Richard D. Gleason

Richard Daniel Gleason (September 22, 1896 – January 17, 1937) was an American politician who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and on the Boston City Council.

Richard D. Gleason
Member of the Boston City Council for Ward 9
In office 1930–1937
Preceded by	Michael J. Ward
Succeeded by	Mildred M. Harris
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 9th Suffolk District
In office 1929–1931
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 13th Suffolk District
In office 1923–1925
Personal details
Born	September 22, 1896 Roxbury
Died	January 17, 1937 (aged 40) Roxbury
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic

Massachusetts House of Representatives

Gleason was born on September 22, 1896, in Roxbury.^[1] He was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1922. On December 29, 1923, Gleason, his brother Joseph, and two others were charged with assault and battery on a former political supporter.^[2] Gleason was found guilty and sentenced to a month in the House of Correction.^[3] Later that year, Gleason and four others were charged with keeping and exposing liquor for sale at the Roxbury Democratic Club. Joseph Gleason pleaded guilty on May 2, 1924, and the charges against Richard Gleason and the three others were dropped.^[4] Gleason was defeated for reelection in 1924, but returned to the House in 1929.^[1]

Boston City Council

In 1929, Gleason was elected to the Boston City Council.^[5] During the 1930 Democratic State Convention, Gleason was ejected by police during a fistfight during a roll call vote.^[6] In 1933, the vote for city council president was deadlocked between Joseph McGrath and Joseph Cox. Gleason, who supported McGrath, was wheeled in from Boston City Hospital to cast his vote. However, even with Gleason's support, neither candidate had enough votes to be elected president and both McGrath and Cox agreed to adjourn for the day if Gleason would go back to the hospital.^[7] On November 15, 1934, he was found guilty of assaulting a police officer, wanton destruction, and drunkenness and was fined $70.^[8] On May 24, 1935, he was removed from the Council chamber after threatening to punch Councilor Albert D. Fish.^[9] In the 1935 election Gleason faced an African-American opponent, Ernest D. Cooke. On election day, 100 people, including Gleason, were involved in a race riot started by an argument between Gleason and Cooke supporters.^[10] Gleason remained on the council until his death on January 17, 1937.^[11] He was succeeded on the council by his sister, Mildred M. Harris.^[12]

See also

• 1923–1924 Massachusetts legislature
• 1929–1930 Massachusetts legislature

References

1. Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1929-30. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
2. "Representative and Three Arraigned in Assault Case". The Boston Daily Globe. December 30, 1923.
3. "Gleason Gets Month for Cluney Assault". The Boston Daily Globe. January 5, 1924.
4. "Jos. Gleason Guilty in a Liquor Case". The Boston Daily Globe. May 2, 1924.
5. "Members of Boston's Next City Council". The Boston Daily Globe. November 7, 1929.
6. "Democrats Brawl in Harmony Parley". The New York Times. July 29, 1930.
7. "Council Bigotry Charged By Ruby: No Vote on President Although Member Comes From Hospital". The Boston Daily Globe. January 20, 1933.
8. "Councilor Gleason Appeals $70 Fines". The Boston Daily Globe. November 16, 1934.
9. "Demand Privacy for Relief Data: Councillors Claim Records Opened to Students - Gleason Ejected From Chamber After Threatening Fish". The Boston Daily Globe. May 25, 1935.
10. "100 in Race Riot in South End: 50 Policemen With Clubs, Revolvers, End Battle". The Boston Daily Globe. November 6, 1935.
11. "Richard D. Gleason Dead in Roxbury: City Councilor and Former representative Was 41". The Boston Daily Globe. January 18, 1937.
12. "Mrs. Harris Wins City Council Race". The Boston Daily Globe. March 31, 1937.