Henry Quincy Alexander

Henry Quincy Alexander was born on August 22, 1863 in Iredell County, North Carolina. He got his primary and secondary education in public schools located in Iredell County. He then attended the University of Maryland Medical School.{{Cite web |title=Henry Quincy Alexander Medical Ledgers, 1893–1902 |url=https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/catalog/05630 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=finding-aids.lib.unc.edu}} In 1903, Alexander founded the Mecklenburg County Medical Society and served as its first president. {{Cite web |title=History of MCMS |url=https://meckmed.org/about-mcms/history-of-mcms/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Mecklenburg County Medical Society |language=en-US}} He worked as a physician around Providence and Matthews. Alexander was a member of the Farmers' Alliance for several years.{{Cite book |last=Barrett |first=Charles |title=The Mission, History, and Times of the Farmers' Union |date=1909 |publisher=Marshall & Bruce Company |year=1909 |location=Nashville, Tennessee |publication-date=1909}}

In 1902, Alexander was elected as one of the three representatives representing Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in the North Carolina House of Representatives.{{Cite web |title=North Carolina manual [1903–1904] – North Carolina Digital Collections |url=https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/north-carolina-manual-1903-1904/4384104?item=4416603 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=digital.ncdcr.gov}} He won the most votes in the Democratic primary, avoiding a runoff, securing his place on the ballot, and effectively guaranteeing his victory in the general election. He won reelection to a second term in 1904. Alexander introduced a successful bill that reduced the poll tax.{{Cite news |date=March 7, 1905 |title=Commissioners Given More Power By Amended Bill |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-commissioners-given-m/169919318/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Charlotte News |pages=1}} He was also an active supporter of temperance in the legislature.{{Cite news |date=March 22, 1903 |title=Hon. H. Q. Alexander, Member of the House of Representatives from Mecklenburg Co. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-hon-h-q-alexand/169918966/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The News and Observer |pages=27}}

In 1906, while recovering from typhoid fever, Alexander decided to not seek reelection to the legislature.{{Cite news |date=1906-07-26 |title=Dr. Alexander Is Out Of The Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-the-charlotte-news/1830516/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |work=The Charlotte News |pages=5}}

In his first term, Alexander belonged to the House Committee on Counties, Cities, Towns and Townships, House Committee on Health, House Committee on Insane Asylums, House Committee on Institutions for the Blind, House Committee on Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb, House Committee on Propositions and Grievances, and the House Committee on Private Bills.

In his second term, Alexander chaired the House Committee on Counties, Cities, Towns and Townships and belonged to the House Committee on Health, House Committee on Institutions for the Blind, House Committee on Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb, and House Committee on Propositions and Grievances.{{Cite web |title=Pocket manual for the use of members of the General Assembly of North Carolina [1905–1906] – North Carolina Digital Collections |url=https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/pocket-manual-for-the-use-of-members-of-the-general-assembly-of-north-carolina-1905-1906/3705756?item=5397136 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=digital.ncdcr.gov}}

In 1908, the Farmers' Union—drawing significant inspiration from the defunct Farmers' Alliance and, to a lesser extent, the Grange—organized a state affiliate in North Carolina. Alexander was elected as the inaugural president of the state affiliate. The union advocated for farmers by supporting measures to improve the education of farmers as well as the state education system more broadly, engaging in limited business ventures, and cooperative efforts.{{Cite journal |last=Loomis |first=Charles |date=July 1930 |title=The Rise and Decline of the North Carolina Farmers' Union |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23514979 |journal=The North Carolina Historical Review |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=305–325 |jstor=23514979}}

Buoyed by superb leadership and adverse farming conditions, the state union became incredibly successful—more than the Grange or Farmers' Alliance had been in their time,—even though the National Union was comparatively smaller. From 1910 to 1914, the state union had the largest dues-paying membership of any state in the national union, and in 1913 it paid 37.1% of the national dues. In 1912, it had 33,358 due paying members, which didn't include inactive members and women.{{Cite news |last=Loomis |first=Charles |date=August 11, 1929 |title=Mecklenburg Farmer-Doctor Together With Farmers' Union Was Maker of State History |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-mecklenburg-farme/169331723/ |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=30}}

