JAMES M. SPROUSE A TRUE STORY OF A WEST VIRGINIAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000400350007-9
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• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 22, 1999
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• Content Type: BIO

STATINTL
CPYRGHT
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James M. Sprouse
A True Story of a
West Virginian
INTRODUCTION "Jim Sprouse" - Family Man, Lawyer, Soldier, Sports Figure, Political Leader,
Fullbright Scholar, International Intelligence Agent, Citizen, TRUE WEST VIRGINIAN.
Numerous stories have appeared in West Virginia Newspapers concerning a young native of
Mingo County, West Virginia, who many obviously want to he GOVERNOR OF WEST VIR-
GINIA.
WHO IS HE?
The following pages compiled by SPROUSE for GOVERNOR CLUB provide some of the answers.
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ONE FORM OF RELAXATION at the Sprouse home is a family gathering around the piano for a songfest or
to isten to sister Tracy play a tune.
learned from a priest friend that he had better con- and is a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. and today his fatherly pride numbers to five.
cenirate on law and forget about his ambition-writing.
SKIING IS JUST ONE of the sports enjoyed by the Sprouse family. Jeffrey, June, Jim and Tracy enjoy this
snow sport in the West Virginia mountains.
JIM SPROUSE and Vice-President Hubert Humphrey exchange warm
greetings during one of the VP's visits to West Virginia.
MISS BETH DI GREGORIO, past president of the Hancock County Fed-
erated Democratic Woman's Club honors Sprouse with an honorary
membership the night he spoke before the group at Weirton.
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EDITORIALS
e-w~sHT
William F. Tolbert
EDITOR
Williamson Daily News
SUPPORT FOR SPROUSE GROWING
While the 1968 general election is still more than a year distant,
the political gristmill already is working overtime with speculations
concerning possibilities, and especially in the gubernatorial contest.
To date there are several announced candidates for governor in
1968, but the compelling thought at the present time is that the most
likely favorites-both Democrats and Republicans-still are sounding
out the degree of support their candidacies might attract both in
the primaries and general election.
At this writing, there is more than a remote possibility that a
native Williamsonian-James M. Sprouse-could win the Democratic
nomination next May as well as the general election in November
and move into the Governor's Mansion in January 1969.
While Sprouse has made no definite commitments as to whether
he will formally announce for the State's top political office, he
has been busily engaged in a heavy schedule of speechmaking and
participation in public ceremonials as well as sounding out the
sentiment in behalf of his candidacy in all sections of the State and
that he is deeply impressed by the reaction of both party leaders
and voters is putting it mildly.
That Sprouse knows his way around in politics goes without
saying and is demonstrated by the fact that he served as chairman
of Hulett C. Smith's successful primary and general election cam-
paign for governor in 1964 and since that time has been serving
as chairman of the State Democratic Executive committee.
Support for Sprouse has been mushrooming ever since his name
first was injected as a possibility in the 1968 campaign. He has
strong support among county chairmen and members of the State
Executive committee. At a recent meeting of the West Virginia
Sheriff's Association, Sprouse received considerable encouragement
and support for his likely candidacy. The fact that he hails from
the Southern sector of West Virginia where the Democratic Party
boasts overwhelming strength should enhance his chances even
more. Recent soundings, however, show Sprouse is attracting major
support in all areas and this in itself forcefully squelches any
possible claim of provincialism.
As the senior partner in the Charleston law firm of Sprouse,
McIntyre and Louderback, Sprouse has had close professional con-
tact with both business and labor. He has served as counsel for
the West Virginia Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, and at the same
time has represented business establishments in important legal
matters. He is counsel for Lake Central Airlines among other
businesses and organizations.
His personal background contains much to recommend him for
the office of Governor. As a matter of fact, his life's story has all
of the ingredients set forth in the Horatio Alger novels of the hero
pulling himself up by his own bootstraps. Sprouse throughout his
early life has had full knowledge of the everyday financial problems
which plague so many in the State of West Virginia. He knows what
it is like to be denied many of the opportunities enjoyed by other
youth. A member of a poor but proud family, Sprouse overcame
adversity to rise to successful heights through outstanding ability,
initiative and determination.
