William C. Marland
Encyclopedia
William Casey Marland (March 26, 1918–November 26, 1965), a Democrat
, was the 24th Governor of West Virginia from 1953 to 1957. He is best known for his early attempts to tax companies that depleted the state's natural resources, especially coal, as well as overseeing the generally non-violent implementation of school desegregation, during an era when other Southern governors opposed it.
Son of a mining boss, he was born in Johnston City, Illinois
on March 26, 1918. His family moved to a tiny coal mining
community in Wyoming County, West Virginia
when he was seven. During World War II
, he served as a Navy
lieutenant in the Pacific theater, completing four tours. He attended the University of Alabama
, where he was a star football player, and received a law degree from West Virginia University
.
in 1948, he was selected to run for governor in 1952. Aged thirty-five at inauguration, he was the state's youngest governor until that time.
In his inaugural address he stated that he intended to streamline the state's government, with the ultimate goal of modernizing and improving its roads, industrial base, and educational system. With this end in mind, he began his term with a bold move to enact a severance tax on coal
, but the measure was overwhelmingly rebuffed by a state legislature controlled by mining interests.
Immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court passed Brown vs. Board of Education, Marland told the press he intended to do “whatever is right and proper under the Supreme Court’s decree.” Noting that the "broad change in policy" would present "problems," he said he thought "the people of West Virginia (would) accept the decision" At a meeting of Southern governors, he was the sole supporter of desegregation.
A bright spot in his difficult administration occurred in October, 1956. Sharing the same interests in what would today be called "human rights issues," Former First Lady
Eleanor Roosevelt
spent several days in West Virginia, visiting mine workers and spending several nights at the Governor's Mansion.
Because of his support for reform measures and his firings of many patronage
employees, Marland lost favor with the state's political establishment. The subsequent election of Cecil H. Underwood
, the first Republican
governor to serve the state in twenty-six years, is linked by several state historians to the unpopularity of many of Marland's efforts. The former governor ran in a special election for the United States Senate
seat vacated by the death of Harley M. Kilgore
. He lost to Republican W. Chapman Revercomb, and lost a second bid for another open Senate seat in 1958.
Following the upheavals of the 1960s and the new interest in environmentalism, Marland's seemingly radical approach ultimately became public policy. Lawrence M. Salinger, in a discussion of Marland and the historical background of the era, points out that the governor was fighting the absentee ownership of deeply entrenched corporations. Between 1883 and 1969, 21,311 miners died on the job. Not even the reforms of the New Deal
, or the organization of the United Mine Workers
could break the industry's grip on the legislature. But long after his death, the approach was implemented in the form of a tax of 5% or less on extractive industry, and the creation, in 1977, of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), the first time federal regulations were imposed on the industry.
. Accusations that he drank heavily in office or at inappropriate times during the day have been made by Underwood.
After his second Senate loss, Marland worked as an attorney, eventually relocating to the Chicago
area.
In the early 1960s, the ex-governor gave up drinking. But it was not his fate to live out his life as a private individual. A few years after his recovery, he was recognized by a Chicago Sun-Times
reporter. Marland indicated that he was working as a taxi
driver, and a subsequent article was released to wire service
s on April 13, 1965. The story received great attention in West Virginia and nationally.
Knowing that the story was about to break and concerned about damage to his family, he called a press conference and spoke candidly about his alcoholism, how he overcame it, and his reasons for driving a taxi: to hold in check a level of ambition that may have contributed to his drinking.
His fortunes dramatically changed for the better. He was soon invited to appear on Jack Paar
's television talk show, and was hired to run a West Virginia horse racing
concern.
But shortly thereafter, he was struck down by pancreatic cancer
. He died of the disease in his Barrington, Illinois
home, attended by his wife, children, other relatives, and family friends, on November 26, 1965. His widow, Valerie Allen Marland
, followed him in death in 1977.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, was the 24th Governor of West Virginia from 1953 to 1957. He is best known for his early attempts to tax companies that depleted the state's natural resources, especially coal, as well as overseeing the generally non-violent implementation of school desegregation, during an era when other Southern governors opposed it.
Son of a mining boss, he was born in Johnston City, Illinois
Johnston City, Illinois
Johnston City is a city in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,557 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Johnston City is located at ....
on March 26, 1918. His family moved to a tiny coal mining
Coal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
community in Wyoming County, West Virginia
Wyoming County, West Virginia
Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,796. Its county seat is Pineville. Wyoming County was created in 1850 from Logan County and named for the Delaware Indian word meaning "large plains."-Geography:According to the U.S...
when he was seven. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served as a Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
lieutenant in the Pacific theater, completing four tours. He attended the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, where he was a star football player, and received a law degree from West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
.
