Compiled by Russell Bastedo
State Curator
1998

Robert P. Bass (1911-1913). Born Chicago; Peterborough (NH) forest and land conservationist. In state politics from 1905.

Robert Bass (1873-1960)was born in Chicago but moved with his family to Peterborough when he was nine years old (1882). He grew up on a family farm and estate which is still owned by descendants today (1998).

Bass graduated from Harvard College (BA, 1896) and pursued graduate studies for the next two years. His real interests were in applying scientific principles to farming and forestry, and he pursued these interests as a trustee of his father's estate. He was twice elected a state representative (1905/09) and served in the State Senate (1909/10). He was also chairman of the New Hampshire Forestry Commission (1906/10) at a time when popular concern with New Hampshire forests' wellbeing was intense, and he was president of the American Forestry Association. From his State Senate seat, Bass sponsored the legislation which led to the first direct primary law east of the Mississippi River. In 1910 he entered the first direct primary election as a Republican candidate and won. Bass entered the general election as a "Roosevelt Republican" and won on a progressive platform. Bass was the only Republican candidate for governor to win in any state east of the Mississippi in 1910.

Governor Bass supported passage of a Workmen's Compensation Act and he pushed for the first effective child labor law by establishing a Bureau of Labor. He also established a state Public Service Commission to regulate public utilities, and he supported a Corrupt Practices Act which limited campaign contributions and expenses.

In the election of 1912 Bass supported the Independent Republican Theodore Roosevelt against the "regular Republican" nominee, President Taft. The move threw the state Republicans into disarray, and led to both a Democratic governor and a Democratic legislature. [Nationally the Republican fight led to the election of Democrat Woodrow Wilson.]

The state Republicans retaliated against Bass, denying him their nomination when he sought a U.S. Senate seat in 1913 and again in 1926. Involved in national affairs, Bass served in several important positions during World War I and the early 1920s. He returned to New Hampshire affairs with service on several commissions (e.g. the New Hampshire section of the New England Commission on Railroad Consolidation, formed in 1930). He was also a longtime trustee of The Brookings Institution (1935/51; chairman of the Board 1946/9).

Location: State House, Second Floor
Portrait by Alexander James; presented by Mr. Bass