Governor_of_Massachusetts Elbridge_Gerry

the word gerrymander (originally written gerry-mander) used first time in boston gazette newspaper on march 26, 1812. appearing term, , helping spread , sustain popularity, political cartoon, depicts state senate district in essex county strange animal claws, wings , dragon-type head, satirizing district s odd shape.

gerry s first year governor less controversial second, because federalists controlled state senate. preached moderation in political discourse, noting important nation present unified front in dealings foreign powers. in second term, full republican control of legislature, became notably more partisan, purging of state government of federalist appointees. legislature enacted reforms of court system resulted in increase in number of judicial appointments, gerry filled republican partisans. infighting within party , shortage of qualified candidates, however, played against gerry, , federalists scored points complaining vocally partisan nature of reforms.

other legislation passed during gerry s second year included bill broadening membership of harvard s board of overseers diversify religious membership, , liberalized religious taxes. harvard bill had significant political slant because recent split between orthodox congregationalists , unitarians divided state extent along party lines, , federalist unitarians had gained control on harvard board.

in 1812 state adopted new constitutionally mandated electoral district boundaries. republican-controlled legislature had created district boundaries designed enhance party s control on state , national offices, leading oddly shaped legislative districts. although gerry unhappy highly partisan districting (according son-in-law, thought highly disagreeable ), signed legislation. shape of 1 of state senate districts in essex county compared salamander local federalist newspaper in political cartoon, calling gerry-mander . ever since, creation of such districts has been called gerrymandering. gerry engaged in partisan investigations of potential libel against him elements of federalist press, further damaging popularity moderates. redistricting controversy, along libel investigation , impending war of 1812, contributed gerry s defeat in 1812 (once again @ hands of caleb strong, whom federalists had brought out of retirement). gerrymandering of state senate notable success in 1812 election: body thoroughly dominated republicans, though house , governor s seat went federalists substantial margins.