Interview with James Sublett

Partial Transcript: I first met Bob in the summer of 1948 at the University of Kentucky in the College of Education where I was doing some post-masters work and Bob was working in the Department of Education and had been recently employed...

Segment Synopsis: Sublett recalls his first meeting with Dr. Martin over 30 years ago, when he and Dr. Martin were first establishing their careers in education.

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Partial Transcript: Do you recall his involvement in the drafting and passage of the Minimum Foundation Act?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett comments on Dr. Martin's involvement with creating the Minimum Foundation Program, adding that Dr. Martin was probably more involved than any one else.

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Partial Transcript: What made you become his state campaign manager in 1955 when he ran for superintendent?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett recalls his support for Dr. Martin's campaign for superintendent in 1955, crucially helping him win over many Louisville educators.

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Subjects: Jefferson County, KY

Partial Transcript: What reasons do you believe led him to run for superintendent?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett recollects on Dr. Martin's altruistic reasons for running for superintendent, noting that Dr. Martin had a wide range of support from state educators.

Keywords: educators; election; primary

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Partial Transcript: Shortly after Dr. Martin became superintendent of public instruction and reorganized the department and brought you from Louisville in Jefferson county to be assistant superintendent of public instruction, what were your responsibilities?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett explains the responsibilities of the assistant-superintendent, how those roles shifted during his tenure, and the consolidation of school districts during Dr. Martin's administration.

Keywords: administrator; school districts; transportation

Subjects: Ted Gilbert

Partial Transcript: Do you think that the reorganization that he carried out was an effective program that made the department work more efficiently?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett comments on the reorganization of the Department of Education and Dr. Martin's role in instigating such change.

Keywords: bureau

Subjects: Kentucky Department of Education

Partial Transcript: Do you have any recollection of the controversy with Wendell Butler?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett briefly comments on the personal conflict between Dr. Martin and his predecessor, Wendell Butler.

Keywords: public education

Subjects: Wendell Butler

Partial Transcript: What's your opinion of his tenure as superintendent of public instruction?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett covers the major accomplishments during Dr. Martin's superintendency and details the major problems in Kentucky education in the 1950s. He later comments on Dr. Martin's approach to integration following Brown v. Board of Education.

Keywords: distribution; enrollment; funding; sales tax; school districts

Subjects: Minimum Foundation Program Segregation

Partial Transcript: How were, do you recall his relationship with Happy Chandler?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett recollects on Dr. Martin's relationship with Governor Chandler, describing it as cordial and professional, but notes a particular moment of controversy between the two.

Keywords: state board; state board of education; surplus property division

Subjects: Albert B. "Happy" Chandler

Partial Transcript: Do you recall how involved in political affairs he was during the '50's?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett talks about Dr. Martin's varying support for state officials, and the controversy within the educational community generated when he chaired Bert Comb's 1959 gubernatorial primary.

Keywords: campaign; chairman; gubernatorial; state offices

Subjects: Bert Combs Earle Clements

Partial Transcript: That leads to the next series of questions about his relationship with Kentucky political leaders, we can start off with Governor Combs if you'd like...

Segment Synopsis: Sublett discusses Dr. Martin's exemplary working relationship with Bert Combs and Earle Clements, as well as comments on Dr. Martin's relations with governors once he became Eastern's president. He notes Dr. Martin's success in obtaining more funds for Eastern, as well as his work with the Kentucky General Assembly.

Keywords: general assembly; retirement system

Subjects: Bert Combs Earle Clements Ned Breathitt Wendell Ford

Partial Transcript: Do you think he had further political ambitions in the '50s?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett discusses Dr. Martin's interest in a politically elected office, and comments on Dr. Martin's interest in becoming president of the University of Kentucky.

Keywords: lieutenant governor; superintendent

Subjects: Bert Combs University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What are your recollections of his tenure as commissioner of finance?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett reflects on Dr. Martin's six-month tenure as commissioner of finance and his contribution to education in that office.

Keywords: funding; retirement system; transportation

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Partial Transcript: Do you recall any controversy concerning his election as president of Eastern?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett talks about some of the controversy caused by Dr. Martin's selection as president of Eastern, noting the strong link between politics and higher education.

Keywords: credentials; finance commissioner; political

Subjects: Bert Combs

Partial Transcript: What about the relationship between politics and education in Kentucky, there are kind of inextricably bound up with one another, are they too much, or is there too much politics?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett talks about the link between politics and education, noting that is not necessarily a bad thing, as politics can help communicate with educators what the people need.

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Partial Transcript: What's been your relationship with Dr. Martin since he left Frankfort to come to Eastern?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett comments on his relationship with Dr. Martin since Dr. Martin moved to Richmond, discussing the advice they gave each other, while Sublett notes the tremendous growth of Eastern.

Keywords: advised; growth; personal; professional; retirement system

Subjects: Eastern Kentucky State College Eastern Kentucky University

Partial Transcript: What do you believe his philosophy of public education is?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett details Dr. Martin's universal philosophy on education, drawing from his rural background as a potential for his strong conviction on expanding education.

Keywords: opportunity; universal education

Subjects: foundation program

Partial Transcript: How would you characterize his personality?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett comments on Dr. Martin's domineering personality and a weakness in his administration.

Keywords: aggressive; capable

Subjects: J.C. Powell

Partial Transcript: You've related several anecdotes, do you recall any more anecdotes or stories about him?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett shares a few stories about Dr. Martin.

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Partial Transcript: What's been his relationship with the press?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett describes Dr. Martin's relationship with the press, noting that overall he enjoyed a good partnership but a sour relationship with the editorial board of the Courier-Journal.

Keywords: professionalism

Subjects: Courier-Journal

Partial Transcript: How about his relationship with KEA?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett comments on Dr. Martin's varying relationship with the KEA.

Keywords: policies; secretary; staff

Subjects: Kentucky Educational Association

Partial Transcript: What do you feel has been Dr. Martin's contributions to education in Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Sublett discusses Dr. Martin's legacy on education, talking about the increased funding for primary and secondary education as well as the advancement of regional colleges during his tenure as president.

Keywords: funding; law enforcement program; nursing program; regional universities

Subjects: Minimum Foundation Program