What was the outcome of the Three Governors Controversy?
a
Eugene Talmadge served as governor of Georgia for a third term.
b
Ellis Arnall became governor of Georgia.
c
Eugene Talmadge's son became governor of Georgia.
d
Lieutenant Governor Melvin Thompson became governor of Georgia.
d - Lieutenant Governor Melvin Thompson became governor of Georgia.
The outcome of the Three Governors Controversy was (b) Ellis Arnall became governor of Georgia.
The correct answer is (b) Ellis Arnall became governor of Georgia.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the context of the Three Governors Controversy. In 1946, Eugene Talmadge, the incumbent governor of Georgia, won the popular vote for a fourth term but died before he could take office. This led to a political crisis and a dispute over who should become the next governor.
After Talmadge's death, the state legislature convened to decide on his successor. While the constitution designated the lieutenant governor as the person who should assume the role, there were two lieutenant governors claiming the position: Melvin Thompson and Ellis Arnall. Thompson claimed that he automatically became governor upon Talmadge's death, while Arnall argued that a special election should be held to determine the next governor.
Ultimately, the controversy was resolved through a series of legal battles and political maneuvering. In early 1947, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in favor of Arnall, stating that he should fill the vacant governorship until a special election could be held. As a result, Arnall became the governor of Georgia.
Therefore, the outcome of the Three Governors Controversy was that Ellis Arnall became the governor of Georgia.