In 1874 , Cockrell , who became a member of the United States Democratic Party , was elected to the U.S. Senate from Missouri by the state legislature . His first and only elected office , he served in the Senate from 1875 to 1905 , when he retired . He held several committee chairmanships , including the chairmanships of the Claims Committee , Engrossed Bills Committee and Appropriations Committee during his senate career . He received 42 votes for President of the United States at the 1904 Democratic National Convention , but was defeated by Alton B. Parker
1904 Democratic National Convention
1904 Democratic National Convention
Francis Cockrell