Harold P. Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection,
Series I: Ellis Arnall, 1981, 1985-1988
19 interviews

Administrative Information

- Access Restrictions
- User Restrictions
- Processing Notes
- Copyright Information
- Preferred Citation

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Related Collections

- In Russell Library
- In other repositories

Interview Descriptions

Access Points

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Ellis Arnall

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions: Audiocassettes and transcripts of the interviews are available for research at the Russell Library. Registered researchers may request oral history transcripts through Interlibrary Loan.

User Restrictions: Library acts as “fair use” reproduction agent.

Processing Notes: Interviews were transcribed at the Russell Library from copies of original audiocassette recordings.

Copyright Information: Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Preferred Citation: Harold P. Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection, Series I: Ellis Arnall, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia.

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SCOPE AND CONTENT:

This series documents the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election and the life of Ellis G. Arnall, Georgia governor, 1943-1947, in nineteen interviews. 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. The focus of the majority of interviews is the 1966 gubernatorial election. Henderson interviewed nearly all of the candidates involved. They discuss their decisions to run, campaigning efforts and costs, their views on the other candidates and the election's outcome, the write-in campaign for Arnall, Lester Maddox as governor (1967-1971), Bo Callaway as the Republican candidate. Interviews with Ellis Arnall and Herman Talmadge discuss the 1930s and 1940s in Georgia politics, including the three-governor controversy, 1946-1947. The majority of the series' interviews—eleven—are with Ellis Arnall. In the absence of substantial primary-source documentation created by Arnall about his political career and personal life, these interviews serve as a valuable resource about one of Georgia's most progressive governors.

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN THIS REPOSITORY:

Herman E. Talmadge Collection
Roy V. Harris Papers
Clifford Hodges Brewton Collection of Lester Maddox Speech/Press Research Files
Commission to Revise the Constitution of Georgia Records
New York Times Research Materials
John Morris Papers
Carl E. Sanders Papers

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN OTHER REPOSITORIES:

Georgia Government Documentation, Georgia State University
Georgia Democratic Party Forum Records, Georgia State University
Southern Oral History Program, Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Georgia's Political Heritage Program oral history interviews, University of West Georgia

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INTERVIEW DESCRIPTIONS:

CALLAWAY, HOWARD H. (BO) interviewed by Hal Henderson. May 8, 1981. Topics: Callaway's decision to change from Democratic to Republican Party, 1964; decision to run for governor, 1966; political climate in Georgia (Democrats, Republicans), 1960s; possible candidates in 1966 gubernatorial race, including Ernest Vandiver, Herman Talmadge; views on candidates in Democratic Primary, 1966: Ellis Arnall, Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, Jimmy Carter; business experience (Callaway Gardens) prior to running for governor; Callaway versus Maddox, as gubernatorial candidates, 1966; campaigning for governor and campaign expense; congressional vote on minimum wage bill during campaign; write-in campaign for Arnall in gubernatorial election, 1966; retrospective thoughts on his campaign for governor, 1966. OH ARN 01

TALMADGE, HERMAN E. interviewed by Hal Henderson. April 2, 1981. Topics: Georgia gubernatorial candidates in 1966 election, including Ernest Vandiver and Talmadge's possible run; his opinions on candidates in Democratic Primary, 1966: Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, Jimmy Carter, Ellis Arnall; opinion of Republican candidate Bo Callaway, 1966; decision not to run in 1966 Georgia gubernatorial race; Democratic Party in Georgia, circa 1965-1966. OH ARN 01

VANDIVER, SAMUEL ERNEST interviewed by Hal Henderson. May 23, 1981. Topics: Vandiver's decision to run for Georgia governor and his decision to withdraw, 1966; his political philosophy; highlights of his previous governorship, 1959-1963; Arnall's campaign for Georgia governor and its effect on Vandiver, 1966; supporters for governor, 1966; association with the Talmadges; Herman Talmadge's possible run for governor, 1966; his views of candidates in Democratic Primary, 1966: Ellis Arnall, Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, Jimmy Carter; write-in campaign for Arnall in gubernatorial election, 1966. OH ARN 02

