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Home Albert M. Spradling Jr. Oral History Interview

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Albert M. Spradling Jr. Oral History Interview

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Title	Albert M. Spradling Jr. Oral History Interview
Collection Title	Politics in Missouri Oral History Project, Records, 1996-
Collection Number	3929
Interviewee	Albert M. Spradling Jr.
Interviewer	Will Sarvis
Date of Interview	3/14/1996
Subject--Name	Spradling, Albert M., Jr.
Subject	Oral history Missouri--History, Local Missouri--Politics and government
Keyword	Oral histories Missouri Politics Politics Political History Political Oral History
Coverage	United States; Missouri; Cape Girardeau, Missouri;
Transcription Format	Paper; Electronic
Pages	54
Audio Format	Audio cassette
Audio Length	Audio restricted, transcript available.
Finding Aid	http://whmc.umsystem.edu/invent/3929.html
Participants	2
Synopsis	Albert M. Spradling, Jr. was born on March 13, 1920. As a Democrat, he was elected to the State Senate at only 31 years of age, and thus became one of the youngest senators in Missouri state history. To date, he has been the only state senator, and among only a handful of legislators altogether, with an FBI background. While in the General Assembly, Senator Spradling helped revolutionize Missouris mental health facilities from primitive to modern conditions. He also participated in legislating open meetings and freedom of information, otherwise known as the 'sunshine laws.' He served as one of the numerous 'country lawyers' who once dominated the General Assembly, and have traditionally influenced Missouris conservative Democratic Party legacy. For Senator Spradlings most recent official biographical entry, see the Official Manual of the State of Missouri, 1975-1976. For additional published sources, see the History of Missouri, vol.3 (New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co., 1967), pp. 386-387; Missouri Democracy, vol.2 (Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1935), pp. 605-606; Southeast Missourian, August 23, 1994. After preliminary letters and a telephone call, I met Senator Spradling at his Cape Girardeau law office. At 76 years old, Senator Spradling is still very active in his legal practice. The interview environment was professional, but also quite relaxed and friendly. Senator Spradling presented an engaging and charismatic presence. At six feet, four inches, and with a resonant, baritone voice, it was easy to imagine Senator Spradlings impressive deportment in the Senate and various courtrooms. And although he leaned back in his desk chair four or five feet from the microphone, the tape recorder easily picked up his dialogue at twice the recommended distance and rendered a clear recording.
Publisher	The State Historical Society of Missouri

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