Interview with Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler, August 5, 1977

Partial Transcript: This is Professor Charles P. Roland, University of Kentucky History Department.

Segment Synopsis: Roland continues with a theme carried over from a previous interview where they discusses various people Chandler interacted with during his political career. Chandler discusses his connections to Senator Harry Byrd of Virginia. He notes how he came to know Byrd through his wife, who was a Virginia native. He discusses how Byrd was involved in Chandler's political career from his election as lieutenant governor of Kentucky in 1931. He describes Byrd as his most influential friend at this point in time, as well as their shared resentment of Franklin Roosevelt. Chandler notes Byrd's objections to his resigning from the Senate and becoming baseball commissioner.

Keywords: 1930s senators; Chandler friendships; Democratic senators; Political friendships; Virginia Democrats; Virginia senators

Subjects: Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; George, Walter F. (Walter Franklin), 1878-1957.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; McClellan, John L. (John Little), 1896-1977.; New Deal, 1933-1939; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; Wallace, George C. (George Corley), 1919-1998.

Partial Transcript: Governor, there's one, uh, one, uh, characteristic, or slogan, or principle, whatever you want to call it, that is always associated with Senator Harry Byrd that I know is dear to your heart...

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses Byrd's philosophy and its influences on his own political beliefs. He notes how his support for reorganizing the state government was inspired by Byrd's own reorganization efforts in Virginia. He discusses how it helped having the support of Jim Martin. Chandler also discusses his continued relationship with Byrd until his death.

Keywords: "Pay-as-you-go"; 1930s senators; Chandler friendships; Chandler inspirations; Democratic senators; Governors acts; Political friendships; Virginia Democrats; Virginia governors; Virginia senators; Virginia state reorganization

Subjects: Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; New Deal, 1933-1939; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.

Partial Transcript: Let me, uh, raise this point.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses Franklin Delano Roosevelt's interference in several Southern Democratic primaries in the late 1930s, such as supporting Alben Barkley over Chandler. Chandler offers his opinions on Barkley, calling him overrated. He also discusses Roosevelt turning against Georgia Senator Walter George. Chandler describes why Roosevelt was able to get Barkley re-elected to the Senate through the New Deal efforts in Kentucky. Chandler also opines that Roosevelt wanted to be a dictator and president of the world.

Keywords: Conservative Democrats; FDR; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Opposition to Franklin Roosevelt; Senate elections; Southern Democrats; Southern Senate elections; Southern opposition; Southern senators

Subjects: American Independent Party.; Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Bingham, Barry, 1906-1988; Bingham, Robert Worth, 1871-1937.; Blacks--Segregation.; Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966; Byrnes, James F. (James Francis), 1882-1972.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965.; Eastland, James O. (James Oliver), 1904-1986.; Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969.; George, Walter F. (Walter Franklin), 1878-1957.; Glass, Carter, 1858-1946.; Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972.; Hull, Cordell, 1871-1955.; Hunt, Bunker, 1926-2014.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Marshall, George C. (George Catlett), 1880-1959.; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Mayflower Hotel (Washington, D.C.); McClellan, John L. (John Little), 1896-1977.; New Deal, 1933-1939; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; Thurmond, Strom, 1902-2003.; Tydings, Millard E. (Millard Evelyn), 1890-1961.; Wallace, George C. (George Corley), 1919-1998.

Partial Transcript: Uh, after, after he had intervened in, uh, in the Southern senatorial races and was beaten in all of them except here, and then of course, a year later, you, you went to the Senate, uh, anyway, through different set of circumstances...

Segment Synopsis: Chandler describes the Southern bloc of Democratic senators who were previously snubbed by Roosevelt. He notes that he did not necessarily consider himself part of this group. He discusses how they largely supported Roosevelt's foreign policy leading up to the Second World War to help the allies. However, he notes that they generally opposed the New Deal social programs.

Keywords: Conservative Democrats; FDR; Franklin D. Roosevelt; New Deal opposition; Opposition to Franklin Roosevelt; Opposition to New Deal; Senate elections; Southern Democrats; Southern Senate elections; Southern opposition; Southern senators

Subjects: American Independent Party.; Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Bingham, Barry, 1906-1988; Bingham, Robert Worth, 1871-1937.; Blacks--Segregation.; Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966; Byrnes, James F. (James Francis), 1882-1972.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965.; Eastland, James O. (James Oliver), 1904-1986.; Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969.; George, Walter F. (Walter Franklin), 1878-1957.; Glass, Carter, 1858-1946.; Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972.; Hull, Cordell, 1871-1955.; Hunt, Bunker, 1926-2014.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Marshall, George C. (George Catlett), 1880-1959.; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Mayflower Hotel (Washington, D.C.); McClellan, John L. (John Little), 1896-1977.; New Deal, 1933-1939; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; Thurmond, Strom, 1902-2003.; Tydings, Millard E. (Millard Evelyn), 1890-1961.; Wallace, George C. (George Corley), 1919-1998.

Partial Transcript: Of course, Senator Glass of Virginia was one of the best friends I had on (??)

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses his friendship with the other senator from Virginia, Carter Glass. He notes that they lived at the Mayflower Hotel together. He describes how Glass helped create the Federal Reserve System and created a farm bill.

Keywords: Chandler relationships; Democratic senators; Virginia Democrats; Virginia senators

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Glass, Carter, 1858-1946.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Mayflower Hotel (Washington, D.C.); New Deal, 1933-1939; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.

Partial Transcript: Another, uh, another very prominent figure on the American scene that you have already mentioned but I would like to come back to him, and, and have you elaborate, if you will, is Senator Richard Russell from Georgia.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses Richard Russell, a senator from Georgia, who had served as a young governor just as he had. He discusses how Russell did not like Barkley either. He notes how Russell was a fiscal conservative and had served as the head of the Military Affairs Committee in the Senate. Chandler also says that Truman did not like Russell.

Keywords: Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services; Chandler relationships; Georgia Democrats; Georgia governors; Georgia senators; Senate Committee on Armed Services

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Kentucky--Politics and government; New Deal, 1933-1939; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; Russell, Richard B. (Richard Brevard), 1897-1971.

Partial Transcript: Uh, what about Senator Eastland of Mississippi?

Segment Synopsis: Chandler briefly discusses his connections with other Southern senators. He notes how James Eastland of Mississippi was rich based off his running a cotton plantation while also being chair of the Judiciary Committee. Chandler notes his relationship with John McClellan of Arkansas. Chandler finishes by discussing his involvement with Strom Thurmond, which was talked about in further detail in another interview with Roland. He says that he was not active in Thurmond's presidential run in 1948, and how Thurmond changed his party and became a Republican.

Keywords: Arkansas senators; Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary; Cotton planters; Democratic senators; Mississippi senators; Presidential candidates; South Carolina senators; United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Blacks--Segregation.; Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Eastland, James O. (James Oliver), 1904-1986.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Mayflower Hotel (Washington, D.C.); McClellan, John L. (John Little), 1896-1977.; New Deal, 1933-1939; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; Thurmond, Strom, 1902-2003.

Partial Transcript: How about George Wallace?

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses his connections with George Wallace of Alabama. He relates an anecdote where the two men met years before Wallace became a public figure as he was hitchhiking in Alabama as a boy. Chandler then talks about discussions that were held in 1968 about becoming Wallace's vice-presidential nominee. Chandler notes that he was interested in running with Wallace out of respect for the American people. However, Wallace never returned to discuss the issue, which Chandler claims were based on objections from Wallace's donor Nelson Bunker Hunt. Chandler spends some time refuting the notion that it was his stand on civil rights for African Americans that cost him a place on the Wallace ticket, with the emphasis on money.

Keywords: Chandler relationships; Donors; George Wallace 1968 Presidential campaign; Political alliances; Presidential election of 1968; Vice-presidential candidacy

Subjects: American Independent Party.; Blacks--Segregation.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965.; Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972.; Hunt, Bunker, 1926-2014.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Wallace, George C. (George Corley), 1919-1998.

Partial Transcript: Another figure that, uh, you were associated with and, uh--was General George C. Marshall.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses his views on Generals Marshall and Eisenhower and his views on the direction of the Second World War. He notes his opinion that Eisenhower was a good president because he did little. He disagreed heavily with Marshall's focus on fighting the war in Europe rather than in the Pacific theater. He notes the discussions he had with Marshall over the war.

Keywords: Chandler relationships; Eisenhower administration; Eisenhower presidency; European theater; Generals; Pacific theater; Secretaries of State; Truman administration; World War II; World War II Generals; World War II strategy

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Marshall, George C. (George Catlett), 1880-1959.; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: I gather you had some pretty strong suspicions about the British motives and what they would do, uh, when and if Germany was knocked out of the war.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler relates his views on Winston Churchill, and his concerns about whether the British would support the war in the Pacific after the Nazis were defeated. He discusses wanting to get a declaration from Churchill noting his support.

Keywords: British actions in World War II; British prime ministers; Chandler relationships

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965.; Hull, Cordell, 1871-1955.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: Your, uh--you mentioned Cordell Hull.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses his personal friendship with Secretary of State Cordell Hull. He discusses how he introduced the Gabor sisters to Hull, and received kisses from the two sisters. He notes his efforts to get Hull a Medal of Honor.

Keywords: Chandler relationships; Gabor sisters; Roosevelt administration; Secretaries of State

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Hull, Cordell, 1871-1955.; Kentucky--Politics and government; New Deal, 1933-1939; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.

Partial Transcript: Uh, another name that looms very large through that entire era was J. Edgar Hoover.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler notes his relationship with the director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover. He describes having dinners with Hoover.

Keywords: FBI; FBI directors; Federal Bureau of Investigations; Kennedy Assassination

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972.; Kentucky--Politics and government; Mayflower Hotel (Washington, D.C.); Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.

Partial Transcript: Well, this switches, uh--my next, uh, my next candidate here switches the scene very sharply, but I know it's somebody you've, uh, been very close to, and that's Coach Adolph Rupp--

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses his friendship with Coach Adolph Rupp from the University of Kentucky. He discusses how he met Rupp while he was lieutenant governor, through James Martin. He also discusses how he almost chose Rupp to be on his ticket during the 1955 governor's campaign.

Keywords: 1955 Kentucky governor campaign; Basketball coaches; Chandler relationships; Potential lieutenant governors; University of Kentucky coaches

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Kentucky--Politics and government; New Deal, 1933-1939; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Rupp, Adolph, 1901-1977.