Charles P. Howard

Charles Paglesen Howard (December 26, 1887 – July 2, 1966) was an American politician who was a member of the Massachusetts Senate and chairman of the state Commission of Administration and Finance.

Early life Howard was born on December 26, 1887, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. His father, Dr. Herbert B. Howard, was superintendent of the Massachusetts State Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Peter Bent Brigham Hospital.

After attending Boston Latin School, Howard graduated from Harvard College in 1910 and Harvard Law School in 1914. Katherine G. Howard was also involved in politics and was elected secretary of the Republican National Committee in 1948.

Political career Howard was a delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1917, but resigned to enter the Army. He was a member of the rules, judiciary, state administration, mercantile affairs, and special joint coal investigating committees. He also served on the town's board of selectmen and board of overseers of the poor and was town counsel. He also served as state budget commissioner until 1928, when, due to the commission's increased workload, Fuller chose to separate the two positions. Howard ran the state's administrative machine under five governors and was described by The Boston Globe as the "state's no man" because he rejected $750 million in expenditures during his 12 years in office. In 1937, Governor Charles F. Hurley chose not to reappoint Howard, ending his tenure on the commission.

Howard was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in the 1938 election. He finished third in the Republican primary behind Horace T. Cahill and Kenneth D. Johnson. Howard was treasurer of Middlesex County, Massachusetts from 1938 to 1954 and state commissioner of banks from 1954 to 1958. During World War II, Howard served with the Army in Europe. He was instrumental in drawing up the agreement for the Allied occupation of Austria and was awarded the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. He was discharged with the rank of Colonel. Howard died on July 2, 1966, at his summer home in Marblehead, Massachusetts.