- Collection:
- Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program
- Title:
- Oral history interview with Tom Murphy, 1985 December 27
- Creator:
- Murphy, Thomas Bailey, 1924-2007
- Contributor to Resource:
- Steely, Mel
University of West Georgia. Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program - Publisher:
- Carrollton, Ga. : University of West Georgia Special Collections in association with the Digital Library of Georgia
- Date of Original:
- 1985-12-27
- Subject:
- Georgia--Politics and government--1865-1950
Georgia--Politics and government--1951-
Legislators--Georgia--Interviews
Georgia. General Assembly. House of Representatives - People:
- Murphy, Thomas Bailey, 1924-2007
Murphy, Thomas Bailey, 1924-2007--Interviews
Arnall, Ellis Gibbs, 1907-1992
Maddox, Lester, 1915-2003
Miller, Zell, 1932-2018
Rivers, Eurith Dickinson, 1895-1967
Talmadge, Eugene, 1884-1946
Talmadge, Herman E. (Herman Eugene), 1913-2002
Thompson, M. E. (Melvin Ernest), 1903-1980 - Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
sound recordings - Type:
- Sound
- Format:
- audio/mpeg
audio/ogg - Description:
- Thomas Bailey "Tom" Murphy (1924-2007) was born in Bremen, Georgia on March 10, 1924, and lived there for most of his life. After graduating from North Georgia College in Dahlonega he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the south Pacific during World War II. After returning home he earned a law degree from the University of Georgia in 1949, and returned home to practice law with his older brother James. In 1960, Murphy was elected to represent his hometown and the surrounding area as a Democrat in the state legislature, where he remained until defeated in 2002. In the state House of Representatives, Murphy served as Governor Lester Maddox's floor leader from 1967-1970, and as Speaker pro tem from 1970-1973. He was elected Speaker in 1973 and became the longest serving house speaker of any U.S. state legislature. Murphy held power using hardball politics, closely controlling the state's finances and redistricting every ten years. He was instrumental to the growth of Atlanta, and Georgia, having a hand in transportation, economic, and building issues. He was defeated by Bill Heath in 2002, unable to hold back a Republican tide any longer. Murphy suffered a stroke in 2004, and died in December 2007.; Interviewed by Mel Steely on December 27, 1985 at Murphy's office in Bremen, Georgia.; Dr. Mel Steely interviews Georgia Speaker Tom Murphy on his experiences with Senator Herman Talmadge.The interview begins with Murphy talking about his childhood in Bremen, attending North Georgia College, and entering the Navy in 1946.He then speaks of his brother, former state representative James Murphy, and his entry into politics that began with holding a position on the Bremen school board.; The interview next tackles the subject of Murphy's experience in the Georgia state assembly.Murphy tells of being elected to the house at the age of 38 during a time when the governor had control over the legislation to the point that he could choose both the Speaker and the committee chairs.Murphy first ran for speaker pro tem following the election of Jimmy Carter as Governor and won on position on the third ballot.He was then elected speaker under the governorship of George Busbee.; The interview ends with Steely asking Speaker Murphy about Herman Talmadge.Murphy says that Talmadge was extremely powerful due to his position as chairman of the agricultural committee and that much of his work was tailored to benefit the south.Murphy did not have much experience working with Talmadge as the speaker didn't have any interest in the politics of Washington, D.C.According to Murphy, Talmadge was not a staunch segregationist as he hired more African-Americans during his time as governor than any previous holder of the office.Finally, Murphy declares that Talmadge was a legend in Georgia, an excellent senator, and one of the best politicians Murphy had ever seen.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:uwg_phc_murphy19851227
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/uwg/phc/do:murphy19851227
- Language:
- eng
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: [interview title], Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program oral history interviews. Annie Belle Weaver Special Collections, Irvine Sullivan Ingram Library, University of West Georgia
- Extent:
- 1 interview (circa 35 mins.)
- Original Collection:
- Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program oral history interviews. Annie Belle Weaver Special Collections, Irvine Sullivan Ingram Library, State University of West Georgia
- Holding Institution:
- University of West Georgia. Special Collections
- Rights:
-
