THE STATE
February 8, 1936
GOVERNORS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No.- 51 THOMAS BRAGG
- By W. J. Sadler —
THOMAS
И К
A G G,
described a* n man
..f ‘Vulture, learning,
great intellect and integrity
of character,” become Gov-
ernor of North Carolina
on January 1, 1855, fol¬
lowing bis election ns the
aftennnth of a vigorous
campaign in which be was
opposed by the Whig can¬
didate, Alfred Dockery.
Bragg, a Democrat, was a native of
Cumberland County, but at the time
«•f his elevation to the gubernatorial
office, was residing in Warren County,
where ho had achieved quite a repu¬
tation as a lawyer of the very high¬
est caliber and attainments,
A Famous Family
Although Bragg’s parents had not
climbed very high in the social life of
tlie community in which they resided,
they managed to give their children an
education, and were later repaid by
seeing those children climb rapidly in
the profrsMons which they chose for
themselves. One of Thomas Bragg’s
brothers was the famous Confederate
military leader, General Braxton
Bragg, and several other brothers at¬
tained corresponding successes.
The campaign from which Bragg
had emerged victorious over Dockery
had been 000 of intense fervor, with
partisans of both candidates working
hard for their respective cause*. Al¬
though Bragg won, his majority of
only 2,000 votes was not impressive.
However, the Democrats hold major¬
ities in both the lower and upper
houses of the General Assembly,
»"
his
task was to lie easier than if the Whigs
had dominated the legislature.
Historians accord Bragg a high
place in the public life of the state.
It is staled that In* two administra¬
tions were considered among the best in
Vorth Carolina's history. He brought
to the office a highly trained legal
mind, and intellectual attainments
which were great aids to him in gov¬
erning the state during a critical pe¬
riod in it* historv.
THOMAS KHUHi .served two terms
as Governor of North Carolina dur¬
ing a rather lieetie |M*riod In this
state's history. llou«kver. he ap¬
parently acquitted himself admir¬
ably. and historians reeogni/.e his
administrations as among the most
successful North Carolina has ever
know n.
A year or two prior to the time
Bragg lir«t assumed oflice, there luid
been published n book. "Cncle Tom's
Cabin,” which swept the nation by
storm. This publication, Mievcd by
many opponents of slavery to depict
true condition* existing among slaves
• in Southern plantations, created a
great furore throughout the country,
and is believed by many to have re¬
sulted in the earlier precipitation of
the War Between the Stales. This
gigantic conflict was to see its login¬
ning. however, more than two years
after Bragg relinquish.*! tbr Gover¬
norship on January 1,
185!».
Slavery Issue Paramount
The slavery issue apparently wn*
Bragg’s chief concern during his first
term, and it is recorded that he did
much to placate other prominent men
of the day who hotheaded ly were ad¬
vocating secession from the I'nion. On
on. occasion, the Governor- of South
Carolina and Virginia journeyed to
Raleigh for n conference with Bragg
concerning the growing seriousness of
the situation, and Bragg’s calm coun¬
sel prevented hi* fellow chief execu¬
tives from taking any rash action.
Bragg again was renominated for
Governor by the Democrats in ISM.
This time bis opponent, selected by
the Whigs, was John A. Gilmer.
Bragg had better luck in his campaign
against Gilmer, winning the election
by a majority of 12.530. It was the
first time that more than 100,000 vote*
had been cast in a political election in
North Carolina. Again lie was fortu¬
nate in having majorities in the House
and Senate.
In his initial message to
the first legislature meet¬
ing after his second inaug¬
uration, Governor Bragg's
message breathed a spirit
of optimism. JIo told the
legislators that there had
Ix-en “general improvement
and prosperity.” He re¬
ported that the public
schools of the state were in
tine condition, with an enrollment of
more than 130,000 children, and that,
in addition, more than 10,000 students
were registered at llm various acade¬
mies and colleges of North Carolina.
This assembly appropriates! the sum
of $271,000 for the puhlir schools.
That indeed is n small sum compared
with the $22,000,000 the schools now
are receiving each year.
Governor Bragg also said that the
asylum for the insane had proved a
boon, citing the fact that it. was car¬
ing for a larger number of mentally
deficient persons, and that "several
have been restored to reason and dis¬
charged."
Transportation facilities also were
greatly improved during Governor
Bragg’s administrations, with several
hundred additional miles of railroads
opened for operations, as well as the
clearing for navigation of a number
of rivers of the state. Considerable
attention also was lieing paid to pro¬
viding In-Iter roads and highways in
various sections of the state.
Elected to Senate
Governor Bragg retire! from office
on January 1, 1859, after serving in
a commendable manner for four years.
A month or two before his retirement
from the gubernatorial office, he was
elected a I’nitcd States Senator by the
legislature, succeeding D. S. Reid. He
later U'cnnic Attorney-General of the
Confederate State*, but held that office
only a short time. It was Bragg who
represented the state of North Caro¬
lina in impend . lit proceedings
brought a number of years later
against Governor W. W. Holden, who
was removed from office.
