“The Byrd Organization in Virginia Politics” William G. Thomas, III HIST 604: Civil Rights in...

“The Byrd Organization in Virginia Politics”

William G. Thomas, IIIHIST 604: Civil Rights in U.S. and Virginia History

A Conversation with Ronald Heinemann

Byrd Organization in Virginia Politics

“The ends are different and the ways and means of payment are different. As respects a private debt, the person who makes the debt expects, and is expected, to pay the debt. In respect to a public debt, the government makes the promise, and the people, or the taxpayers, perform the promise. A private debtor enters into the promise voluntarily, upon his own motion, and for his own interest. The government creates the public debt, and those who must pay are compelled to pay whether they would have entered into that promise or not. The obligations of a private debt rest upon those who made it and may, or may not be, secured. A public debt is a universal mortgage. It is a first lien on every acre of land, on every house and home, on every piece of property, on every service that is rendered, on every transaction that is made. “

Byrd’s Response to a public letter written by Mariner Eccles, Harry Byrd of Virginia, Ronald L. Heinemann


“For thirty years I have been in public life, and I have fought for certain definite principles. Virginia owes me nothing, but I owe a great deal to Virginia. A fourth term nomination now confronts me with the question as to whether I mustabandon these principles and vote a so-called Democratic ticket, which is, in fact,completely foreign to the true principles of democracy, or whether I should standon the principles I have advocated all these years. What I am more concernedabout than anything else is conducting myself so that I will not injure those who are associated with me and the Democratic organization. As you know, all of mypolitical life I have taken great pride in our Democratic organization in Virginia, so whatever course I may feel impelled to take, I want to do it in such a way that the least possible injury will be done to this organization, which I think has had a very wholesome and beneficial influence in Virginia for many years.”

Harry Byrd of Virginia, pg. 243, Ronald L. Heinemann


As Governor of Virginia, and as a Senator from Virginia, not one word has ever passed my lips which could be used to enflame any prejudice between theraces. I deplore such action on the part of any public man! As Governor, and as Senator, my office door has always been open to every citizen of Virginia,regardless of race, creed or color. As a public official, I have never failed to do all within my power to advance the proper interests of the Negro citizens ofVirginia.... I have seen, with gratification and approval, the steady improvementin the economic condition of the Negroes of Virginia and throughout the South.I want to see this progress continue.... Our racial problems-and I admit there are many-must be worked out by constitutional methods and by the calm and considered action of the leaders of both races.

Harry Byrd of Virginia, pg. 256, Ronald L. Heinemann


What can you tell us about Harry Byrd’s Youth, Education, and family?

What influences might have shaped Byrd's approach to fiscal policy?


What issues did he run on to get elected in 1926?

And what was the opposition to his candidacy within the Democratic Party and from the Republicans? Who were his political mentors in these early years as a candidate?


What kinds of reforms did Byrd initiate in these years as governor?

He has been referred to by Dewey Grantham and other Southern historians as an example of southern "business progressivism.” What does this mean?


What was Byrd's position in these years on black rights and segregation?

How did the so-called Byrd Organization get its start and what allowed it to perpetuate itself?


How did Virginia weather the Depression?

What would Byrd have seen in Virginia in the early1930s and what did he think of these events, especiallyfor example the Danville Mills strike?


What was Byrd's reaction to the Depression and to Roosevelt's New Deal as a solution to it?

At what point did Byrd break with FDR on the New Dealand why? What were the implications of this break for New Deal funding and policies in Virginia?


Senator Byrd and his Virginia colleague Senator Carter Glass were 2 of the just 6 Senators to vote against theSocial Security Act in 1935. Why?

Why did they oppose this measure and stand with sucha minority position?


How could Virginia support both Byrd and Roosevelt?

Why was Byrd so supportive of American internationalism?


In 1949, V. O. Key published his classic book, Southern Politics. He called Virginia politics "anachronistic," a "museum piece," and disdainfully wrote of Virginia's leaders--Byrd and his organization--"men with the minds of tradesmen do not become statesmen.”

What would lead Key to characterize Virginia's politics this way? And what of statesmanship--was there any in the Byrd Organization?


To what extent was the Byrd Organization weakening after 1945? And why?

What can you tell us about the strength of the ByrdOrganization after 1945?


What explains the Byrd Organization's failure to adjust to the changing legal climate in the 1950s?


What marks the end of the "Byrd Organization" era in Virginia politics?


How would you characterize his Senate careerafter the demise of massive resistance in Virginia in 1959?

“The Byrd Organization in Virginia Politics” William G. Thomas, III HIST 604: Civil Rights in...

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