Arkansas in the Progressive Arkansas in the Progressive EraEra

1900-19201900-1920

ChangeChange

The frontier ways of life are The frontier ways of life are fading.fading.

People across America are People across America are moving to the cities in large moving to the cities in large numbers.numbers.

IndustryIndustry

Arkansas began to see its first Arkansas began to see its first major industries.major industries.

The main industries in Arkansas The main industries in Arkansas became timber and mining.became timber and mining.

Inventions of the Progressive EraInventions of the Progressive Era

There were many inventions during There were many inventions during this time that greatly affected the way this time that greatly affected the way people lived.people lived.AutomobilesAutomobilesAirplanesAirplanesElectric lightsElectric lightsMotion picturesMotion picturesScience and medicineScience and medicine

Progressive MovementProgressive Movement

The urge to adjust America’s institutions to The urge to adjust America’s institutions to match the modern way of life.match the modern way of life.

The urban middle-class wanted changes.The urban middle-class wanted changes.The need for change was called The need for change was called

“progressive”.“progressive”.More people began to have more time and More people began to have more time and

money to spend on civil reformsmoney to spend on civil reformsThe results in AR were impressive.The results in AR were impressive.

The Need for Government The Need for Government InterventionIntervention

Problems such as big business, low Problems such as big business, low wages, bad working conditions, and wages, bad working conditions, and the need for more schools, seemed to the need for more schools, seemed to need government action.need government action.

Many Progressives believed the state Many Progressives believed the state governments should step in and take governments should step in and take responsibilities. responsibilities.

Farmers in PoliticsFarmers in Politics

Farmers in Arkansas felt like they Farmers in Arkansas felt like they were being left out of politics.were being left out of politics.

They thought no one in power paid They thought no one in power paid any attention to them.any attention to them.

The city-dwellers were seen as “rich The city-dwellers were seen as “rich folks” by the common farmer.folks” by the common farmer.

The farmers’ anger at being left out The farmers’ anger at being left out found an outlet in Jeff Davis.found an outlet in Jeff Davis.

Jeff DavisJeff Davis

Although he was a lawyer raised in Although he was a lawyer raised in the city, Davis had a way of reaching the city, Davis had a way of reaching the small farmers.the small farmers.

They were his “wool hat boys” vs. the They were his “wool hat boys” vs. the silk-hat crowd of the city.silk-hat crowd of the city.

Davis dominated Arkansas politics for Davis dominated Arkansas politics for 10 years as the champion for the poor 10 years as the champion for the poor whites over the rich.whites over the rich.

Davis expressed ideas from both the Davis expressed ideas from both the populist movement and the new populist movement and the new progressive movement.progressive movement.

However, his main goal was to get in However, his main goal was to get in office and stay in office, so his actual office and stay in office, so his actual accomplishments were few.accomplishments were few.

He was almost a demagogue, a He was almost a demagogue, a person who gains power by stirring up person who gains power by stirring up the fears and biases of the public.the fears and biases of the public.

He was also a racist.He was also a racist.

Jeff Davis was not Jeff Davis was not related to the former related to the former president of the president of the Confederacy, but he Confederacy, but he didn’t mind if voters didn’t mind if voters thought he was.thought he was.

In fact, he often In fact, he often dressed in dressed in Confederate gray Confederate gray suits to make sure suits to make sure everyone noticed.everyone noticed.

As the state’s attorney general in 1898, As the state’s attorney general in 1898, he dug up the state anti-trust law that he dug up the state anti-trust law that prevented monopolies, but had never prevented monopolies, but had never been enforced. been enforced.

He knew that the common people of AR He knew that the common people of AR blamed many of their troubles on trusts.blamed many of their troubles on trusts.

So, he filed a law suit against the So, he filed a law suit against the insurance companies, which people insurance companies, which people disliked the most.disliked the most.

The insurance companies cancelled The insurance companies cancelled their policies in AR as a result.their policies in AR as a result.

The city merchants in Arkansas were The city merchants in Arkansas were shocked and afraid Davis would run all shocked and afraid Davis would run all business out of Arkansas.business out of Arkansas.

