What was the primary purpose of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission?

The Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission (MSSC), active from 1956 to 1973, was a state agency established to fight racial integration and suppress civil rights activism. Its stated objective was to protect the sovereignty of Mississippi and other states from federal government encroachment, while also coordinating efforts to present segregation in a more favorable light.

What types of activities did the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission engage in?

The commission engaged in a range of activities, including spying on and conspiring against civil rights activists, organizing economic retaliation against supporters of the civil rights movement, and conducting public relations campaigns to portray Mississippi and racial segregation positively.

What unusual authority did the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission possess?

Despite not being formally attached to a law enforcement agency, the commission was granted unusual authority to investigate state citizens, issue subpoenas, and exercise police powers.

Approximately how many individuals did the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission profile during its existence?

During its operational period, the commission compiled profiles on more than 87,000 individuals who were associated with, or suspected of being associated with, the civil rights movement, which the commission actively opposed.

How did the commission exert pressure on individuals involved in civil rights activism?

The commission collaborated with local government officials, police, and business leaders to pressure African Americans to cease their activism. This often involved economic retaliation, such as causing individuals to lose their jobs, be evicted from their homes, or face boycotts of their businesses.

Who proposed the creation of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission?

James P. Coleman, who won Mississippi's gubernatorial election in 1955, proposed the creation of a permanent authority dedicated to maintaining racial segregation.

What legislative action led to the formation of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission?

Following Governor Coleman's proposal, the Mississippi House of Representatives introduced House Bill 880, which would establish the State Sovereignty Commission.

What concerns were raised by some representatives regarding House Bill 880?

Some representatives expressed skepticism about the bill's provision allowing the commission to allocate funds to private entities, fearing it would become a partner to groups like the Citizens' Councils, which were organized to oppose desegregation.

How did the Mississippi State Senate amend House Bill 880?

The Mississippi State Senate added an amendment to House Bill 880 that required the Mississippi State Auditor to review the commission's expenditures.

When was the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission officially established into law?

Governor James P. Coleman signed House Bill 880 into law on March 30, 1956, officially establishing the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission.

What were the three main divisions of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission?

The commission was organized into three divisions: executive, public relations, and investigative.

Who comprised the twelve-member board that led the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission?

The board included several ex officio members: the governor, lieutenant governor, the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives, and the state attorney general. It also included three members from the House, two from the Senate, and three additional members appointed by the governor who served during the governor's term.

What roles did the Governor and Lieutenant Governor hold within the commission's structure?

The Governor served as the chairman of the board, and the Lieutenant Governor acted as the board's vice-chairman.

Where were the offices of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission located?

The commission maintained its offices within the Mississippi State Capitol building.

What was the initial primary focus of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission's public relations division?

Initially, the public relations division's main task was to counter negative media coverage and public perceptions regarding race relations and segregation in Mississippi.

How large was the investigative division of the commission, and how did it operate?

The investigative division typically had no more than three full-time investigators. However, the commission could also hire part-time investigators or contract investigative work to private entities to gather information relevant to protecting the state's sovereignty and preserving segregation.

What was the background of Zack Van Landingham, an investigator for the commission?

Zack Van Landingham, who became an investigator in 1958, was a former agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and adapted the commission's filing system based on the FBI's methods.

How did the commission gather information for its investigations?

The commission's investigators frequently relied on informants, some of whom were compensated for their expenses, and others who received regular payments, sometimes as much as $500 per month.

Which other states used the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission as a model for their own agencies?

The Louisiana State Sovereignty Commission (1960–1970) and the Alabama State Sovereignty Commission (1963–1973) were established using the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission as an organizational template.

Who was the first director of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission?

Ney Gore served as the first director of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission from 1956 to 1957.

Who served as director of the commission during the period of 1963 to 1968?

Erle Johnston served as the director of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission from 1963 to 1968.

Who was the last director of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission before its closure?

W. Webb Burke served as the director of the commission from 1968 to 1973.

How did the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission's activities evolve beyond its initial public relations focus?

As its public relations efforts failed to curb civil rights activism, the commission increasingly functioned as a de facto intelligence organization, identifying individuals supporting civil rights, those perceived as allied with communists, or those whose activities deviated from segregationist norms.

What broad criteria were used by the commission to identify individuals for suspicion?

The commission used broad criteria, including association with civil rights initiatives, perceived alliances with communists, or any activities, associations, or travels that did not conform to segregationist expectations.