BYRD, GARLAND T. interviewed by Hal Henderson. May 5, 1981 . Topics: Byrd's decision to run for governor, 1966; possible candidates in 1966 gubernatorial race, including Ernest Vandiver, Herman Talmadge; his opinions on candidates in Democratic Primary, 1966: Ellis Arnall, Lester Maddox, Jimmy Gray, Jimmy Carter; assessment of his political campaigns, 1960s; his campaign platform for governor, 1966; campaigning for governor and campaign expense; thoughts on the 1966 election and its outcome; thoughts on Republican candidate Bo Callaway, 1966; Ellis Arnall and the write-in campaign, 1966. OH ARN 03

MADDOX, LESTER G. interviewed by Hal Henderson. May 5, 1981. Topics: Maddox's decision to run for governor, 1966; his opinions on politics, politicians in general; his views on candidates in Democratic Primary, 1966: Ellis Arnall, Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, Jimmy Carter; views on potential gubernatorial candidates, including Ernest Vandiver, Herman Talmadge, 1966; views on the gubernatorial race and its outcome, 1966; write-in campaign for Arnall in gubernatorial election, 1966; Maddox versus Bo Callaway, as gubernatorial candidates, 1966; campaigning for governor, campaign expense, campaign and the media. OH ARN 03

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. May 6, 1981. Topics: Arnall's decision to run for governor, 1966; his views on the gubernatorial race, 1966; possible candidates in 1966 gubernatorial race: Ernest Vandiver, Herman Talmadge; his views on candidates in Democratic Primary, 1966: Jimmy Gray, Lester Maddox, Garland Byrd, Jimmy Carter; on Republican candidate Bo Callaway; support for Jimmy Carter in his presidential race, 1976; political philosophy and viewpoints; highlights of previous governorship, 1943-1947; relationship with Bo Callaway, Governor of Ohio James Cox; write-in campaign for Arnall in gubernatorial election, 1966; views on America and various issues at time of interview; political processes in Georgia, including three-governor controversy (1946-1947) and election of 1966. OH ARN 04

GRAY, JAMES H. (JIMMY), SR. interviewed by Hal Henderson. May 14, 1981. Topics: Gray's decision to run for governor, 1966; possible candidates in 1966 gubernatorial race, including Ernest Vandiver, Herman Talmadge; views on candidates in Democratic Primary, 1966: Lester Maddox, Ellis Arnall, Jimmy Carter, Garland Byrd; Republican candidate Bo Callaway; opinions on his loss of the primary, 1966; write-in campaign for Arnall in gubernatorial election, 1966; campaigning for governor, campaign expense, campaign support; media's influence on the election, 1966; retrospective thoughts on his campaign for governor, 1966. OH ARN 04

SPINKS, FORD interviewed by Hal Henderson. April 24, 1981. Topics: Jimmy Carter's decision to join the 1966 gubernatorial election; Carter's early supporters, including Spinks; Carter's campaign expense; Spinks' (from Carter's viewpoint) evaluation of other candidates in Democratic Primary, 1966: Ellis Arnall, Lester Maddox, Jimmy Gray, Garland Byrd, and of Republican Party nominee, Bo Callaway; Jimmy Carter's strengths as a gubernatorial candidate; dynamics of the election and alternative outcomes; his perspective on Senators Richard B. Russell, Jr.'s and Herman E. Talmadge's support for Carter in 1966 election; write-in campaign for Arnall in gubernatorial election, 1966; thoughts on Lester Maddox's election as governor, 1966. OH ARN 05

SANDERS, CARL E. interviewed by Hal Henderson. June 11, 1981. Topics: Sander's possibility of additional term as Georgia governor; possible candidates in 1966 gubernatorial race, including Ernest Vandiver, Herman Talmadge; his views on candidates in Democratic Primary, 1966: Ellis Arnall, Lester Maddox, Jimmy Gray, Garland Byrd, Jimmy Carter; Republican candidate Bo Callaway; election code changes during his gubernatorial administration, 1963-1967; views on outcome of election, 1966; write-in campaign for Arnall in gubernatorial election, 1966; views on outcome of election, Georgia political process, 1966; Maddox's swearing in as governor, 1967. OH ARN 06