But the more the high collar crowd attacked But the more the high collar crowd attacked him, the more the wool hat boys supported him, the more the wool hat boys supported him.him.

Since Reconstruction there was a primary Since Reconstruction there was a primary system in Arkansas allowing the people to system in Arkansas allowing the people to nominate their party candidates.nominate their party candidates.

In 1900, Davis became the Democratic In 1900, Davis became the Democratic candidate for governor even though the candidate for governor even though the party leaders didn’t like him.party leaders didn’t like him.

Davis as GovernorDavis as Governor

Davis was to serve three terms as Davis was to serve three terms as governor from 1901-1907.governor from 1901-1907.

He achieved little, stirred up a lot of He achieved little, stirred up a lot of conflict, and couldn’t work with the conflict, and couldn’t work with the General Assembly.General Assembly.

At one point Davis vetoed the bills for At one point Davis vetoed the bills for an entire session of the legislature.an entire session of the legislature.

Davis and the Prison SystemDavis and the Prison System

One area in which Davis made some One area in which Davis made some headway was with the state’s disgraceful headway was with the state’s disgraceful prison system.prison system.

By leasing out convicts the state had no By leasing out convicts the state had no control over them and they were abused.control over them and they were abused.

In some years the annual death rate In some years the annual death rate among inmates was 25%.among inmates was 25%.

This system earned the state $25,000 a This system earned the state $25,000 a year.year.

No politicians had the courage to raise No politicians had the courage to raise taxes to pay for a better system.taxes to pay for a better system.

A report on some of the conditions that A report on some of the conditions that inmates lived in caused such a scandal inmates lived in caused such a scandal that the state was forced to adopt a that the state was forced to adopt a penal farm system.penal farm system.

The state bought two plantations for the The state bought two plantations for the inmates to work on. inmates to work on.

This way the state was taking back This way the state was taking back control of the inmates, but having them control of the inmates, but having them still pay for themselves.still pay for themselves.

Davis didn’t like spending the money to buy Davis didn’t like spending the money to buy the farms, but he raised his voice against the farms, but he raised his voice against the horrors of the convict-lease system.the horrors of the convict-lease system.

He also started a reform school for boys so He also started a reform school for boys so that children in trouble with the law didn’t that children in trouble with the law didn’t have to serve in prison with grown men.have to serve in prison with grown men.

He pardoned hundreds of African-American He pardoned hundreds of African-American convicts.convicts.

But, at the same time he became more and But, at the same time he became more and more racist in his speeches.more racist in his speeches.

Davis in the SenateDavis in the Senate

In 1906 Davis was elected to the U.S. In 1906 Davis was elected to the U.S. Senate.Senate.

His methods of manipulation did not work His methods of manipulation did not work as well here, so he spent most of his time as well here, so he spent most of his time at home with his family in Little Rock.at home with his family in Little Rock.

He won a second term in Senate in 1912, He won a second term in Senate in 1912, but only by a small margin.but only by a small margin.

Dismayed, Davis died of a heart attack at Dismayed, Davis died of a heart attack at his home, January 1, 1913. his home, January 1, 1913.

The Arkansas The Arkansas ProgressiveProgressive

The The Progressive Progressive movement movement did come to did come to Arkansas Arkansas after Davis.after Davis.

It came It came mostly in the mostly in the persons of persons of George W. George W. Donaghey Donaghey and Charles and Charles H. Brough.H. Brough.

George W. DonagheyGeorge W. Donaghey

Born in Louisiana, Donaghey worked in Born in Louisiana, Donaghey worked in Texas as a cowboy before moving to Texas as a cowboy before moving to Conway, AR.Conway, AR.

In Arkansas he worked as a carpenter and In Arkansas he worked as a carpenter and became a major builder.became a major builder.

He was named to the state capitol building He was named to the state capitol building commission, and that sparked his interest in commission, and that sparked his interest in politics.politics.

He became governor in 1909 and served He became governor in 1909 and served until 1913.until 1913.

