Following the end of Reconstruction in Alabama, the Populist movement rose as an alliance of small-scale farmers and poor laborers to challenge the state's planter aristocracy. Populists supported policies such as government regulation of railroads, a silver standard for currency, and public storage of crops to drive up agricultural prices.[1] In contrast, the Bourbon Democrats represented the land-owning elite in the state who were returned to power after Reconstruction ended.[1]
In 1890, Reuben Kolb, a member of the Farmers' Alliance, challenged Thomas Goode Jones for the Democratic nomination for Governor; after Jones took the nomination, Kolb accused him and the Bourbon Democrats of illegal tactics.[1]
Reuben Kolb, Commissioner of Agriculture (Independent Democratic, Populist)
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In 1892, Kolb again challenged Jones for the Democratic nomination. Though he denied he was a Populist, he accepted the endorsement of the People's Party. After Jones again won the regular Democratic nomination, Kolb also accepted the endorsement of the "Jeffersonian Democrats."[1] The Republican Party, which was limited to a presence in a few northern counties, did not field a candidate or make any formal endorsement, but most white Republicans supported Kolb, if only to injure the regular Democrats. Jones’s supporters were traditional Democrats, including lawyers, politicians, the press (except for a small group of reform newspapers), and wealthy farmers.[1]
Though African Americans in the Black Belt were normally Republicans and they overwhelmingly favored Kolb, their vote was rigidly controlled by the Democrats, who dominated economic life and the machinery of government in the Black Belt.[1] During the campaign, money, whiskey, and threats were used to influence and change votes.[1]
Resultsedit
Alabamians turned out in large numbers for the August election, with 243,037 ballots cast. Jones received 126,959 votes to Kolb’s 115,524, and 544 ballots were scattered among minor candidates. In the fifteen Black Belt counties, Jones defeated Kolb by the runaway margin of 30,117 votes. He received majority votes in Montgomery County (6,254 votes), Dallas County (6,117 votes), and Wilcox County (5,350 votes). Of Kolb’s 37 counties, only five were in the Black Belt, and his majorities were much narrower than elsewhere in the state.[1]
Election fraud was likely rampant. Ballot boxes with Kolb majorities were stolen after the election. In the Black Belt, returns were announced, changed, and announced again to show larger majorities for Jones. In Pike County, collusion between the sheriff and elections officials carried the vote for Jones.[1] Kolb and other reform leaders issued legal threats, but because Alabama did not have a law permitting election contests, they ultimately could do nothing. Historical analysis has declared that Kolb was the legitimately elected governor but was counted out in the Black Belt.[1]
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Kolb also ran for governor in 1894 and lost under similar circumstances.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdefghijkWarren, Danielle N. (January 22, 2010). "Reuben F. Kolb". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
^"AL Governor 1892". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
Further readingedit
Going, Allen. Bourbon Democracy in Alabama. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1951.
Hackney, Sheldon. Populism to Progressivism in Alabama. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1969.
Rogers, William Warren. The One-Gallused Rebellion. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1970.
Webb, Samuel L. Two-Party Politics in the One-Party South: Alabama’s Hill Country, 1874-1920. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1997.
Woodward, C. Vann. Origins of the New South, 1877-1913. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1971.
