Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection

Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection

Descriptive Summary

Title: Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection
Creator: Henderson, Harold Paulk (Hal), Sr.
Inclusive Dates: 1981-1994
Language(s): English
Extent: 125 item(s)
Collection Number: RBRL096HPH
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: Hal Henderson is a retired professor of political science from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Ga. His main research field is mid-twentieth century Georgia politics. The oral history interviews in this collection are the result of research Henderson conducted for two books, one on Ellis Arnall and the other on Ernest Vandiver. This collection also contains eight VHS recordings from a symposium on Georgia governors directed by Hal Henderson and Gary Roberts that was held at ABAC in 1985.

Collection Description

Historical Note

Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr.

Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr., the collection's primary interviewer, is a retired professor of political science from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. His main research field is mid-twentieth century Georgia politics, and he has written two monographs in this area: The Politics of Change in Georgia: A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall (1991) and Ernest Vandiver, Governor of Georgia (2000). With Gary L. Roberts, he also co-edited Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee (1988).

Ellis Gibbs Arnall

Ellis Gibbs Arnall was born to Bessie Lena Ellis and Joseph Gibbs Arnall in Newnan, Georgia, on March 20, 1907. He attended public schools in Newnan until college. Arnall attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and transferred to the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, where he majored in Greek. He graduated in 1928, enrolled at the University of Georgia Law School, and matriculated in 1931. While at UGA, Arnall was active in leading campus organizations, including his class, his legal fraternity, the student body, the Interfraternity Council, and the Gridiron Club. After law school, Arnall began to practice law in Newnan, Georgia.

Arnall began his political career in 1932, when he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives to represent Coweta County. As a freshman legislator, he was elected to Speaker pro tempore , a position to which he was reelected in 1935. In 1937, Governor Eurith D. (E.D.) Rivers appointed him as assistant attorney general and in 1939, to attorney general. In 1939, Arnall was the youngest attorney general in the country at thirty-one years old. In 1940, he was elected attorney general.

In 1942, Arnall was elected governor, defeating Eugene Talmadge. He was the youngest governor in the country at that time. Arnall served from 1943 to 1947 with a progressive program that included reforming the prison system, repealing the poll tax, lowering the voting age, revising the state constitution (1945), establishing a teachers' retirement system, and paying off the state debt, as well as helping Georgia colleges regain accreditation. Arnall's reforms brought attention to the South, and his fight against discriminatory railroad freight rates helped boost the region's industrialization and economic prominence on the national scene.

In 1947, Arnall was involved in the "three-governor controversy" when governor-elect Eugene Talmadge died before he could take office. Arnall, Lieutenant Governor M.E. Thompson, and Talmadge's son, Herman, all laid claim to the office, which officially was given to Herman Talmadge by the Georgia legislature.

Unable to serve more than one successive term as governor by mandate of the state constitution, Arnall started a book lecture tour around the country after leaving office, marketing his books The Shore Dimly Seen (1946) and What the People Want (1948). He eventually returned to law practice and started the firm of Arnall, Golden, and Gregory, LLP, in Atlanta in 1949. In 1952, President Harry S. Truman appointed Arnall director of the Office of Price Stabilization, a position in which he served for six months. Arnall also became involved in the insurance business, serving as president of Dixie Life Insurance Company, chairman of the board of Coastal States Life Insurance, and vice chairman of the Sun Life Group of America.

Arnall re-entered Georgia politics in 1966 when he ran for governor. While he did not win the Democratic primary, which after a run-off between Arnall and Lester Maddox went to Maddox, supporters created a substantial write-in campaign for him.

Arnall served as the president of the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers (1948-1963) and belonged to the Capital City Club, Piedmont Driving Club, and Central Baptist Church of Newnan. He was married to Mildred Slemons Arnall, who died in 1980, for forty-five years. They had two children, Alvan and Alice. In 1981, Arnall married Ruby Hamilton McCord. Ellis Arnall died on December 13, 1992.

Samuel Ernest Vandiver

Samuel Ernest Vandiver was born to Samuel Ernest and Vanna Bowers Vandiver in Canon, Franklin County, Georgia, on July 3, 1918. He attended Lavonia High School and Darlington School in Rome before attending and graduating from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in history in 1940 and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 1942. While a student at the university, Vandiver was the president of numerous campus organizations, including Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Blue Key leadership fraternity, Phi Kappa Literary Society, and the Pan-Hellenic Council. He was also the president of his freshman law class, as well as a member of the Sphinx Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, the Gridiron Society, the Pelican Club, and Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity.

After graduation, Vandiver enlisted as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Force and received a second lieutenant commission in March 1944. Health complications prevented him from continuing service as a pilot, and he was reassigned as defense counsel for the Air Force in Arizona and later, as a legal advisor to individual airmen. By 1945 and the end of his military obligation, Vandiver left the Air Force at the rank of captain.

Upon return to Lavonia, Vandiver ran for city mayor and won the election unopposed in November 1945. In addition to his mayoral duties, in December 1946, Vandiver passed the Georgia Bar and joined Joseph D. Quillian's law firm in Winder, which then became Quillian and Vandiver in May 1947. On September 3, 1947, he married Sybil Elizabeth (Betty) Russell, niece of Senator Richard B. Russell.

In 1948, newly-elected Governor Herman Talmadge appointed Vandiver his adjutant general. Only thirty years old, Vandiver was the youngest adjutant general in the nation. In 1952, he took a leave of absence from his post as director of the Selective Service of Georgia to assist in Senator Richard B. Russell's 1952 presidential campaign. In 1954, Vandiver was elected lieutenant governor and served under Governor S. Marvin Griffin, Sr. from 1955 to 1959.

In the most remarkable gubernatorial election landslide in recent Georgia history, Vandiver won the Democratic primary on September 10, 1958. He carried 156 counties, 400 county unit votes, and 499,477 popular votes compared to his two opponents' (William Bodenhamer and Lee Roy Abernathy) total of 120,929 votes. Due to the functions of Georgia's county unit system, Vandiver's primary win meant that he had also won the gubernatorial seat. Vandiver was the last Georgia governor elected under this system, which was abolished in 1963 with the decision of Gray v. Sanders in the U.S. Supreme Court.

When Vandiver came to office in 1959, it was in the midst of a spending scandal throughout Georgia's state departments. He immediately ordered most of the state departments and agencies to reduce their expenditures by ten percent, implemented efficient business practices, and appointed competent directors to the most troubled departments. No further fiscal scandal plagued his administration.

