Alphonse Roy
Alphonse Roy was a notable political figure from New Hampshire, born on October 26, 1897, in St. Simon, Quebec, Canada. His family relocated to New Hampshire in 1901, where he attended parochial school and later entered the real estate business. Roy began his political career as an alderman in Manchester from 1925 to 1931 and served in the New Hampshire State House of Representatives. His national political journey began in 1936 when he ran for Congress as a Democrat, ultimately winning a contested election after a recount against Arthur B. Jenks. Roy served in Congress from June 1938 until January 1939, during which he supported emergency relief and public building initiatives. Despite running for office multiple times afterward, including attempts to reclaim a congressional seat in 1938 and 1940, as well as a senatorial bid in 1960, Roy did not achieve further electoral success. He served as a US marshal for the New Hampshire district from 1945 to 1953 before returning to real estate, where he continued his career until his passing on October 5, 1967, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Subject Terms
Alphonse Roy
Politician
- Born: October 26, 1897
- Birthplace: St. Simon, Quebec
- Died: October 5, 1967
- Place of death: Manchester, New Hampshire
Contribution: After a tumultuous election in 1936, Democrat Alphonse Roy served as the representative from New Hampshire’s First District in the Seventy-Fifth Congress from 1938 to 1939. Although he ran in multiple elections for both Congress and the Senate, his victory in 1938 would be his sole win and a controversial one at that. Throughout his life, Roy tried to build a political career for himself but was unsuccessful, and he eventually returned to his career in real estate.
Early Life and Education
Alphonse Roy was born in St. Simon, Quebec, Canada, on October 26, 1897. He moved with his family to New Hampshire in 1901, where Roy attended parochial school. After he completed his schooling, he became involved in real estate. It was soon after this that Roy became involved in politics in New Hampshire.
Political Career
From 1925 to 1931, he served as an alderman, a person who serves on a town or city council or assembly, in the town of Manchester, New Hampshire. He was also a member of the State House of Representatives. From 1933 to 1937, Roy served as an executive council member to the state of New Hampshire. This job title allowed him to work with the governor to oversee the affairs of the state.
Roy entered national politics in 1936 during a congressional election. He ran as a Democrat against Arthur B. Jenks. Originally, the win was awarded to Jenks but Roy demanded a recount. The result of the recount ended in a tie, with each candidate receiving 51,679 votes. The State Ballot Law Commission was then charged with the task of conducting another recount. When Jenks reported that thirty-four votes had been lost during the counting, his victory was again announced. However, the House Committee on Elections, which had a democratic majority, seated Roy. After further investigation, Roy remained the ultimate winner. This was his only triumph, and he served in Congress from June 9, 1938 until January 3, 1939.
During his time in office, Roy supported issues such as an emergency relief and public building bill. He also opposed issues such as the appointment of an investigative committee to inquire about allegations in the radio broadcasting industry.
Roy ran for a House seat in 1938 and in 1940, once again an opponent to Jenks, but he lost both elections. In 1943, he was appointed the sealer of weights and measures in Manchester, New Hampshire, a job similar to a license examiner or inspector. Roy resigned this position in 1945 when he became a US marshal for the New Hampshire district. He stayed in this position until 1953.
In 1958, Roy again attempted to run for Congress but lost in the election. He was also unsuccessful in 1960 when he ran for a senatorial seat. This was his final attempt at politics. After this, Roy returned to a career in real estate.
Personal Life
Little is known about the personal life of Alphonse Roy. He died in Manchester, New Hampshire, on October 5, 1967.
Bibliography
Careers.org. “Career Occupational Profile for: Sealer of Weights and Measures.” Careers.org. Careers.org, 1995–2013. Web. 26 July 2013.
GovTrack.us. “Rep. Alphonse Roy.” GovTrack.us. Civic Impulse, n.d. Web. 26 July 2013.
“National Affairs: Low Jenks.” Time 20 June 1938: 17. Print.
NH.gov. “State of New Hampshire Executive Council: Overview of the Executive Council.” NH.gov. NH.gov, n.d. Web. 26 July 2013.
Office of the Historian, Office of Art and Archives. “Historical Highlights: The Contested Election between Alphonse Roy and Incumbent Arthur B. Jenks of New Hampshire.” History, Art & Archives: United States House of Representatives. Office of the Historian, Office of Art and Archives, n.d. Web. 26 July 2013.
Office of the Historian, Office of Art and Archives. “Roy, Alphonse, (1897–1967).” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present. Office of the Historian, Office of Art and Archives. n.d. Web. 29 July 2013.
“Political Note: Tie.” Time 7 Dec. 1936: 18. Print.
“Roy, Alphonse.” American Reference Library—Biographies. N.p.:Western Standard, 2001. Print.
“Some Hold and Some Fold after House Election Recounts; 1936 NH Election Dispute Lasted 18 Months.” Union Leader [Manchester, NH] 17 Nov. 2000: n.pag. Print.
United States, Congress, House, Committee on Elections. Contested Election Case of Alphonse Roy vs. Arthur Jenks, from the First Congressional District of New Hampshire: April 28, 1938.” Washington, DC: US GPO, 1938 Print.