Edwin P. Morrow

Edwin Porch Morrow ( born November 28, 1877 in Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky, † June 15, 1935 in Frankfort, Kentucky ) was an American politician ( Republican) and Governor of the State of Kentucky.

Early youth and ascent

Edwin Morrow attended St. Mary's College in Tennessee, the Cumberland College and the University of Cincinnati. There he made in 1902 graduated as a lawyer. From 1903 he was a lawyer with a law firm in Somerset. Between 1910 and 1913 he was the U.S. District Attorney for the Eastern Kentucky. His first political experience was gained in 1895 when he supported the successful gubernatorial election fight of his uncle William O'Connell Bradley. In the years 1916, 1920 and 1928 he was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions relevant. In 1913 he applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate and in 1915 he lost narrowly to his friend Augustus Stanley in the gubernatorial election of Kentucky. Four years later he was re-nominated by his party. This time he succeeded with 53.8 % of the vote a victory against the incumbent James Black ( 45.3 %) who had become after the resignation of Governor Stanley in May of the same year. This victory he owed partly to the fact that his opponent had to contend with allegations of corruption. On the other hand, the Republicans were nationwide in those years on the rise, as they were in opposition to President Woodrow Wilson and the League of Nations plans.

Governor of Kentucky

Morrow's four-year term began on December 9, 1919 and ended on 11 December 1923. During his tenure, the Ministry of Transport of the country was reorganized and adapted to the needs of increased traffic. In addition, a Welfare Committee ( Board of Charities ) was founded. The education system was expanded and a law against lynching was adopted. The governor took action against the machinations of the Ku Klux Klan to get this under control.

After the expiration of his term in December 1923 Morrow was a member of two railway committees of the Federal Government. In 1934 he applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Congress. He died suddenly in June 1935 of a heart attack. Edwin Morrow was married to Katherine Waddle. The couple had two children.