Interview with Clyde Reeves, September 14, 1976

Partial Transcript: --University of Kentucky History Department.

Segment Synopsis: Reeves describes his early relationship with Chandler. He notes meeting Chandler in 1931. He also talks about coming to know Chandler through James W. Martin who would later be Commissioner of Revenue.

Keywords: 1930s; Commissioner of Revenue; Meeting governor Chandler

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Now, did you serve, uh, with Professor Martin after Professor Martin went into Chandler's administration?

Segment Synopsis: Reeves describes working with James W. Martin during his time in the Commission of Revenue. He notes that they worked on revising the Kentucky tax laws during the 1930s.

Keywords: Chandler administration; Chandler first term as governor; Commissioner of Revenue; Governor Chandler; Tax law revision; Tax laws

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Would you, uh, would you, uh, give me your, uh, your views on what the major accomplishments of Governor Chandler's first administration were?

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses the major accomplishments of Chandler's first term as governor. He notes that these years were seen as particularly remarkable, where the governor was able to institute many reforms such as reorganizing the state government and creating an income tax. Reeves credits the people Chandler surrounded himself with during this first term. He also notes Chandler's push towards education reform.

Keywords: Alcoholic administration; Chandler accomplishments; Chandler administration; Chandler administration accomplishments; Chandler first administration; Education reform; Governor Chandler; Reorganization Act; Tax administration

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: What--briefly, what were some--you mentioned the great work of the Public Service Commission.

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses his time working for the Public Service Commission before he was appointed as Commissioner of Revenue in Chandler's first term.

Keywords: Kentucky Public Service Commission; Public Service Commission of Kentucky

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Alright. Uh, would you continue then with what you consider to be the outstanding accomplishments of that first administration?

Segment Synopsis: Roland asks Reeves to consider further actions done during the first Chandler administration. Reeves notes that he only served as Commissioner of Revenue, so cannot speak beyond his own experience. However, he does say that with the government organized, Chandler was able to have further power in appointing department heads.

Keywords: Chandler accomplishments; Chandler administration; Chandler first administration; Chandler first term; Chandler first term accomplishments; Chandler first term as governor; Governor Chandler; Reorganization Act

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: I know your admiration for Professor Martin. Uh, who were some of the other heads of departments that you consider most outstanding in that administration?

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses the heads of the reorganized departments under Chandler's first administration. He discusses James Martin as his first Commissioner of Revenue, until he decided to return to the University of Kentucky, which opened up the position for himself. He also discusses Dan Talbott's role in the administration.

Keywords: Dan Talbott; James W. Martin; Jim W. Martin; Kentucky agency heads; Kentucky department heads; Kentucky state departments; Kentucky state government

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Uh, he was young, able, enthusiastic, uh, had become governor by a set of kind of fortuitous circumstances, perhaps.

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses the attributes of Chandler that let him be successful in his first administration. He begins with Chandler's personal qualities. He then notes that circumstances were good for Chandler to be elected in terms of supporting reform.

Keywords: Chandler; Chandler personal qualities; Chandler personality; Governor Chandler

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: This, this created tension within his own political family, right?

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses the disorder in the Kentucky Democratic Party and state government during the 1938 Democratic primary. He notes the difficulty in determining who to support. He also discusses how Chandler's attempt to become Senator ended much of his drive for new initiatives. Reeves also determines how Chandler would have reacted to a supporter of Barkley that would be working in the administration. Both Roland and Reeves then note how Chandler ultimately lost the election, but resigned so that his successor could appoint him to the Senate in any case.

Keywords: 1938 Democratic Primary; 1938 Kentucky Democratic Senate primary; Democratic Party; Democratic Party factions; Kentucky Democratic Party; U.S. Senate; U.S. Senate seat--Kentucky

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: I assume his family was not with him?

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses Chandler's time in Washington, D.C. as a senator. He discusses Chandler's living arrangements compared to his in the Mayflower Hotel. He also notes that Chandler did not have as much power in the Senate as he did as governor.

Keywords: Senator Chandler; U.S. Senators; United States Senate

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Mayflower Hotel (Washington, D.C.); Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: As a senator, in Washington, he seemed to have become associated with the more conservative elements of the Democratic Party.

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses Chandler's circle of conservative Democrats that he associated with as Senator. He discusses this faction as forming to oppose Roosevelt and the New Deal. Reeves also discusses what relationship, if any, Chandler had with the future Dixiecrat Party considering his support for Strom Thurmond in 1948. However, he notes that Chandler was liberal in certain respects, while conservative in others, most notably in terms of finances.