Segregation, described by Vandiver as "the most over-riding internal problem ever to confront the people of Georgia in our lifetime," was his next major challenge. Under his administration, the University of Georgia was integrated in 1961, ending 175 years of segregated education. In an effort to enforce the federal court order directing Atlanta to desegregate its public schools by September 1961, Vandiver oversaw the entrance of nine black students to formerly all-white high schools.

The Vandiver administration also oversaw the transfer of Georgia's neglected historical records to a new seventeen-story building constructed in Atlanta to house the archives. He also influenced the Georgia General Assembly to increase appropriations and federal assistance to the Milledgeville hospital for the mentally ill.

After his term as governor, Vandiver returned to practicing law in Atlanta, but eventually moved his business back to Lavonia. He again ran for governor in 1966, but was forced to withdraw from the race due to a heart attack. In 1971, he served under Governor Jimmy Carter as adjutant general. In 1972, he ran unsuccessfully for Georgia's senatorial seat left vacant at the death of Senator Russell. Vandiver received twenty percent of the vote in the fifteen-man senatorial race, but ultimately lost to Sam Nunn.

Vandiver has been active in civic and business endeavors in Lavonia and the state. In Lavonia, he has served as chairman of the board of directors of the Northeast Georgia Bank of Lavonia, president of the board of directors of the Lavonia Development Corporation, and deacon in the First Baptist Church. He has also served as president of the Georgia Seed Company and the Independent Bankers of Georgia from 1976 to 1977, as well as been a member of the "President's Club" of the University of Georgia.

Vandiver died on February 21, 2005. He is survived by his wife, Betty, and their three children: Samuel Ernest III (Chip), Vanna Elizabeth, and Jane Brevard.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of interviews conducted by Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr., during his research that resulted in two monographs, The Politics of Change in Georgia: A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall (1991) and Ernest Vandiver, Governor of Georgia (2000).

Series I. Ellis G. Arnall contains nineteen interviews and a recording of a speech by Herman Talmadge. This series documents the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election and the life of Georgia governor Ellis G. Arnall. Additional interviews with Herman E. Talmadge (Georgia governor 1948-1955 and U.S. Senator 1956-1981) record information about Talmadge, his father (Eugene) and family, and politics in Georgia.

Series II. S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr., contains thirty-one interviews conducted by Hal Henderson and one interview conducted by Mel Steeley and Ted Fitzsimmons of West Georgia College documenting the political and personal life of Georgia governor S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr.

Series III. Georga Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee contains videorecordings of a symposium on Georgia governors that was held at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 1985.


Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Reference copies of the audiovisual recordings are available upon request and are dependent upon the condition of the recordings.

Preferred Citation

Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Processing Information

Original and transfer media formats for this collection include audiocassettes and VHS videocassettes.

Copyright Information

Resources may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2011.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr. Papers

Herman E. Talmadge Collection

Augustus Turnbull collection of Carl Sanders Speech/Press Files

Carl E. Sanders Papers

Richard B. Russell Library Oral History Documentary Collection: Conversation with Carl E. Sanders

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection

Alvan S. Arnall Collection of Ellis G. Arnall Materials

Howard H. (Bo) Callaway Papers

Clifford Hodges Brewton Collection of Lester G. Maddox Speech/Press Research Files

Roy Vincent Harris Papers

John B. Morris Papers

Related Collections in Other Repositories

S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr., Mrs. S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr. (Betty), and Ellis Arnall oral history interviews, Georgia Government Documentation Project, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library

Governor S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr. official papers, Georgia Department of Archives and History in Atlanta, Georgia

Peter Zack Geer collection, Georgia Southern University

Georgia Democratic Party Forum Records, 1959-1972, Georgia State University

Marvin Griffin Papers, Bainbridge College Library, Bainbridge, Georgia

Governor Jimmy Carter Official Papers, Georgia Department of Archives and History

Ernest Vandiver, governor of Georgia by Harold P. Henderson (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2000)

The Politics of Change in Georgia: a political biography of Ellis Arnall by Harold P. Henderson (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1991)

Georgia governors in an age of change: from Ellis Arnall to George Busbee (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1988)


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

Series I. Ellis Arnall Interviews

54 item(s)
Series I. consists of interviews conducted by Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr., during his research for The Politics of Change in Georgia: A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall (1991). The series contains nineteen interviews, some in several parts, and a recording of a speech by Herman Talmadge. Series I. documents the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election and the life of Georgia governor Ellis G. Arnall, 1943-1947. Additional interviews with Herman E. Talmadge, Georgia governor, 1948-1955, and U.S. Senator, 1956-1981, record information about Talmadge, his father (Eugene) and family, and politics in Georgia.



OHARN01_1 Herman E. Talmadge

( 1 sound_recording(s) 23 minutes )
Herman Talmadge served as governor of Georgia from 1947 to 1955 and as United States Senator from 1957 to 1981.
Herman E. Talmadge interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Georgia gubernatorial candidates in the 1966 election (including Ernest Vandiver), Talmadge's opinions on candidates in the Democratic Primary in 1966 (Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, Jimmy Carter, Ellis Arnall), his opinion of Republican candidate Bo Callaway, and his decision not to run in the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial race, and the Democratic Party in Georgia, circa 1965-1966.
OHARN01_01 Herman E. Talmadge Transcript Access Online



OHARN01_2 Howard H. "Bo" Callaway

( 1 sound_recording(s) 20 minutes )
Howard H. "Bo" Callaway interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Callaway's decision to change from the Democratic to Republican Party in 1964; his decision to run for governor in 1966, the political climate in Georgia (Democrats, Republicans) in the 1960s; possible candidates in 1966 gubernatorial race (including Ernest Vandiver and Herman Talmadge), Callaway's views on candidates in the 1966 Democratic Primary (Ellis Arnall, Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, and Jimmy Carter), Callaway's business experience (Callaway Gardens) prior to running for governor, running against Lester Maddox in 1966, Callaway's campaign for governor and campaign expenses, the congressional vote on the minimum wage bill during his campaign, and the write-in campaign for Arnall in the 1966 gubernatorial election.
Bo Callaway is a businessman and politician who has held several public offices including U.S. Congressman (1965-1967) and U.S. Secretary of the Army (1973-1975).
OHARN01_2 Howard H. "Bo" Callaway Transcript Access Online



OHARN02 S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr.

