LITTLE ROCK — George Washington Hays was born 149 years ago today. He was the state’s 24th governor, serving from 1913 to 1917. Though he served during what was known as the Progressive Era, he was certainly not a reform governor.
Hays was born on a “poor and worn out ‘red hill’ farm” near Camden, to Thomas and Parthenia Ross Hays on Sept. 23, 1863. He attended the local schools, which offered classes only a few months each year. Until he was 26, Hays farmed; then he became a store clerk, and he taught one term (of three months) in a public school. He was an ambitious and hardworking man, and he managed to attend Washington and Lee University in Virginia where he studied law. He continued his legal education by “reading” in the prominent Gaughan and Sifford law firm in Camden. He began his own law practice in Camden in 1897-but politics was his real passion.
In 1900, Hays won election as the county and probate judge of Ouachita County, serving two terms. He moved up to a circuit judgeship in 1906. Things changed abruptly on Jan. 3, 1913, when U.S. Senator Jeff Davis died of a heart attack at age 50. The legislature chose Joe T. Robinson to take Davis’ seat on Jan. 28, less than two weeks after he was sworn in as governor. However, Robinson stayed on as governor until March 10, shepherding his reform legislative program to passage. Robinson was a congressman, governor, and senator within a 14-day period. Interestingly, Robinson was the last U.S. senator elected by the state legislature.
District Judge Hays quickly stepped into the campaign to succeed Gov. Robinson. His main opponent in the Democratic primary was a former U.S. congressman from Searcy, Stephen Brundidge. Hays drew much of his support from supporters of the late Jeff Davis-the “redneck messiah”-who lived mostly in rural areas. Brundidge, an ardent opponent of Davis, was strong in cities and towns. It was expected to be a close election, but Hays had an ace up his sleeve: the St. Francis Levee District.
The St. Francis Levee District, which still exists, was a powerful political force in the Arkansas Delta. Phillips County officials withheld announcing the vote results for four days-and then reported that Brundidge’s majority in Phillips County was too small to give him the victory. Brundidge immediately cried foul, pointing out that he had always received a large vote in Phillips County in previous elections and that Hays had not even visited the county during the campaign. Though Brundidge challenged the outcome in court, Hays was eventually sworn in.
Hays became governor at a time when progressive reform sentiment was growing in the state and nation. Newly elected Democratic president Woodrow Wilson was crusading for antitrust and banking reform. Former Gov. George Donaghey was a reformer, as was Hay’s successor, Professor Charles Brough of the University of Arkansas faculty. Historians seem to agree with Hay’s opponents, who charged him with inaction and vacillation. In one instance, Hays signed a bill to legalize gambling in Hot Springs, and then he sent a message to the legislature vetoing the bill.
Hays worked hard to build a political machine. For example, he vetoed legislation to rein in the St. Francis Levee Board by making its board elective. After receiving strong criticism for trying to cater to both sides of the debate on statewide prohibition, during his second term Hays helped secure passage of a “bone dry” law to make amends. One opponent claimed that Hays “did his best to run with the ‘drys’ and drink with the ‘wets.’ ” Hays also opposed extending the vote to women, saying it was against God’s will.
Hays does deserve credit for some advances, especially during his second term. The work day for female employees was limited to nine hours, with a six-day maximum week. Laws were adopted to protect investors from stock and bond fraud. Gov. Hays was also lenient in granting pardons to convicts, especially women-though only white women.
After leaving office in January of 1917, Hays practiced law in Little Rock and Camden. Much like future Gov. Orval Faubus, Hays spent his post-gubernatorial years writing articles defending his tenure.
After an illness of several weeks, Hays died of complications from pneumonia on Sept. 15, 1927. He was buried in Camden. He was survived by his wife, Virginia Yarborough Hays, and two adult sons.
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Tom Dillard is a historian and retired archivist living in Farmington, Ark. Email him at [email protected].
Editorial, Pages 80 on 09/23/2012