Theodore G. Bilbo

**Theodore Gilmore Bilbo** (October 13, 1877 – August 21, 1947) was an American politician who first served as Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi (1912–1916), then served 2 terms as Governor of Mississippi (1916–1920, 1928–1932), then served as a US Senator (1935–1947). A lifelong Democrat, he was a filibusterer whose name was synonymous with racism and white supremacy. Like many Southern Democrats during his era, he defended segregation.

More positive was Bilbo's approach to social reform. During his first time as Governor of Mississippi, for instance, he presided over a wide range of reforms. Although the state house of representatives was under the leadership of a critic of Bilbo's, the legislature nevertheless (as noted by one historian) "responded favorably to most of Bilbo's proposals."  As one study has noted, "Former governor Brewer's program of providing various state services was accelerated by the Bilbo administration." A commission to tackle adult illiteracy was set up, while attempts were made to prevent high text book prices. A compulsory school law was introduced while provision was made for transportation to rural consolidated schools. A program was also sponsored for the building of hospitals and institutions for the subnormal and underprivileged. A number of Acts and regulations concerning public health were also introduced. An Act of April 1916, for instance, provided for the establishment and maintenance of hospitals for pellagra sufferers. Also, an Act of March 1918 authorized municipalities to borrow money to provide loans to citizens to help them make sewer connections.

New dormitories were added to an Old Soldier’s Home, and increases were made in the pensions of Confederate soldiers. Farm mechanics and manual training were also introduced into rural school curricula. An act was introduced “to regulate the custody, control, and care of delinquent children and to provide for the establishment' and maintenance of a State industrial and training school.”  Another Act sought to provide “schools for Indian children and other children not otherwise provided for by law.” The legislature also officially accepted, as noted by one study, "federal funds to help pay salaries for vocational teachers in agricultural high schools." 

People were also given a greater voice in government through initiatives like restrictions upon the activities of lobbyist, a reapportionment of representation in the legislature, and the introduction of an initiative and referendum system. A distribution system for school funds aimed at benefitting poorer counties was also adopted. Night schools for adults were also set up, along with a charity hospital for poor people who could not afford medical care. Provision was also made for 3 additional state charity hospitals. A State Tax Commission was set up, adding (according to one study) “”$300,000,000 of property to the tax rolls,” and a hog vaccination law for eliminating cholera was introduced. Public hangings were also abolished, along with the fee system in county offices. 2 lime-crushing plants were set up where farmers could acquire crushed limestone at cost. In addition, an antilobbying law was enacted, along with a blue sky law to prevent the marketing of stocks that were worthless.

Various labor laws were introduced such as one that established a Saturday half-holiday for all female state employees during the months of June, July and August. The maximum amount affected by a law directing to whom the wages of a deceased employee should be paid was increased from $200 to $300. Under a reform of employer’s liability, according to one study, “Heirs of a person killed by the wrongful act or default of a ship or vessel may recover in all cases in which the person injured would have been entitled to recover damages if not killed by the injury.” An Act to prevent blindness in new-born infants was introduced, along with registration of cattle brands to enable farmers to borrow money upon their live stock. A Mississippi State Plant Board was also established. One of the intentions of this measure, according to Bilbo, was to "protect and encourage the nursery interests of the State and to free the farmers from destructive ravages by bugs, worms, etc." In addition, a highway commission was introduced, organisation of which (according to one study) “was a prerequisite for receiving federal aid for constructing rural roads. Farm to market roads were of critical importance in enabling farmers to get produce to local markets. This was the type of federal aid that was warmly embraced by Bilbo and his core constituency.”

He was also a staunch supporter of the New Deal.

He died on August 21, 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was 69 years old.

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