Eurith D. Rivers
Encyclopedia
Eurith Dickenson Rivers (December 1, 1895– June 11, 1967) was an American
politician from Lanier County, Georgia
. He was the 68th Governor of Georgia from 1937 to 1941.
. His election as governor came after a stormy Democratic Primary
in 1936 in which the race served as a surrogate referendum on President Franklin D. Roosevelt
's New Deal
. Since Georgia
didn't allow three consecutive terms, Governor Eugene Talmadge
was not eligible for re-election. Talmadge, who strongly opposed the New Deal and had delayed its implementation in Georgia, ran for the U.S. Senate and backed Charles D. Redwine for governor. Rivers, who as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives
had strongly supported the New Deal, was his opponent, and won with about 60 percent of the vote (the same margin by which Talmadge lost his Senate race).
Rivers' first two-year term as governor saw Georgia pass the legislation required to bring New Deal programs into the state, and was widely acclaimed. Under Rivers's leadership, electrical services were expanded to rural areas of the state. Georgia moved from the lowest-ranked state to the top of the list ion the number of rural electrification associations. When he was in office, the State Bureau of Unemployment Compensation was created, allowing Georgians to receive unemployment benefits.
After Rivers's re-election in 1938, he ran into problems financing many of his improvement programs. Although the budge was reduced by 25 percent, he was able to convince the legislature to create the Georgia Housing Authority and obtain federal funds to build public housing. During River's second term, there were political scandals and charges of corruption. Many of Rivers's appointees and staff members were charged with corrupt practices, and the charges reflected poorly on the governor.
Rivers died at Lakeland, Georgia
in 1967 and is buried in the City Cemetery there.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from Lanier County, Georgia
Lanier County, Georgia
Lanier County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2009, the population was 8,423. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 7,847. The county seat is Lakeland. Lakeland is Lanier County's only incorporated...
. He was the 68th Governor of Georgia from 1937 to 1941.
Life and career
Rivers obtained a degree through La Salle Extension UniversityLa Salle Extension University
La Salle Extension University , also styled as LaSalle Extension University, was a nationally accredited private university based in Chicago, Illinois. Although the school offered resident educational programs in classes and seminars their primary mode of delivery was by way of distance learning...
. His election as governor came after a stormy Democratic Primary
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....
in 1936 in which the race served as a surrogate referendum on President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's New Deal
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
. Since Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
didn't allow three consecutive terms, Governor Eugene Talmadge
Eugene Talmadge
Eugene Talmadge was a Democratic politician who served two terms as the 67th Governor of Georgia from 1933 to 1937, and a third term from 1941 to 1943. Elected to a fourth term in 1946, he died before taking office...
was not eligible for re-election. Talmadge, who strongly opposed the New Deal and had delayed its implementation in Georgia, ran for the U.S. Senate and backed Charles D. Redwine for governor. Rivers, who as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
had strongly supported the New Deal, was his opponent, and won with about 60 percent of the vote (the same margin by which Talmadge lost his Senate race).
Rivers' first two-year term as governor saw Georgia pass the legislation required to bring New Deal programs into the state, and was widely acclaimed. Under Rivers's leadership, electrical services were expanded to rural areas of the state. Georgia moved from the lowest-ranked state to the top of the list ion the number of rural electrification associations. When he was in office, the State Bureau of Unemployment Compensation was created, allowing Georgians to receive unemployment benefits.
After Rivers's re-election in 1938, he ran into problems financing many of his improvement programs. Although the budge was reduced by 25 percent, he was able to convince the legislature to create the Georgia Housing Authority and obtain federal funds to build public housing. During River's second term, there were political scandals and charges of corruption. Many of Rivers's appointees and staff members were charged with corrupt practices, and the charges reflected poorly on the governor.
Rivers died at Lakeland, Georgia
Lakeland, Georgia
Lakeland is a city in Lanier County, Georgia, United States. The city is the county seat of Lanier County. It is part of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,730 at the 2000 census....
in 1967 and is buried in the City Cemetery there.