Joseph T. RobinsonJoseph T. Robinson

Donaghey lost his bid for a third term Donaghey lost his bid for a third term to Joseph T. Robinson, a member of to Joseph T. Robinson, a member of congress.congress.

But Davis died just three days before But Davis died just three days before Robinson was to take office.Robinson was to take office.

The legislature promptly chose The legislature promptly chose Robinson to be senator.Robinson to be senator.

For a space For a space of two weeks of two weeks Robinson was Robinson was congressman, congressman, governor, and governor, and senator at the senator at the same time.same time.

George W. HaysGeorge W. Hays

Hays was a lawyer Hays was a lawyer and county judge and county judge from Camden with from Camden with little taste for little taste for reform.reform.

He served two He served two terms as governor terms as governor from 1913 to 1917.from 1913 to 1917.

Charles H. BroughCharles H. Brough

He was a professor at He was a professor at the U of A.the U of A.

Had a Ph.D. in History.Had a Ph.D. in History.Ran for governor in Ran for governor in

1916 on a reform 1916 on a reform platform.platform.

He served two terms He served two terms from 1917-1921.from 1917-1921.

NationwideNationwide

Nearly half of American states had Nearly half of American states had some form of reform government some form of reform government during this time.during this time.

Republican President Teddy Republican President Teddy Roosevelt (1901-1909), and Roosevelt (1901-1909), and Democratic President Woodrow Democratic President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) showed that Wilson (1913-1921) showed that government actions could improve the government actions could improve the lives of people.lives of people.

Progress in ArkansasProgress in Arkansas

Thanks to Donaghey, Robinson, and Thanks to Donaghey, Robinson, and Brough, Arkansas began to make real Brough, Arkansas began to make real progress in providing:progress in providing:SchoolsSchoolsRoadsRoadsHealthHealthPrison ReformPrison ReformState servicesState services

Improvements in EducationImprovements in Education

In 1904 Arkansas was at the bottom of the In 1904 Arkansas was at the bottom of the list in education.list in education.

In 1900 fewer than half of the school aged In 1900 fewer than half of the school aged children attended school.children attended school.

Teachers were paid half of what other Teachers were paid half of what other states paid.states paid.

School would run three months in summer School would run three months in summer and three months in winter if they had a and three months in winter if they had a stove.stove.

The state began to address some of The state began to address some of these problems.these problems.

New laws required all children New laws required all children between seven and fifteen years of between seven and fifteen years of age to attend school.age to attend school.

They called for standard textbooks in They called for standard textbooks in the grade schools.the grade schools.

The number of high schools more The number of high schools more than doubled between 1909 and than doubled between 1909 and 1919.1919.

Because of efforts of the Arkansas Because of efforts of the Arkansas Farmers’ Union, four technical high Farmers’ Union, four technical high schools opened in 1909.schools opened in 1909.

They taught farming and textile They taught farming and textile making.making.

In 1911, the state formed a State In 1911, the state formed a State Board of Education.Board of Education.

By 1920 over half of school aged By 1920 over half of school aged children were going to school.children were going to school.

In 1907 the state opened the State Normal In 1907 the state opened the State Normal School at Conway to prepare teachers.School at Conway to prepare teachers.

This later became the University of This later became the University of Central Arkansas.Central Arkansas.

Because of bad roads, students in Because of bad roads, students in Arkansas could not travel far to go to Arkansas could not travel far to go to school.school.

This caused an extremely large number of This caused an extremely large number of school districts.school districts.

In 1912, there were 5,143 school districts.In 1912, there were 5,143 school districts.

Segregation in SchoolsSegregation in Schools

The state school systems were still The state school systems were still racially segregated and far from racially segregated and far from equal.equal.

The state spent about twice as much The state spent about twice as much on white schools as it did on black on white schools as it did on black schools.schools.

There were very few African There were very few African American high schools in the state.American high schools in the state.

Literacy RateLiteracy Rate

In 1900 about 20% of people in In 1900 about 20% of people in Arkansas could not read.Arkansas could not read.

In 1920 the number was down to In 1920 the number was down to 9.4% who could not read.9.4% who could not read.