( 1 sound_recording(s) 53 minutes )
Samuel Ernest Vandiver, Jr., interviewed by Hal Henderson. Vandiver talks about the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election, including his decision to run and his subsequent decision to withdraw from the race due to health reasons, his political philosophy, highlights of his governorship (from 1959-1963), Arnall's campaign for Georgia governor in 1966 and its effect on Vandiver, Vandiver's supporters in 1966, his association with the Talmadges, Herman Talmadge's possible run for governor in 1966, Vandiver's views of candidates in the 1966 Democratic Primary (Ellis Arnall, Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, and Jimmy Carter), and the write-in campaign for Arnall in the 1966 gubernatorial election, 1966.
Ernest Vandiver serves as governor of Georgia from 1959 to 1963.
OHARN02 S. Ernest Vandiver Jr. Transcript Access Online



OHARN03_1 Garland T. Byrd

( 1 sound_recording(s) 34 minutes )
Garland T. Byrd interviewed by Hal Henderson. Byrd discusses the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election, including his decision to run for governor, other possible candidates in the 1966 gubernatorial race (including Ernest Vandiver and Herman Talmadge), Byrd's opinions on candidates in the 1966 Democratic Primary (Ellis Arnall, Lester Maddox, Jimmy Gray, and Jimmy Carter), Byrd's assessment of his various political campaigns throughout the 1960s, Byrd's 1966 campaign platform for governor, his experience campaigning for governor and his campaign expenses, his thoughts on the 1966 election and its outcome, his thoughts on Republican candidate Bo Callaway, and the write-in campaign for Ellis Arnall in 1966.
Garland Byrd served as lieutenant governor of Georgia under Governor Ernest Vandiver (1959-1963).
OHARN03_1 Garland T. Byrd Transcript Access Online



OHARN03_2 Lester G. Maddox

( 1 sound_recording(s) 39 minutes )
Lester G. Maddox interviewed by Hal Henderson. Maddox discusses the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election, including his decision to run for governor, his opinions on politics and politicians in general, his views on candidates in the 1966 Democratic Primary (Ellis Arnall, Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, and Jimmy Carter), Maddox's views on potential gubernatorial candidates (including Ernest Vandiver and Herman Talmadge), Maddox's views on the 1966 gubernatorial race and its outcome, the write-in campaign for Arnall in the 1966 gubernatorial election, his opposition to Bo Callaway in 1966, Maddox's experiences campaigning for governor and his campaign expenses, and the role of the media.
Lester Maddox served as governor of Georgia from 1967 to 1971.
OHARN03_2 Lester G. Maddox Transcript Access Online



OHARN04_1 Ellis G. Arnall

( 1 sound_recording(s) 44 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Arnall's decision to run for governor in 1966, his views on the 1966 gubernatorial race, possible candidates in the 1966 gubernatorial race (Ernest Vandiver and Herman Talmadge), his views on candidates in the 1966 Democratic Primary (Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, and Jimmy Carter), Arnall's opinion of Republican candidate Bo Callaway, his support for Jimmy Carter in Carter's 1976 presidential race, Arnall's political philosophy and viewpoints, highlights of Arnall's previous governorship from 1943-1947, his relationship with Bo Callaway and with Ohio Governor James Cox, the write-in campaign for Arnall in the 1966 gubernatorial election, and political processes in Georgia (including the three governors controversy in 1946-47).
OHARN04_1 Ellis G. Arnall Transcript Access Online



OHARN04_2 James H. Gray, Sr.

( 1 sound_recording(s) 26 minutes )
James H. "Jimmy" Gray, Sr., interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Gray's decision to run for governor in 1966, possible candidates in the 1966 gubernatorial race (including Ernest Vandiver and Herman Talmadge), Gray's views on candidates in the 1966 Democratic Primary (Lester Maddox, Ellis Arnall, Jimmy Carter, and Garland Byrd), Republican candidate Bo Callaway, Gray's thoughts on his loss in the 1966 primary, the write-in campaign for Arnall, Gray's experience campaigning for governor, his campaign expenses, campaign support, and the media's influence on the 1966 election.
James Gray was editory and publisher of the Albany Herald from 1947 to 1986 and also served as the mayor of Albany (1973-1986).
OHARN04_2 James H. Gray, Sr. Transcript Access Online



OHARN05 Ford Spinks

( 1 sound_recording(s) 30 minutes )
Ford Spinks interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Jimmy Carter's decision to run in the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election, Carter's early supporters (including Spinks), Carter's campaign expenses; Spinks' evaluation of other candidates in the 1966 Democratic Primary (Ellis Arnall, Lester Maddox, Jimmy Gray, and Garland Byrd), Republican Party nominee, Bo Callaway, Jimmy Carter's strengths as a gubernatorial candidate, dynamics of the 1966 election and alternative outcomes, Spinks' perspective on Senators Richard B. Russell, Jr.'s and Herman E. Talmadge's support for Carter in 1966 election, the write-in campaign for Arnall in the 1966 gubernatorial election, and Spinks' thoughts on ultimate election of Lester Maddox as governor in 1966.
Ford Spinks served as a Georgia state senator from 1963-1972 and as Georgia Public Service Commissioner from 1971 to 1988.
OHARN05 Ford Spinks Transcript Access Online



OHARN06 Carl E. Sanders

( 1 sound_recording(s) 37 minutes )
Carl E. Sanders served as governor of Georgia from 1963 to 1967.
Carl E. Sanders interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the possiblity of Sanders serving an additional term as Georgia governor, possible candidates in the 1966 gubernatorial race (including Ernest Vandiver and Herman Talmadge), Sanders' views on candidates in the 1966 Democratic Primary *Ellis Arnall, Lester Maddox, Jimmy Gray, Garland Byrd, and Jimmy Carter), Republican candidate Bo Callaway, election code changes during Sanders' gubernatorial administration (1963-1967), his views on the outcome of the 1966 election, the write-in campaign for Arnall, Sanders' views on Georgia's political processes,and Maddox's swearing in as governor in 1967.
OHARN06 Carl E. Sanders Transcript Access Online



OHARN07 Ivan Allen, Jr.

