Gustavus Charles Moser (November 15, 1870 – April 2, 1937) was an American attorney and state legislator from Portland, Oregon. He served twenty years in the Oregon State Senate from 1913 through 1932. Moser was a conservative Republican who represented Multnomah County in the state senate. He was President of the Oregon State Senate twice. The first time was during the 1917–1918 legislative term and then again during the 1925–1926 term. He also served as acting governor for a week in 1926. Moser was a successful attorney who practiced law from 1894 until his death in 1937. As a young lawyer, he served as Multnomah County's deputy district attorney. In that position, he argued several cases before the Oregon Supreme Court. Later, he was appointed chief legal counsel for the Port of Portland.
Early life
Moser was born on November 15, 1870, in Alma, Wisconsin. He was the son of Fred and Anna (Arne) Moser. Both his parents were born in Berne, Switzerland. After immigrating to the United States, his father operated a dairy farm in Wisconsin. Moser grew up on his family's farm and attended local public schools. At age 14, he started earning room and board by doing farm chores in Mondovi, Wisconsin. He worked his way through high school. He then taught school and sold books, and did farm work for three years to pay for college. He attended Northern Indiana Normal School in Valparaiso, Indiana, majoring in business and law. However, he did not finish college due to illness and lack of funds.Gaston, Joseph, "Gustavus C. Moser", Portland Oregon Its History and Builders (Volume 2), S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Portland, Oregon, 1911, p. 27-28.Boswell, H. James, "Gustavus C. Moser", Blue Book of Portland and Adjacent Cities, Boyer Printing Company, Portland Oregon, 1921, p. 96."Gus C. Moser", Oregon Voter, Portland, Oregon, January 1, 1921, p. 33.Lockley, Fred, "Hon. Gustavus C. Moser"], History of the Columbia River Valley from The Dalles to the Sea (Volume II), S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, January 1, 1928, pp. 115–116.
In 1891, Moser moved to Portland, Oregon. He arrived in Oregon with only a few dollars in his pocket and no personal connections in the area. He found a job as a law clerk in the office of W. M Gregory. In 1894, he passed the Oregon State Bar and began practicing law in Portland. He specialized in corporate and admiralty law. Moser also served for three years in the Oregon National Guard as a member of Company F of Oregon's Third Regiment, eventually becoming the company's first sergeant. On July 20, 1898, he married a local schoolteacher, Sara Meta Keats.
In 1904, Moser was appointed chief deputy district attorney for Oregon's fourth judicial district, which served Multnomah County. He served in that position for four years. During that time, he prosecuted a number of high-profile cases, including several that he personally argued before the Oregon Supreme Court.Morrow, Robert G. (Reporter), "State v. Quen", Decisions in the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon (Volume 48), J. R. Whitney, State Printer, Salem, Oregon, 1907, p. 347.Turner, Frank A. (Reporter), "State v. Walton", Decisions in the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon (Volume 50), Willis S. Dunaway, State Printer, Salem, Oregon, 1908, p. 143. The incumbent district attorney was a Democrat while Moser was a Republican. In 1908, he resigned his position as deputy district attorney to run for district attorney."Gus C. Moser to Resign" , Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, December 13, 1907, p. 12. However, he lost his bid for the district attorney position in the Republican primary, finishing third in a field of seven candidates."Cameron to Oppose Manning" , Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, April 19, 1908, p. 1. Later that year, Moser was elected vice president of the Multnomah County Bar Association."City News in Brief" , Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, February 26, 1908, p. 9.
State senator
Moser served five four-year terms in the Oregon State Senate. He was first elected in 1912 and took his seat in January 1913 and continued serving in the state senate until he was defeated in the 1932 Republican primary. His final term expired at the end of 1932. He was twice elected president of the Oregon senate by his fellow senators, once unanimously (less his own vote) and the second time missing a unanimous endorsement by only two votes (again, one of those two votes was his own). His two stints in senate leadership were non-consecutive two-year terms in 1917–1918 and 1925–1926. While he was senate president in 1926, he served as acting governor for a week."Legislative Prospects" , Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon, May 24, 1932, p. 4.
First term
In 1912, Moser announced he would run for a seat in the Oregon State Senate, representing Multnomah County. He campaigned in favor of direct election of United States senators (instead of senators being elected by state legislatures). He supported joint state and county financing of Oregon road construction projects and taxpayer funding of a bridge over the Columbia River north of Portland."He Favors Direct Vote of the People" , Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, March 11, 1912, p. 2.
