M.E. Thompson oral history interview, August 12, 1971

Interviewed by Jane Herndon. Among topics discussed: Rivers's education; Young Harris College; 1928 governor's race; "Blue Ridge chickens"; education reforms; "Little New Deal"; sales tax; highway‑building program; scandal over pardons and paroles; Rivers and Judge Beckwith; appointment of Charles Reed to Supreme Court. Comparison of Ellis Arnall and Rivers; scandals in highway department; use of road building for political gains; Rivers and Democratic National Committee; Grassroots Politics in Georgia; race as issue in Georgia politics; Rivers and the Ku Klux Klan; Dr. Howard Nevins; John Greer; Greer's management of Thompson's 1950 campaign; 1938 Rivers campaign; impact of President Roosevelt on election. Political corruption at county level; 1936 Senate race; "Four R's"‑Roosevelt, Russell, Rivers, Roberts; Thompson's early career in education; busing; Talmadge's equalization of teachers' salaries regardless of race; Thompson's relationship with Talmadge; county unit system; 1948 attempt to ban Harry Truman from Georgia presidential ballot; special session of Georgia legislature; E.D. Rivers; Rivers's impact on 1950 gubernatorial election; Rivers's ability as public speaker; highway politics; Jim Gillis and Rivers.