ALLEN, IVAN, JR., Governor Ellis Arnall's executive secretary, interviewed by Hal Henderson. March 28, 1981. Topics: 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 participation; Allen's relationship with Ellis Arnall; three-governor controversy, 1946-1947; Allen's relationship with M.E. Thompson. OH ARN 07

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. July 19, 1985. Topics: Genesis of Henderson's biography of Arnall; Arnall's destiny to become governor; 1942 gubernatorial election, Arnall versus Eugene Talmadge; campaigning strategies, 1942; Cocking affair, 1941, and campaigning against Eugene Talmadge in 1942; Arnall's political philosophy versus Eugene Talmadge's; Arnall's relationship with Eugene Talmadge; major accomplishments of his administration, 1943-1947: Industrialization of the South, voting franchise in Georgia, education in Georgia, prison reform, other highlights; state highway department; integrity of his administration, 1943-1947; State of Georgia versus Hiram Evans, et al., 1942; views on race issues during Arnall's administration, 1943-1947; views on sales tax; political philosophy versus Ed Rivers'; relationships and experiences with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter; 1946 gubernatorial election and the race issue. OH ARN 08

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. July 19, 1985. Topics: Dick Gallogy case and Ed Rivers, 1939; Ed Rivers and election of 1946; Arnall administration's contributions to Georgia history. OH ARN 09

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. December 10, 1985. Topics: M.E. Thompson, Jimmy Carmichael and election of 1946; Arnall's relationship with Thompson; three-governor controversy, 1946-1947; decision to run for governor, 1966; Roy Harris, and white primary issue; Lester Maddox and the election of 1966; write-in campaign, 1966; decision to run in 1966 and not 1962; beginning of Arnall, Golden, and Gregory, LLP. OH ARN 10

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. February 21, 1986 . Topics: Family history: parents, early married life; education: high school, college, law school; first political race, campaigning, 1932; Eugene Talmadge: 1932 gubernatorial race, relationship (personal and political) with Arnall; tenure in Georgia House of Representatives, election to Speaker pro tempore , 1933, 1935; relationship with Ed Rivers and Roy Harris; sales tax issue, 1933; three-dollar vehicle license tag issue, 1932; political philosophy; legislation introduced in Georgia House of Representatives, 1933-1936; views on United States democracy, democratic process; appointment to special assistant state attorney general, 1935; leadership style versus Eugene Talmadge's style; economics and the Depression, New Deal; election to attorney general, 1940; Cocking affair, Eugene Talmadge, and Arnall's decision to run for governor, 1941; relationship with Franklin D. Roosevelt; campaigning for governor during the time of the county unit system and the poll tax, 1942; opinion on women on juries. OH ARN 11

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. February 21, 1986. Topics: 1945 Georgia constitution; influences on his career in politics; views on Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal; activities of his gubernatorial administration, 1943-1947, including state taxes, state debt, poll tax, voting age; race issue and campaigning; relationship with the Georgia legislature while governor, 1943-1947; Georgia constitution and gubernatorial succession; relationship with Roy V. Harris and Ed Rivers; decision to run for governor, 1966; views on actual and possible candidates in the 1946 gubernatorial election, including Roy Harris, Marvin Griffin, Jimmy Carmichael, Ed Rivers; lack of desire to be governor again, post-1947. OH ARN 12

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. February 21, 1986. Topics: Arnall's thoughts on M.E. Thompson's run for governor; decision to run for governor, 1966; other possibilities to run for or be appointed to office, state and national; national and state reputation, reasons for loss of support in Georgia post-1947; political relationship with Jimmy Carter; relationship with Harry Truman, Truman anecdotes; support for Henry Wallace, 1944 vice presidential nomination; post-gubernatorial activities; stand on race issue, thoughts on Martin Luther King, Jr. and civil disobedience; county unit system; views on corruption (or lack thereof) in his gubernatorial administration, 1943-1947; write-in campaign for Arnall in gubernatorial election, 1966. OH ARN 13

