Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

S. Cummings in Stamford, continuing for
two years, then opened an office of his
own. Mr. Phillips' natural inclination,
and the appeal which politics makes to
nearly every man of legal training, con-
spired to draw him into the body politic.
In 1910 he became registrar of voters in
Stamford, and was elected the following
year to represent his city in the Legisla-
ture. He was one of two Democrats to
receive appointment as chairman of com-
mittee. He served as chairman of the
State Library Committee. Mr. Phillips
took a very active part in this session,
which was extra long, and also was ac-
tive in the debates in behalf of progressive
measures. In 1912 he was nominated
by the Democratic State Conven-
tion in Hartford for Secretary of State,
and during the campaign toured the State
with Governor Simeon Baldwin. It was
through his efforts that the issue known
as the MacDonald Issue received such
wide attention. This matter became the
main issue of the campaign. On January
8, 1913, Mr. Phillips assumed his office
as Secretary of State and served until
January 7, 1915. During his administration
the Motor Vehicle Department was
connected with the Secretary of State's
office, and the automobile traffic increased
tremendously during Mr. Phillips' term
of office. As Secretary of State, it was
his duty to preside over all hearings held
to determine whether or not licenses
should be suspended or revoked. He presided
at hearings of over seven hundred
cases, and thoroughly systematized the
Motor Vehicle Department which was
making rapid growth. The receipts of
the department had increased from $245,-
000 per annum to $450,000, and the ex-
pense of operating the department did
not exceed nine per cent., thereby leav-
ing ninety-one per cent, of the revenue
to be turned over to the State Highway
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Conn—9—26 4OI
Department for the building of good
roads. Previous to Mr. Phillips's term it
had been customary to deposit all money
received in a depository that paid no interest,
and through his influence he made
arrangements whereby the State received
two and one-half per cent, interest on
daily balances. His manner of conducting
the affairs of his office were so commendable
that favorable comments were
made in the public press irrespective of
party affiliation. He was specially commended
for the efficient manner in which
the automobile traffic was supervised
with the aid of the State Police.
Mr. Phillips is now the chairman of
the Democratic party of Stamford. In
1914 the Democratic State Convention
unanimously renominated Mr. Phillips
for the office of Secretary of State, and
despite the fact that the Democratic
party was defeated in that campaign, Mr.
Phillips received the highest vote on the
ticket, polling eighty-one more votes than
the Democratic candidate for governor.
In accordance with the statute creating a
State Library Committee, Mr. Phillips
became an ex-officio member of that committee
as did Governor Baldwin. The
other member was the late Hon. William
J. Hammersley, Ex-Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court of Errors. On July 1,
1913, Mr. Phillips was appointed prosecuting
attorney of the City Court of
Stamford, and continued in that office
until April 1, 191 5. He served as a del-
egate to the State conventions of his
party continuously from 1908 to 1919.
He has twice made an extensive tour of
speaking throughout the State. He successfully
managed the campaign of Homer
S. Cummings, Democratic nominee for
United States Senator in 1916, and in
1917 Mr. Phillips contributed his executive
talent and ability in the management
of the "Four Minute" speakers of Stam-