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North Carolina's Governors
O. Max Gardner (1882-1947), whose political organization dominated state politics for a generation, took office only months before the stock market crash of 1929. Like his brother-in-law Clyde R. Hoey part of the "Shelby Dynasty," the future governor was born in the Cleveland County town. In 1900 he enrolled at what is now N.C. State University and in 1906 he studied law at the University of North Carolina. At both schools he captained the football team. In 1916 Gardner was elected lieutenant governor and four years later entered the race to be Chief Executive. Cameron Morrison defeated him and the Shelby attorney returned to his practice. In 1928 Gardner was unopposed for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. He defeated Republican Herbert Seawell in the fall. For eight years, the state had witnessed relative prosperity. The Depression presented Governor Gardner with unforeseen challenges. In 1930 he authorized a study of state government by the Brookings Institution which recommended a massive shift of power from courthouses to Raleigh with the state taking responsibility for secondary road maintenance and public schools. Other reforms included reduction of property taxes, limits on local bond issues, and creation of a central purchasing agency. With the governor's support the legislature approved workmen's compensation and abolished chain gangs. Gardner counted as his proudest achievement consolidation of universities in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Greensboro. In this as in other efforts, his moves were opposed by special interests and required all the governor's leadership abilities. Gardner promoted his "Live-at-Home" program to encourage the planting of crops for subsistence. By 1933 Gardner had in place a political organization to rival that of Senator Furnifold Simmons. The next four governors came to office with Gardner's backing. In 1933 Gardner moved his law practice to Washington, D.C. In 1947 he was named Ambassador to Great Britain but died in February, only hours before he was to sail for London. He is buried in Shelby's Sunset Cemetery.
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