National Affairs: Oldtime Campaigning

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With every passing year, U.S. political campaigning seems to grow more mechanized, more firmly keyed to the billboard, the advertising agency, the radio microphone and the television camera. But there are still political backwaters in the U.S. where the techniques of Batten. Barton, Durstine & Osborn are unknown, where politics is a highly personal (and sometimes dangerous) activity, and where voters solemnly consider a candidate's relatives and his need of work as well as his qualifications for office.

Floyd County, Ky., whose 55,000 poor, proud and clannish hill folk are mostly descended straight from early English settlers, is such a political museum. Last week 144 Floyd County citizens were running for local office and campaigning (at funerals, churches and front doors) for the August primary. The following pieces of political advertising, run in the Floyd County Times, reflected the old-fashioned tone of the contests.

¶For sheriff—Scott Compton of Alphoretta, Ky.: "I have been a coal miner for 33 years and also a deputy sheriff of this county for eleven years. I have not shot or killed anyone, nor have I beat up anyone. I am the son of John Compton and Ida Hall Compton of Mud Creek."

¶For constable—Jewel D. ("Stinky") Fitzpatrick: "Since my election as constable last year to fill an unexpired term, I have conducted the office exactly as I promised the people . . . It hasn't meant much money to me, but the little I have made has been a great help. As most of you know, my eyesight is such that I cannot do other work which would pay me more. If I were a strong man, with normal vision . . . I would not bother you again about voting for me. But we all must accept things as they are and do the best we can . . ."

¶For jailer—A. J. Allen of Garrett, Ky.: "My relationship on my father's side is that George Allen was my grandfather. Grandmother Allen was the daughter of James P. Patton. My mother was Reuben Stephens' daughter. I am the son of Andrew Allen. My grandmother Stephens was the sister of the late L. Hicks and Jonathan Hicks, of Middle Creek. I married the daughter of Bud Handshoe, of Hueysville, Ky. Her mother was the daughter of Hi Fitch. The deceased George Fitch, of the Mouth of Brush Creek, was her uncle. A few words to mothers: If your son happens to get in jail, I will see that he has good treatment, plenty to eat and a decent place to sleep."

¶Tax commissioner—Clive Akers: "Friends, most of you know me and you know my record. My grandfathers were Jake (J.P.) Akers and Alamander (Squint) Martin . . ."

¶For sheriff—Troy B. Sturgill: "No person should be given this great responsibility . . . if he is not a sober man. I have not taken a drink of anything intoxicating for more than twelve years . . . The sheriff must be reasonable and certainly not a 'hot head.' You never know when your son . . . will fall in the path of an arresting officer, and . . . you most certainly do not want your son abused and beaten by a 'hot head' . . . I have never in my life had an indictment returned against me or a warrant issued for me. I have never been arraigned before twelve of my citizens to be tried for any crime. Decide from the truth . . . and records, not from misleading, false, smearing gossip."