A native of Williamson, Sprouse demonstrated his talent for
leadership while a student at Williamson High School. He showed
his physical prowess and perseverance by becoming a Golden Gloves
boxing champion while a youth. He also won the lightweight boxing
championship while serving in the U. S. Army.
Sprouse received his law degree from Columbia University in
1949, won a Fullbright scholarship and was in the first group to
go to Europe. He studied international law at the University of
Bordeaux and the University of Paris. He speaks French and German
fluently and from 1951 to 1957 he worked for the CIA in this country
and abroad. He received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart
during service as an infantryman in the U. S. Army in Europe in
World War II.
Well versed in international law, Sprouse was equipped to pur-
sue his profession in lucrative areas of private practice in metro-
politan sectors of the nation. It was his sense of pride and enthusi-
asm for his native state that prompted his return to the legal
practice in West Virginia. His energy and enthusiasm in this respect
are contagious and attract legions to his folds as staunch friends.
These staunch friends and supporters believe Sprouse is the
embodiment of intelligence, awareness, honesty and youthful vigor
so necessary for a successful tenure by a Governor of West Virginia.
They are convinced that he possesses the political know-how and
personal qualifications and leadership to carry West Virginia for-
ward on the road to greater achievement for individuals at all levels
of society. They wish him well if and when he decides to formally
enter the race for this high political office.
More ... from Harry Hamm
Still to be heard from is the likeable, fireball state Democratic
chairman James Sprouse. Mr. Sprouse has been busy taking sound-
ings around the state and most reports say his stock is on the rise.
"Sprouse-for-Governor" clubs have been springing up in various
sections of the state reminiscent of the way Governor Smith's cam-
paign was launched. As state chairman of the Democratic party, Mr.
Sprouse has been able to stay close to the party organizations in
the counties and this should be of significant importance if he does
decide to throw his hat in the ring.
J
A
M
E
s
M.
S
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u
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E
Harry Ho f f man's
POLITICS
SPROUSE LOOKS LIKE CANDIDATE
A lot of prospective candi-
dates have been talked about for
the Democratic nomination for
governor in 1968, but few have
been as active in their own be-
half as James M. Sprouse, the
43-year-old Charleston lawyer
who has been Democratic state
chairman for the last three
years.
Sprouse has visited about half
the counties and has made con-
tacts in a number of others. He's
been up and down the Ohio
Valley, from the far Northern
Panhandle to Cabell and Wayne
counties, and has spent some
time in most of the southern
coal counties. He has kept up
the busy schedule of letter
writing, telephoning, speech
making and attending dinners,
at the same time trying to keep
up his law practice in Charles-
ton.
Yet, Sprouse hasn't gotten up
full steam and he is not an an-
nounced candidate. His busy
schedule over the last two
months has been confined large-
ly to making soundings, probing
in depth, and generally looking
the situation over. He appears
about ready to move into the
second phase of his campaign,
which will be a concentrated
effort to tie down definite sup-
port in various sections.
Jim Sprouse is looking very
much like a candidate for gov-
ernor, and there are those who
think he may already have made
his decision to run. He said last
month he was getting close to a
definite decision but would not
make a public announcement for
sometime.
Also, there have been indica-
tions that Sprouse would not
necessarily be guided by what
Gov. Hulett C. Smith decides to
do by way of administration
support for a particular candi-
date in the Democratic primary.
Sprouse was chairman of
Smith's successful primary and
general election campaigns for
governor in 1964 and also his
choice for state chairman, and
naturally has a friendly rela-
tionship.
So far the Governor has given
no indication of the man his
administration will support, al-
though there have been reports
that he has narrowed the field
down to a choice between
Sprouse and Senate President
Howard Carson of Fayetteville.
An incident that happened in
connection with the state sher-
iffs' association meeting in
Charleston this weekend may
have served to give encourage-
ment to Sprouse and could be a
factor in his political decision.
The outgoing president of the
association, Sheriff Elmer E. Al-
baugh of Ohio County, is an
avowed supporter of Atty. Gen.
C. Donald Robertson, who has
been running for governor since
sometime in 1962 or 1963. The
first vice president of the asso-
ciation, Sheriff John Protan of
Boone County, is an avowed
Sprouse supporter.