( 1 sound_recording(s) 21 minutes )
Ivan Allen, Jr., interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Ellis Arnall as governor (1943-1947), Arnall's relationship with the Georgia legislature while governor, Arnall's major accomplishments as governor, Arnall's political philosophy, Allen's thoughts on the 1966 gubernatorial election and Arnall's participationm, Allen's relationship with Ellis Arnall, the three governors controversy (1946-1947), and Allen's relationship with M.E. Thompson.
Ivan Allen served as Governor Ellis Arnall's executive secretary from 1945 to 1946 and later served as mayor of Atlanta from 1962 to 1970.
OHARN07 Ivan Allen, Jr.Transcript Access Online



OHARN08 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 88 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the genesis of Henderson's biography of Arnall and Arnall's "destiny" to become governor.
Arnall also discusses the 1942 gubernatorial election (Arnall v. Eugene Talmadge), including campaign strategies, the Cocking affair in 1941, Arnall's political philosophy versus Eugene Talmadge's political philosophy, and Arnall's relationship with Eugene Talmadge.Arnall discusses major accomplishments of his administration (1943-1947), including industrialization of the South, voting franchise in Georgia, education in Georgia, and prison reform. He also talks about the state highway department, the integrity of his administration, the State of Georgia v. Hiram Evans, et al. (1942), Arnall's views on race issues during his administration, his opinion on sales tax, Ed Rivers' political philosophy, Arnall's relationships and experiences with Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Jimmy Carter, and the 1946 gubernatorial election.
OHARN08 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHARN09 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 11 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the Dick Gallogy case and Ed Rivers (1939), Ed Rivers and the election of 1946, and the Arnall administration's contributions to Georgia history.
OHARN09 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHARN10 Ellis G. Arnall

( 1 sound_recording(s) 40 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include M.E. Thompson, Jimmy Carmichael and the election of 1946, Arnall's relationship with Thompson, the three governors controversy (1946-1947), Arnall's decision to run for governor in 1966; Roy Harris and the white primary issue, Lester Maddox and the election of 1966, Arnall's write-in campaign in 1966; his reasons behind running in 1966 but not 1962, and the beginnings of his law firm Arnall, Golden, and Gregory, LLP.
OHARN10 Ellis G. Arnall Transcript Access Online



OHARN11 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 88 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Arnall discusses his family history, including his parents, his early married life, and his education. He talks about his first political race for the Georgia House of Representatives in 1932, including campaigning, the 1932 gubernatorial race, and Arnall's relationship (personal and political) with Eugene Talmadge. He talks about his tenure in Georgia House of Representatives, including his election to Speaker pro tempore in 1933, his relationship with Ed Rivers and Roy Harris, the sales tax issue, the three-dollar vehicle license tag issue, and legislation introduced in Georgia House of Representatives during his tenure there.
Arnall discusses his views on United States democracy and the democratic process, his appointment to special assistant state attorney general in 1935, his leadership style versus Eugene Talmadge's leadership style, the economy and the Great Depression, the New Deal, his election to attorney general in 1940, the Cocking affair, his decision to run for governor in 1941, and his relationship with Franklin D. Roosevelt. Arnall also discusses his experiences campaigning for governor during the time of the county unit system and the poll tax and his opinion on women on juries.
OHARN11 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 1Transcript Access Online



OHARN12 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 48 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the 1945 Georgia constitution, influences on Arnall's career in politics, and his views on Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. Arnall also discusses his gubernatorial administration (1943-1947), including state taxes, state debt, the poll tax, the voting age, the race issue, campaigning, and his relationship with the Georgia legislature while governor. Arnall talks about the Georgia Constitution and gubernatorial succession, his relationship with Roy V. Harris and Ed Rivers, his decision to run for governor in 1966, his views on actual and possible candidates in the 1946 gubernatorial election (including Roy Harris, Marvin Griffin, Jimmy Carmichael, and Ed Rivers), and his lack of desire to be governor again, post-1947.
OHARN12 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHARN13 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 3

( 1 sound_recording(s) 77 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Arnall's thoughts on M.E. Thompson's run for governor, Arnall's decision to run for governor in 1966, Arnall's national and state reputation, reasons for his loss of support in Georgia post-1947, his political relationship with Jimmy Carter, his relationship with Harry Truman, his support for Henry Wallace, his 1944 vice presidential nomination, his post-gubernatorial activities, his stance on the race issue, his thoughts on Martin Luther King, Jr. and civil disobedience, the county unit system, his views on the lack of corruption in his gubernatorial administration, and his write-in campaign in the 1966 gubernatorial election.
OHARN13 Ellis G. Arnall, Part 3 Transcript Access Online



OHARN14 Herman E. Talmadge

( 1 sound_recording(s) 27 minutes )
Herman Talmadge served as governor of Georgia from 1947 to 1955 and as United States Senator from 1957 to 1981.
Herman E. Talmadge interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the political relationship between Eugene Talmadge and Ellis Arnall, the 1942 Georgia gubernatorial campaign, Eugene Talmadge's political style and reputation, Arnall's supporters in the Georgia legislature in the 1930s, Eugene Talmadge's political campaigns, elections, and defeats, the election of 1946 (the three governors controversy), and Herman Talmadge's views on Arnall and his politics.
OHARN14 Herman E. Talmadge Transcript Access Online



OHARN15 Ellis G. Arnall

( 1 sound_recording(s) 49 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include prison reform in Georgia, the Robert Elliot Burns case, Arnall's views on taxes and the economy during his gubernatorial administration (1943-1947), differences between Arnall's and Ed Rivers' political philosophies, and the role of the governor. Arnall discusses the issue of race, including his goals, philosophy, actions regarding race issues during his governorship and afterwards. Arnall talks about his political ambitions, his opinion on serving a second gubernatorial term, and his views on the election of 1946 (the three governors controversy).
OHARN15 Ellis G.Arnall Transcript Access Online



OHARN16 Ellis G. Arnall

( 1 sound_recording(s) 43 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Arnall's campaign platform during the 1942 gubernatorial election of 1942, the Georgia Constitution of 1945, the constitutional commission, ratification, and the poll tax.
OHARN16 Ellis G. Arnall Transcript Access Online



