William P. White (mayor)
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William P. White | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Lawrence, Massachusetts | |
| In office 1909–1911 | |
| Preceded by | John P. Kane |
| Succeeded by | John T. Cahill |
| In office 1920–1921 | |
| Preceded by | John J. Hurley |
| Succeeded by | Daniel W. Mahoney |
| In office 1932–1933 | |
| Preceded by | Michael A. Landers |
| Succeeded by | Walter A. Griffin |
| Personal details | |
| Died | November 28, 1938 (aged 70) Lawrence, Massachusetts |
| Party | Republican |
| Occupation | Auctioneer |
William P. White (died November 28, 1938) was an American politician who served as mayor of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
White was the Republican nominee for Mayor in 1908. He defeated Democrat Michael F. Collins and Socialist L. B. Talbot with 62% of the vote. His eligibility for the office was questioned as White pled guilty to accepting a gift from a milk dealer while serving a milk inspector and chapter 210, section 7 of the revised statutes forbid someone who was accepted a bribe while in office from holding any public office again.[1] White claimed that this statute did not apply to him because he was not a public officer when he was convicted.[2] In March 1909, Edward F. Joyce, who had been removed from his position of dog officer by White, officially challenged the legality of White to serve as Mayor.[3] White was reelected in 1909 over Democrat Dr. John T. Cahill and Socialist Joseph Donovan.[4]
On May 18, 1910, White, his private secretary Matthew Degrey Ripon, Chief Engineer (head of the Fire Department) James A. Hamilton, former aldermen Matthew Burns and Xavier Legendre and six businessmen were indicted for bribery, conspiracy to bribe, and larceny.[5] White was alleged to have conspired to bribe the aldermen in December 1909 to remove Hamilton from office.[6] On July 13, White was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison and fined $1,000.[7] White continued to serve as Mayor while in jail until his resignation was accepted by the board of aldermen on July 25.[8][9] On December 27, 1911, Governor Eugene Foss pardoned White on the unanimous recommendation of the Massachusetts Governor's Council on the grounds that the sentence he had received was excessive.[10]