Former Senator Robert Morgan died this weekend. He was 90 years old and had been in failing health for several years. Twenty years ago, I got to know him and he helped shape my understanding of populist politics.
Back in the early 1990s, a small group of political operatives, elected officials, and activists started gathering at the beach twice a year to discuss the state of North Carolina politics. There were seasoned political veterans as well as young operatives just beginning their careers. Those meetings, indirectly, led to me switching careers from social worker to political consultant.
The most prominent member of the group was former Senator Robert Morgan. He had served as president Pro-Tem of the state Senate, Attorney General, US Senator, and director of the SBI. Yet, he was imminently approachable, humble, and down to earth.
Despite his political pedigree, he was skeptical of people and organizations amassing too much power. Morgan stood firmly with the what he considered the best interest of average citizens and the country, even if those opinions weren’t necessarily popular. In some cases, he was ahead of his time.
As an Attorney General and head of the SBI, he may have been among the state’s law enforcement elite, but he was the first person close to the establishment I heard who was skeptical of the war on drugs. He believed that it was expensive and taking money away from programs that would better protect citizens. I remember hearing him complain about spending money to send people traipsing around in the woods looking for marijuana fields when there were real criminals that needed to be caught.
In 1980, he lost his Senate race, in part, because he supported the Panama Canal deal. It would have been an easy position to switch since it had little to do directly with North Carolina, but he stood by his convictions. History has since shown that he was right.
Later, he stood with local residents against the hog industry. At the time, hog farms were quickly expanding across much of eastern North Carolina. Tobacco was on its way out and farmers and landowners were looking for something to replace the revenue. The industry brought big money to the political world to fight regulations and ensure that it had support while entrenching itself in the economy.
Neighboring landowners weren’t too happy with some aspects of the new industry. Hog lagoons threatened water quality and stench from the farms could be smelled for miles. Morgan represented a group of people who sued the farms, arguing that the stench devalued their land. When the landowners lost the suit, Morgan told me, “We couldn’t prove that hog shit stinks.”
At the end of his career, he was an advocate for campaign finance reform. Morgan understood that the increasing influence of money in elections was damaging our democracy. He also understood that access to money became a barrier to political participation for people of modest means.
Senator Morgan was a true man of the people. He stood for what he believed was best for the citizens of the state and nation, regardless of the political consequences. Rest in peace, Senator Morgan. Thanks for the lessons.
Thomas Mills is the founder and publisher of PoliticsNC.com. Before beginning PoliticsNC, Thomas spent twenty years as a political and public affairs consultant. Learn more >
Former Senator Robert Burren Morgan’s funeral yesterday at the Robert B. and Anna Butler Chapel (Campbell University) @ 2 PM was definitely well attended with chairs placed in the vestibule. The Eulogies given by The Honorable- Gerald Arnold and The Honorable Burley Mitchell were personal and professional – both retired chief justices. Pastor – The Reverend A. Edward Beddingfield, Jr. gave us some unknown information about “Robert”. The music selections were appropriate, especially the reflection of Robert’s favorite: “Amazing Grace”. Trumpeters Jeremy Bankson and Dennis de Jong along with the Campbell University Adjunct Professor of Organ and Music Education, Dr. Daniel W. Hester contributed much to the service of worship remembering the life of a great statesman. Wife Katie was gracious enough, following the service, to greet attendees at the front of the chapel. Former NC State Senator Wanda H. Hunt, D-16
Robert was first-rate, and I’ll leave the question here why first-rate people don’t get ahead in politics. I’m struck by his comment that his lawsuit against the hog industry failed because “[we] couldn’t prove that hog shit stinks.”
Therein lies the problem of politics in the Trump/Clinton era. Shit stinks, everyone knows it stinks, the Fact Checkers prove it stinks, editorialists rail against the stink, and still the campaign money flows and the shit stays legal — and op-eds appear arguing that what you call stink, others call a bouquet.
Which, of course, is why Robert was so committed to campaign finance reform, another strike against him as far as the “serious” politicos were concerned.
“Why first-rate people don’t get ahead in politics” is a good question. I often feel the same way, but I hope it’s not universally true.
To the extent that it applied to Robert Morgan perhaps it is explained by the fact that he chose to live a life on integrity, regardless of the cost:
“Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall” (W. Shakespeare).
I think is important to remember, however, than until 1984 U.S. race, he had won, I think, eight straight elections. And he lost his 1984 re-election campaign by less than 1% of the vote.
Thomas
Nicely stated. We miss today the vision and leadership of these true and loyal citizens of NC and our country. What passes for that today in this political climate saddens and frightens me.
I greatly admired Senator Morgan. He was a true public servant.