About John L. Bates
John Lewis Bates (September 18, 1859 – June 8, 1946) was an American lawyer and Republican politician from Massachusetts. Bates worked to promote East Boston, securing legislative approval of the first tunnel under Boston Harbor, joining the neighborhood to the rest of the city. From 1903 to 1905, he served as the 41st governor of Massachusetts, upsetting the Republican establishment with his organizing tactics and alienating his own supporters with some of his conservative executive actions and proposals. Later in life, he served as chair of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1917–1918. Bates, a Republican, first served on Boston's Common Council representing. Bates won election to represent East Boston in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1893 and served until 1899. During his first term, Bates stepped up enforcement of strict liquor control laws.
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