OHARN17 Herman E. Talmadge, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 80 minutes )
Herman E. Talmadge interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the genealogy and history of the Talmadge family, Talmadge's childhood, education, and relationship with his father (Eugene Talmadge), and Herman's early political activities. Herman Talmadge discusses Eugene Talmadge's political style and campaigns and compares those with his own. He also discusses his service in the Navy during World War II, Georgia politicians during the 1930s and 1940s (including Ed Rivers, Roy Harris, Ellis Arnall, and M.E. Thompson), the three governors controversy (1946-1947), and the Neil Primary Act and white voting primaries.
Herman Talmadge served as governor of Georgia from 1947 to 1955 and as United States Senator from 1957 to 1981.
OHARN17 Herman E. Talmadge, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHARN18 Herman E. Talmadge, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 65 minutes )
Herman Talmadge served as governor of Georgia from 1947 to 1955 and as United States Senator from 1957 to 1981.
Herman E. Talmadge interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the three governors controversy (1946-1947), Melvin Ernest (M.E.) Thompson and his political opposition to Talmadge, The Statesman (Hapeville, Ga.) and Talmadge's relationship with the media, highlights from Talmadge's administration as governor (1948-1954), Talmadge's relationship with the General Assembly and other state officials, the Minimum Foundation Program and Talmadge's education policies, Georgia's first sales tax in 1950, Talmadge's political influences and strategy, and the county unit system.
OHARN18 Herman E. Talmadge, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHARN19 Ellis G. Arnall

( 1 sound_recording(s) 38 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Arnall discusses the election of 1948, including the support for M.E. Thompson and reasons why Herman Talmadge won. Arnall also talks about responses to the Talmadges's and Roy V. Harris's criticisms against him in the election of 1948 regarding the reputation of Georgia, civil rights, the county unit system, alleged corruption in road building ("negotiated contracts"), his relationship with the press, and alleged corruption while Arnall was president of the Pan-Hellenic Council at UGA. Arnall talks about why he did not run for office in the 1950s and 1960s, the state sales tax, Brown v. Board of Education, and Ernest Vandiver and the possibility of closing Georgia schools over integration (1959-1961).
OHARN19 Ellis G. Arnall Transcript Access Online



OHARN20 Ellis G. Arnall

( 1 sound_recording(s) 10 minutes )
Ellis Arnall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Arnall's opinions on the case against John E. Whitley (1939), his experiences when attorney general under Governor Ed Rivers (1939-1941), and Henderson's drafts of his biography about Arnall.
OHARN20 Ellis G. Arnall Transcript Access Online



OHARN21 Herman E. Talmadge speech

( 1 sound_recording(s) 15 minutes )
Herman Talmadge served as governor of Georgia from 1947 to 1955 and as United States Senator from 1957 to 1981.
Herman E. Talmadge speaking at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Symposium on History and Government. Topics include Talmadge's retirement from politics, the legacy and historical significance of his governorship, economic and industrial growth in Georgia, and natural resources (timber) in Georgia.
OHARN21 Herman E. Talmadge speech Transcript Access Online
 

Series II. S. Ernest Vandiver Interviews

63 item(s)
Series II. consists of interviews conducted by Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr., during his research for Ernest Vandiver, Governor of Georgia (2000). Series II. S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr., 1986, 1993-1994, contains thirty-one interviews, some in several parts, conducted by Hal Henderson, and one interview conducted by Mel Steeley and Ted Fitzsimmons of West Georgia College documenting the political and personal life of Georgia governor S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr., 1959-1963.



OHVAN01A Ernest Vandiver, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 60 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Mel Steeley and Ted Fitzsimmons of West Georgia College. Vandiver discusses his early life, including his rural upbringing, his family history, his childhood, his religious background and education, and the origins of his interest in politics. Vandiver talks about being elected mayor of Lavonia in 1945, Herman and Eugene Talmadge, his military career, his time at UGA, segregation, and being an aide to Herman Talmadge.
OHVAN01A Ernest Vandiver, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN01B Ernest Vandiver, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 57 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Mel Steeley and Ted Fitzsimmons of West Georgia College. Topics include Herman Talmadge, the salary and perks of being governor, Vandiver's management Talmadge's 1948 campaign for governor, desegregation, selecting administration and department heads as governor, his "No, not one" segregationist campaign motto, and the integration of UGA.
OHVAN01B Ernest Vandiver, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN01C Ernest Vandiver, Part 3

( 1 sound_recording(s) 56 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Mel Steeley and Ted Fitzsimmons of West Georgia College. Topics include the Sibley Commission, a governor's power in the 1960s, Vandiver's involvement with the completion of the Georgia Archives building, President John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter as governor of Georgia; Vandiver's disappointment in not being appointed to replace Senator Russell after his passing, and Senator Russell's presidential bid in 1952.
OHVAN01C Ernest Vandiver, Part 3 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN01D Ernest Vandiver, Part 4

( 1 sound_recording(s) 11 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Mel Steeley and Ted Fitzsimmons of West Georgia College. Topics include Senator Russell's impact on Ernest Vandiver, Vandiver's life since being governor, religion, unfulfilled political aspirations, and Vandiver's opinions of Georgia's governors since he left office.
OHVAN01D Ernest Vandiver, Part 4 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN02 Herman E. Talmadge

( 1 sound_recording(s) 31 minutes )
Herman Talmadge served as governor of Georgia from 1947 to 1955 and as United States Senator from 1957 to 1981.
Herman E. Talmadge interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the beginnings of his friendship with Ernest Vandiver, Vandiver's involvement with the Talmadge camp in Georgia politics, the Sibley Commission, Vandiver as governor and his political philosophy, the controversy of why Vandiver was not appointed to replace Senator Russell after his death, and Vandiver's failed 1972 run for the U.S. Senate.
OHVAN02 Herman E. Talmadge Transcript Access Online



OHVAN03 Carl E. Sanders

( 1 sound_recording(s) 37 minutes )
Carl E. Sanders served as governor of Georgia from 1963 to 1967.
Carl Sanders interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the failures and accomplishments of Vandiver's administrations, Vandiver's "No, not one" segregationist motto, Vandiver's persuasiveness as governor, integration (desegregation), the Sibley Commission, the Rural Roads Authority issue, and battle over the budget.
OHVAN03 Carl E. Sanders Transcript Access Online



OHVAN04A Ernest Vandiver

( 1 sound_recording(s) 90 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Vandiver discusses his early life, including the influence of his parents on his life, his ancestry, his military service, his wife, and his involvement in the campaigns of 1936 and 1938.
OHVAN04A Ernest Vandiver Transcript Access Online



