| Summary |
The purpose of this study is to examine the North Carolina Democratic gubernatorial primary of 1932 from the viewpoint of Richard Tillman Fountain, one of the candidates. His personal papers and newspaper accounts of the election indicated that Fountain hoped to become Governor of North Carolina by impugning the 0. Max Gardner administration. Fountain was born in Edgecombe County on February 15, 1885. After graduation from the University of North Carolina with a law degree, he became an attorney in Rocky Mount. He entered the Democratic primary for North Carolina House of Representatives in 1918, was elected, and served in the legislatures of 1919, 1921, 1923, and 1925. In 1927 he was elected Speaker of the House. His primary achievement as a legislator was the creation of the Eastern Carolina Industrial Training School for Boys in Rocky Mount. In 1928 he won nomination as Lieutenant Governor in a field of three candidates. His next goal was to be elected governor. Fountain began his campaign during the legislative session of 1929 by undermining the influence of Governor 0. Max Gardner in the Senate, over which he presided. During the next legislature, Fountain adamantly attacked, the Gardner depression policies. Governor Gardner had set a goal of economy and efficiency in government operations because the national depression was severely limiting tax revenue and other income for the state. The governor believed efficiency could be achieved by combining state boards and agencies, by allowing the state to take over or support some county functions, and by spending more wisely. Fountain feared that centralizing power would reduce the rights of the people to choose their elected officials and to make decisions in government. The gubernatorial campaign of 1932 was vigorous and bitter. John C. B. Ehringhaus, Allen J. Maxwell, and Fountain sought the Democratic nomination. Ehringhaus from Elizabeth City had the tacit approval of Governor Gardner and the support of the Democratic establishment. He received campaign contributions from the large business interests in North Carolina such as utility and tobacco corporations. Many of the urban newspapers endorsed his candidacy and. expressed editorially their agreement with the continuation of Gardner programs. Maxwell, as Commissioner of Revenue, entered the primary with the mistaken notion that he had the support of the governor. He campaigned on a program of retrenchment. He urged the voters to support a reduction of public spending and a decrease in state services. Fountain, on the other hand, campaigned primarily against -the Gardner centralization policies and the Democratic establishment. He opposed Gardner efforts to obtain a short ballot because it would deny the voters the opportunity to elect some of their officials. He opposed the Gardner ideas of consolidating government agencies because he felt it gave the new organizations too much power. He characterized himself as the "People's Candidate" and actively sought the votes of those hurt economically by the depression. Fountain had almost no support from state newspapers or monied interests. His campaign was hampered by poor organization and by lack of funds. However, when the primary votes were counted, Fountain had run second in the field to Ehringhaus. He requested a second election which he lost by thirteen thousand votes. Nevertheless, Fountain had overcome substantial handicaps to run as well as he did. He proved to North Caroline Democrats that it was possible to attack the incumbent establishment and win votes. Likewise, he demonstrated that a man could still campaign with limited funds and media coverage. |
