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Table of Contents
| Descriptive Summary |
| Collection Description |
| Administrative Information |
| Related Materials and Subjects |
| Series Descriptions and Folder Listing |
| I. Subject files 1891-1929 |
| II. Chronological Files 1898-1930 |
| A. 1898-1920 |
| B. Election of 1920 |
| C. 1921-1930 |
| III. Printed Materials 1890-1927 |
| IV. Letter Books 1879-1921 |
| V. Clippings 1870-1928 |
| VI. Administrative 1883-1895 |
| VII. Photographs 1922, 1926-1927, 1929 |
Hoke Smith Papers
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Hoke Smith Papers | |
| Creator: Smith, Hoke, 1855-1931. | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1879-1931 | |
| Language: English | |
| Extent: 139 box(es) (67.5 linear feet) | |
| Collection Number: RBRL/103/HS | |
| Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies | |
| Abstract: The collection consists of personal and political papers of Hoke Smith, lawyer, politician, U.S. Senator, from 1879-1931. Includes subject files (1892-1930), correspondence, (1898-1930), letterbooks (1879-1921), newsclippings (1890-1928), ledgers, and printed materials. The records document his legal career as well as some of his political activities. Documentation of the Georgia genbernatorial election of 1926, the Tacna Arica Dispute, War Risk insurance, his senate campaign in 1920, concerns regarding the Cherokee Indians, railroads, and African-American appointments are represented. | |
Collection Description
Biographical Note
Born on September 2, 1855, in Newton, North Carolina, Hoke Smith played an important role in Georgia politics that spanned both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Smith became a resident of Georgia in 1872 when he moved from North Carolina with his parents, Hildreth and Mary Brent Smith. After being tutored by his father, Smith passed the bar in 1873 and began his own law practice. During the 1880's, he made a name for himself as a personal damage lawyer, specifically in cases dealing with railroad accidents. This opposition to the railroads would continue throughout his political career. Smith's early political career was spent serving as the chairman of both the Fulton County Democratic Convention and the State Democratic Convention, as well as the President of the Atlanta Board of Education. He also campaigned for the capitol to be located in Atlanta. In 1887, Smith purchased the Atlanta Evening Journal and set about transforming it into one of the state's largest newspapers, as well as a political tool from which he would benefit throughout his career.
During the Agrarian Uprising of the 1880's and 1890's, Smith became a champion of the farmer who supported his stance against railroad monopolies as well as his belief in the need for tariff reform. It was this stand on tariffs, along with his role in Georgia politics and his efforts in the 1872 presidential campaign that brought Smith to the attention of the newly elected President, Grover Cleveland. Impressed by the Georgian's support, Cleveland appointed Smith as Secretary of the Interior. In this capacity, he continued his fight against railroad monopolies and attempted to direct capital to the South for new industries, agricultural progress, and improved education. Eventually, however, he broke with Cleveland over his support of Bryan over the administrations sound money policy. Smith, therefore, resigned his Cabinet post and retired back into private practice. He did not remain silent for long, however.
In 1905 and 1906, Hoke Smith ran for Governor after allying himself with the former Populist Tom Watson. Up until this time, Smith had been moderate on racial issues, but soon reversed his platform to include black disenfranchisement. Other aspects of his platform included railroad reform, as well as an end to political corruption and corporate domination. Once elected, Smith achieved black disenfranchisement through literacy and property requirements. He also strengthened the Railroad Commission in order to weaken the powerful railroads. While in office, Smith accomplished the passage of the Primary Regulatory Act, which sought to end corruption by freeing the state from political machines. Along with these campaign promises, Governor Smith also achieved many other reforms. He abolished the convict lease system and improved Georgia's penal institutions. He also established juvenile courts and worked to improve child labor conditions. Smith, then, earned the label of a reform governor on all issues, except race.
After making political enemies of both Tom Watson and Little Joe Brown, however, he failed to win re-election for the next term, losing the office to Joseph M. Brown. Once again Hoke Smith's political career was far from over. He was re-elected as Governor in 1910 but resigned in 1911 after the Georgia General Assembly elected him to finish the unexpired term of U.S. Senator Alexander S. Clay. He was later re-elected to the Senate in 1914 after defeating his former opponent, Joseph M. Brown. During Smith's career in the Senate, he was instrumental in the passage of both the Smith-Lever Bill, establishing extension services for land grant colleges, and the Smith-Hughes Bill, providing for vocational education programs in secondary schools. He also worked to create a federal department of education and to gain federal support for rural schools.
In 1920, Hoke Smith's political career ended in defeat by his former political ally, Tom Watson. Once again, Smith returned to private practice, this time in Washington, D.C. By 1925, however, he was back in Atlanta and remained there until his death. On December 19, 1883, Smith married Marion "Birdie" Cobb. The couple had five children before Mrs. Smith's death on June 7, 1919. Smith later remarried in August 1924. His second wife was his secretary, Mazie Crawford. He remained married until his death on November 27, 1931.
Scope and Content
The papers of Hoke Smith mainly document his legal career, as well as some of his political activities. Documentation of the gubernatorial election of 1926, the Tacna Arica Dispute, War Risk insurance, his senate campaign in 1920, concerns regarding the Cherokee, railroads, and African American appointments are represented.
Originally the collection was donated to Special Collections, University of Georgia Libraries, in 1937 and again in 1958. In 1982, the collection was transferred to the Richard B. Russell Library. Materials cover Smith's last years in the Senate and ten years following his retirement from politics in 1921. Unfortunately, the bulk of Smith's papers were destroyed soon after his death. However, there is a broad documentation of his life outside the Senate. Of particular note are letter and clipping books from 1870-1928 that document legal cases, political appointments, and the Presidential Primary of 1920. Types of materials in these papers include correspondence, speeches, letter books, newspaper clippings, printed materials, legal documents, scrapbooks, and maps.
Organization and Arrangement
The papers are organized into six series: I. Subject Files, II. Chronological Files, III. Printed Materials, IV. Letter Books, V. Clippings, VI. Administrative, and VII. Photographs. Arrangement is chronological and alphabetical.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Hoke Smith Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.
Processing Notes
Newspaper clippings and thermofax papers have been copied onto bond paper for preservation. Fragile documents have been placed in a mylar sleeves. Photographs have been separated from the rest of the collection.
User Restrictions
Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.
Copyright Information
Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.
Finding Aid Publication
Finding aid prepared on: 2000.
Related Materials and Subjects
Subject Terms
Related Collections in this Repository
Richard B. Russell, Sr. Papers
Related Collections in Other Repositories
Hoke Smith Papers, E. Merton Coulter Manuscript Collection II, Hargrett Library, UGA
Lucy Cobb Institute Collection, Hargrett Library, UGA
Hoke Smith Letters Received, 1893-1895 (microfilm), Brigham Young University Archives
Thomas E. Watson Papers, Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina