Kentucky. Governor (1851-1855 : Powell)

Lazarus W. Powell served as governor of Kentucky from 1851 to 1855. He was a Democrat and faced the difficulty of working with a legislature controlled by Whigs.

Powell was born in Henderson County, Kentucky in 1812. He attended St. Joseph's College in Bardstown, and Transylvania University in Lexington before being admitted to the bar in 1835. He entered public office for the first time in 1836 as a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, but lost his re-election bid. In 1848 Powell was the Democratic candidate for governor, and was defeated by the Whig candidate, John J. Crittenden. Powell entered the gubernatorial race again in 1851, and this time narrowly defeated his Whig opponent, Archibald Dixon.

As governor, Powell strongly advocated improvements in Kentucky's educational system. Powell's predecessor, John L. Helm, had refused to execute an act passed over his veto which allowed money from the sinking fund to be used to support education; Powell enforced this legislation. In addition, he successfully recommended a tax increase for the benefit of the schools.

Governor Powell supported the development of transportation in Kentucky; as a result, charters were granted for many new turnpikes and railroads. He vetoed several attempts to charter new banks, however, since he considered such actions to be inflationary and economically irresponsible.

In 1854 the Whigs attempted to maintain control of the Kentucky delegation to the United States Congress by redistricting the state to their advantage. Powell vetoed the measure, but it was passed over his veto by the Whig controlled General Assembly.

Powell was elected to the United States Senate in 1858. Before taking his seat, President Buchannan appointed him as a commissioner from the federal government to resolve the problem with the Mormons in Utah. While in the Senate, Powell was an advocate of the Union and compromise in the pre-war crisis. He protested what he considered to be federal interference in the affairs of Kentucky during the Civil War. In 1867 he again sought election to the United States Senate, but was defeated. Powell died in July 1867 and is buried in Henderson.