Alexander and the union supported progressive education measures, such as night schools, compulsory attendance, library expansion, free textbooks, and a six-month school schedule. Their support was instrumental in the adoption of such measures. Alexander stated "[t]his work of education is the most important mission of the Farmers' union.” Though later years saw Alexander and the union fight efforts to implement an eight-month school schedule.{{Cite journal |last=Loomis |first=Charles |date=October 1930 |title=Activities of the North Carolina Farmers' Union |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23515092 |journal=The North Carolina Historical Review |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=443–462 |jstor=23515092}}

The organization reached its zenith in 1912. In 1913, union membership began a persistent decline, attributed to an increase in cotton prices and the Executive Committee's decision to stop paying organizers. Reflecting on this, Alexander said that the organization had grown rapidly and then "[t]he pendulum swung the other way" and that "[m]embership decreased with good prices for farm products."

Alexander served on the State Board of Agriculture for six years.

Alexander opposed the Preparedness Movement and American entry into World War I. After the war, he supported disarmament and stood by his opposition. His anti-war stance was widely criticized across the state and led to the departure of many union members, including some senior officials. His leadership still retained the support of a majority of union members, and the union took steps to demonstrate their support for the war effort after America's entry. In 1919, an unsuccessful effort was made to remove Alexander from the State Board of Agriculture due to his opposition to the war. The effort would've entailed the abolition of the board, and then the creation of a State Board of Agriculture whose sole difference was Alexander not being a member.{{Cite news |last=Dickson |first=G. G. |date=February 11, 1919 |title=The Legislature May Legislate Alexander Out Of State Office |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-the-legislature-may-legi/169476844/ |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=News and Record |pages=1}}

Alexander refused many calls to seek political office, as union bylaws forbid any member from seeking political office, with him saying "I had rather be president of the Farmers' Union than Governor of the State, for I believe there is more opportunity to do good in the office which I have been honored with."

In 1919, Alexander declined reelection as president and was promptly elected to the executive committee, where he served for six years.{{efn|Possibly for eight years or until his death, sources differ.}}

In 1924, Alexander endorsed Robert La Follette's presidential candidacy under the Progressive Party.{{Cite news |date=1924-07-28 |title=Alexander Will Back La Follette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-alexander-will-bac/169918231/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The News and Observer |pages=2}} Despite this, he did not bolt from the Democratic Party. Alexander led a unified organization of Farmer–Labor forces to advocate for La Follette.{{Cite news |date=1924-09-07 |title=N. C. Farmer-Labor Forces Lay Plans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-c-farmer-labo/169917957/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=2}} He served as one of La Follette's presidential electors in North Carolina.{{Cite news |date=1924-09-07 |title=N. C. Farmer-Labor Forces Lay Plans For La Follette Drive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-c-farmer-labo/169917889/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1}} Alexander attempted to hold joint campaign events with some Republican and Democratic electors, admitting that it was an attempt to sway their voters to the Progressive banner.{{Cite news |date=1924-10-10 |title=La Follette Electors At Courthouse Here Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-la-follette-elect/169918180/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=5}} This did not end up occurring, as the Democrats, who had carried the state in every election since 1876, declined to participate. North Carolina was La Follette's second-worst state in the election, with him only receiving 1.38% of the vote.{{Cite web |title=1924 Presidential General Election Results – North Carolina |url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1924&off=0&elect=0&fips=37&f=0 |access-date=April 12, 2025 |website=U.S. Election Atlas}}

In the 1928 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Alexander supported Senator James A. Reed.{{Cite news |date=1928-06-10 |title=Three to One Vote Is Stand In This County |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-three-to-one-vote-is/170006398/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Charlotte News |pages=7}} He resigned himself to supporting Al Smith after he prevailed as the Democratic Party's nominee, judging him a lesser evil than Herbert Hoover and more likely than Hoover to serve humanity and not corporate wealth.

