Changes

In 1912, Bilbo was elected [[lieutenant governor]] and later governor four years afterwards.<ref name=fleegler,p.6/> His tenure as lieutenant governor under Earl L. Brewer was marked with corruption and factionalism, acting as ''de facto'' governor when Brewer traveled outside Mississippi.<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10>"The Final Years: 1941–47," pp. 8–10a.</ref> Bilbo, accused by Brewer of granting pardons to felons and accepting bribes, was indicted along with George Hobbs, a state senator, for bribery by a grand jury in Vicksburg. Brewer testified as a witness in support of prosecution that implicated Bilbo of attempting to establish a new Delta county, though the pair were acquitted by a jury following the defense attorney's accusations that the trial was a political maneuver to damage Bilbo's career.<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10/>

In 1912, Bilbo was elected [[lieutenant governor]] and later governor four years afterwards.<ref name=fleegler,p.6/> His tenure as lieutenant governor under Earl L. Brewer was marked with corruption and factionalism, acting as ''de facto'' governor when Brewer traveled outside Mississippi.<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10>"The Final Years: 1941–47," pp. 8–10a.</ref> Bilbo, accused by Brewer of granting pardons to felons and accepting bribes, was indicted along with George Hobbs, a state senator, for bribery by a grand jury in Vicksburg. Brewer testified as a witness in support of prosecution that implicated Bilbo of attempting to establish a new Delta county, though the pair were acquitted by a jury following the defense attorney's accusations that the trial was a political maneuver to damage Bilbo's career.<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10/>

The publicity created by the trial was capitalized by Bilbo when running for governor in 1915, during which he began referring to himself as "The Man."<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10/> Appealing to the radical, populistic "hill" rednecks, he spoke in favor of additional education appropriations, stronger enforcement of state [[Prohibition]], increased taxes on the rich, and the construction of new roads, trouncing four Democratic rivals in the primary. (due to disenfranchisement of blacks that hollowed the Republican Party into oblivion at the time, emerging victorious in the Democratic primary was tantamount to election)

The publicity created by the trial was capitalized by Bilbo when running for governor in 1915, during which he began referring to himself as "The Man."<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10/> Appealing to the radical, populistic "hill" rednecks, he spoke in favor of additional education appropriations, stronger enforcement of state [[Prohibition]], increased taxes on the rich, and the construction of new roads, trouncing four Democratic rivals in the primary. (due to disenfranchisement of blacks that hollowed the Republican Party into oblivion at the time, emerging victorious in the Democratic primary was tantamount to election)

In a biographical dissertation on Bilbo, Charles P. Smith writes that Bilbo's swearing-in as governor during January 1916 culminated in the peak of "progressivism in the Magnolia State."<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10/> A supporter of Bilbo, Martin Sennett Connor, was elected Speaker of the state House of Representatives, allowing for Vardaman–Bilbo forces to enact numerous progressive initiatives—appropriations for schools and roads were increased, the tax structure was revised, a [[tuberculosis]] sanitarium and State Highway Commission were established, along with the State Board of Pardons.<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10/>

In a biographical dissertation on Bilbo, Charles P. Smith writes that Bilbo's swearing-in as governor during January 1916 culminated in the peak of "progressivism in the Magnolia State."<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10/> A supporter of Bilbo, Martin Sennett Connor, was elected Speaker of the state House of Representatives, allowing for Vardaman–Bilbo forces to enact numerous progressive initiatives—appropriations for schools and roads were increased, the tax structure was revised, a [[tuberculosis]] sanitarium and State Highway Commission were established, along with the State Board of Pardons.<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.8-10/>

Due to a one-term limit on Mississippi governors, he then sought an open seat in the lower body of the state legislature in the 1920 elections, though "lost badly" and resumed law practice.

Due to state law at the time prohibiting Mississippi governors from immediately succeeding themselves, Bilbo ran for U.S. House of Representatives in 1918 from the state's 6th congressional district.<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.10-11>"The Final Years: 1941–47," pp. 10b–11.</ref> However, his association with Vardaman proved a hindrance by the late 1910s due to his progressive predecessor's vain isolationist opposition to American involvement in [[World War I]]. He also campaigned in favor of a "dipping vat law" for cattle unpopular among the district's farming constituency, overestimating his influence and losing in the primary to Paul B. Johnson, Sr., a lawyer from Hattiesburg.<ref name=finalsenateyears,pp.10-11/>

 

He then sought an open seat in the lower body of the state legislature in the 1920 elections, though "lost badly" and resumed law practice.

==Return to the governorship==

==Return to the governorship==