January 01, 1970
1892, alabama, gubernatorial, election, related, races, 1892, united, states, gubernatorial, elections, took, place, august, 1892, order, elect, governor, alabama, 1890, august, 1892, 1894, nominee, thomas, jones, reuben, kolb, party, democratic, independent, . For related races see 1892 United States gubernatorial elections The 1892 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on August 1 1892 in order to elect the governor of Alabama 1892 Alabama gubernatorial election 1890 August 1 1892 1894 Nominee Thomas G Jones Reuben Kolb Party Democratic Independent Democrat Alliance Populist Popular vote 126 955 115 732 Percentage 52 19 47 58 County resultsJones 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 Kolb 50 60 60 70 70 80 Governor before election Thomas G Jones Democratic Elected Governor Thomas G Jones Democratic Contents 1 Background 2 General election 2 1 Candidates 2 2 Campaign 2 3 Results 3 Aftermath 4 References 4 1 Further readingBackground editFollowing the end of Reconstruction in Alabama the Populist movement rose as an alliance of small scale farmers and poor laborers to challenge the state s planter aristocracy Populists supported policies such as government regulation of railroads a silver standard for currency and public storage of crops to drive up agricultural prices 1 In contrast the Bourbon Democrats represented the land owning elite in the state who were returned to power after Reconstruction ended 1 In 1890 Reuben Kolb a member of the Farmers Alliance challenged Thomas Goode Jones for the Democratic nomination for Governor after Jones took the nomination Kolb accused him and the Bourbon Democrats of illegal tactics 1 General election editCandidates edit Thomas G Jones incumbent Governor Democratic Reuben Kolb Commissioner of Agriculture Independent Democratic Populist Campaign edit In 1892 Kolb again challenged Jones for the Democratic nomination Though he denied he was a Populist he accepted the endorsement of the People s Party After Jones again won the regular Democratic nomination Kolb also accepted the endorsement of the Jeffersonian Democrats 1 The Republican Party which was limited to a presence in a few northern counties did not field a candidate or make any formal endorsement but most white Republicans supported Kolb if only to injure the regular Democrats Jones s supporters were traditional Democrats including lawyers politicians the press except for a small group of reform newspapers and wealthy farmers 1 Though African Americans in the Black Belt were normally Republicans and they overwhelmingly favored Kolb their vote was rigidly controlled by the Democrats who dominated economic life and the machinery of government in the Black Belt 1 During the campaign money whiskey and threats were used to influence and change votes 1 Results edit Alabamians turned out in large numbers for the August election with 243 037 ballots cast Jones received 126 959 votes to Kolb s 115 524 and 544 ballots were scattered among minor candidates In the fifteen Black Belt counties Jones defeated Kolb by the runaway margin of 30 117 votes He received majority votes in Montgomery County 6 254 votes Dallas County 6 117 votes and Wilcox County 5 350 votes Of Kolb s 37 counties only five were in the Black Belt and his majorities were much narrower than elsewhere in the state 1 1892 Alabama gubernatorial election 2 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Thomas G Jones incumbent 126 955 52 19 Independent Democrat Reuben Kolb 115 732 47 58 Other Write ins 550 0 23 Total votes 243 237 100 00 Democratic hold Election fraud was likely rampant Ballot boxes with Kolb majorities were stolen after the election In the Black Belt returns were announced changed and announced again to show larger majorities for Jones In Pike County collusion between the sheriff and elections officials carried the vote for Jones 1 Kolb and other reform leaders issued legal threats but because Alabama did not have a law permitting election contests they ultimately could do nothing Historical analysis has declared that Kolb was the legitimately elected governor but was counted out in the Black Belt 1 Aftermath editKolb also ran for governor in 1894 and lost under similar circumstances 1 References edit a b c d e f g h i j k Warren Danielle N January 22 2010 Reuben F Kolb Encyclopedia of Alabama Retrieved June 25 2023 AL Governor 1892 Our Campaigns Retrieved October 29 2016 Further reading edit Going Allen Bourbon Democracy in Alabama Tuscaloosa University of Alabama Press 1951 Hackney Sheldon Populism to Progressivism in Alabama Princeton Princeton University Press 1969 Rogers William Warren The One Gallused Rebellion Baton Rouge Louisiana State University Press 1970 Webb Samuel L Two Party Politics in the One Party South Alabama s Hill Country 1874 1920 Tuscaloosa University of Alabama Press 1997 Woodward C Vann Origins of the New South 1877 1913 Baton Rouge Louisiana State University Press 1971 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1892 Alabama gubernatorial election amp oldid 1173620158, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
