Interview with Philip P. Ardery, July 26, 1984

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

Segment Synopsis: Professor Charles P. Roland introduces his interviewee, Philip P. Ardery, who is being interviewed for a biography about former Kentucky Governor and U.S. Senator Albert B. "Happy" Chandler.

Keywords: Biographies; Interviews; Opinions

Subjects: Ardery, Philip, 1914- --Interviews; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; University of Kentucky. College of Arts and Sciences

Partial Transcript: Uh, Phil, I'd like to start out by asking you, if you would, just to tell me, uh, in a general way what your relationship with, uh, Governor Chandler has been.

Segment Synopsis: Ardery discusses how he became familiar with Albert B. "Happy" Chandler during the 1931 Democratic convention, where his father, William Breckenridge, was running for Democratic candidate for governor. He talks about how Chandler called a special session while Laffoon was in Washington, D.C. to enact a "runoff" primary. This "runoff" primary assisted Chandler in securing the 1938 Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Ardery describes Chandler's campaign for governor and how he appealed to the working class crowds.

Keywords: Campaign speeches; Democratic conventions; Democrats; Politicians; Runoff primaries; Special sessions; Working class

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Elections; Kentucky. Governor (1931-1935 : Laffoon)

Partial Transcript: I think there's a lot of controversy about whether Happy Chandler was a progressive or whether he was a conservative, or whether he was a good governor or a bad governor, or a good elected official or a bad elected official.

Segment Synopsis: Ardery discusses the various accomplishments of Chandler's first term as governor, including his defense of coal union organizers in Harlan County, Kentucky. Ardery tells an anecdote related to this accomplishment. He also discusses how James Martin and Chandler reorganized the government with the Reorganization Act of 1939. Ardery talks about his personal support of Chandler during the election of 1938.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Bloody Harlan; Coal; Coal miners; Harlan County War; Reorganization Act 1939; Unionization

Subjects: Administration; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Coal miners--Labor unions--Organizing; Executive departments--Reorganization.; Harlan County (Ky.); Political violence; Politicians--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Were you by any means present, uh, when President Roosevelt, uh--

Segment Synopsis: Ardery talks about the popularity of Franklin D. Roosevelt during the 1938 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky. He tells an anecdote about Roosevelt's visit to Kentucky and how Chandler used quotes from a Roosevelt speech supporting Senator Alben W. Barkley to garner political support. He discusses how Chandler was appointed to the U.S. Senate. Ardery talks about Chandler's support of the "Dixiecrats" and his conservatism. He tells anecdotes about Chandler's hospitable personality and how his personality helped his political career.

Keywords: Conservatism; Dixiecrats; Law firms; Liberalism; Personalities; Political endorsements

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; Speeches; United States. Congress. Senate.

Partial Transcript: Well, let me skip down, and, and, uh--you, you've told me that, uh, uh, in '55 you, you worked for Combs--

Segment Synopsis: Ardery discusses Chandler's second term as governor and compares it to his first term, which he believes was the superior term for Chandler. He gives details of why he believes this. He also addresses the financial accusations against Chandler during his second term, discussing the patronage which was given to politicians during that time. He talks about the evolution of political donations during the following decades. Ardery tells anecdotal stories about "Walking Mun" Wilson, a member of a religious sect who supported Chandler during his campaigns. He tells these anecdotes as an example of Chandler's charisma and charm.

Keywords: Anecdotes; Bipartisanship; Campaign finances; Coercion; Finances; Gubernatorial term; Patronage

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky. Governor (1955-1959 : Chandler); Politicians--Kentucky; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Uh, I've heard, uh, uh, Governor Chandler say that he, uh, wouldn't trade Mama for the national debt.

Segment Synopsis: Ardery tells a story about the relationship between Happy Chandler and his wife, Mildred Chandler. He discusses how their relationship is overall positive and successful.

Keywords: Anecdotes; Arguing; Married couples

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Chandler, Mildred Watkins, 1899-1995; Politicians' spouses

Partial Transcript: General Ardery, uh, in, in--at a more general level, uh, how would you evaluate his impact on the state of Kentucky, on the history of Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Ardery discusses Chandler's positive impact on the state of Kentucky and Kentucky politics. He talks about Chandler's world recognition. He also talks about the Ray/Chandler division in the Kentucky Democratic Party, which had a long-lasting impact on the party. He also discusses Chandler's support of Republican candidates in Kentucky, despite belonging to the Democratic Party. Ardery talks about why Chandler would have supported any Republicans for office in Kentucky.

Keywords: Bipartisanship; Democrats; Harlan County War; Kentucky history; Political divisions; Political impact; Republicans

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government.; Kentucky. Governor (1967-1971 : Nunn); Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Another, another episode in his career that, uh, gets away from Kentucky, and even away from politics--and you may feel that you're not competent to comment on this, but he served as commissioner--National Commissioner of Baseball for a number of years.

Segment Synopsis: Ardery talks about Chandler's time as baseball commissioner and gives his opinion on Chandler's role in the desegregation of Major League Baseball.

Keywords: Baseball; Desegregation; Legacies; Major League Baseball (MLB); Sports

Subjects: Baseball Hall of Famers; Baseball commissioners; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Major League Baseball (Organization); Politicians--Kentucky; Robinson, Jackie, 1919-1972

Partial Transcript: Well, I don't have any more specific questions to ask you.

Segment Synopsis: Ardery sums up his relationship with and feelings about Happy Chandler. He dispels a rumor about Mrs. Mildred Chandler's alcoholism. He discusses the rumor that the Chandler house was funded by donations from state employees during his second administration. He also gives his opinion on the evolution of campaign funding through the decades.

Keywords: "Swimming pool" campaign; Accusations; Alcoholism; Campaign donations; Funding; Personalities; Relationships; Rumors

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Chandler, Mildred Watkins, 1899-1995; Governors--Kentucky; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; State governments--Officials and employees