AutomobilesAutomobiles

The coming of automobiles to The coming of automobiles to Arkansas brought the start of a road Arkansas brought the start of a road system.system.

In 1903 there were only 50 cars in the In 1903 there were only 50 cars in the state, but the owners formed the state, but the owners formed the Arkansas Good Roads Association.Arkansas Good Roads Association.

They started to lobby for new laws to They started to lobby for new laws to promote road building.promote road building.

In 1909 the legislature passed a law that In 1909 the legislature passed a law that allowed local improvement districts to levy allowed local improvement districts to levy local taxes to pay for roads.local taxes to pay for roads.

In 1913 the State Department of Lands, In 1913 the State Department of Lands, Highways, and Improvements, was started.Highways, and Improvements, was started.

In 1914 there were 4,800 cars in Arkansas, In 1914 there were 4,800 cars in Arkansas, and the state required drivers to have a and the state required drivers to have a license.license.

In 1913 the Ozark Trails Association began In 1913 the Ozark Trails Association began marking roads clearly by painting white marking roads clearly by painting white rings around the trees on the side of the rings around the trees on the side of the roads.roads.

In 1916 the Federal Road Act passed.In 1916 the Federal Road Act passed.With this act the U.S. government paid half With this act the U.S. government paid half

the cost of road building.the cost of road building.By 1921 Arkansas had 7,000 miles of By 1921 Arkansas had 7,000 miles of

roads.roads.But, along with the road system came a But, along with the road system came a

large debt that would cause trouble later large debt that would cause trouble later on.on.

Less than two hundred miles of state’s Less than two hundred miles of state’s highways were all-weather, hard surfaced highways were all-weather, hard surfaced roads.roads.

A Healthier StateA Healthier State

Nothing improved life in Arkansas more Nothing improved life in Arkansas more than new knowledge and action on how to than new knowledge and action on how to prevent and cure diseases.prevent and cure diseases.

Progress in science gave government Progress in science gave government workers the ability to control many of the workers the ability to control many of the diseases that had given Arkansas the diseases that had given Arkansas the reputation of being an unhealthy state.reputation of being an unhealthy state.

For example, Malaria had weakened For example, Malaria had weakened Arkansans through the year.Arkansans through the year.

Medical research discovered that Medical research discovered that malaria was caused by a germ carried malaria was caused by a germ carried by mosquitoes.by mosquitoes.

This meant malaria could be controlled.This meant malaria could be controlled.Draining swamps to make more land for Draining swamps to make more land for

farming and spraying areas of standing farming and spraying areas of standing water could prevent breeding.water could prevent breeding.

Devises as simple as window screens Devises as simple as window screens could keep out insects and help prevent could keep out insects and help prevent malaria.malaria.

The progress of medical research also led The progress of medical research also led to the end of hookworm and pellagra, to the end of hookworm and pellagra, diseases that made a person tired all the diseases that made a person tired all the time.time.

People began to suspect that the image of People began to suspect that the image of the “lazy south” was because of these the “lazy south” was because of these diseases.diseases.

The state joined the nationwide public The state joined the nationwide public health movement by forming the state health movement by forming the state Board of Health in 1913Board of Health in 1913

New laws required doctors of all New laws required doctors of all types, dentists, nurses, midwives, and types, dentists, nurses, midwives, and embalmers to be licensed.embalmers to be licensed.

The state built a tuberculosis hospital.The state built a tuberculosis hospital.Arkansas also passed the nation’s Arkansas also passed the nation’s

first law requiring children to have a first law requiring children to have a smallpox shot.smallpox shot.

Towns began to build pure water Towns began to build pure water systems and sewer systems.systems and sewer systems.

Women began to form the Red Cross, Women began to form the Red Cross, Arkansas Tuberculosis Association, Arkansas Tuberculosis Association, and the Arkansas Society for Crippled and the Arkansas Society for Crippled Children. Children.

The Arkansas Federation of Women’s The Arkansas Federation of Women’s Clubs began to sponsor “healthy Clubs began to sponsor “healthy baby” contests to promote and reward baby” contests to promote and reward concern about health in the home.concern about health in the home.