James Kimble Vardaman: Southern Commoner

This Book is Conservatively Graded in Acceptable Condition. Ex-Library with the Usual Library Markings: Spine Label, Library Stamps on the Page Edges, and a Card Pocket and Various Library Stamps on the Interior. The Dust Jacket (protected by a Dust Jacket Protector) has Edgewear consisting of some Creasing to the Top Edge but No Tears, Stains, or Other Major Damage. The Hardcover Boards have some Bumping to the Corners and Tape/Tape Residue (not sticky) where the Dust Jacket Protector was Taped to the Boards but No Tears, Creases, Stains, or Other Major Damage. The Binding is Strong, Intact, and Undamaged. The Interior is Clean and Unmarked (other than the Library Markings) with No Writing, Highlighting, or Underlining to the Text and Occasional Light Soiling but No Tears, Creases, Stains, Mold, or Other Major Damage. The Page Edges have some Soiling but No Remainder Mark, Foxing, Stains, or Other Major Damage.

Book Description:

For more than a generation James Kimble Vardaman was one of Mississippi's most popular public figures. Because of strong support by the common folk, he could maintain an unusual independence from other politicians. Others sought to match Vardaman's place in the hearts of the poor whites in the Magnolia State but none succeeded. The "White Chief," as Vardaman was affectionately called, had little formal education. The strong ambition which was first nurtured at his mother's knee continued throughout his life. In early manhood, Vardaman became editor of a small town weekly paper. From this platform he became quite vocal on political issues and was elected a member of the state legislature. As Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives, he established a successful record. His first race for governorship was unsuccessful, but he was elected in 1903 to a single term as the state's chief executive.

Vardaman's progressive program may not have been as successful as that of several other contemporary governors, but he denounced the corporate interests, the selfish "fat cats," and those politicians controlled by corporations. He was just as vehement in his tirades against blacks, endeavoring to deny them all educational opportunities, social improvement, and political participation. Vardaman shrewdly and paradoxically combined regressive tactics against blacks with a substantial program of progressive legislation. He defeated Leroy Percy in the 1912 Senate election using those tactics. He served a single term in the Senate, supporting President Woodrow Wilson's "New Freedom" until William Jennings Bryan, a Vardaman favorite, resigned as Secretary of State in June 1915. Thereafter, loyalty to the President lessened and by 1917, Vardaman had joined the opposition. Because of opposition to World War I, he was defeated by Congressman Pat Harrison in 1918. All Vardaman's efforts to recoup his political fortunes failed.