Term as West Virginia Attorney General and as Governor
After winning election as the state's Attorney GeneralAttorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
in 1948, he was selected to run for governor in 1952. Aged thirty-five at inauguration, he was the state's youngest governor until that time.
In his inaugural address he stated that he intended to streamline the state's government, with the ultimate goal of modernizing and improving its roads, industrial base, and educational system. With this end in mind, he began his term with a bold move to enact a severance tax on coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
, but the measure was overwhelmingly rebuffed by a state legislature controlled by mining interests.
Immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court passed Brown vs. Board of Education, Marland told the press he intended to do “whatever is right and proper under the Supreme Court’s decree.” Noting that the "broad change in policy" would present "problems," he said he thought "the people of West Virginia (would) accept the decision" At a meeting of Southern governors, he was the sole supporter of desegregation.
A bright spot in his difficult administration occurred in October, 1956. Sharing the same interests in what would today be called "human rights issues," Former First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
spent several days in West Virginia, visiting mine workers and spending several nights at the Governor's Mansion.
Because of his support for reform measures and his firings of many patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
employees, Marland lost favor with the state's political establishment. The subsequent election of Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil Harland Underwood was an American Republican Party politician from West Virginia, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise...
, the first Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
governor to serve the state in twenty-six years, is linked by several state historians to the unpopularity of many of Marland's efforts. The former governor ran in a special election for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seat vacated by the death of Harley M. Kilgore
Harley M. Kilgore
Harley Martin Kilgore was a United States Senator from West Virginia.Born in Brown, West Virginia, he attended the public schools and graduated from the law department of West Virginia University at Morgantown in 1914 and was admitted to the bar the same year.He taught school in Hancock, West...
. He lost to Republican W. Chapman Revercomb, and lost a second bid for another open Senate seat in 1958.
Following the upheavals of the 1960s and the new interest in environmentalism, Marland's seemingly radical approach ultimately became public policy. Lawrence M. Salinger, in a discussion of Marland and the historical background of the era, points out that the governor was fighting the absentee ownership of deeply entrenched corporations. Between 1883 and 1969, 21,311 miners died on the job. Not even the reforms of the 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...
, or the organization of the United Mine Workers
United Mine Workers
The United Mine Workers of America is a North American labor union best known for representing coal miners and coal technicians. Today, the Union also represents health care workers, truck drivers, manufacturing workers and public employees in the United States and Canada...
could break the industry's grip on the legislature. But long after his death, the approach was implemented in the form of a tax of 5% or less on extractive industry, and the creation, in 1977, of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), the first time federal regulations were imposed on the industry.
Later years
The pressures on Marland may have contributed to the development of alcoholismAlcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
. Accusations that he drank heavily in office or at inappropriate times during the day have been made by Underwood.
After his second Senate loss, Marland worked as an attorney, eventually relocating to the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
area.
In the early 1960s, the ex-governor gave up drinking. But it was not his fate to live out his life as a private individual. A few years after his recovery, he was recognized by a Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
reporter. Marland indicated that he was working as a taxi
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
driver, and a subsequent article was released to wire service
Wire Service
Wire Service is an American drama series that aired on ABC as part of its 1956-57 season lineup.-Synopsis:Wire Service focuses on three reporters for the fictional Trans-Globe wire service, which was similar to real-life news wire services such as the Associated Press and United Press International...
s on April 13, 1965. The story received great attention in West Virginia and nationally.
Knowing that the story was about to break and concerned about damage to his family, he called a press conference and spoke candidly about his alcoholism, how he overcame it, and his reasons for driving a taxi: to hold in check a level of ambition that may have contributed to his drinking.
His fortunes dramatically changed for the better. He was soon invited to appear on Jack Paar
Jack Paar
Jack Harold Paar was an author, American radio and television comedian and talk show host, best known for his stint as host of The Tonight Show from 1957 to 1962...
's television talk show, and was hired to run a West Virginia horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
concern.
But shortly thereafter, he was struck down by pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
. He died of the disease in his Barrington, Illinois
Barrington, Illinois
Barrington is a suburban village in Cook County, Illinois and Lake County, Illinois. The population was 10,327 at the 2010 census. Located approximately northwest of Chicago, the area features wetlands, forest preserves, parks and horse trails in a country-suburban setting...
home, attended by his wife, children, other relatives, and family friends, on November 26, 1965. His widow, Valerie Allen Marland
Valerie Allen Marland
Valerie Allen Marland was the wife of former Governor of West Virginia William C. Marland and served as that state's First Lady 1953-1957. She was born June 16, 1917 at Lacon, Illinois. She married William C. Marland in 1942. As first lady, she dedicated most of her time raising their four...
, followed him in death in 1977.