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| Affiliation | Democratic |
 |
| Name | Clarence D. Martin |
| Address |
Cheney, Washington , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
June 29, 1886 |
| Died |
August 11, 1955
(69 years) |
| Contributor | Ralphie |
| Last Modifed | RBH
Jan 31, 2016 06:03pm |
| Tags |
Married - Methodist -
|
| Info | Clarence Daniel Martin was born in Cheney, Washington, on June 29, 1886. His parents, Francies M. & Philena Martin, emigrated to eastern Washington from Ohio by way of Portland in the early 1880s. Martin was educated in the Cheney public schools and graduated from the State Normal School at Cheney in 1903 as well as the University of Washington in 1906.
After leaving the university he joined his wheat-farming father in founding the family business, the F. M. Martin Grain and Milling Company in Cheney. Upon his father’s death in 1925, Martin assumed the role of president and general manager of the company, a position which he retained until early 1943, when the mill was sold to the National Biscuit Company.
Martin first became interested in politics in his hometown where he was elected to the City Council in 1915. He served as mayor of Cheney from 1928 until he was elected governor. During this period he was also chairman of the State Democratic Committee.
Martin was elected Governor of the State of Washington in November, 1932, in the Democratic landslide which virtually removed Republicans from state political offices. He was the first native son to be elected to the state’s highest office, an honor of which he was extremely proud. Given the dire economic circumstances and the crisis atmosphere of the early 1930s, Martin’s first demagoguery, no personalities, no threats, no condemnations and no bitter attacks. His platform was based on unemployment relief and tax reform; he vowed "to return the state government to the service and benefit of the people." By the end of the campaign he had made 750 speeches and traveled 40,000 miles, but as he said, he "gave away no cigars, kissed no babies and promised no jobs." (Steward, Edgar I. Washington, Northwest Frontier, Vol. II, New York: Lewis Historical Publications, Co., 1957, pp. 296-97). Both in the primary and general elections Martin’s opponents charged him with trying to buy the gubernatorial office. Martin rebutted these accusations by pointing out that he was using his own money for the campaign and therefore would have obligations to no one. His electoral majority, which was larger that Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Washington vote, insured that he would not be accused of winning the office on the presidential coattails.
Governor Martin’s first term was wrought with controversy stemming from both his political appointments and his relief programs. Martin alienated hard-core Democrats of the state with the appointment of a number of Republicans to high state offices, many of whom were holdovers from the previous administration of Governor Roland Hartley. In justifying his appointment policy, Martin remarked: "I did not get all of my majority from Democrats and I think both parties should be represented.
Governor Martin was reelected in 1936, soundly defeating former Governor Hartley. His majority in 1936, which was greater than that of his first election and again larger than President Roosevelt’s state-wide vote, reflected the popular confidence in his administration. His second term continued the sound fiscal practices and businesslike government he had initiated in 1933. He sought an unprecedented third tern in 1940, but was defeated in the primary by former Senator C. C. Dill, who, although supported by Martin in the general election, was defeated in an exceedingly close contest by the republican candidate.
Martin’s political career and aspirations did not end with his tenure as governor. In February, 1944, Governor Martin was appointed to fill a vacancy in the state House of Representatives from the Fifth District and served a special session. In 1948 he again sought election to the state’s highest office but was defeated in the primary. He was reelected to the Cheney City Council in 1950.
Martin married Margaret Mulligan on July 18, 1907. They had three sons: William F., Clarence D., Jr. and Frank M. He and his wife were divorced in August, 1943. Martin remarried in April, 1944, and with his new bride, the former Merle L. Lewis of Spokane, left Cheney and settled in Southern California. They were divorced in March, 1946. Martin married his third wife, Lou Eckhart, in December, 1951, and they lived in Cheney until his death on August 11, 1955.
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