Emmet O'Neal holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He spent several years in public service, including serving as United States District Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. O'Neal held leadership roles in the Alabama Bar Association and was elected governor of Alabama in 1910. During his tenure, he advocated for the commission form of city government and regulation of child labor. Post-governorship, he contributed to publications and worked in manufacturing.

Emmet O'Neal's political career is marked by a blend of progressive advocacy and conservative pragmatism. He championed child labor regulations while simultaneously working to disenfranchise marginalized groups through suffrage provisions. O'Neal's advocacy for the commission form of city governance reveals a preference for expertise over political maneuvering. His opposition to a prohibition amendment highlights a nuanced stance on social issues. These positions suggest a complex ideological landscape that balances reform with traditional values.