University of West Georgia - Chieftain Yearbook (Carrollton, GA)

Page 29 text:

Elections: 1 966 . . . Jimmy Carter, a state senator from Plains, was a major contender during fhe rorary. A brief movement for a write-in campaign was started at West Georgia, James Gray from Albany was another Democratic hopeful during the primary. Governor Maddox appointed Gray chairman of the state Democratic Party. j« - -r™ - For The malte-shift write-in ■ move- ment on behalf of Arnall gave Georgia ' s election practices a jolt, and placed her on the lips of every news commentator in the country. Former Governor Carl E. Sanders chose wisely to remain silent during the campaign. He ended his four years of commendable service wondering if it would end. Write-In Arnall, a drive to save the state, made a last ditch effort for their candidate; the candidate lost, but the movement made history. All television networks predicted a win for Maddox, but, due to a unique Georgia law requiring a majority of votes, the people elected no governor. According to State law, the House of Representa- tives would pick the governor. The write-in faction tested this law in the Supreme Court, and it stood firm. Lester Maddox became governor of Georgia only one day before the inauguration. He entered office as the choice of politicians, bound to support their political party. He called Himself the People ' s candidate during his campaign, yet the people didn ' t elect him. Only the future can tell us if This Is Maddox Country.

Page 28 text:

Liberal, moderate, conservative, segregationist, state ' s rightist — words which describe factions with- in political parties and candidates . . . This year these words took special meaning, for 1966 was an election year. If this year ' s gubernatorial election had been as they have been in the past, there would have been no reason to record it for posterity, but the elec- tion became a part of college life at West ' Georgia. ' For not since the famed Talmadge-Thompson battle of the forties has Georgia written such an unusual story into her history. The Democratic primary, for decades Georgia ' s real election, resulted in a run-off. Ellis Arnall, a past governor, and Lester Pickrick Maddox were pitted against each other. Maddox became the victor in the surprising results. The Atlanta segre- gationist became the nominee for the governorship from the Democratic Party. In November Maddox was to run again in the general election against Howard Bo Callaway, the Republican Party ' s first hope in Georgia since Reconstruction. THIS IS MADDOX COUNTRY Ellis Arnall, former gov- ernor from Newnan, was favored to win the Demo- cratic primary. He polled the most votes but lost In the run-off. Howard Bo Callaway re- signed as Congressman from the third congressional district to become the Re- publican party ' s first strong candidate in over one hun- dred years.

Page 30 text:

The West Georgia Concert As- sociation initiated their 1966-67 season with the appearance of popular pianist, Peter Nero on October 28. Richard Leibert, famed Radio City Music Hall organist, appeared on October 29. The personable performer put on an enjoyable concert. He appeared through the Concert Association. 26