Governor Blood

1933-1941, Democrat

About the Blood Administration

Henry Hooper Blood ran for governor after being nominated by the Democrats in 1932. He defeated his Republican opponent, William W. Seegmiller and became the seventh governor of the state of Utah. He served two terms from 1933 to 1941. He took office during an extremely trying time in U. S. and Utah history at the height of the Depression. The Depression hit Utah harshly leaving it foundering as one of the top states for citizens on relief. Utah was in desperate need with more than one-third of Utahns suffering from unemployment.

The situation heightened in 1934 when Utah recorded its worst drought in history. Left without food, clothing, shelter, and employment many of Utah's families struggled to secure their basic needs.

Hundreds of letters resembling this one crossed Governor Blood's desk each day. Mrs. DeFriez was living with her family in a decrepit, abandoned building and needed quilts for her family to stay warm. Mrs. DeFriez's circumstances were better than those of countless authors of these letters; many had no shelter at all. Countless families on relief survived on an average of $15 per month, usually less. These letters can be found in Governor Blood's general correspondence and Relief programs. In responding to each of these letters, Governor Blood expressed his desire to give aid while revealing his helpless state.

Governor Blood began the long journey to economic recovery by instituting new programs, decreasing the wages of state employees and slashing the size of state departments: for instance juvenile judges also became probation officers. He also closely followed and supported President Roosevelt's New Deal. Programs like the Public Works Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps, Home Owners Loan Association, National Recovery Administration and other federal programs found their way and support in Utah. Many irrigation and reclamation projects as well as public buildings were a result of these programs, which not only provided employment but relief for future problems [e.g., Deer Creek Reservoir and irrigation]. Blood pushed and gained support from a resisting legislature for a 2% sales tax to secure federal funds for these projects.

Along with the customary tasks of a governor, many other notable occurrences happened during Blood's governorship: Utah becoming the 36th state to ratify the 21st amendment ending prohibition, the institution of the direct primary election law and preparation for World War II. In 1939 he vetoed proposals for junior colleges in Richfield and Roosevelt as well as low-income housing while cautioning about the expense.

Relief from the devastating effects of the Depression occupied Governor Blood's terms. He fought conservatively but with great determination for Utah's citizens as shown by his two trips to Washington in his first year as governor. He was a fiscally conservative man of steady, circumspect plans. He held political power that few governors have. He was trusted as shown by the dominion given him. The public did not consider him an adventurous hero but undisputably as a man who had great concern for this state.

Powell, Allan Kent, ed. Utah History Encyclopedia. Henry H. Blood, by Miriam B. Murphy. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1994.

Utah State Archives, Governor Henry H. Blood, Correspondence(series 186), Letter from Mrs. Delilah DeFriez on January 4, 1933.

Utah State Archives, Governor Henry H. Blood, Relief programs(series 191).

Utah. Legislature. Laws of Utah, 1937, ch. 29.