Interview with John Y. Brown, Sr., March 9, 1976

Interview Summary

This interview with John Young Brown, Sr. starts off with Brown first observing Fred Vinson at the Democratic state convention of 1931. He then goes on to talk about the 1932 congressional race, which is when he first met Vinson. At various times throughout the interview, he discusses his relationship with Vinson in Congress. As an alumnus of Centre College, Brown talks about Centre's athletics programs and Vinson's reputation there at the school. He talks about the 1928 Al Smith presidential campaign and Vinson's party loyalty during that race. Brown recalls how he opposed Vinson and the rest of the Kentucky delegation in the voting in favor of veterans pension bill. Brown goes into some detail of Kentucky legislature politics when he was running for Speaker of the House. He gives his view of Vinson's relationship with A.B. "Happy" Chandler. After being elected to Congress and "breaking the slate," Brown talks about going against the rest of the Kentucky delegation in supporting Henry T. Rainey for speaker over John McDuffie. He discusses the Guarantee of Bank Deposit Act and the Civilian Conservation Corps Bill that came up while he was in Congress. An anecdote is told to illustrate Vinson's influence on Kentucky politics while he was in the executive branch of government. Brown talks about discussing President Franklin D. Roosevelt's declining health with Vinson. He gives his opinion of Vinson's leadership qualities while in Congress and Vinson's relationships with various people in the House. Brown talks about his role in the Tennessee Valley Authority/Norris-Rankin Bill which leads to a discussion of Vinson's support of legislation that was favorable to Kentucky. Brown discusses the 1935 Kentucky gubernatorial campaign. Vinson's appointment to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia by Roosevelt is talked about. Brown gives his opinion as to whether Vinson was interested in running as a presidential candidate in 1952. He finishes his discussion of Vinson by telling an anecdote illustrating Vinson's interest in card games.

Interview Keyword

Fred M. Vinson Politics and government United States Government Kentucky politics Centre College Congress United States House of Representatives U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Interview LC Subject

Law and legislation Education Politicians

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.