Bernard “Barney” Samuel was a Republican and the 89th Mayor of Philadelphia. He held the office from 1941 to 1952, one of the longest tenures in the city’s history, and remains Philadelphia’s last Republican mayor. Samuel began his political career in his youth when he joined the Republican Party. His time as the city’s leader was somewhat controversial and ultimately paved the way for the Democrats to take power. Learn more about the life and political career of Bernard Samuel at philadelphiayes.
Early Life and Family
Bernard Samuel was born in Philadelphia on March 9, 1880. His father, Samuel, was 21 at the time, and his mother, Christina, was 24. Details about his early years are not widely known.
In May 1903, Samuel married Eleanore Hamm. The couple had a son, Richard, who would later become a Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth. The family lived in a two-story home in Philadelphia, where Samuel built his political career.
Bernard Samuel’s Political Career
At just 16 years old, Bernard Samuel joined the Republican Party and started a career in the investment business. In 1923, he won his first election to the City Council. There, he became a member of the Finance Committee and, in 1938, supported the highly unpopular wage tax law. The law was passed and provided significant revenue to Philadelphia’s city government, but the public remained unhappy with the decision.
When Mayor S. Davis Wilson passed away in 1939, City Council President George Connell became the acting mayor. At the same time, Bernard Samuel took on the role of acting president of the City Council. In 1941, Mayor Robert Lamberton also passed away, and this time, Samuel replaced him, serving until the next election.
Bernard Samuel went on to win the mayoral election twice—in 1943 and 1947. He first defeated Democrat William Bullitt and later defeated Richardson Dilworth. This made Samuel the first mayor since William Stokley to serve consecutive terms. In total, his time as mayor was the longest in the city’s history, lasting over a decade.
As mayor, Bernard Samuel supported implementing a sales tax and continued to lobby for the city’s wage tax. While he primarily defended the interests of the Republican Party, he did encourage certain reforms. For instance, Samuel approved architectural changes in the city and the creation of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. He also supported the organization of the “Better Philadelphia Exhibition” in 1947. Meanwhile, public dissatisfaction with the Republican machine grew, as its control over many sectors had fostered corruption. Over time, this led to protests and enabled Democratic victories in the 1949 and 1951 municipal elections.
When the 1944 transit strike broke out, the mayor was actively involved in efforts to quell it. He ordered all establishments in the city that sold alcohol to close. Governor Edward Martin followed his lead, shutting down all state-run liquor stores. The city deployed its entire police force, stationing officers at major intersections and key public places to calm people and suppress outbreaks of violence.
It’s worth noting that the protests were sparked by the Philadelphia Transportation Company’s decision to allow Black employees to hold positions as drivers and conductors, jobs previously reserved for white citizens. This move was made due to labor shortages and pressure from the federal government. However, the white workers were outraged and launched a strike. While city officials spent a week trying to calm them, the NAACP and other civic groups worked to maintain peace within the African American community. Ultimately, the U.S. Army intervened, helping the mayor and the city administration restore order.
Bernard Samuel served as mayor until the beginning of 1952. After leaving office, he returned to the investment brokerage business, becoming a client representative at W. H. Newbold’s Son & Co. His successor as mayor was Democrat Joseph S. Clark Jr., who later became a U.S. Senator. Since then, only representatives of the Democratic Party have won the mayoral election.
Death and Legacy
Bernard Samuel, the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history, passed away on January 12, 1954, at his home in South Philadelphia. He was 73 years old. According to doctors, the cause of death was a stroke. His wife and son, Richard, were by his side.
Samuel was buried in Arlington Cemetery in the suburb of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. In the history of Philadelphia, he remains the last Republican mayor.