TALMADGE, HERMAN E. interviewed by Hal Henderson. March 14, 1986. Topics: political relationship between Eugene Talmadge and Ellis Arnall, political philosophies; Eugene Talmadge, Ellis Arnall, and gubernatorial campaign of 1942, Herman Talmadge's views thereon; Eugene Talmadge's political style, reputation; Arnall's supporters in the Georgia legislature, 1930s; Eugene Talmadge's political campaigns, elections, defeats (governor and U.S. Senator); views on Arnall and his politics; election of 1946, write-in votes. OH ARN 14

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. March 26, 1987. Topics: prison reform in Georgia, Robert Elliot Burns case; views on taxes and economy, during his gubernatorial administration, 1943-1947; differences between Arnall's and Ed Rivers' political philosophies; views on the governor's job, leadership, interactions with state offices; goals, philosophy, actions regarding race issues while governor, 1943-1947, and after; political ambitions, opinions on serving second gubernatorial term; views on the election of 1946. OH ARN 15

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. June 19, 1987. Topics: campaign platform, election of 1942; Georgia constitution of 1945, constitutional commission, ratification; poll tax. OH ARN 16

TALMADGE, HERMAN E. interviewed by Hal Henderson. June 26, 1987. Topics: genealogy and history of Talmadge family; Talmadge's childhood, education, relationship with his father (Eugene Talmadge) and early political activities; Eugene Talmadge's political styles and campaigns and a contrast/comparison with those of Herman Talmadge; Herman Talmadge's Navy service during World War II; Georgia politicians during the 1930s and 1940s, including Ed Rivers, Roy Harris, Ellis Arnall, M.E. Thompson; three-governor controversy, 1946-1947 (1946 Gubernatorial Election); Neil Primary Act and white voting primaries. OH ARN 17

TALMADGE, HERMAN E. interviewed by Hal Henderson. June 26, 1987. Topics: three-governor controversy, 1946-1947; Melvin Ernest (M.E.) Thompson and his political opposition to Talmadge; The Statesman (Hapeville, Georgia) and Talmadge's relationship with the media; highlights of Talmadge's administration as governor (1948-1954); Talmadge's relationship with the General Assembly and other state officials; Minimum Foundation Program and Talmadge's education policies; Georgia's first sales tax, 1950; Talmadge's political influences and strategy; campaign practices at state level; county unit system. OH ARN 18

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. March 28, 1988. Topics: election of 1948, support for M.E. Thompson, reasons why Herman Talmadge wins; post-governor activities; responses to Talmadges' and Roy V. Harris' criticisms against him in election of 1948 regarding: reputation of Georgia, civil rights, county unit system, alleged corruption in road building (“negotiated contracts”), relationship with the press, alleged corruption while president of Pan-Hellenic Council at UGA; thoughts on why he did not run for office, 1950s, 1960s; state sales tax; Brown versus Board of Education and his decision to run for governor; election of 1954; Ernest Vandiver and possibility of closing Georgia schools over integration, 1959-1961; decision to run for governor, 1966. OH ARN 19

ARNALL, ELLIS interviewed by Hal Henderson. July 31, 198 ?. Topics: Arnall's opinions on the case against John E. Whitley, 1939; Arnall's record, procedures when attorney general under Governor Ed Rivers, 1939-1941; Henderson 's drafts of biography about Arnall. OH ARN 20

TALMADGE, HERMAN E. speaking at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Symposium on History and Government. October 1985. Topics: Talmadge's retirement from politics; legacy and historical significance of the governorship; tremendous economic and industrial growth in Georgia; natural resources (timber) in Georgia. OH ARN 21

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ACCESS POINTS

Arnall, Ellis Gibbs, 1907- --Interviews.
Talmadge, Herman E. (Herman Eugene), 1913-2002 --Interviews.
Talmadge, Eugene, 1884-1946.
Georgia. Governor (1943-1947 : Arnall )
Georgia. Governor (1948-1955 : Talmadge)
Georgia --Politics and government --1865-1950.
Oral histories.

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