Buddie Newman

Clarence Benton "Buddie" Newman (May 8, 1921 – October 13, 2002) was an American farmer and politician who served as Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1976 to 1988. He was elected to one term in the state senate before beginning his 36-year career in the House, representing his native Issaquena County.[1]

Buddie Newman
58th Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives
In office
January 1976 – January 5, 1988
Preceded byJohn Junkin
Succeeded byTim Ford
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
In office
January 1952 – January 5, 1988
Preceded byWade Cole
Succeeded byCharles Weissinger Jr.
Member of the Mississippi State Senate
from the 20th district
In office
1948–1952
Preceded byBernard Graft
Succeeded byHerman C. Glazier Jr.
Personal details
Born
Clarence Benton Newman

(1921-05-08)May 8, 1921
Valley Park, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedOctober 13, 2002(2002-10-13) (aged 81)
Valley Park, Mississippi, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Betty Petrus
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
RankTechnician fifth grade
Battles/warsWorld War II

A conservative Democrat, Newman was a close ally of House Speaker Walter Sillers Jr. and Governor Ross Barnett, supporting racial segregation throughout the Civil Rights era and afterward.

Early life and education

Newman was born on May 8, 1921 at the Railroad Section Foreman's House in Valley Park, Mississippi, the fifth child of Minnie Belle (Prine) and Josephus Clarence Newman Sr., a farmer and foreman for the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad.[2] He was named after his father and Dr. J. B. Benton, the railroad physician who delivered him.[3][4]

In 1931, J. C. was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives when incumbent R. E. Foster died in office, and he brought the young Buddie with him to Jackson as a legislative page in 1938.[1][3]

Political career

A member of his local Citizens' Council, Newman was a proponent of racial segregation and white supremacy.[5] He served as an advisor to Governor Barnett during the Ole Miss riot of 1962 and was reportedly one of the strongest voices urging defiance of federal authorities on the integration of state institutions.[6] Speaker Sillers appointed him as chair of the powerful House ways and means committee in 1964.[1][7]

Later life and death

Newman died at his home on October 13, 2002. After lying in state in the state capitol rotunda, he was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg.[8]

References
  1. "C. B. "Buddie" Newman". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  2. "Newman builds railroad museum". Hattiesburg American. December 18, 1988. p. 22. Retrieved August 18, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Oral history with Mr. C.B. Newman". Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  4. Salter, Sid (October 14, 2002). "Former House Speaker dies". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1A, 6A – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Hand Book 1964 Session Mississippi Legislature: Biographical Data of Members of Senate and House, Personnel of Standing Committees". 1964. p. 29. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  6. Minor, Bill. "White Politics in a Black Land". Southern Changes. Vol. 5 no. 5. pp. 1–5, 7–9. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  7. "Newman Appointed". The Clarion-Ledger. June 24, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved August 18, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Former House speaker 'Buddie' Newman dies at 81". The Vicksburg Post. October 14, 2002. Retrieved August 18, 2020.


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