William J. Thompkins
National politics
### National politics

In 1928, Thompkins became involved in the [1928 Presidential campaign](/wiki/1928_United_States_presidential_election "1928 United States presidential election"), supporting Democratic nominee [Alfred E. Smith](/wiki/Alfred_E._Smith "Alfred E. Smith"), who would lose to Herbert Hoover in November. Thompkins was a leader of the National Colored Democratic Convention.Predict Big Negro Vote for Smith, Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), July 24, 1928, page 17 In [1932](/wiki/1932_United_States_presidential_election "1932 United States presidential election"), Thompkins was in charge of the Democratic campaign among blacks for all states west of the [Mississippi River](/wiki/Mississippi_River "Mississippi River") and was president of the National Colored Democratic Convention. His efforts for the Democrats were rewarded and Thomkins was appointed to the office of Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia by President [Franklin Roosevelt](/wiki/Franklin_Roosevelt "Franklin Roosevelt") in March 1934, succeeding Jefferson Coege.

[thumb\|William J. Thompkins visits [Franklin Roosevelt](/wiki/Franklin_Roosevelt "Franklin Roosevelt") in his role as official of the [Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World](/wiki/Improved_Benevolent_and_Protective_Order_of_Elks_of_the_World "Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World") to invite Roosevelt to attend a parade, August 27, 1935\.](/wiki/File:Thompkins_and_Roosevelt.tif "Thompkins and Roosevelt.tif")

In the [1936 campaign](/wiki/1936_United_States_presidential_election "1936 United States presidential election"), leadership of black Democrats was contested between Thompkins, [Julian D. Rainey](/wiki/Julian_D._Rainey "Julian D. Rainey"), and [Robert L. Vann](/wiki/Robert_L._Vann "Robert L. Vann").Democrats May Split Funds between Vann and Thompkins Plaindealer (Kansas City, Kansas) Friday, July 17, 1936\. Volume: XXXVII Issue: 29 Page: 8 Thompkins was appointed adviser on colored affairs to Democratic Party Chairman [James A. Farley](/wiki/James_A._Farley "James A. Farley").Thompkins Named Farely Adviser. Plaindealer (Kansas City, Kansas) Friday, September 18, 1936\. Volume: XXXVII Issue: 38 Page: 1 On Friday, January 13, 1939, Thompkins was among a group who became the first blacks to dine in the private dining room of the [Speaker of the House of Representatives](/wiki/Speaker_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives "Speaker of the United States House of Representatives") (who was [William B. Bankhead](/wiki/William_B._Bankhead "William B. Bankhead")) in the capital building.Negroes Dine in Capitol Building at D. C. for First Time in History. Plaindealer (Kansas City, Kansas) Friday, January 20, 1939\. Volume: XLI Issue: 3 Page: 1 In 1939, the [Hatch Act](/wiki/Hatch_Act_of_1939 "Hatch Act of 1939") prohibited federal employees from political campaigns, and Thompkins was the sole black government official to be issued an exception. Thompkins played an important role in the [1940 Missouri senatorial election](/wiki/United_States_Senate_election_in_Missouri%2C_1940 "United States Senate election in Missouri, 1940"), being named general chairman of the Negro Division of [Harry S. Truman](/wiki/Harry_S._Truman "Harry S. Truman")'s campaign.Dr. Thompkins Heads Group in Truman Campaign. Plaindealer (Kansas City, Kansas) Friday, July 5, 1940\. Volume: 42 Issue: 27 Page: 8

In 1941, [A. Philip Randolph](/wiki/A._Philip_Randolph "A. Philip Randolph"), president of the [Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters](/wiki/Brotherhood_of_Sleeping_Car_Porters "Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters"), and [Walter White](/wiki/Walter_Francis_White "Walter Francis White"), executive secretary of the [National Association for the Advancement of Colored People](/wiki/National_Association_for_the_Advancement_of_Colored_People "National Association for the Advancement of Colored People") planned a [march on Washington](/wiki/March_on_Washington_Movement "March on Washington Movement") for July 1 to oppose discrimination in the Federal Government. As the day of the march approached, President Roosevelt made an effort to counter the protest, enacting a number of policies to appease Randolph and White. Roosevelt was supported by a number of Democratic African\-Americans working for the government, particularly Thompkins and Congressman [Arthur W. Mitchell](/wiki/Arthur_W._Mitchell "Arthur W. Mitchell") who worked to stop the march, which did not occur.The March on Washington. Plaindealer (Kansas City, Kansas) Friday, June 27, 1941\. Volume: 42 Issue: 27 Page: 7

Thompkins held a number of other important positions during his life. He was the National Director of Health of the [Colored Elks](/wiki/Improved_Benevolent_and_Protective_Order_of_Elks_of_the_World "Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World").Speaks Here Dec. 28 Washington, D. C. Recorder of Deeds Negro Star (Wichita, Kansas) Friday, December 21, 1934\. Volume: 27 Issue: 37 Page: 8 He also founded the National Negro Democratic Association.Pay Tribute to Dr. Thompkins. Plaindealer (Kansas City, Kansas) Friday, July 28, 1944\. Volume: 46 Issue: 29 Page: 2 He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Lincoln University, a vice president of the [National Medical Association](/wiki/National_Medical_Association "National Medical Association"), president of the National Colored Democreatic Association, a member of the [Sigma Pi Phi](/wiki/Sigma_Pi_Phi "Sigma Pi Phi") medical society, a member of the Mu\-So\-Lit Club, a Mason, and held a reserve commission in the [Army Medical Corps](/wiki/Army_Medical_Corps "Army Medical Corps").Dr. W. J. Thompkins, Recorder of Deeds, Dies After Long Illness, Evening Star (Washington (DC), District of Columbia). Saturday, August 5, 1944\. Page: 4


What was Thompkins' role in the 1928 Presidential campaign?