Gubernatorial Papers

As governor of South Carolina, Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings proved an energetic, forceful, and progressive leader who altered both the face of South Carolina and the fabric of the office itself. During his term of office, from January 20, 1959 to January 15, 1963, he made constant efforts to improve the state's educational system at all levels, to develop industry, and to create jobs. Speaking at the Governor's Conference on Business, Industry, Education and Agriculture, held in Columbia in October 1961, Hollings proclaimed--"Today, in our complex society, education is the cornerstone upon which economic development must be built--and prosperity assured." Hollings developed the authority of the office of governor and used that power to work with the General Assembly in developing the state's resources and programs. The legacy from his term in office includes the establishment of the state's technical education system and its educational television network. While creating a skilled labor pool attractive to business, the technical education system also improved employment opportunities for South Carolinians in general. Furthermore, Hollings called for and saw enacted sweeping changes in the state's educational system. Included in this legislation were significant increases in teachers' salaries, bringing them closer to the regional average. Hollings is also credited for his determination, once it was obvious that South Carolina's schools would be integrated, that integration occur without the bloodshed and hostility which characterized this experience in other Southern states. Plans initiated under Hollings' administration led eventually to the peaceful integration of higher education in South Carolina at Clemson University shortly after Hollings left office. Hollings previously had served as Lieutenant Governor under George Bell Timmerman, Jr., and before that, represented Charleston in the state's General Assembly. In 1962, while Governor, he ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate, challenging the aging but popular Olin D. Johnston in the Democratic primary. Hollings was elected in November 1966 to the Senate in a special election to fill the unexpired term of Senator Johnston, who had passed away in 1965.