OHVAN04B Ernest Vandiver, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 90 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson.Topics include Vandiver's involvement in gubernatorial and Senate races, Herman Talmadge's Senate run in 1980, Vandiver's role as aide to Herman Talmadge during 1948 (for 67 days), Roy Harris, Vandiver's service as adjutant general, and his experience running for lieutenant governor in 1954.
OHVAN04B Ernest Vandiver, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN04C Ernest Vandiver, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 60 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Vandiver's involvement in Georgia's legislature in the 1950s, Governor Marvin Griffin, the Rural Roads issue, Vandiver's run for governor of Georgia in 1957 (including his opponent William Bodenhamer), Vandiver's "No, not one" segregationist motto, integration, Herman Talmadge and the black vote, and reasons for Vandiver wanting to be governor.
OHVAN04C Ernest Vandiver, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN04D Ernest Vandiver, Part 3

( 1 sound_recording(s) 90 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include segregation issue, Carl Sanders' pseudo-run for Senate against Russell, Roy Harris, supporting the Kennedy-Johnson ticket, Martin Luther King, Jr., being put in jail and Vandiver's involvement in getting him released, Vandiver's heart attack in 1960, the Sibley Commission, and his experience being governor during the desegregation of public schools.
OHVAN04D Ernest Vandiver, Part 3 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN04E Ernest Vandiver, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 90 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Vandiver's appointees, the county unit system, Vandiver's proposed run for governor in 1966, Bo Callaway and Lester Maddox's 1966 fight for governor, mental health program reform (Central State Hospital in Milledgeville), industrial recruitment, Vandiver's accomplishments and failures as governor, and education under Gov. Vandiver.
OHVAN04E Ernest Vandiver, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN04F Ernest Vandiver, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 87 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the positive and negative aspects of being governor, the work schedule of a governor, Vandiver's relationship with press, the Committee of One Hundred (rapid transit in Atlanta), Vandiver's business interests since being governor, his disappointment over not being appointed to suceed Russell in the U.S. Senate, serving as adjutant general 1970, Vandiver's run for Gambrell's Senate seat in 1972, Sam Nunn, and Jimmy Carter as governor.
OHVAN04F Ernest Vandiver, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN04G Ernest Vandiver, Part 3

( 1 sound_recording(s) 90 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Vandiver's leisure activities while governor, his children and their families, his wife's role in his political career, and his place in Georgia's history. Vandiver also discusses his early life and background, including his ancestry, his mom and dad meeting, and childhood.
OHVAN04G Ernest Vandiver, Part 3 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN04H Ernest Vandiver, Part 4

( 1 sound_recording(s) 18 minutes )
Ernest Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Vandiver discusses his early life and education, including his high school activities, and his friends from high school, college, and law school. He also talks about members of his administration when he was governor.
OHVAN04H Ernest Vandiver, Part 4 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN05A Peter Zack Geer, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 83 minutes )
Peter Zack Geer interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Geer's relationship with Vandiver before becoming his executive secretary, Vandiver's 1954 run for lieutenant governor, Governor Talmadge's role in Vandiver's run in 1954, Geer's opinion of Vandiver as lieutenant governor, Vandiver's relationship with Governor Marvin Griffin and the deterioration of that relationship, Vandiver and the rural roads issue, Vandiver's run for governor in 1958, Vandiver's "No, not one" segregationist statement, the county unit system, television and Vandiver, Vandiver's stewardship as governor, the desegregation of UGA, the Sibley Commission, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s release from jail, Vandiver's aborted 1966 governor campaign, and Vandiver's failed 1972 run for Senate.
Peter Zack Geer was Gov. Vandiver's executive secretary (1959-1962) and served as lieutenant governor of Georgia from 1962 to 1966.
OHVAN05A Peter Zack Geer, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN05B Peter Zack Geer, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 6 minutes )
Peter Zack Geer interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Vandiver as politician and his place in Georgia's history.
Peter Zack Geer was Gov. Vandiver's executive secretary (1959-1962) and served as lieutenant governor of Georgia from 1962 to 1966.
OHVAN05B Peter Zack Geer, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN06 Robert A. "Cheney" Griffin

( 1 sound_recording(s) 32 minutes )
Robert A. "Cheney" Griffin interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Griffin's role as aide to his brother Governor Marvin Griffin, the relationship between Vandiver and Marvin Griffin before he was governor (1955-1959), the rural roads issue, Vandiver's criticism of Griffin's tenure as governor, Marvin Griffin's 1962 run for governor, and Vandiver as governor.
Robert A. "Cheney" Griffin was the executive aide to his brother, Gov. Marvin Griffin and also served as the mayor of Bainbridge, Ga.
OHVAN06 Robert A. "Cheney" Griffin Transcript Access Online



OHVAN07 Griffin Bell

( 1 sound_recording(s) 89 minutes )
Griffin Bell interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Bell's relationship with Vandiver before he became governor, Vandiver's "No, not one" segregationist speech, Bell's role as chief of staff in Governor Vandiver's administration, Vandiver's role in John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign, the Sibley Commission, the county unit system, and Vandiver as governor.
Griffin Bell is a lawyer who served as attorney general of the United States from 1977 to 1979.
OHVAN07 Griffin Bell Transcript Access Online



OHVAN08 Freeman Leverett

( 1 sound_recording(s) 53 minutes )
Leverett Freeman interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Freeman's position in Vandiver's administration and his relationship with Vandiver, Freeman's opinion of Vandiver's "No, not one" segregationist speech, the Honesty in Government Act, the Sibley Commission, the county unit system, and Vandiver's accomplishments and failures as governor.
Ernest Freeman Leverett served as assistant attorney general of Georgia from 1955 to 1959.
OHVAN08 Freeman Leverett Transcript Access Online



OHVAN09 Henry G. Neal

( 1 sound_recording(s) )
Henry Getzen Neal was an advisor to Vandiver during his gubernatorial campaign and later served as assistant attorney general under Vandiver (1959-1964).
Henry Neal interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Vandiver's lobbying style and Vandiver's relationship with members of his administration.
OHVAN09 Henry G. Neal Transcript Access Online



OHVAN10 Henry G. Neal

( 1 sound_recording(s) )
Henry Getzen Neal was an advisor to Vandiver during his gubernatorial campaign and later served as assistant attorney general under Vandiver (1959-1964).
Henry Neal interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Neal's relationship with Vandiver before he became governor, Vandiver's "No, not one" speech, Neal's role in the Vandiver administration, the Sibley Commission, the desegregation of UGA, and Vandiver's 1966 gubernatorial campaign and 1972 U.S. Senate campagn.
OHVAN10 Henry G. Neal transcript Access Online



