genuinely believed in the principles of justice and due process, feeling that Johnson's actions, while perhaps inappropriate, did not warrant removal from office.

After his Senate term ended in March 1871, Ross faced challenges in his political career. He was not re-elected and subsequently left the Republican Party in 1872, aligning himself with the Democratic Party. In 1880, he made an unsuccessful bid for the governorship of Kansas. Following a trip to New Mexico in 1882 that positively impacted his health, Ross relocated there permanently. He pursued a career in law, passing the bar and practicing in Albuquerque, while also working on a historical account of the Johnson impeachment.

Ross's later years included a tenure as the governor of the New Mexico Territory from 1885 to 1889. His political career, marked by significant events and decisions, reflects the complexities of American politics during a transformative period in the nation's history. Ross's life and contributions continue to be studied as part of the broader narrative of American governance and the challenges faced during the Reconstruction era.