Seven Republican candidates filed to fill Multnomah County's five open senate seats. Moser was one of five Republicans nominated in the party's primary to advance to the general election. The other Republican nominees were Isaac N. Day, Robert S. Farrell, Dan Kellaher, and T. L. Perkins. The two candidates who were eliminated in the primary were C. W. Hodson and George M. Hyland."Results in County are Big Surprise" , Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, April 21, 1912, p. 8. Moser and Day endorsed William H. Taft for re-election, while the other three Republicans supported Theodore Roosevelt and were endorsed by Bull Moose Party."Speakers Praise Taft" , Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, November 1, 1912, p. 6. Oregon's largest newspaper, The Oregonian endorsed Moser, Day, Farrell, Perkins, and Democrat Richard W. Montague."A good Legislative Ticket" , Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, November 3, 1912, p. 9. In the general election, Multnomah County voters elected the five Republican candidates to fill the county's open state senate seats."State Senators-Elect From Multnomah County" , Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, November 7, 1912, p. 13. Moser finished fourth with 10,902 votes. Farrell received 12,828 votes, the most of any candidate; followed by Kellaher with 11,450 and Perkins with 11,079. Day finished behind Moser with 10,261 votes. The four Democrats and two progressive (Bull Moose Party) candidates ran far behind the Republicans. The best of them was over a thousand votes behind Day."Two Men Marked Unfit Scratch In; King is Defeated" , Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, November 9, 1912, p. 3.
Moser took his seat in the Oregon State Senate on January 13, 1913, representing District 13. When the session was organized, he was appointed chairman of the judiciary committee. He also served on the insurance, railroads, and resolutions committees. He served through the 27th regular session of the legislature which ended on March 5."1913 Regular Session (27th): January 13 – March 5" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed May 14, 2023."The Senate Committees Are Selected" , Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 14, 1913, p. 4.
Since Oregon's state senators served four-year terms, Moser did not have to run for re-election prior to the 1915 legislative session. He took his District 13 senate seat when the session opened on January 11. During the session, he served as chairman of the judiciary committee. He also served on the claims, engrossed bills, and railroads committees. The 1915 legislative session was adjourned on February 20."1915 Regular Session (28th): January 11 – February 20" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed May 14, 2023."Many Important Bills Introduced in Senate Today" , Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, January 12, 1915, p. 1.
Second term
In 1916, Moser decided to run for a second four-year term. He announced his re-election bid in January 1916."Republican Club to be Party Spur" , Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, January 30, 1916, p. 12. Twelve Republicans filed for six state senate seats representing Multnomah County. Five were for four-year terms and one was a two-year term to replace a senator who had resigned mid-term. Eleven candidates were running for the four-year terms with just one, John K. Gill, running for the two-year seat. Moser was among those seeking four-year terms. The other candidates were Robert S. Farrell, C. W. Hodson, Samuel B. Huston, F. O. Lehman, Conrad P. Olson, Arthur W. Orton, Dr. H. M. Patton, Dan Powers, F. H. Ransom, and John C. Shillock. No Democrats filed for election."Oregon Political Gossip" , Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, April 14, 1916, p. 9.
The Republican primary narrowed the field to six candidates. Gill of course won the two-year term since he was unopposed for that seat. Moser was the top vote getter among those seeking four-year terms, receiving 19,063 votes. He was followed by Olson with 18,363 votes; Huston with 16,822; Orton with 14,082; and Farrell with 13,415 votes. The candidates who fell short ranged from Patton with 11,941 votes down to Lehman who got only 5,141 votes. Since no Democrats had filed, the Republicans nominees were unopposed in the general election. "Successful Republican Ticket in Multnomah County" , Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, May 21, 1916, p. 12.
The 1917 legislative session began on January 8. The Oregon senate was made up of 24 Republicans, 5 Democrats, and 1 independent. When the senate was organized, Moser was unanimously (except for Moser, who voted for another senator out of modesty) elected president of that body."1917 Regular Session (29th): January 8 – February 19" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed May 14, 2023."Moser is President; Stanfield Leads House Twenty-Ninth Session" , Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 8, 1917, p. 1."R.N. Stanfield is Unanimously Named Speaker", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, January 8, 1917, p. 1. Moser started the session by making committee assignments and highlighting three challenges he believed the senate needed to address. He said the senate should support taxpayers by promoting economy in state institutions. He also wanted to pass good roads legislation and a rural credit bill."Senate Underway Without Single Speech" , Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, January 8, 1917, p. 10. After a six-week session, Moser adjourned the senate, closing 1917 legislative session on February 19.
Once again, Moser did not have to run for re-election in 1918. On January 13, 1919, he took his seat in the state legislature representing Multnomah County's senate District 13. He was appointed chairman of the judiciary committee. During the session, he also served on the commerce and navigation, insurance, railroads, and resolutions committees. The 1919 legislative session ended on February 27."1919 Regular Session (30th): January 13 – February 27" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed May 14, 2023."Grants Pass man Draws Ways and Means Committee" , Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 13, 1919, p. 6. Moser also served during a special legislative session in early 1920 that ran for a week beginning on January 12."1920 Special Session (30th): January 12–17" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed May 14, 2023.
Third term