OHVAN11 Garland Byrd

( 1 sound_recording(s) 55 minutes )
Garland Byrd interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Byrd's opinion of Vandiver's overwhelming victory in governor's race in 1958, interest groups, the Honesty in Government Bill, the 1960 presidential election (Kennedy), the Sibley Commission, Vandiver's speech of intending to keep schools open, and Vandiver's accomplishments and failures as governor.
Garland Turk Byrd served as lieutenant governor of Georgia from 1959 to 1963.
OHVAN11 Garland Byrd Transcript Access Online



OHVAN12 Homer Rankin

( 1 sound_recording(s) 70 minutes )
Homer Rankin interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include William Bodenhamer, Roy Harris, committee hearings, the Sibley Commission, and accomplishments of Vandiver's administration.
Homer Meade Rankin was the editor and publisher of the Daily Tifton Gazette (c. 1959-1963) and president of the Georgia Press Association. He also served in the Georgia general assembly in the early 1960s.
OHVAN12 Homer Rankin Transcript Access Online



OHVAN13A Betty Vandiver, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 90 minutes )
Betty Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Betty Vandiver's parents and siblings, being in the Russell family, education, meeting Ernest Vandiver, and Ernest Vandiver's 1954 campaign for lieutenant governor.
Betty Vandiver is the wife of Ernest Vandiver and served as First Lady of Georgia from 1959 to 1963.
OHVAN13A Betty Vandiver, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN13B Betty Vandiver, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 79 minutes )
Betty Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Ernest Vandiver's "No, not one" speech, Senator Russell's support for Vandiver, Robert Russell, Marvin Griffin, and her role in Ernest Vandiver's 1958 campaign.
Betty Vandiver is the wife of Ernest Vandiver and served as First Lady of Georgia from 1959 to 1963.
OHVAN13B Betty Vandiver, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN13C Betty Vandiver, Part 3

( 1 sound_recording(s) 88 minutes )
Betty Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, desegregation, Gov. Vandiver's administration, her husband's health, and Ernest Vandiver's 1966 gubernatorial campaign and 1972 Senate campaign.
Betty Vandiver is the wife of Ernest Vandiver and served as First Lady of Georgia from 1959 to 1963.
OHVAN13C Betty Vandiver, Part 3 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN14 Jane Vandiver Kidd

( 1 sound_recording(s) 53 minutes )
Jane Vandiver Kidd interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include her parents (Betty and Ernest Vandiver), living in the governor's mansion, and Ernest Vandiver as a father.
Jane Brevard Vandiver Kidd is the daughter of Betty and Ernest Vandiver. Kidd served on the Lavonia City Council, managed Don Johnson's congressional campaign, served in the Georgia general assembly, and served as the chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia.
OHVAN14 Jane Vandiver Kidd Transcript Access Online



OHVAN15 Elizabeth Vandiver

( 1 sound_recording(s) 25 minutes )
Elizabeth Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include her parents (Betty and Ernest Vandiver) and her interest in her father's campaign.
Vanna Elizabeth "Beth" Vandiver is the daughter of Betty and Ernest Vandiver. She has worked in the Department of Family and Children Services in Atlanta and as a teacher in Franklin County, Ga.
OHVAN15 Elizabeth Vandiver Transcript Access Online



OHVAN16A Chip Vandiver, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 86 minutes )
Chip Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include his father's influence on him, working on his father's campaigns, problems in the 1972 Senate race, and growing up in the governor's mansion.
S.E. "Chip" Vandiver, III, is the son of Betty and Ernest Vandiver. He clerked for Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jordan and had a private law practice in Lavonia, Ga.
OHVAN16A Chip Vandiver, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN16B Chip Vandiver, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 6 minutes )
Chip Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include being part of the Russell family.
S.E. "Chip" Vandiver, III, is the son of Betty and Ernest Vandiver. He clerked for Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jordan and had a private law practice in Lavonia, Ga.
OHVAN16B Chip Vandiver, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN17 James Dunlap

( 1 sound_recording(s) 64 minutes )
James Dunlap interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include life at UGA with Vandiver, his role in Vandiver's 1954 run for lieutenant governor, Vandiver's "No, not one" speech, Griffin and Vandiver and the rural road issue, Dunlap's role in Vandiver's 1958 campaign, the Sibley Commission, and Dunlap's role in Vandiver's 1966 and 1972 campaigns.
James A. Dunlap was a classmate of Ernest Vandiver's at UGA and was a member of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
OHVAN17 James Dunlap Transcript Access Online



OHVAN18 William Bowdoin

( 1 sound_recording(s) 55 minutes )
William Bowdoin interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the relationship between Griffin and Vandiver, Vandiver's "No, not one" speech, Bowdoin's role in Vandiver's administration, reforms in the bidding process, and Betty Vandiver's influence on her husband.
William R. Bowdoin was president of the Trust Company of Georgia Associates, supervisor of the Purchases Department in the Vandiver administration, and chairman of the state Ports Authority.
OHVAN18 William Bowdoin Transcript Access Online



OHVAN19 Douglas Embry

( 1 sound_recording(s) 17 minutes )
Douglas Embry interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Embry's time as editor of the Georgia Guardsman, Vandiver's accomplishments as adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard (including building armories), Vandiver's work ethic and "executive" leadership style, Vandiver's frugality, and Embry's impressions of Betty Vandiver.
OHVAN19 Douglas Embry Transcript Access Online



OHVAN20 William Bonner

( 1 sound_recording(s) 21 minutes )
William Bonner interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Growing up in Lavonia with Ernest Vandiver, Vandiver as a student, and Vandiver's upbringing and childhood.
OHVAN20 William Bonner Transcript Access Online



OHVAN21A James Owen, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 37 minutes )
James Owen interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Owen's time at UGA with Vandiver, Vandiver's run for lieutenant governor in 1954, Vandiver's run for governor in 1958, Marvin Griffin, and the Sibley Commission.
OHVAN21A James Owen, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN21B James Owen, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 19 minutes )
James Owen interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Vandiver's accomplishments, the desegregation of the University of Georgia, and Vandiver's style and personality.
OHVAN21B James Owen, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN22 George T. Smith

( 1 sound_recording(s) 44 minutes )
George Smith interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Marvin Griffin's administration, the beginnings of Smith's friendship with Vandiver, Vandiver and the legislature, the Honesty in Government Act, the Sibley Commission, Vandiver's handling of the desegregation of UGA, Vandiver's accomplishments and failures as governor of Georgia, and Vandiver as a steward, governor, and politician.
OHVAN22 George T. Smith Transcript Access Online



