Here’s
a Vintage 1954 Autograph Card Signed
by Southern Dixiecrat Statesman
MILLARD F. CALDWELL, JR.
(1897 - 1984)
·
29th
SEGREGATIONIST GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA 1945-1949,
· US DEMOCRATIC
PARTY CONGRESSMAN FROM FLORIDA 1933-1941,
· ADMINISTRATOR
OF THE FEDERAL CIVIL DEFENSE ADMINISTRATION DURING THE COLD WAR 1950-1952, APPOINTED
BY PRESIDENT TRUMAN,
· CHIEF
JUSTICE OF THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT 1967-1969,
· JUSTICE
OF THE FL SUPREME CT. 1962-1969, and
· WWI
FIRST LIEUTENANT, US ARMY FIELD ARTILLERY 1918-1919.
One of the more colorful aspects of Caldwell's
gubernatorial term came on August 10, 1945, during the surrender of
Japan in World War II, when Caldwell issued a proclamation urging
bars and other alcohol-selling establishments to close in order to prevent a
frenzy of drunken celebration in the streets!
BIOGRAPHY OF THE HONORABLE MILLARD FILLMORE CALDWELL
Millard
Fillmore Caldwell (February 6, 1897 – October 23, 1984)
was an American conservative politician, lawyer, and jurist. He was
the 29th governor
of Florida (1945–1949) and served in all three branches of
government at various times in his life, including as a U.S. representative and Florida
Supreme Court justice.
Early life
Caldwell was
born in the rural area of Beverly, Tennessee, outside Knoxville.
There he attended public schools and attended Carson-Newman
College, the University of
Mississippi, and the University of
Virginia. During World War I, Caldwell
enlisted in the U.S. Army on
April 3, 1918. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in
the Field Artillery, and was discharged on January 11, 1919. Caldwell moved
to Milton, Florida in 1924,
practicing law there.
Career
Early career
In 1926,
Caldwell began serving as prosecutor and county attorney of Santa Rosa
County; in 1929, he was elected as a Democrat to
the state House,
where he was a member until 1932.
US Congress and gubernatorial interim
Caldwell would
enter the 1932 Democratic primary late for Florida's 3rd Congressional
District. In the end he would end up defeating Tom Yon and in
congress he would serve as a member on two committees: Foreign Affairs and Appropriations. While
serving in Congress he would urge that the US be self-sufficient for its war
resources by 1934. He would unsuccessfully try to place an embargo on shipments
to Japan and he did advocate for expanding both the Navy and Army. He would
retire from Congress on January 1, 1941, and move to Tallahassee where he would
practice law along with operate a dairy and raise cattle.
Governorship
In 1944, Caldwell was elected governor of
Florida. Taking office in 1945, Caldwell's term is noted for his segregationist beliefs,
as well as his support for road construction projects and the establishment of
the Educational Minimum Foundation Program, which gave education funds to rural
counties.
One of the
more colorful aspects of Caldwell's term came on August 10, 1945, during
the surrender of
Japan in World War II, when Caldwell issued a proclamation urging
bars and other alcohol-selling establishments to close in order to prevent a
frenzy of drunken celebration in the streets.
Caldwell would
support Harry S.
Truman's run for president in 1948 as many Southern Democrats had
left the party.
Post-governorship activities
After leaving
office in 1949, Caldwell was appointed the administrator of the Federal Civil Defense Administration by
then-President Harry S. Truman in
1950. After leaving this post in 1952, Caldwell served as a
justice – and later chief justice – on the State Supreme
Court from 1962 to 1969.
On May 14,
1953, Caldwell was initiated as an honorary brother in the Alpha Phi chapter
of Alpha Kappa
Psi at the University of
Florida
Death
Caldwell died
in Tallahassee on
October 23, 1984. He is interred at Blackwood-Harwood Plantations Cemetery
in Leon County in
Tallahassee, Florida.
Personal life
Caldwell was
married to Mary Harwood Caldwell; the couple's three children were Susan,
Millard, and Sally.
During his
life, Caldwell was a member of the Newcomen Society, Freemasons, Shriners, Elks, and Knights of
Pythias. He was also a member of Kappa Sigma and Phi Alpha Delta.
Three of the document measures
5” x 3” and is in very fine+ condition.
I am a proud member of
the Universal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC), The Ephemera Society of
America, the Manuscript Society and the American Political Items Collectors
(APIC) (member name: John Lissandrello). I subscribe to each organizations'
code of ethics and authenticity is guaranteed. ~Providing quality service and
historical memorabilia online for over 25 years.~
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