Emmet O'Neal

Emmet O'Neal ( born September 23, 1853 in Florence, Alabama, † September 7, 1922 ) was an American politician and Governor of the State of Alabama. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early years and political rise

Emmet O'Neal was the son of Edward A. O'Neal, who held the governorship in Alabama 1882-1886. He attended the public schools in Florence and graduated in 1873 from the University of Alabama. He then studied law under the tutelage of his father, was admitted to the bar in 1875 and went with his father into a partnership until it was elected governor. Afterwards, O'Neal decided in 1880 to go into politics when he was elected to the State Democratic Executive Committee. He was in many capacities before being elected governor operates, including as a presidential elector in 1884 and 1892, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1901, and Alabama Attorney General 1893-1897.

Governor of Alabama

On November 8, 1910, O'Neal was elected with 80.2 percent of the vote against Republican Joseph O. Thompson for Governor of Alabama, and sworn in on January 17, 1911. During his tenure, a country school library system was inaugurated, repealed the prohibition and adopt a regional Spirituosenvorkaufsrecht. The Oyster Commission and the State Highway Department was created. Laws for the protection of mine workers and child labor were improved. In addition, O'Neal was the first Head of State (Chief Executive), which referred to the new gubernatorial residence. His term was paralyzed by a embezzlement scandal within his government. O'Neal left on January 18, 1915 from his position and was appointed as an expert in insolvency cases. On September 7, 1922, he died in Florence. He was married to Lizzie Kirkman and they had three children together.