Henry M. Teller (1830-1914) was a U.S. political figure. He served as the Secretary of the Interior between 1882 and 1885. He was also a United States Senator from Colorado from 1876 to 1882 and from 1885 to 1909. Teller was born May 23, 1830 in Granger, New York.
Teller served in the Senate and Cabinet for over thirty years, and was connected with the silver question since 1880. During that time he did much in and out of Congress with tongue and pen to advance the cause of bimetallism. In 1892 he was instrumental in securing in the Republican National Convention a declaration in favor of bimetallism, and he was a conspicuous actor in the prolonged fight in the Senate against unconditional repeal. His standing in, and long connection with, the Republican party, together with his great ability and high character, made him the acknowledged leader of the silver Republicans. At the Republican National Convention of 1896 in St. Louis he was at the head of the revolt against the Republican platform, and his withdrawal from the party cost the Republican candidate thousands of votes. The silver Republicans favored his nomination for the Presidency, and his State voted for him on the first ballot in the Democratic Convention. After the nomination had been made he joined with other leading silver Republicans in an address supporting the Democratic ticket and during the campaign did yeoman service upon the stump. Unlike many other Silver Republicans, Teller never returned to the Republican Party and served as a Democratic senator for the rest of his career, becoming one of few politicians to switch parties. Teller helped the Democratic Party gain more power in Colorado, which was previously dominated by Republicans.
Historically, Teller is probably best known for lending his name to the so-called "Teller Amendment" added onto the Joint Resolution for war with Spain passed by the House (311 to 6) and Senate (42 to 35) on April 19, 1898. The amendment "disclaimed any intention by the U.S. to exercise jurisdiction or control over Cuba except in a pacification role and promised to leave the island as soon as the war was over." It also gave recognition to Cuban independence and authorized the use of force against Spain.
Teller died February 23, 1914.
Preceded by: none U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Colorado 1876-1882 Served alongside: Jerome B. Chaffee, Nathaniel P. Hill Succeeded by: George M. Chilcott Preceded by: Samuel J. Kirkwood United States Secretary of the Interior 1882-1885 Succeeded by: Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar Preceded by: Nathaniel P. Hill U.S. Senator (Class 3) from Colorado 1885-1909 Served alongside: Thomas M. Bowen, Edward O. Wolcott Succeeded by: Charles J. Hughes, Jr. United States Secretaries of the Interior Ewing • McKennan • Stuart • McClelland • Thompson • C Smith • Usher • Harlan • Browning • Cox • Delano • Chandler • Schurz • Kirkwood • Teller • Lamar • Vilas • Noble • M Smith • Francis • Bliss • Hitchcock • Garfield • Ballinger • Fisher • Lane • Payne • Fall • Work • West • Wilbur • Ickes • Krug • Chapman • McKay • Seaton • Udall • Hickel • Morton • Hathaway • Kleppe • Andrus • Watt • Clark • Hodel • Lujan • Babbitt • Norton • Kempthorne
