Interview with Lawrence W. Wetherby, June 26, 1980

Interview Summary

Governor Wetherby begins this interview by stating his sentiments when a succeeding governor takes credit for some of his accomplishments, and how most governors recognize their predecessor's accomplishments. In regards to the Supreme Court's ruling on Brown v. Board of Education, 1954, Wetherby expounds on his welcoming of that decision and how before the decision was made he and Governor Clements worked towards integrating the public education sector by passing the Day Law, allowing African-Americans to attend the University of Kentucky at the graduate level. He gives his thoughts on complete social integration, and how he participated in the last legislation in Kentucky that broke down the finals bars of separation in the state in 1966. Governor Wetherby shifts topics to discuss the ideology of the Democratic and Republican political parties, their platform stances, and how the lines separating the two parties has become less staunch. He gives his thoughts on civics in general, including his thoughts on the then-upcoming presidential election between Democrat Jimmy Carter and Republican Ronald Reagan. During an indiscriminate Q&A session between him and the interviewer, Governor Wetherby addresses several issues stemming from the 1950 election turnout, the Democrats and Dixiecrats in Kentucky, and his performance in the Juvenile Court system. Governor Wetherby then speaks of his apprehension of running for Governor, and how those members in his political faction persuaded him that he should run for governor. He speaks of the difficulties he had with scandals in his cabinet, how he considered taking the Senate seat after Sen. Virgil Chapman passed, and how he ultimately chose Tom Underwood to replace Chapman, and not A.B Chandler. Wetherby speaks of his opponent, Eugene Siler during the 1951 campaign, the gambling raids he ordered in Campbell County, any correlation between the two instances, and finally how the rest of the state eventually followed the suit against gambling. Governor Wetherby gives his opinion on Siler's response to Wetherby winning the election and on the "whispering campaign" Siler initiated.

Interview LC Subject

Jefferson County (Ky.) Wetherby, Lawrence W. (Lawrence Winchester), 1908-1994 Wetherby, Lawrence W. (Lawrence Winchester), 1908-1994--Interviews

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