What specific actions did the commission take against civil rights groups and activists?

The commission infiltrated major civil rights organizations, planted informants in activist attorneys' offices, informed police about planned marches or boycotts, encouraged police harassment of African Americans supporting civil rights, and obstructed voter registration efforts by Black citizens.

What was the commission's role in opposing school integration?

The commission actively worked to preserve the state's segregation and Jim Crow laws, which included opposing the integration of schools.

How did the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission assist Byron De La Beckwith, the convicted murderer of Medgar Evers?

During Byron De La Beckwith's second trial in 1964, a commission investigator, Andy Hopkins, provided De La Beckwith's legal team with information about potential jurors, which was used during the jury selection process.

What information did the commission pass on regarding James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman?

In 1964, during Freedom Summer, the commission relayed information about civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman to individuals involved in their murders. Commission agent A.L. Hopkins also met with Neshoba County law enforcement and suggested the disappearance was a propaganda tactic.

What was the primary focus of the commission during Governor James P. Coleman's administration?

During Governor Coleman's term, the commission primarily operated as a public relations agency, aiming to manage perceptions of Mississippi's race relations and prevent suggestions of law-breaking. Coleman also prohibited the commission from funding Citizens' Councils.

How did the commission's activities change under Governor Ross Barnett's administration?

Under Governor Barnett (1960-1964), the commission expanded its investigative operations statewide, monitored civil rights activities, surveyed literature and libraries, collected information on individuals with liberal ideas or those violating racial norms, and channeled funds to the Citizens' Councils.

What was the stated policy of the commission after it formally convened under Governor Paul B. Johnson Jr.'s administration?

Following a legislative requirement, the commission formally convened and adopted a policy declaring itself a watchdog over subversive individuals and organizations advocating civil disobedience, a public relations agency for the state, and an advisor to local communities on navigating federal laws and court orders related to civil rights.

How did the commission advise officials regarding the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

During Governor Johnson's tenure, the commission monitored individuals and groups challenging racial norms and provided advice to government officials on strategies to circumvent or work around the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

What was Governor John Bell Williams' approach to the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission?

Governor Williams (1968-1972) paid more direct attention to the commission than his predecessor, regularly convening and attending meetings. He emphasized investigative activities and appointed W. Webb Burke, a former FBI agent, as director, while neglecting the public relations role.

What did the commission investigate during Governor Williams' administration?

During this period, the commission followed up on requests from local officials to investigate civil rights activities and also examined issues such as drug use and disruptions on university campuses.

What did the commission's internal report in 1971 summarize its activities as?

In a 1971 internal report, Director W. Webb Burke summarized the commission's activities as conducting investigations into matters of public interest, particularly those pertaining to tax-supported institutions.

What led to the eventual closure of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission?

The commission's closure was initiated when newly elected Governor Bill Waller vetoed its appropriation in 1973, despite the legislature approving funding. Lieutenant Governor William F. Winter, who had opposed the commission's creation, attended its final meeting.

What legislative action was taken in 1977 regarding the commission's records?

In January 1977, a bill was introduced and signed into law by Governor Cliff Finch to abolish the commission and dispose of its assets. The legislature decided to seal its records at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History until July 1, 2027.

What legal action prompted the unsealing of the commission's records?

The Mississippi chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a class-action lawsuit arguing that the records, compiled from illegal surveillance, should be released.

When were the majority of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission's records made publicly available?

Following a 1998 order by U.S. District Court Judge William H. Barbour Jr., the majority of the commission's records, excluding those involved in litigation, were unsealed and made available by March 17, 1998.

How many names were revealed in the commission's records upon their release?

Upon being unsealed, the records revealed the names of over 87,000 citizens about whom the state had collected information or classified as suspects.

What significant complicity did the commission's records reveal regarding the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner?

The commission's records revealed its complicity in the murders of civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman. An investigator passed information about the workers, including a license plate number, to the Neshoba County Sheriff, who was implicated in the crime.

In what year was the film "Spies of Mississippi" released, and who directed it?

The film "Spies of Mississippi," which documented the activities of the Commission, was directed by Dawn Porter and released in 2014.

Besides the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission, what other state sovereignty commissions are mentioned in the text?

The text mentions the Louisiana State Sovereignty Commission and the Alabama State Sovereignty Commission as entities modeled after the Mississippi commission.

