Guy Brasfield Park (D)

Overview

At a Glance

• Instituted a general sales tax to increase state revenue
• Consolidated state boards and bureaus to reduce costs and streamlined state government
• Increased funds for public education
• Enacted state social security and old age pension laws
• Oversaw implementation of federal programs to help Missourians overcome the effects of the Great Depression

Personal History

Guy Brasfield Park was born to Thomas Woodson Park, who moved to Missouri from Kentucky in 1857 and fought under General Sterling Price during the Civil War. Guy Park received the majority of his education at Gaylord Institute in Platte City, Missouri. He later attended the University of Missouri, where he earned a law degree in 1896. That same year, he gained admission to the Missouri Bar. After spending two years in Denver, Colorado, he returned to Missouri to establish a law practice.

On November 16, 1909, Park married Eleanora A. Gabbert from Weston, Missouri. Their only child, Henrietta Park Krause, made history in 1933 as the first governor's daughter to be married in the Governor's Mansion. While serving as first lady, Eleanora collaborated with Kate S. Morrow to write "Women of the Mansion: Missouri, 1821-1936." After completing his term, Park returned to Platte City to continue his law career. He participated in the Missouri State Constitutional Convention from 1943 to 1944. Guy Brasfield Park passed away from a heart attack in Jefferson City and buried in his family plot at Platte City Cemetery.

Political History

Shortly after opening his law practice, Guy Brasfield Park transitioned into politics, first being elected city attorney. He subsequently served two terms as the county prosecuting attorney and, in 1922, was elected circuit court judge of the Fifth Judicial District, which encompassed the counties of Platte, Clinton, DeKalb, Andrew, and Holt. Park developed a reputation as an effective judge and a dedicated Democrat, which contributed to his reelection in 1928.

In the 1932 general election, Park’s long-time friend and political ally, Francis Murray Wilson, was the Democratic candidate for governor. However, Wilson fell ill and passed away just three weeks before Election Day. With the endorsement of Wilson's family and support from Kansas City's influential Pendergast machine, the Democratic Party's central committee nominated Park to take Wilson’s place on the ballot. In the election, Park secured a significant victory over his Republican opponent, Edward H. Winter, winning by 338,123 votes—representing the largest plurality ever achieved by a Missouri gubernatorial candidate at that time. This Democratic landslide in Missouri coincided with Franklin Roosevelt's presidential campaign, wherein he received double the votes in the state compared to the Republican incumbent, Herbert Hoover, marking the end of twelve years of Republican leadership in the governor's office.

In his inaugural address on January 9, 1933, Gov. Park committed to addressing the distressed conditions faced by the people of Missouri. Following Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration in March, Gov. Park and the General Assembly took action to ensure that Missouri could fully utilize the federal programs and agencies established to combat the Great Depression. They amended existing laws and enacted new legislation to facilitate aid for farmers, implement public works programs, reform banking practices, and provide direct emergency assistance to those in need.

Gov. Park also focused on rehabilitating state penal and charitable institutions, consolidating state boards and bureaus to reduce costs and improve efficiency, and introducing a general sales tax to generate revenue. His administration prioritized funding for public education and passed laws for state social security and old-age pensions. By the end of Gov. Park's term, key federal programs such as the Works Progress Administration, the Rural Resettlement Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the National Youth Administration were actively operating in Missouri, significantly contributing to the state’s recovery efforts.

Historical Significance

Park assumed office during a period marked by significant economic crisis and social unrest. Throughout his four-year term, he demonstrated strong support for Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal and advocated for full state compliance with the president's initiatives aimed at addressing the repercussions of the Great Depression.

Much of Park’s focus during his governorship was on enhancing existing federal programs rather than implementing his own policies, a reflection of both his political affiliation and Franklin D. Roosevelt's popularity in Missouri. However, as a candidate chosen by political boss T.J. Pendergast, many of the initiatives Park sought to strengthen fell under Pendergast's influence, who frequently determined job placements within these programs.