Page Ten
THE STATE
March 14, 1936
GOVERNORS OF NORTH CAROLINA
- No. 56— JONATHAN WORTH -
- By W. J. Sadler -
SI!KYI\(* as Governor of IN'orfli
Carolina during Ihe Irving KtH'ou-
struclion days. Jonathan Worth had
no easy lasli. However, lie labored
vailianlly for the welfare of his slate
and its people until his removal
from office by military edict.
Governor Jona¬
than WORTH ns-
м
lined ihe office of
chief executive of North
Cnioliuu on Deccnd*?r 15,
1 Stir», some months after the
coiiclu-ioii of the War Be-
t Win in the States, ami at a
time when political ami
economic conditions in the
state were exceedingly chaotic.
Worth was elected to the governor¬
ship over W. W. Holden, appointed by
federal authorities to succmnI Governor
Zchtiloii B. Vance, who had boon re¬
moved from office and thrown into pris¬
on soon after t he end of the war. The
same experience was to befall Worth in
186$ when he, too, was to he deprived
of his position by military ollieitils be¬
fore the end of his second term but not
incarcerated.
Beaten For Congress
Governor Worth, a native of Guilford
County, was comparatively aged when
elected to the governorship. Born in
1#02,
lie was Oil years old when selected
for the offico. Previously he had nerved
a number . .f terms in the General As¬
sembly, and had aspired to a sent in
•he United States House of Represent¬
atives, hut was defeated for that po¬
rtion by General Alfred Dock cry. He
served twice in the North Carolina leg-
idature before reaching the age of
thirty.
Always interested in the cause of
education, Worth, while serving as a
stale legislator, was made chairman of
a committer which formulated legisla¬
tion resulting in the establishment of a
system of common schools in North
Carolina. He also served as a trustee
of the University of North Carolina for
twenty -eight years.
Amassed a Fortune
Worth began his legal career in Aslie-
boro. Historians relate that In* was not
a great orator, hut that he achieve* I
. . -- in his chosen field heCUUIte of a
pain-inking, methodical c h a r n e ter.
Worth amassed a considerable fortune,
and became the owner of a number of
large plantations.
At the time he was prevailed upon to
run for governor as a representative of
what is now the Democratic party in
North Carolina, Worth was serving as
treasurer of the state by virtue of his
appointment hv Governor Holden. Hi-
resigned from (hat olliee upon reaching
the decision to oppose Holdeu for re-
election, and was named to the guber-
natorial chair by a substantial majority.
Worth also had been state treasurer
during the early years of the Civil War.
Opposed to Secession
Prior to the outbreak of hostilities
between the North and the South. Worth
had been a vigorous opponent of seces¬
sion, hut when the war began he became
equally as vigorous in furthering the
cause of the Confederacy. He was active
in urging the enlistment of troops in
Randolph County and other sections,
of the state, ami showed his zeal for
his native Southland in many other
ways.
Governor Worth again was a candi¬
date of the Democrats for the gover¬
norship in I -Slit!, This time he was op¬
posed by General Dockery, who previ¬
ously had won from him in the Con¬
gressional election. However, Dockery
was less fortunate in his gubernatorial
aspirations, and Worth was re-elected
by a substantial majority, taking office
for the second time in December, 1SGG.
A Zealous Official
Historical account" of Worth’s tenure
of office indicate that he was a zealous
official, sincerely attempting to rule the
state in the best possible manner, as well
as attempting to eliminate
the bitterness which had
been the outgrowth of the
war. He was intensely de¬
sirous that North Carolina
resume her place in the
Union and again become an
integral part of tlm United
States.
Early in 1SG7, a few
of Worth’s second term, Congress
passed what were known as “recon¬
struction acts." One of the principal
effects of these statutes was the divid¬
ing of the Southern states into five
military districts, with the declaration
by federal authorities that no log“l
government would Ik? recognized in the
“rebel states."
Praised By General
This action naturally engendered a
great deal of ill feeling. North and
South Carolina comprised «he second
district, with General Canbv, an of¬
ficer of the United States army, in
charge. General Cnnby had the author¬
ity to remove the governor ami any
other officials he deemed unfit, hut the
General apparently possessed a deep ad¬
miration for Governor Worth. “lie has
a well of wisdom at the root of every
gray hair,” Canbv is quoted as having
said of Worth.
Holden Elected Governor
It was in 1SC7 that the Republican
party was formed in this state, and the
following year that organization nomi¬
nated 1 1 olden as it' choice for gover¬
nor. Worth refused lo accept a third
nomination from the Democrats, who
selected Thomas S. Ashe a" their can¬
didate. Ashe was badly beaten in the
election.
Worth was not permitted to servo his
entire term. Holden «-ailed the legisla¬
ture into session, and assumed office on
July 1, 1SGS, after Worth hud lieen
removed by federal officials.
Governor Worth lived only a little
more than a year after surrendering
the governorship, dying at “Sharon,"
his home ill Raleigh, oil September 5,
1869.