What does the image of the Great Seal of Mississippi in the infobox represent?

The image shows the Great Seal of Mississippi as it was used from 1879 to 2014, representing the state during the period the Sovereignty Commission was active.

Where was the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission headquartered?

The commission maintained its headquarters in the Mississippi State Capitol building in Jackson.

What event is depicted in the photograph associated with the Johnson administration, and how was the commission involved?

The photograph shows Millsaps College students protesting the death of Jackson State University student Benjamin Brown, who was killed by police during a protest. The commission took photos during this event, using numbers to identify individual students.

What is meant by the term 'secret police' in the context of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission?

Describing the commission as secret police implies an agency operating with significant power and secrecy, often outside the normal checks and balances of government, to monitor, investigate, and suppress dissent or perceived threats to the established order, in this case, racial segregation.

How did the commission's 'public relations' activities differ from typical public relations efforts?

While typical public relations aims to build a positive image through communication, the commission's public relations efforts were focused on countering negative perceptions of segregation and racial policies, often through propaganda and the suppression of information, rather than transparent communication.

Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Wiki: Mississippi's Shadow of Sovereignty: The State Sovereignty Commission Unveiled

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Agency Overview

State Agency for Resistance

The Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission (MSSC), often referred to as the Sov-Com, was a state agency established in 1956 and active until 1973. Its primary mandate was to counter the burgeoning civil rights movement and preserve racial segregation within Mississippi. The commission operated under the oversight of the Governor of Mississippi.

Protecting State Sovereignty

The stated objective of the MSSC was to defend the sovereignty of Mississippi and other states against perceived encroachment by the Federal Government.^[2] It actively coordinated efforts to present Mississippi and its system of racial segregation in a more favorable light, while simultaneously opposing integration and civil rights activism.

Covert Operations and Surveillance

Beyond public relations, the commission wielded significant, albeit unusual, authority. It possessed the power to investigate state citizens, issue subpoenas, and even exercise police powers, despite not being formally attached to any law enforcement agency. During its operational period, the MSSC compiled extensive files on over 87,000 individuals associated with, or suspected of supporting, the civil rights movement.

Genesis of the Commission

A Governor's Proposal

The impetus for the MSSC arose following Governor James P. Coleman's election in 1955. He proposed the creation of a "permanent authority for maintenance of racial segregation" funded by tax revenue. This proposal was subsequently introduced as House Bill 880 in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Legislative Passage

While the bill garnered support from most legislators and the media, some representatives voiced concerns about the potential for the commission to fund private entities, particularly the Citizens' Councils, which were organized to resist desegregation. Despite these objections, the House passed the bill. The Mississippi State Senate amended the measure to include oversight by the State Auditor regarding expenditures. The amended bill was ultimately passed by both houses and signed into law by Governor Coleman on March 30, 1956.

Organizational Structure

Divisions and Leadership

The Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission was structured as an agency within the executive branch of Mississippi's state government. It comprised three primary divisions: Executive, Public Relations, and Investigative. Policy direction and oversight were managed by a board of twelve members.

Board Composition

The commission's board included several ex officio members: the Governor (who served as chairman), the Lieutenant Governor (vice-chairman), the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives, and the State Attorney General. Additionally, three members of the House, two members of the Senate, and three gubernatorial appointees served on the board, typically for the duration of the governor's term.

Public Relations Focus

Initially, the Public Relations division was central to the commission's mission, tasked with countering negative media portrayals of Mississippi's race relations and segregationist policies. The Investigative division, though smaller, was responsible for gathering intelligence deemed valuable for maintaining state sovereignty and segregation.

Commission Directors

Leadership Tenure

The Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission was led by several directors throughout its existence. Their tenures reflect the evolving focus and activities of the agency:

Ney Gore (1956–1957)
Maurice L. Malone (1958–1960)
Albert N. Jones (1960–1963)
Erle Johnston (1963–1968)
W. Webb Burke (1968–1973)

Operational Activities

Intelligence and Surveillance

As civil rights activism intensified, the commission transitioned into a de facto intelligence organization. Its agents identified individuals perceived as supporting civil rights, associating with communists, or deviating from segregationist norms. This broad surveillance net captured tens of thousands of African-American and white professionals, educators, and community leaders.

