Lawrence Vest Stephens (D)

Overview

At a Glance

• Refused to use state militia to quell a streetcar employees union strike
• Drastically cut state expenditures
• Passed law capping loan interest rates at 2 percent per month
• Secured funds for two Civil War veterans’ homes
• Created state mental hospital in Farmington (1899)
• Created state home for mentally handicapped children in Marshall (1899)
• Contracted for labor with state prisoners to make penitentiary self-supporting
• Missouri State Fair in Sedalia became an annual event
• Slow to address corruption charges within his party, as political machines rose to prominence in Kansas City and St. Louis

Personal History

In the early 19th century, the pioneer settlement of Boonville began to thrive, attracting entrepreneurs who prospered through well-managed businesses, real estate accumulation, and sound financial investments. Among these influential families was Lawrence "Lon" Vest Stephens, who would later become the 29th governor of Missouri. His marriage to Margaret “Maggie” Nelson on October 5, 1880, united two prominent families in central Missouri, further solidifying their societal standing.

Stephens’s educational journey began in Boonville and culminated in a degree from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, in 1878. His father, Col. Joseph Lafayette Stephens, played a pivotal role in Boonville's media landscape as the owner of the Boonville Weekly Advertiser. In 1877, Stephens briefly served as editor, where he wrote engaging commentary that generated public interest and debate, laying the groundwork for his future political career.

Stephens's venture into financial management began in 1880 at the Central National Bank, founded by his father in 1865. After his father's passing in 1881, Lon Stephens and his older brother, W. Speed Stephens, inherited the bank and served as financial advisors for Cooper and Morgan Counties. Stephens’s banking acumen was notably recognized when he was recommended as receiver for the insolvent Fifth National Bank of St. Louis in 1887. His effective handling of the liquidation process earned him a reputation as a financial expert, despite his youth.

Throughout his career, Stephens held various significant positions, including vice president and director of Central National Bank in Boonville and director of the Bank of Versailles. He also established the Bank of Bunceton and the Central Missouri Trust in Jefferson City, earning a reputation as a shareholder in numerous corporations. In 1898, the University of Missouri honored Stephens with an honorary LL.D. degree, recognizing his service on their board and his particular interest in their science program. Additionally, one of the museums at Central Methodist College in Fayette is named in his honor, reflecting his dedication to education.

Religion held a vital place in the lives of the Stephens family. As active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, they generously contributed to the church building fund in Jefferson City and engaged in various fundraising initiatives for their church and other charitable causes. After his governorship, Stephens relocated to St. Louis, where he continued to pursue diverse interests and traveled extensively. However, his later life was marked by familial disputes and the decline of the family bank. Health issues plagued Stephens for much of his life, culminating in a chronic eye condition that left him nearly blind. He passed away in St. Louis in 1923 and was buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Boonville.

Political History

In 1890, amid a scandal involving the mismanagement of state funds, Missouri Governor David R. Francis appointed Lon Stephens as state treasurer. Two years later, the electorate voted to elect Stephens to a full four-year term. During his tenure, a national debate erupted over the incorporation of silver into the federal monetary system. In response, Stephens aligned himself with the "silver" Democrats and actively campaigned for their cause.

In August 1896, Stephens was selected as the Democratic nominee for governor and was elected on November 4. Despite his accomplishments, even Stephens's supporters regarded his administration as "politically stormy." Critics condemned his decision not to deploy the state militia to quell unrest during the streetcar workers' strike in St. Louis, asserting that it represented a failure of leadership. In his defense, Stephens claimed it was the city's responsibility. His slow response to Missouri's involvement in the Spanish-American War also drew criticism; he took pride in spending only one-third of the funds authorized by the General Assembly; a move others deemed excessively frugal.

Unfortunately, Stephens's financial expertise did not always translate into political savvy, leading to friction with established politicians. His principal base of support came from small towns and rural communities, while he faced harsh criticism from major urban centers. Additionally, he contended with widespread corruption in cities like Kansas City and St. Louis, where political machines, such as the Pendergast operation, were beginning to gain influence. The Missouri constitution prevented Stephens from running for a second term as governor. Although his name surfaced for various positions afterward, he vowed never to seek public office again.

Stephens’s administration was marked by fiscal austerity; he reduced the state budget to under $2 million and instituted a law capping interest rates at a maximum of 2 percent per month to combat loan sharks. Advocating for the economic self-sufficiency of the penitentiary system, he proposed using inmate labor for contracts, believing this approach would generate state revenue while equipping prisoners with valuable skills.

Additionally, driven by compassion, the Stephens administration aimed to increase state involvement in social services. The General Assembly allocated funds to improve conditions at two Civil War veterans' homes, establish a state hospital for the mentally ill in Farmington, and create an institution for mentally handicapped children in Marshall. His administration also witnessed the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia becoming a regular event, the establishment of the State Historical Society, and ongoing preparations for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. A collateral inheritance tax was introduced, generating revenue for the University of Missouri.

Historical Significance

One of the achievements during Stephens's leadership was the establishment of a fourth state hospital for the mentally ill in Farmington in 1899. The state allocated approximately $150,000 for land acquisition and facility construction, marking a substantial investment in mental health care. By January 1903, the hospital welcomed its first seven patients, and over time, that number eventually exceeded 1,000. This institution continues to operate today, reflecting Stephens's lasting impact on health care in Missouri.

Also in 1899, the Missouri State School, originally known as the Missouri State Colony for Feebleminded and Epileptic, was founded and opened its doors in 1901. The original campus consisted of three buildings and housed 60 male patients, benefiting from a generous donation of 288 acres of land from the city of Marshall. Over the years, this institution evolved and split into three separate facilities located in Carrollton, Higginsville, and Marshall.