Carl E. Sanders Papers, 1962-1976
64 boxes, 67 linear ft.

Administrative Information

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

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Home

Organization and Arrangement

Related Collections

- In Russell Library
- In other repositories

Series Descriptions

Access Points

Folder List

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions:

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

Processing Notes:

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: Carl E. Sanders Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia.

Back to Top

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE:

Carl E. Sanders was born in Augusta, Georgia on May 15, 1925. He attended the Academy of Richmond County and received the alternate appointment to West Point. He found himself at the University of Georgia, however, where he accepted a football scholarship. In 1943, before he could finish his college education, he enlisted in the Air Force and trained as a B-17 pilot. After World War II he returned to the University, finishing three years of law school in two years and passing the bar in 1947. That same year he married Betty Foy of Statesboro, Georgia.

Sanders entered private practice in Augusta and eventually started the law firm of Sanders, Thurmond, Hester and Jolles. In 1954, he made a successful bid for the Georgia House of Representatives. Two years later, in 1956, he won a seat in the Georgia Senate. At the time, the seat rotated between Richmond, Glascock and Jefferson counties. Sanders was subsequently elected to the same seat by both Jefferson and Glascock counties due to his overwhelming popularity, becoming the only man to serve three consecutive terms in a multi-county district. In 1959, Governor Vandiver named Sanders as Senate Floor Leader. He went on to serve as president pro tempore of the Senate from 1960 to 1962.

Sanders took the next step in his political career by running for governor in 1962 against Marvin Griffin. Shortly after his announcement, federal courts ruled that Georgia's county unit system was unconstitutional. The state would elect its officials by popular vote, giving the urban candidate, Sanders, a greater chance at victory.

As a moderate concerning racial issues, he faced an outspoken opponent of integration in former-Governor Griffin. While agreeing that Georgia should keep its tradition of segregation, Sanders believed it was imperative that the state avoid violence and obey the laws of the country. Unlike Griffin, his campaign issues were not built around race. Instead, Sanders focused on the elimination of corruption in state government and pushed for overall progress for the state. He also wanted to improve education and bring industry to Georgia. With his positive campaign, Sanders emerged victorious, making him the youngest governor in the country at the time. He was 37.

Upon his election, Sanders set about following through on his campaign promises. In order to revitalize Georgia's educational system, the new governor created the Governor's Commission to Improve Education in 1963. Based on the commission's findings and with the General Assembly's approval, Sanders improved education significantly. His program raised teacher salaries, added new teachers to the system, and reorganized the Department of Education. It also built new school buildings, established more junior colleges and vocational schools and created the Governor's Honors Program. Sanders also appointed the Governor's Commission for Efficiency and Improvement which helped to reform many government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and the Highway Department, as well as the prison and state merit systems.

In May, 1963, Sanders sought to draft a new state constitution. With the appointment of the Constitutional Revision Commission, he hoped to condense and clarify Georgia's Constitution. While the General Assembly approved the new constitution, it was never put on the general ballot. The momentum was lost when federal courts declared that the General Assembly was incorrectly apportioned and the constitution was, therefore, invalid. Sanders would later play an integral part in the passage of the reapportionment of congressional districts, but would never succeed in revising the constitution.

Sanders appointed many blacks to state government jobs, but civil rights were never a pressing issue for the governor. He did, however, testify against the Civil Rights Act of 1964, being especially opposed to the section regarding public accommodations. Despite this, he greatly improved Georgia's image, giving the state a more moderate, law-abiding reputation.

Sanders could not succeed himself as governor and, therefore, retired back into private life. Instead of returning to Augusta, he and his family remained in Atlanta where he started a new law firm. On April 25, 1970, Sanders reemerged to announce for what would be his last attempt at public office. His campaign for governor, however, ended in defeat, with Jimmy Carter taking office. Sanders never ran for public office again but worked for many other Democratic candidates such as Zell Miller, Andrew Young, and Sam Nunn. He also went on to serve as Finance Chairman for the Democratic Party of Georgia during George Busbee's term as governor.

Sanders still lives in Atlanta and practices law with Troutman Sanders LLP.

Back to Top

SCOPE AND CONTENT:

The Carl E. Sanders Papers documents his gubernatorial term (1963-1967), gubernatorial campaigns and, to a lesser extent his political activities after leaving office. Materials consist of correspondence, campaign material, speeches, press releases, photographs, and audiovisual materials.

Back to Top

ORGANIZATION AND ARRANGEMENT:

The collection is organized into seventeen series: I. Constituent Correspondence, II. Miscellaneous Correspondence, III. Campaign Materials, IV. Speeches, V. Press Releases, VI. Governor's Conferences, VII. Betty Foy Sanders, VIII. National Commission on Urban Problems, IX. Georgia Reorganization of Government, X. Georgia State Government Agencies, XI. 1976 National Elections, XII. Miscellaneous Files, XIII. Newspaper Clippings, XIV. Photographs and Slides, XV. Audiovisual, XVI. Editorial Cartoons, and XVII. Memorabilia.

