(Editor’s note: Second of two parts)
On Wednesday, Sept. 4, 1929, Sen.-designate William Emerson Brock telegraphed his future colleague, Sen. Kenneth McKellar, that he would arrive in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 9 to take the oath of office as Tennessee’s junior senator. McKellar, who had just returned to the Capitol following a brief chamber recess, shared news of Brock’s impending arrival with the press in a congratulatory note: “I have known our new senator, William E. Brock, for many years … . He is one of the outstanding and successful citizens of Chattanooga and Tennessee. I welcome him heartily as my colleague.”
When Brock arrived in Washington and entered his office, he found more than 1,000 letters and telegrams waiting for his review. Many congratulated the Tennessean on his appointment; others questioned his intentions on an upcoming vote about the tariff question. He responded to those interested parties: “I do want to say that I shall not make any decision on this question until I have had time to consider it thoroughly and then to study the problem from all angles … .”
That forthright statement offered insight into the senator’s manner, as did a story that he shared with the Chattanooga Daily Times. When questioned about his ability to work with colleagues from across the nation, often with differing opinions, he responded: “You know I hate to leave my friends here.” After displaying a few letters, he added, “They are the best people on the earth. They are the kind of men who would work hard against you all day long and put up strong competition, then at night, they would gather … and be the best of friends … . I learned a lesson from them … . A man once said some ugly things about me, and I was told about it. The man became aware that I had learned about it and worried about his job, as his term would soon expire. I sat down and wrote his boss and asked that he be reappointed to the job and sent him a copy of the letter. That way I made a friend of an enemy, whereas if I had demanded his dismissal, he would have been a worse enemy.”
The senator-designate paused for a moment in his conversation with reporters. “I believe that a man should conduct a clean fight for the things he believes and after the fight is over, be friends,” he said. “I don’t think personalities should be indulged in politics, business, religion or any other activity among men.”
His attitude toward business and community service garnered Brock friends from across the city and the nation. Many, including Judge Michael M. Allison, Justice Alexander Chambliss, Will Shepherd, Judge J.J. Lynch, Mayor E.D. Bass, Taylor Durham and James Cash, offered comments to the press.
Paul J. Kruesi, former U.S. assistant secretary of commerce and father-in-law to W.E. Brock Jr., offered a personal reflection on a recent trip with the elder Brock to the Hermitage outside Nashville. After visiting the grave of Andrew Jackson, “that great and fearless statesman, soldier and president, we saw a letter that the president’s mother had written to the young man. She advised him to be honest, steadfast and a friend of the people. ‘Bill’ Brock has been that in every enterprise.”
When questioned, Brock responded to the accolades: “To my mind the smallest package possible is a man wrapped up in himself … . I shall try to live up to the trust that has been imposed in me.”
While in the Senate, Brock served as a “trustee,” attempting in all decisions to reflect the views of his Tennessee constituents. He played a major role in the passage of the Rivers and Harbors Act, important to regional citizens since it provided for nine dams on the Tennessee River. He also supported the Muscle Shoals development in Alabama, a project which inspired future President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Tennessee Valley Authority initiative.
Brock chose to not campaign for re-election following his initial interim term. Instead, he returned home to family and friends. As president of the Holston Conference Board of Church Ministries Extension, the former senator helped raise the funds and oversaw the construction of more than 20 churches in Southeast Tennessee. In 1940, he transitioned from president to chairman of the board of Brock Candy Company, serving in that capacity until his death 10 years later.
Linda Moss Mines is the Chattanooga and Hamilton County historian. For more on local history, visit Chattahistoricalassoc.org.