George Washington Hays

George Washington Hays (born September 23, 1863 in Camden , Arkansas , † September 15, 1927 in Little Rock , Arkansas) was an American politician and between 1913 and 1917 governor of Arkansas.

Early years and advancement

George Hays grew up on his parents' farm. He later studied law at Washington and Lee University in Virginia . Between 1900 and 1905 he was a judge in Ouachita County . From 1906 to 1913 he was a member of the 13th District Court. As a result of the resignation of Governor Joseph Taylor Robinson , who moved to the US Senate , special elections for the office of governor were held in the spring of 1913. George Hays managed to prevail against some internal party opponents. He was thus nominated as the top candidate of the Democratic Party .

Arkansas Governor

After his election victory, Hays was able to take up his new office on July 23, 1913. After a re-election in 1914, he remained in this position until January 9, 1917. During his tenure, the question of prohibition was the focus of public interest. On January 1, 1916, after heated discussions, the prohibition law came into force. Thereafter, the trade and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in Arkansas was banned. The expansion of the road network was also promoted during his tenure. A law against child labor was passed, but in practice it was often circumvented. Working hours for women have been reduced to nine hours and a maximum of six days per week. At that time, parliament gave women the right to independently sign contracts and own property. However, Hays was an opponent of women's suffrage . Otherwise, Governor Hays was not very willing to reform, which was in striking contrast to some other US states and the federal government under President Woodrow Wilson .

Another résumé

After the end of his tenure, George Hays worked again as a lawyer. He died of the flu in 1927 and was buried in Camden. Governor George Hays was married to Virginia Yarbrough, with whom he had two children.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Hays, George Washington
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Hays, George
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician, governor of Arkansas
DATE OF BIRTH	September 23, 1863
PLACE OF BIRTH	Camden , Arkansas
DATE OF DEATH	September 15, 1927
Place of death	Little Rock , Arkansas