Back to Top

RELATED COLLECTIONS IN THIS REPOSITORY:

Augustus Turnbull Collection of Carl Sanders Speech/Press Records, 1963-1967
Clifford Hodges Brewton Collection of Lester G. Maddox Speech and Press Research Files, 1965-1975
Braswell D. Deen, Jr. Papers, 1925-1997, bulk 1965-1990
Charles L. Gowen Papers, 1946, 1954-1958
George L. Smith Papers 1956 - 1974
Herman E. Talmadge Collection, 1945-1987
S. Ernest Vandiver Papers, 1954-1998
Carl E. Sanders Papers
Documentary Oral History Series
- Griffin Bell
- Carl E. Sanders

Back to Top

RELATED COLLECTIONS IN OTHER REPOSITORIES:

Georgia Government Documentation Project, Special Collection Department, William Russell Pullen Library, Georgia State University
Jimmy Carter Gubernatorial Papers, Georgia Archives
Griffin Bell Papers, School of Law, Mercer University

Back to Top

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS:

I. Constituent Correspondence, 1962-1967
17 boxes, 16.5 linear feet
This series consists of general constituent correspondence sent to and received from Sanders between 1962 and 1967. This series is arranged chronologically by the county of residence of each constituent.

II. Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1962-1967
4 boxes, 4 linear feet
This series consists of correspondence arranged into the following categories: A. District of Columbia, B. Out-of-State, C. Personal, D. Special, and E. Out-of-country.

III. Campaign Materials
5 boxes, 5 linear feet
This series consists of correspondence, subject folders on issues and candidates, working and position papers, and press materials for Sanders's 1962 and 1970 gubernatorial campaigns.

IV. Speeches, 1962-1966
6 boxes, 6 linear ft.
This series contains texts of speeches made by Sanders as well as speeches given by governors of other states between 1962 and 1966.

V. Press Releases, 1963-1967
2 boxes, 2 linear feet
This series consists of press announcements released while Sanders was governor of Georgia.

VI. Governor's Conferences, 1963-1966
4 boxes, 4 linear feet
This series contains correspondence, issue files, brochures, etc. on U.S. Governors Conferences held during Sanders' governorship. The bulk of the material is relevant to the Southern Governors Conference at Sea Island, Georgia.

VII. Betty Foy Sanders, 1962-1965
1 box, 1 linear foot
This series contains correspondence, subject files and photographs relevant to Mrs. Sanders personal appearances and involvements in Sanders governorship.

VIII. National Commission on Urban Problems, 1967-1969
2 boxes, 2 linear feet
This series consists of correspondence, background material, hearings and reports of commissions of which Sanders was a member.

IX. Georgia Reorganization of Government, 1971-72
3 boxes, 3 linear feet
This series includes correspondence, issue files and reports relevant to the reorganization of Georgia state government departments.

X. Georgia State Government Agencies
2 boxes, 2 linear feet
This series consists of correspondence relating to the distribution of premium fees to insurance agents throughout the state for state insurance coverage and correspondence relating to the reconstruction and repair of residences in the various state parks.

XI. 1976 National Elections, 1976
1 box, 1 linear foot
The bulk of material in this series relates to the campaign positions of Jimmy Carter although other candidates are included. The material is arranged alphabetically by the following subject headings: Issues and Individuals. The series also contains clippings, articles, and notes.

XII. Miscellaneous Files, 1964-1967
4 boxes, 4 linear feet
This series contains folders with various subject headings that were filed in one drawer labeled “CS-Miscellaneous.” There is no apparent link within each file.

XIII. Newspaper Clippings, 1966-1982
1 box, 1 linear foot
This series contains clippings that relate to Sanders governorship and Jimmy Carter’s presidency.

XIV. Photographs and Slides, 1963-1966
9 boxes, 9 linear feet
This series consists of campaign photographs of Carl E. Sanders from the files of Betty Foy Sanders and occasionally from other files.

XV. Audiovisual Materials

XVI. Editorial Cartoons
1 volume
This series consists of a scrapbook of original editorial cartoons by Clifford Baldowski. The cartoons generally include references to the political career of Carl Sanders.

XVII. Memorabilia
3 boxes, 6.5 linear feet
This series includes Sanders gubernatorial scrapbook and two scrapbooks on Sanders 1962 campaign.

Back to Top

ACCESS POINTS

United States. Congress. House.
American Legion.
Legislators --United States.
World War, 1914-1918 --United States.
United States --Politics and government --1933-1953.
Congressional records.
Sanders, Carl Edward, 1925-
Georgia. Office of the Governor.
Governors --Georgia.
Georgia --Politics and government --1951-
Speeches.
Press releases.

Back to Top

FOLDER LIST

Not available at this time. Please contact Russell Library for more information.

Back to Top