Austin Peay

Austin Peay ( born June 1, 1876 at Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky; † October 2, 1927 in Davidson County, Tennessee ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and the 39th Governor of the State of Tennessee.

Early years and political rise

The young Austin Peay attended Washington and Lee University and then studied law at Centre College. After his admission to the lawyer, he practiced first in Hopkinsville and later in Clarksville ( Tennessee). Between 1901 and 1905 he was a member of the House of Representatives from Tennessee; In 1908, he was campaign manager for Malcolm R. Patterson. Already in 1918 he wrote his first application for the post of governor of Tennessee, but his party opted for Albert H. Roberts. Four years later, he won both the Democratic nomination and the win against the incumbent Alfred A. Taylor.

Governor of Tennessee

During his term as governor (1923-1927), he reached more than most other governors that time. 1923, the administration was fundamentally reformed. It created eight ministries. At the same time the position of the governor has been strengthened against the administration. Unnecessary bureaucracy was dismantled and the governor got a better control over the budget of the state. He issued a tax reform and introduced a petroleum and tobacco. At the same time the property tax was lowered.

Of the revenue from the new taxes, the expansion of roads was financed. More than half of the budget was spent on it. At the beginning of his tenure, just 244 miles were paved, at his death, that number had risen to over 4000 miles. Among them were major east -west and north- south trade routes -. In addition there were 17 bridge projects that were completed during his tenure.

Also the education underwent a fundamental reform. Uniform standards for teachers have been introduced. The financing of primary schools was ensured to the extent that could be offered in most cases an eight-month school year. The funds for the University of Tennessee have been increased. Special attention was paid to rural areas, where new schools were built. In general, there was a concern of the governor, to promote rural areas and to improve the living conditions there.

Despite all these partial reforms expensive him the feat of an initial public debt of about $ 3 million achieved a surplus of $ 1.2 million to generate. Here it but the overall economic situation came to the aid. The boom of the 1920s was in full swing. Also in the field of health care reforms he initiated. More money has been invested in the expansion of medical infrastructure. Also worth mentioning is that he founded the first natural park in the country at Reelfoot Lake. Even the Great Smoky National Park was created during his tenure. Connected keeps its name but also with the adoption of a law that forbade the teaching of the theory of evolution in the schools of the country. Most of his reforms were not without controversy in Tennessee and he had often claim against resistance. Nevertheless, he managed to be in 1924 and 1926 respectively re-elected.

In his last years he came with the powerful ex-mayor of Memphis, Edward Crump, in conflict. This influential politicians looked through the reforms of the Governor its influence and economic interests at risk in Tennessee and worked against him. In response, the Democratic Party split into two factions. A supported the Governor and the other Crump. Austin Peay could not finish his third term. He died in October 1927 as the first and only governor of Tennessee in office.

He was married to Marie Sallie Hurst. The couple had two children.