Aretas B. Fleming

Aretas Brooks Fleming (* October 15, 1839 in Fairmont, Marion County, Virginia; † October 13, 1923 ibid ) an American politician and from 1890 to 1893 was the eighth Governor of the State of West Virginia.

Early years and political rise

The Fleming was born and raised in what is now West Virginia Aretas studied at the University of Virginia law. After passing the exam and being admitted to the bar, he opened an office in Fairmont. In 1863 he was prosecuting attorney in Marion County. Between 1872 and 1875, Fleming sat in the House of Representatives from West Virginia; 1878 to 1888 he was District Judge. During this time he was one of the advisers of the U.S. Senators and tycoons Johnson N. Camden. In 1888, Fleming was put forward by the Democratic Party as a candidate for the gubernatorial elections. These elections should go down in the history of the state.

Controversial gubernatorial election

Fleming and his Republican rivals Nathan Goff separated only about 100 votes. The defeated Fleming then challenged the election in some districts and regarded himself as the new governor. As to the regular expiration of the term of office of the predecessor Emanuel W. Wilson no decision had been made to Fleming and Goff were from their respective followers swear in as governor. To make things even more complicated, claimed the Senate President Robert S. Carr in his capacity as representative of the governor also President until a clarification of the election. The Supreme Court eventually ruled that the incumbent Governor Wilson should remain in office until the question of the election had been clarified. In January 1890, the Democratic majority in the state parliament declared their candidates for election winner Fleming, who could then take office on February 5, 1890. On this day, Wilson then retired from office.

Governor of West Virginia

Due to the controversial election had elapsed at the time of taking office one years of its term. Thus, Fleming was able to officiate just three years until its scheduled expiry, on March 4, 1893. During his tenure, a Department of Labor (State Bureau of Labor ) was founded. An improvement of the electoral system was the introduction of uniform ballots. Fleming advocated for the expansion of the coal industry. Otherwise, he was attacked because of the events surrounding his election by the Republican opposition; many of his proposals were simply turned down and thus paralyzed his government.

Further CV

After the end of his tenure, Fleming moved back to Fairmont, where he worked as a lawyer. Later he was president of the Chamber of Commerce ( Board of Trade ) of West Virginia. Aretas Fleming died in October 1923. He was married to Carrie M. Watson, with whom he had four children.