Infiltration and Harassment

The commission actively infiltrated major civil rights organizations, even placing operatives in the offices of activist attorneys. It preemptively informed law enforcement about planned marches and boycotts, encouraged police harassment of African Americans involved with civil rights groups, and actively obstructed Black voter registration efforts. The agency also monitored individuals challenging racial norms and advised officials on circumventing federal legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Economic Retaliation

A significant tactic employed by the MSSC involved collaborating with local government officials, police, and business leaders to exert economic pressure on African Americans advocating for their rights. This included orchestrating dismissals from employment, facilitating evictions from rental properties, and organizing boycotts against businesses owned by activists or their supporters.

Complicity in Violence

The commission's activities extended to providing information that facilitated violence against civil rights workers. During the defense of Byron De La Beckwith, the convicted murderer of Medgar Evers, an MSSC investigator supplied attorneys with information on potential jurors. Furthermore, in 1964, the commission passed intelligence regarding civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman to individuals implicated in their murders during Freedom Summer, with agents suggesting their disappearance was a propaganda stunt.

The Commission's Closure

Shifting Political Landscape

The election of Bill Waller as governor and William F. Winter as lieutenant governor in 1971 marked a turning point. Both officials, particularly Winter who had previously opposed the commission's creation, were less inclined to support its continued operation. At this time, the commission was largely inactive.

Veto and Dissolution

Although the legislature approved funding for the commission to continue in 1973, Governor Waller vetoed the appropriation. Lieutenant Governor Winter attended the commission's final meeting in June 1973 to acknowledge the suspension of funding. Consequently, the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission effectively ceased operations on June 30, 1973.

Records and Revelations

Archival Custody

Following its closure, six file cabinets containing the commission's records were transferred to the custody of the Mississippi Secretary of State and subsequently stored in a secure vault. In 1977, legislation was passed to formally abolish the commission and manage its assets. The records were sealed at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, with a stipulation that they remain inaccessible until July 1, 2027.

Unsealing and Accessibility

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Mississippi filed a class-action lawsuit in 1977, arguing that the records, compiled through potentially illegal surveillance, should be released. Following court orders, most records were unsealed starting in 1998. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History subsequently made all commission records accessible online, revealing the extensive surveillance network and the state's complicity in various civil rights-era events.

Documenting History

The unsealed records provided invaluable insights into the systematic efforts to suppress the civil rights movement in Mississippi. They confirmed the commission's role in profiling over 87,000 individuals and shed light on its involvement in critical events, including providing information related to the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner.

Cultural Depictions

Documenting the Past

The history and operations of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission were the subject of the 2014 documentary film titled Spies of Mississippi. Directed by Dawn Porter, the film provided a critical examination of the commission's clandestine activities and its impact on the civil rights struggle in the state.

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References

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Mississippi's Shadow of Sovereignty

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Agency Overview ℹ️

🏛️ State Agency for Resistance

🛡️ Protecting State Sovereignty

🕵️ Covert Operations and Surveillance

Genesis of the Commission 📜

💡 A Governor's Proposal

🗳️ Legislative Passage

Organizational Structure 🏢

⚙️ Divisions and Leadership

👥 Board Composition

📰 Public Relations Focus

Commission Directors 👤

🗓️ Leadership Tenure

Operational Activities 🕵️

🔍 Intelligence and Surveillance

👥 Infiltration and Harassment

💸 Economic Retaliation

⚖️ Complicity in Violence

The Commission's Closure 🚫

🗳️ Shifting Political Landscape

✋ Veto and Dissolution

Records and Revelations 📚

🗄️ Archival Custody

🔓 Unsealing and Accessibility

🌍 Documenting History

Cultural Depictions 🎬

🎥 Documenting the Past

Related Topics 🔗

🇺🇸 United States Portal

⭐ Mississippi Portal

⚖️ Related Commissions

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Agency Overview

State Agency for Resistance

Protecting State Sovereignty

Covert Operations and Surveillance

Genesis of the Commission

A Governor's Proposal

Legislative Passage

Organizational Structure

Divisions and Leadership

Board Composition

Public Relations Focus

Commission Directors

Leadership Tenure

Operational Activities

Intelligence and Surveillance

Infiltration and Harassment

Economic Retaliation

Complicity in Violence

The Commission's Closure

Shifting Political Landscape

Veto and Dissolution

Records and Revelations

Archival Custody

Unsealing and Accessibility

Documenting History

Cultural Depictions

Documenting the Past

Related Topics

United States Portal

Mississippi Portal

Related Commissions

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice