Barnwell Ring
Encyclopedia
The so-called "Barnwell Ring" was a grouping of influential Democratic
South Carolina
political leaders from Barnwell County
. The group included state Senator
Edgar A. Brown, state Representative
Solomon Blatt, Sr.
, Governor
Joseph Emile Harley
, and state Representative Winchester Smith, Jr. Together, the four occupied the most powerful positions of South Carolina government in 1941.
invented the term "Barnwell Ring" during his run for governor in 1946
. He campaigned on a progressive platform which put him squarely at odds with the conservative legislators of the Barnwell Ring. They threw their support to James C. McLeod of Florence
and they used every device at their disposal to prevent a victory by Thurmond in the Democratic primary election
. For instance, when the gubernatorial candidates stumped at Barnwell, Winchester Smith paid candidate Roger Scott $50 to raise Cain about the "Barnwell Ring" in order to lessen the impact of Thurmond's speech against the ring.
The ring arose in the late 1930s and lasted into the 1970s. State Senator Edgar A. Brown
and state Representative Solomon Blatt
were the chief principals of the ring. Brown was the president pro tempore
and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee from 1942 to 1972. Blatt was the speaker of the house
from 1937 to 1946 and 1951 to 1973. Both men denied the existence of the ring until 1963 when Brown exclaimed "Long live the Barnwell Ring" at a dinner to honor Blatt.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
political leaders from Barnwell County
Barnwell County, South Carolina
-History:The Barnwell District was created in 1798 from the southwestern portion of the Orangeburg District, along the Savannah River...
. The group included state Senator
South Carolina Senate
The South Carolina Senate is the upper house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the lower house being the South Carolina House of Representatives...
Edgar A. Brown, state Representative
South Carolina House of Representatives
The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the upper house being the South Carolina Senate. It consists of 124 Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time as US Congressional elections...
Solomon Blatt, Sr.
Solomon Blatt, Sr.
Solomon Blatt was a long time Democratic legislator of South Carolina from Barnwell County during the middle of the 20th century. He was a principal member of the so-called "Barnwell Ring."-Early life and career:...
, Governor
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
Joseph Emile Harley
Joseph Emile Harley
Joseph Emile Harley was the 100th Governor of South Carolina from 1941 to 1942 and a member of the "Barnwell Ring."-Early life and education:Harley was born September 14, 1880 in Williston, South Carolina....
, and state Representative Winchester Smith, Jr. Together, the four occupied the most powerful positions of South Carolina government in 1941.
Origins
Strom ThurmondStrom Thurmond
James Strom Thurmond was an American politician who served as a United States Senator. He also ran for the Presidency of the United States in 1948 as the segregationist States Rights Democratic Party candidate, receiving 2.4% of the popular vote and 39 electoral votes...
invented the term "Barnwell Ring" during his run for governor in 1946
South Carolina gubernatorial election, 1946
The 1946 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1946 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. Strom Thurmond won the contested Democratic primary and ran unopposed in the general election becoming the 103rd governor of South Carolina.-Democratic primary:The...
. He campaigned on a progressive platform which put him squarely at odds with the conservative legislators of the Barnwell Ring. They threw their support to James C. McLeod of Florence
Florence, South Carolina
-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
and they used every device at their disposal to prevent a victory by Thurmond in the Democratic primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
. For instance, when the gubernatorial candidates stumped at Barnwell, Winchester Smith paid candidate Roger Scott $50 to raise Cain about the "Barnwell Ring" in order to lessen the impact of Thurmond's speech against the ring.
The ring arose in the late 1930s and lasted into the 1970s. State Senator Edgar A. Brown
Edgar Allan Brown
Edgar Allan Brown was a long time Democratic legislator of South Carolina from Barnwell County who served South Carolina from 1922-1972. He was a principal member of the so-called "Barnwell Ring".-Early life and career:...
and state Representative Solomon Blatt
Solomon Blatt, Sr.
Solomon Blatt was a long time Democratic legislator of South Carolina from Barnwell County during the middle of the 20th century. He was a principal member of the so-called "Barnwell Ring."-Early life and career:...
were the chief principals of the ring. Brown was the president pro tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee from 1942 to 1972. Blatt was the speaker of the house
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
from 1937 to 1946 and 1951 to 1973. Both men denied the existence of the ring until 1963 when Brown exclaimed "Long live the Barnwell Ring" at a dinner to honor Blatt.