The Democrats found themselves beset with problems in 1843. The enormously popular Andrew Jackson was no longer president. Animosity between Martin Van Buren and John C. Calhoun damaged the party nationally, while the banking fiasco hurt it locally. Moreover the party's strongest champion, the Arkansas Gazette, had temporarily fallen into enemy hands. The Family also found itself challenged by the popular Archibald Yell on the one hand, and an emerging coalition between Chester Ashley, Solon Borland, and William Woodruff on the other. When the Family attempted to organize a statewide nominating convention in December 1843, only 16 of 46 counties sent delegates, and the Family's opponents denounced it as a "rump" gathering.
David Chapman, the Family's candidate for Congress, was no match for David Walker, the Whig nominee. A second convention was hastily held, and Archibald Yell replaced Chapman on the Democratic ticket. In exchange Chapman became the party's gubernatorial candidate. However, he proved to be such a poor campaigner that the Democrats were soon scampering for a substitute. Chapman withdrew citing poor health and was replaced by Thomas S. Drew, the only choice acceptable to all factions. Drew won by a narrow plurality, receiving only 47% of the vote.
Drew had the unenviable honor of inheriting a state on the verge of bankruptcy. He urged the legislature to increase both the rate and breadth of taxes. This new revenue allowed the state to meet its expenses, but nothing was left over to help reduce the debt.
Drew skillfully balanced the opposing forces within his party. For example, in 1846 he unsuccessfully supported Archibald Yell's U.S. Senate bid against Chester Ashley. Two years later, he backed Ashley's ally, Solon Borland, for the Senate seat being vacated by Ambrose Sevier.
In 1848 Drew accepted nomination for a second term on the condition that the State Legislature raise the governor's salary. When it failed to do so, he resigned one year into his term on January 10, 1849.
Next: John S. Roane
Back to the Thomas S. Drew Menu Page
|
