Hugh Gillis oral history interview, March 25, 1988

Interviewed by Cliff Kuhn. Among topics discussed: Gillis' family in politics; formation of Treutlen County; political memories of Gillis's father (Jim Gillis); Franklin D. Roosevelt and Jim Gillis; first campaign; Cocking affair; switch of family political allegiance from Ellis Arnall to the Talmadges; old style political rallies; the county unit system and campaign strategy; three‑governor controversy; power of the highway department; allocating road money; road crew system; Gene Talmadge's stump style; stories told by politicians in the Henry Grady Hotel; decision making at the Henry Grady; participants at the Henry Grady; anti‑Herman Talmadge faction; state budget cutting under Vandiver; reaction to Maddox as governor; reorganization battles with Governor Jimmy Carter; campaign against Cecil Passmore; Carter's involvement in Passmore‑Gillis campaign; Maddox support of Gillis for Speaker Pro Tem; Carter's attempt to reorganize the forestry department; the "Green Door" (budget) committee; rural political influence; the Fulton County delegation; changes in state government; changes in campaigning; Gillis' accomplishments.