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North Carolina's Governors
In addition to his legal pursuits, McLean was among Lumberton's leading businessmen, involved with the town's first bank, three textile mills, and the Virginia and Carolina Railroad, which he served as president. With the support of Senator Furnifold Simmons, McLean defeated Josiah Bailey for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1924 and in the fall easily defeated Republican Isaac Meekins. In his inaugural address McLean recommended thorough revision of the budget system for state government. A month later the legislature adopted his plan placing the governor in charge of preparing a biennial budget. The Department of Revenue was created during his term. With conservative management of revenue McLean concluded his term with a $2 1/2 million surplus, a cushion which would aid his successor during the Depression. McLean continued highway improvements initiated by his predecessor, with new bond issues in 1925 and 1927. He withheld his support from progressive labor measures, among them bills to secure workmen's compensation and extended child labor legislation. An avid outdoorsman, McLean was the first Chief Executive to leave the state for extended stays. In 1927 he endorsed legislation necessary to establish the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After his governorship McLean returned to his law practice. In deference to his friend Furnifold Simmons he declined to run for the U.S. Senate in 1930. In April 1935 he suffered a stroke in the Capital City and died two months later. His body was returned to Lumberton for burial.
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With a background in business, Angus Wilton McLean (1870-1935) introduced into state government sound fiscal management, revising the budget process and reorganizing state agencies. The "Businessman's Governor" was born in Robeson County and studied law at the University of North Carolina. In 1892 he was admitted to the bar and joined a practice in Lumberton.
