By Ray Hill Congressman Albert Gore, forty-four years old in 1952, was poised to challenge Tennessee’s most formidable vote getter, Senator Kenneth D. McKellar, in the Democratic primary. McKellar, eighty-three years old and ailing, remained an imposing candidate despite his infirmities. The longest serving senator in Tennessee’s history, McKellar was well liked by his people […]
By Ray Hill The 1952 Senate race in Tennessee had its roots in the 1948 election, which was a turning point in Volunteer State history. For decades, Tennessee’s politics had been dominated by Senator Kenneth D. McKellar and E. H. Crump, leader of the Shelby County machine. The two had parted company only occasionally, usually […]
By Ray Hill As Tennessee entered the summer months of 1948, Governor Jim Nance McCord and Gordon Browning battled for the Democratic nomination to be chief executive of the state. Any campaign waged by Gordon Browning quickly became hard fought and the genteel McCord found himself hard pressed. Governor McCord had the support of Tennessee’s […]
By Ray Hill The 1948 election in Tennessee was a watershed political event. For two decades, the political partnership of senior United States senator Kenneth D. McKellar and Edward Hull Crump, leader of the Shelby County machine, had dominated Volunteer State elections. There had been numerous challenges to the McKellar – Crump alliance, but none […]
By Ray Hill When one thinks of bossism in Tennessee politics, Edward Hull Crump of Memphis leaps to mind. Much has been written about the Crump machine, but Hilary Howse of Nashville headed an equally potent and thriving political machine in Davidson County. There are numerous similarities between the two urban political machines. Like Crump, […]
By Ray Hill In 1943, while still a member of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Cabinet, Harold L. Ickes wrote his autobiography. Aptly entitled “Autobiography of a Curmudgeon,” Ickes immediately said, “If, in these pages, I have hurled an insult at anyone, be it known that such was my deliberate intent, and I may as well […]
By Ray Hill More than a few historians rate Harold LeClair Ickes as the greatest Secretary of the Interior to serve in the Cabinet of any president. Certainly, he served the longest, more than thirteen years. Harold L. Ickes earned a reputation, one he carefully nurtured, as scrupulously honest in administering public affairs, as well […]
By Ray Hill Hill McAlister had finally achieved his dream of serving as governor of Tennessee after two hard fought failed campaigns. The descendant of two governors, McAlister had run a strong race against incumbent Austin Peay when the latter was seeking a third two-year term in 1926. Peay had died suddenly in 1927 and […]
By Ray Hill If there is anything sadder than a defeated and forgotten politician, it may well be a forgotten politician’s widow. Once powerful politicians who wielded enormous influence, attended by staff and an abundance of friends, oftentimes find themselves bereft when out of office and without favors to dispense. Many former friends disappear with […]
By Ray Hill “Someday Louisiana is going to get good government. And they ain’t gonna like it.” – Earl K. Long Huey Long has gone down in American political lore for a host of reasons. Huey Long is still well remembered today and he founded a political dynasty that lasted for more than half […]
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