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Last edited by Brendanheaney (talk | contribs) 27 days ago. (Update) |
Kenneth Romney | |
|---|---|
 Kenneth Romney in front of the Mace of the Republic, 1938 | |
| 25thSergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office December 7, 1931 – January 3, 1947 | |
| Leader | John Nance Garner Henry Thomas Rainey Jo Byrns William B. Bankhead Sam Rayburn |
| Preceded by | Joseph G. Rodgers |
| Succeeded by | William F. Russell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 20, 1885 Missoula, Montana |
| Died | April 6, 1952 Arlington, Virginia |
| Resting place | Riverview Cemetery, Hamilton, Montana |
| Spouse | Edith Romney |
| Education | University of Washington George Washington University |
Kenneth Romney was an American security official who served as the 25th Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives, from 1931 to 1947.
Early Life and Career
[edit]Romney began his career as a journalist and editor, before becoming Assistant Sergeant at Arms in 1915. Holding that position until 1917, he then transferred to the cashier office of the Sergeant at arms where he worked through 1930. [1] In 1919, while in the cashier's office, Romney co-founded the Little Congress, a venue for Congressional Staff members to learn parliamentary procedure, of which Lyndon Johnson would become a member. [2]
Romney was appointed Sergeant at Arms in 1931 by the 72nd congress. While in office in 1931, he wrote to former Representative John H. Smithwick of Florida that " we have been jointly guilty of fraud"[3] Kenneth Romney also operated his office as a bank for members of the House of Representatives.[4]
Romney served as Chief Tally Clerk of the 1932 and 1936 Democratic National Conventions, gaining a motion of thanks in 1936 for his work.
"RESOLVED: That the thanks of this convention should be extended to Mr. Kenneth Romney, Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives and Chief Tally Clerk of the Democratic Convention, for the careful and intelligent manner in which he has exercised his duties during the convention." [5]
In 1940, Romney wrote The Mace of the House of Representatives of the United States, a short 15 page history of the Mace of the Republic.[6]
Criminal Charges
[edit]Romney was caught concealing a $143,863 shortage in his office accounts due to transactions with John H. Smithwick, who could not be indicted due to the statute at limitations of the time. A criminal case against him was started in 1947, and he was convicted and sentenced to between one and three years in prison for the shortfall and operating a bank with no legal authority. He later lost an appeal of his conviction.[7] Justice Alexander Holtzoff, who presided over the case in district courts, offered him a relatively lenient sentence due to the others involved in the crime being beyond the statute of limitations.[8]
Personal Life
[edit]Kenneth Romney and his wife Edna had one child, Kenneth Jr.
References
[edit]- ^ "ROMNEY, Kenneth". History, House, and Archives. United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Glass, Andrew (Dec 19, 2016). "Hill staff founds 'Little Congress' : Dec. 19, 1919". Politico.
- ^ "FRAUD' BY ROMNEY IS TOLD IN LETTER". May 14, 1947. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Romney Conviction Is Upheld". New York Times. March 23, 1948. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ Quayle, Oliver (1936). Official Report of the Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention. Washington: The Master Reporting Company, Inc. p. 327.
- ^ Romney, Kenneth (1940). The mace of the House of representatives of the United States. Washington: U.S. Government Print Ofifce. p. 15.
- ^ "Romney Conviction Is Upheld". New York Times. March 23, 1948. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Romney Gets 1 to 3 Years". Vol. 20, no. 68. San Pedro News Pilot. 23 May 1947. Retrieved 13 July 2025.