This episode of Carolina Journal looks at the life and career of Solomon Blatt, Speaker Emeritus of the South Carolina House of Representatives. For almost 50 years of his life, Sol Blatt served the people of South Carolina through his work in the General Assembly.
He was born in 1895 in Blackville, South Carolina, the second son of Nathan and Molly Blatt. His parents had immigrated to the U.S. from Russia. Speaking no English, they worked hard and were able to send their two sons and a daughter through college. In 1917, Sol graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in law and throughout his life, he gave credit to his loving and supportive parents.
After losing a bid for a seat in the South Carolina House in 1930, he built on lessons learned about racial and social prejudices in South Carolina. In 1932, he was elected to office, and he continued a winning trajectory, which saw him becoming Speaker of the House, a position he held until 1947. Representative Blatt stepped away from the podium in 1947 with the election of Governor Strom Thurmond. Sol was re-elected Speaker in 1951, holding the Speakership until 1973, when he was elected Speaker of the House Emeritus.
Alhough Sol denied it, he was remembered as a member of the Barnwell Ring. To learn more about this powerful group, see Side Notes.
While a member of the House, he was known for his wisdom, firmness, and willingness to work hard for the State of South Carolina. In later years, Sol was regarded as a cherished elder statesman. a sounding board for ideas, and a touchstone of history for the state of South Carolina's General Assembly.
Side Notes
- Solomon "Sol" Blatt (Feb. 27, 1895-May 14,1986)
- The Barnwell Ring - The so-called "Barnwell Ring" was a grouping of influential Democratic South Carolina political leaders from Barnwell County. The group included state Senator Edgar A. Brown, state Representative Solomon Blatt, Sr., Governor Joseph Emile Harley, and state Representative Winchester Smith, Jr. Together, the four occupied the most powerful positions of South Carolina government in 1941. The ring arose in the late 1930s and lasted into the 1970s. State Senator Edgar A. Brown and state Representative Solomon Blatt were the chief principals of the ring. Brown was the president pro tempore and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee from 1942 to 1972. Blatt was the speaker of the House from 1937 to 1946, and 1951 to 1973. Both men denied the existence of the ring until 1963, when Brown exclaimed, "Long live the Barnwell Ring" at a dinner to honor Blatt.
- Barnwell Ring on Knowitall.org.
- The Barnwell Ring Monument Historical Marker.
- Barnwell Ring documents from Digital Public Library of America.
