Interview with Edward Fossett

Partial Transcript: Mr. Fossett when did you first get acquainted with Judge Combs?

Segment Synopsis: Fossett discusses his early interactions with Governor Combs, including at the University of Kentucky law school and during the campaigns of 1955 and 1959.

Keywords: Election of 1955; University of Kentucky

Subjects: Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991 Kentucky. Court of Appeals Political campaigns--United States

Partial Transcript: Now, during this administration, there developed, if not in the first legislature, as you well know, certainly in the second one a certain amount of opposition to governor Chandler

Segment Synopsis: Fossett discusses the relationship between members of the state legislature and the governors office, particularly under Happy Chandler, but also with respect to the Legislative Research Council.

Keywords: Bert Combs; Joe Feguson; John Breckinridge; Kentucky General Assembly; Legislative Research Council; Wilson Wyatt

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991 Governors--Kentucky Kentucky--Politics and government

Partial Transcript: How did it come about that you became subsequently the legal assistant to the governor?

Segment Synopsis: Fossett describes how he became involved in the Combs administration and some of the duties he had, including the drafting of executive orders and proclamations.

Keywords: Bert Combs; Bob Matthews; Executive orders; Leadership; Political appointments

Subjects: Governors--Kentucky Kentucky--Politics and government

Partial Transcript: Did you ever get impatient with-- this is a leading question-- did you ever get impatient with him not making a decision when you needed?

Segment Synopsis: Fossett describes his interaction with Governor Combs and his personality, including how that impacted his actions in come controversial actions, such as civil rights and a situation in Newport Kentucky.

Keywords: Bert Combs; Executive order; Leadership; Newport; Political appointments; Racial equality; State police

Subjects: Governors--Kentucky Kentucky--Politics and government Toll roads

Partial Transcript: What kind of a role did he ask you or have you play in say, the Wyatt campaign for Senate?

Segment Synopsis: Fossett discusses some of his other activities, including his roles in the campaigns of both Wilson Wyatt and Ned Breathitt and his opinion of the merit hiring system.

Keywords: Bert Combs; Governor's duties; Merit system

Subjects: Breathitt, Edward T., 1924-2003 Campaign promises Elections Kentucky--Politics and government Wyatt, Wilson W. (Wilson Watkins), 1905-1996

Partial Transcript: Well, you left government, had you planned to leave government?

Segment Synopsis: Fossett discusses why he left government and other interactions he had with government after that, including with Governor Combs.

Keywords: Campaigning; Election of 1971; Law practice

Subjects: Elections United States. Court of Appeals (Federal Circuit)