Record #:

8577

Author(s):

Albright, R. Mayne

Abstract:

Both the success and criticism of the “Simmons Machine,” headed by Furnifold McLendel Simmons, stemmed largely from the fact that it announced its gubernatorial candidates over four or eight years in advance of the election. This created a momentum and continuity against which opponents had little recourse. Another reason for the machine's success was that it could offer well-qualified candidates for governor from within its own ranks. It also engaged in red-shirting, a practice where horsemen in red shirts prevented African-Americans from voting, and falsifying absentee ballots. It wasn't until 1930, when Simmons lost re-election for a sixth US Senate term, that the machine stopped being a political threat.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 50 Issue 7, Dec 1982, p17-20, 28, il, por

Subject(s):

North Carolina--Politics and government--1865-1950; Simmons, Furnifold M. (Furnifold McLendel), 1854-1940