Thomas Kane (California politician)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Preceded byJohn S. Boyston
Succeeded byMulti-member district
Born1832 or 1835
County Donegal, Ireland
DiedNovember 6, 1905 (aged 70)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Thomas Kane | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California Senate from the 11th district | |
| In office January 5, 1880 – January 8, 1883 | |
| Preceded by | John S. Boyston |
| Succeeded by | Multi-member district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1832 or 1835 County Donegal, Ireland |
| Died | November 6, 1905 (aged 70) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Party | Workingmen's (before 1881) Republican (after 1881) |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Coal miner, politician |
Thomas Kane[1] (1832 or 1835 – November 6, 1905)[2] was an Irish American coal miner and politician who served in the California State Senate from 1880 to 1883.[3] Elected as a member of the Workingmen's Party of California,[4] he remained active in the anti-Chinese movement even after leaving office and joining the Republican Party.[5]
On April 6, 1880, Kane charged that a lobbyist attempted to bribe him to vote for an upcoming bill. The Senate opened an investigation the next day, but during testimony Kane "absolutely refuse[d]" to name the party responsible.[6][7] He was found in contempt of the Senate and was threatened with expulsion,[8] but was instead jailed for a single night.[9]