Keywords: Conservatism; Conservative Democrats; Conservative senators; Conservatives; Dixiecrat Party; Senator Chandler; Southern Democrats; Southern senators; U.S. Senate; U.S. Senators

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Garner, John Nance, 1868-1967.; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Thurmond, Strom, 1902-2003.

Partial Transcript: Did, did Governor Chandler--now, to me, it is remarkable that this man could have, to some extent at least, have burned his political bridges by leaving politics...

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses Chandler's return to politics following his tenure as Commissioner of Baseball. He notes that Chandler had a habit of making more enemies than friends.

Keywords: 1955 Governor's race; Democratic Party; Governor Chandler; Kentucky Democratic Party

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: So, he, he was, uh, he was re-elected Governor of Kentucky and served another full term.

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses being appointed by Chandler as the Commissioner of Fairgrounds during Chandler's second administration. He discusses how this position was offered a lot of appropriations from the government. He notes how he was not a major player in the administration. Reeves also describes what Chandler enjoyed about being governor, as well as how active he was involved in the administration of the Fairgrounds Commission.

Keywords: Appropriations; Commissioner of fairgrounds; Fairgrounds administration; Kentucky Commissioner of Fairgrounds

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Could you name anything in his second administration that you would consider an outstanding contributions that he made to the state?

Segment Synopsis: Reeves describes the major accomplishments of Chandler's second administration. He notes that Chandler was more willing to use executive power. He discusses how Chandler was willing to borrow money to be able to build highways and roads. He also discusses the government finding ways to gain more money and get around existing constitutional checks on incurring debt. Reeves credits the court with making this process easier.

Keywords: Chandler accomplishments; Chandler second administration; Chandler second administration accomplishments; Chandler second term accomplishments; Fiscal responsibility; Gasoline taxes; Government finances; Governor Chandler; Infrastructure; James W. Martin; Jim Martin; Kentucky debts; Kentucky highways; Public debts

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: The thing that he tells me he is proudest of in all his public career [inaudible]

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses opposition to the Chandler Medical Center. He notes how opposition was built primarily on economic grounds, that the state of Kentucky could not afford the hospital. He also describes how many were concerned about the location, seeing Louisville as a more appropriate venue than Lexington. He credits Chandler for his genuine compassion for the sick and the poor as inspiring his motivation to create the Medical Center. Reeves ends the segment by noting that he had little information about Chandler's later political career.

Keywords: Albert B. Chandler Hospital; Chandler Medical Center; Compassion; Happy Chandler; Lexington (Ky.)

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Mr. Reeves, you've, you've told--you've given me a, a great deal of--(clears throat)--of interesting and, I believe, valuable information.

Segment Synopsis: Reeves discusses Chandler's political failings through his career. He excuses them to some degree by noting that it was a different time, when these actions were more acceptable. He discusses the state employee campaign donation controversy. He also notes why Chandler was not as compromised as some have supposed. He notes however that there was some vindictiveness when Chandler would dismiss people. Roland asks about comparing Chandler's first and second administrations, but Reeves declines to answer based on his own distance from the administration during the second term.

Keywords: Campaign donations; Campaign finance; Chandler mistakes; Chandler political career; Chandler political controversies; Chandler political scandals; Political dismissals; Political failings; Political firings; Political foibles; Political scandals; State employees

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: You, you've said earlier that you thought his administrations were essentially clean administrations.

Segment Synopsis: Reeves responds to accusations of systematic corruption in the Chandler administration by noting that if any existed, it was not from Chandler's end and not systematic. He determines that it would have been smaller in scale and done by subordinates on an individual level. He discusses how these accusations were used most notably in the 1955 campaign. Reeves declares that he cannot recall any point where Chandler attempted to apply pressure.

Keywords: Chandler corruption governor; Chandler first administration; Chandler first term governor; Chandler second administration; Chandler second term governor; Corruption accusations; Kentucky corruption; Kickback accusations; Political corruption

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Well, is there anything else that occurs to you that you think I ought to know about Governor Chandler?

Segment Synopsis: Reeves describes Chandler's personality, noting his genuine compassion. He discusses how Chandler stopped him in the middle of the street just to embrace him.

Keywords: Happy Chandler personality

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990.; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Reeves, H. Clyde (Herman Clyde), 1912-; Reeves, John Estill; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees