The Commonwealth of Kentucky, though it ranks among the states lowest in income and industry, employment and education, has long stood at the very top in the successful use of its political patronage system. To build up the power of incumbent Democratic administrations, Kentucky's 23,000 state employees for years were required to "contribute" 2% of their salaries to campaign war chests. Under loudmouthed Governor (1935-39 and 1955-59) Albert ("Happy") Chandler, eight $7,200-a-year highway commissioners traveled Kentucky's highways and byways dispensing jobs and rounding up votes; so many weed cutters were hired by the highway department around election time that Kentuckians...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