On September 6, 1928, Colonel Frank Elbridge Webb and Senator Reed were nominated by the Farmer–Labor Party to serve as their presidential and vice presidential nominees, respectively. Reed refused the nomination, remarking "Who the hell is Webb?" and making clear his support for Smith.{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1928 |title=Farmer-Labor Ticket Filled |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-fill-farmer-labor/163646581/ |access-date=January 22, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |pages=1–2}} On September 11, 1928, the Farmer–Labor Party Executive Committee contacted Alexander via telegram to ask if he would accept the vice presidential nomination if he was nominated. He answered in the affirmative, and soon after he accepted their nomination for vice president.{{Cite news |date=1928-09-12 |title=Alexander Accepts On Farmer’s Ticket |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-alexander-accepts-o/169567024/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=Hickory Daily Record |pages=1}} His nomination came as a shock, as Alexander had never been affiliated with the Farmer–Labor Party in any way whatsoever.{{Cite news |date=1928-09-19 |title=Tar Heel Country Doctor Learns Suddenly That He Is Candidate For Vice Presidency of Nation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salisbury-post-tar-heel-country-doct/169566044/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Salisbury Post |pages=5}} He accepted the nomination for four reasons: in a spirit of protest of the major party platforms; out of respect for the Farmer–Labor Party's effort to improve the conditions of farmers and laborers; out of appreciation for the offer itself; and because he believed Senator Reed had refused it in a rude manner.{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Henry |date=September 15, 1928 |title=The Doctor Tells Why He Accepted and Why He is for Smith |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-the-doctor-tells/169566675/ |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=8}} He accepted with the understanding that he would be replaced if a stronger candidate could be found and he informed the executive committee that he could not actively campaign due to poor health. Despite accepting the nomination, he still intended to vote for Al Smith.{{efn|It is unclear if the Farmer–Labor Party not being present on the North Carolina ballot was relevant to this decision.}} Alexander noted particular disgust with the McNary–Haugen Farm Relief Bill and the Volstead Act in interviews after accepting the nomination, though he held back on offering more of his views until he had read the party platform. On September 18, 1928, Alexander resigned from the ticket with a telegram saying "Nominate another man and withdraw my name. Platform not satisfactory."{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Henry |date=September 30, 1928 |title=Doctor Alexander Unable To Endorse Farm-Labor Platform |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-doctor-alexander/169566435/ |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=42}} He thought the party platform, though superior to both the Democratic and Republican platforms, had two flaws: it was silent on the banking sector, which he was known to have a fanatical opposition to, and had a plank he interpreted as seeking to discredit the Catholic Church, and through that the Catholic Al Smith. Although Alexander found Webb supremely qualified for the presidency—and even more progressive than the party itself—he could not square Webb's silence on the banking issue, which he viewed as the most important issue of the times. He also felt that his poor health might've encumbered the party, as it did not allow him to campaign.{{Cite news |date=September 26, 1928 |title=F.-L. Party Vice. Pres Candidate Has Withdrawn |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-f-l-party-vice-pres-c/170332261/ |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=Kingsport Times |pages=1}}

After withdrawing as the Farmer–Labor Party's vice presidential nominee, Alexander became an active supporter of Al Smith, co-leading the LaFollette musketeers, an organization intended to get La Follette voters in 1924 to back Smith.{{cite news |date=September 26, 1928 |title=Farmer-Laborite to Back Smith |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1928/09/26/95838671.html?pageNumber=3 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |date=October 18, 1928 |title=Jimison Working To Secure Voters For Democrats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-jimison-working-to-se/170334072/ |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Charlotte News |pages=12}}{{Cite news |date=October 26, 1928 |title=Another Al Smith Movement Started |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-another-al-smith-movemen/170334246/ |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=News and Record |pages=1}}

Alexander died on June 11, 1929 at his home in Providence, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He was 65 years old.{{Cite news |date=June 11, 1929 |title=Ex-Legislator Active Up To Call of Death |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-ex-legislator-active/169331777/ |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=The Charlotte News |pages=5}}

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Category:North Carolina politicians

Category:Farmer–Labor Party (United States) politicians

Category:1863 births

Category:1929 deaths

Category:Members of the North Carolina House of Representatives

Category:American physicians