OHVAN23 George Busbee

( 1 sound_recording(s) 26 minutes )
George Busbee interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include his impression of Marvin Griffin's administration, the relationship between Griffin and Vandiver, and the Sibley Commission.
OHVAN23 George Busbee Transcript Access Online



OHVAN24 Denean Stafford

( 1 sound_recording(s) 32 minutes )
Denean Stafford interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include meeting Vandiver at UGA, political help in Tifton County for Vandiver in his 1954 lieutenant governor campaign, Vandiver as lieutenant governor, Marvin Griffin, corruption in Griffin's administration, the desegregation of UGA, and Vandiver as governor.
OHVAN24 Denean Stafford Transcript Access Online



OHVAN25 Robert C. Norman

( 1 sound_recording(s) 84 minutes )
Robert C. Norman interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Norman's first meeting Vandiver, attending UGA and law school with Vandiver, supporting Vandiver in 1954, the relationship between Marvin Griffin and Ernest Vandiver, the Sibley Commission and John Sibley, Vandiver's accomplishments as governor, Carl Sanders, and Roy Harris.
OHVAN25 Robert C. Norman Transcript Access Online



OHVAN26A William L. Lanier, Part 1

( 1 sound_recording(s) 63 minutes )
William L. Lanier interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include meeting Vandiver in 1948, Vandiver's opponents in the 1954 lieutenant governor race, the Griffin administration's integrity, the 1958 governor's race, Vandiver's "No, not one" speech, the Honesty in Government Act, Vandiver's administration, the Sibley Commission, and desegregation.
OHVAN26A William L. Lanier, Part 1 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN26B William L. Lanier, Part 2

( 1 sound_recording(s) 16 minutes )
William L. Lanier interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the failures of Vandiver's administration, Vandiver as governor, and Vandiver as aspeaker, steward, and politician.
OHVAN26B William L. Lanier, Part 2 Transcript Access Online



OHVAN27 David C. Jones

( 1 sound_recording(s) 66 minutes )
David C. Jones interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Jones' first meeting Vandiver, John Greer, Griffin's administration, the relationship between Griffin and Vandiver, the rural road issue, Vandiver's "No, not one" speech, Vandiver's administration, the Sibley Commission, the desegregation of UGA, failures and accomplishments of Gov. Vandiver, and Vandiver's 1972 run for the U.S. Senate.
OHVAN27 David C. Jones Transcript Access Online



OHVAN28 Robert H. Hall

( 1 sound_recording(s) 38 minutes )
Robert H. Hall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Hall's introduction to Vandiver, the relationship between Marvin Griffin and Vandiver, Vandiver's "No, not one" speech, Vandiver's administration, corruption in Griffin administration, the Sibley Commission, damage to Vandiver's reputation because of the "No, not one" speech, and accomplishments of Gov. Vandiver.
OHVAN28 Robert H. Hall Transcript Access Online



OHVAN29 Glenn W. Ellard

( 1 sound_recording(s) 55 minutes )
Glenn W. Ellard interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Ellard's experience in the state legislature, his impression of various people in Marvin Griffin's administration, Griffin and Vandiver's fight over the budget, members of Vandiver's administration, the Sibley Commission, and Vandiver's accomplishments.
OHVAN29 Glenn W. Ellard Transcript Access Online



OHVAN30A William D. Ballard

( 1 sound_recording(s) 84 minutes )
William D. Ballard interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Ballard's impressions of members of Gov. Marvin Griffin's administration (including T.V. "Red" Williams and Roy Chalker), the relationship between Griffin and Vandiver, the rural roads issue, the relationship between Lt. Gov. Vandiver and legislators, the 1958 gubernatorial campaign, Vandiver's "No, not one" speech, the role of Betty Vandiver, the role of the highway department in Georgia politics, the Honesty in Government law, Ballard's opinions of his contemporary legislators, lobbying, the Sibley Commission, the desegregation of UGA, and the county unit system.
OHVAN30A William D. Ballard Transcript Access Online



OHVAN30B William D. Ballard

( 1 sound_recording(s) 14 minutes )
William D. Ballard interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include the county unit system, the accomplishments of Vandiver's administration, Vandiver as a politician and speaker, Vandiver's personality, Vandiver's withdrawal from the 1966 gubernatorial election, and Vandiver's 1972 U.S. Senate run.
OHVAN30B William D. Ballard Transcript Access Online



OHVAN31 Robert G. Stephens

( 1 sound_recording(s) 55 minutes )
Robert G. Stephens interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Stephens' experiences in law school with Vandiver, Vandiver's political rise, members of Griffin's administration, Vandiver as a politician, Vandiver's political philosophy, and Vandiver's failed 1972 U.S. Senate bid.
OHVAN31 Robert G. Stephens Transcript Access Online



OHVAN32 Louise King Aiken

Louise King Aiken interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Ernest Vandiver as a schoolchild Vandiver's parents.
OHVAN32 Louise King Aiken Transcript Access Online
 

Series III. Georgia Governors in An Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee

8 item(s)
VHS videocassettes from a symposium on Georgia governors that was held at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Ga. The symposium was directed by Gary Roberts and Hal Henderson and featured presentations by scholars as well as by governors themselves. Transcriptions of the presentations are included in Henderson and Roberts' book, Georgia Governors in an Age of Change.
Governors Symposium: Governor Ellis Arnall , 1985 August 23 ( 1 moving_image(s) 29 minutes )
Governors Symposium: President Jimmy Carter , 1985 September 20 ( 1 moving_image(s) 30 minutes )
Governors Symposium: Governor George Busbee , 1985 October 2 ( 1 moving_image(s) 24 minutes )
Governors Symposium: Governor Herman E. Talmadge , 1985 October 31 ( 1 moving_image(s) )
Governors Symposium: Governor S. Ernest Vandiver , 1985 October 31 ( 1 moving_image(s) )
Governors Symposium: Governors Roundtable , 1985 October 31 ( 1 moving_image(s) )
Roundtable featuring four Georgia governors, moderated by Ric Allen.
Governors Symposium: Governor Carl E. Sanders , 1985 November 1 ( 1 moving_image(s) )
Governors Symposium: Governor Lester G. Maddox , 1985 November 1 ( 1 moving_image(s) )

Special Collections Libraries
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1641