Samuel T. Day
Encyclopedia
Samuel T. Day was an American
physician, plantation owner, and politician who served as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Florida
, from January 3, 1871, to June 3, 1872.
Born in Hanover County, Virginia
around 1838, by 1860 Day owned land in Columbia County
, Florida. Day was a Union supporter during the Civil War. After the war, he helped organize the Republican Party
in the state. Day was nominated by the Republican Party in 1870 in a special election to replace Lt. Gov. Edmund C. Weeks
, whose legitimacy was questionable (he had been appointed by the governor). The election was marred by violence, and the Republican-controlled election board declared Day the winner over his Democratic opponent, William D. Bloxham
. Bloxham was ultimately declared the winner by the Florida Supreme Court, but not until June 1, 1872.
After Governor Harrison Reed was impeached in Feb. 1872, Reed left Tallahassee and Day declared himself governor. Reed returned to the capital in April 1872, disputed the governorship, and appealed to the Florida Supreme Court to settle the dispute. The court decided that, under the Florida constitution, the governor's powers were suspended until he was acquitted - including the power to request opinions from the court. However, Day was "in no sense governor", he was merely empowered to act as governor while the governor was impeached. A special session of the legislature dismissed the charges on May 4, and Day did not become governor.
Day later move to Caldwell County
, Texas
and died there on December 26, 1877.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician, plantation owner, and politician who served as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Florida
Lieutenant Governor of Florida
The Lieutenant Governor of Florida is a statewide elected office in the government of the U.S. state of Florida. According to the Florida Constitution, the lieutenant governor is elected to a four-year term congruent with that of the Governor of Florida, and succeeds to the office of Governor if it...
, from January 3, 1871, to June 3, 1872.
Born in Hanover County, Virginia
Hanover County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
around 1838, by 1860 Day owned land in Columbia County
Columbia County, Florida
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 56,513. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 64,040 . Its county seat is Lake City, Florida....
, Florida. Day was a Union supporter during the Civil War. After the war, he helped organize the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in the state. Day was nominated by the Republican Party in 1870 in a special election to replace Lt. Gov. Edmund C. Weeks
Edmund C. Weeks
Edmund Cottle Weeks was an American politician who served as the third Lieutenant Governor of Florida.-Early life:...
, whose legitimacy was questionable (he had been appointed by the governor). The election was marred by violence, and the Republican-controlled election board declared Day the winner over his Democratic opponent, William D. Bloxham
William D. Bloxham
William Dunnington Bloxham was an American politician. He served as the 13th and 17th Governor of Florida in two non-consecutive terms. Prior to his first term as governor, he served in the Florida House of Representatives....
. Bloxham was ultimately declared the winner by the Florida Supreme Court, but not until June 1, 1872.
After Governor Harrison Reed was impeached in Feb. 1872, Reed left Tallahassee and Day declared himself governor. Reed returned to the capital in April 1872, disputed the governorship, and appealed to the Florida Supreme Court to settle the dispute. The court decided that, under the Florida constitution, the governor's powers were suspended until he was acquitted - including the power to request opinions from the court. However, Day was "in no sense governor", he was merely empowered to act as governor while the governor was impeached. A special session of the legislature dismissed the charges on May 4, and Day did not become governor.
Day later move to Caldwell County
Caldwell County, Texas
Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. In 2000, the population was 32,194. Its county seat is Lockhart...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and died there on December 26, 1877.