Flem D. Sampson

Flem Davis Sampson (born January 25, 1875 in Laurel County , Kentucky , † May 25, 1967 in Pewee Valley , Kentucky) was an American politician and governor of the state of Kentucky.

Early years

Flem Sampson graduated from Union College and Valparaiso University . He then began a legal career as a lawyer for the city of Barbourville . Between 1905 and 1924 he was a judge in various districts of the country. From 1923 he was even Chief Justice of Kentucky.

Kentucky governor

Sampson was a member of the Republican Party , which nominated him as a candidate for gubernatorial elections in 1927. At the same time, the Democratic Party was internally divided over issues such as the sale of alcoholic beverages and the pros and cons of horse racing. Your candidate was the former governor JCW Beckham , who opposed the betting business and for the maintenance of the alcohol ban. Many Democrats could not follow him and voted for Sampson, who advocated legal horse betting. Sampson then won the election with 52.1% of the vote. Beckham came up with a share of 47.9%.

Sampson's tenure began on December 13, 1927 and ended on December 8, 1931. During this time, the so-called Progress Commission was established, from which the country's Department of Commerce emerged . In addition, the governor campaigned for the further expansion of the road network. The second part of his term of office was overshadowed by the global economic crisis . Sampson tried to keep government spending under control. As a result of the crisis, however, there were isolated riots. So he had to use the National Guard in 1931 during labor unrest in Harlan County . In connection with his initiative for free school books, he was accused of bribery, which could never be proven.

Old age and death

After leaving the office of governor, he worked as a lawyer in Barbourville. At the age of 91 he was still a member of a commission for the revision of the Kentucky Constitution. Sampson died shortly afterwards. He was married to Susie Steele, with whom he had three children.

Web links

• Flem Sampson at the National Governors Association (English)
• Flem D. Sampson in the database of Find a Grave (English)