Protan normally would be ex-
pected to move up to the presi-
dency, but a movement report-
edly was started in the Sunday
night preliminaries to have Al-
baugh held over for another
term as president. Robertson
was reported to be the power
behind this move, but it didn't
work - Protan was nominated
for president and elected by ac-
claimation. And, while Protarr
is said to have agreed not to usi
the association's name in behalf
of Sprouse, there is no question
about where he stands person-
ally and this cannot help but be
of political benefit to Sprouse if
he makes the race. Likewise, it
must be taken as a ?etback for
Robertson.
ALREADY, ABOUT two dozen
sheriffs are said to have indi-
cated they are favorable to
Sprouse, and he also sets we!
with county chairmen and mem-
bers of the state executive com-
mittee by reason of his activity
as state chairman. This could
account for considerable organi-
zational support, and Sprouse
also has strong ties to organized
labor by reason of his service
as counsel for the West Virginia
Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
A top Democratic political
figure, asked why he leaned so
strongly toward Sprouse, said
it was because he had so much
in his background that would
make him an attractive candi-
date.
Sprouse, a native of William-
son, received his law degree
from Columbia I7triversity in
1949, won a Fullbright Scholar-
ship and used it to study inter-
national law at the University
of Bordeaux and the University
of Paris. He speaks French and
German fluently, and from 1951
to 1957 he worked for the CIA
in this country and abroad. He
received the Bronze Star and
Purple Heart during Army serv-
ice in Europe in World War II.
"Jim Sprouse pulled himself
up by his own bootstraps," said
the aforementioned political
leader, "and what he has done
and what he has accomplished
tells me a lot about his charac-
ter. I think he is the kind of
intelligent, knowledgeable, hon-
est man the people of West Vir-
ginia would like to have an op-
portunity to elect as their gov-
ernor."
I
SPROUSE FOR GOVERNOR CLUB
710% Lee Street
Charleston, W. Va.
Dr. Benjamin Velesquez, M.O., Treas.
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 AFTER HE ASSISTED with a bill during a legislative session Sprouse is presented
the pen Governor Hulett Smith used in signing it before West Virginia leaders and
legislators.
More...
A straw in the wind? Maybe. At a recent
meeting of the State Sheriffs' Association a
movement was started to re-elect Ohio County
Sheriff Elmer Albaugh for another term as
president. Albaugh is known as a supporter
of Attorney General C. Donald Robertson in
his unannounced bid for the Democratic guber-
natorial nomination next year. But the sheriffs
elected John Protan of Boone county as new
president and Protan is a supporter of Demo-
cratic State Chairman James Sprouse. Sprouse
is expected to throw his hat in the ring in the
governor's race before the summer is out .
by Harry Hamm
The energetic, young Democratic State Chair-
man James Sprouse has been getting encour-
agement from many friends around the state
who want him to throw his hat in the ring.
Last week he admitted in Charleston that he
is giving "serious consideration" to taking the
plunge . . . by Harry Hamm
Jim Sprouse the Democratic State Chairman
who might be your next governor and I hope
he is, sent me a bouquet the other day and it
looked dandy flourishing on the dining room
table alongside my pants, shorts and shirt
draped decorously over a nearby chair .
by Don Daniels
I will mention that I spent some time with
Jim Sprouse, the Democratic State Chairman
and I wish that soft spoken little guy would
run for something just so I could vote for
him. He was in bed with pneumonia last
week and his voice still sounds like a cement
mixer but he was in there swinging all the
way. It will probably automatically give him
10,000 enemies but I have to admit out loud,
I like the guy ... by Don Daniels
At this time the winds have changed and
Democratic Executive Chairman J a in e s
Sprouse is back in the picture. Sprouse had
made up his mind at one point to drop from
contention but now has been coaxed to re-
consider. He has done that and reports are
he will be the first major contender to an-
nounce his candidacy . . . by Charles E. Ryan
The heaviest ripple to date in the huge sea of
potential Democratic Gubernatorial possibili-
ties was made last week by James Sprouse,
State Democratic Executive Chairman, who
was voted a heavy favorite for the Governor's
race by the Executive group.
That's a heavy measuring stick to shove down
the throats of other potential candidates.
To dismiss the vote lightly would be a mistake.
Although Sprouse may be somewhat of a
"boss" to the members of the committee, they
are not controlled by him.
The vote on just who the committee members
favor as a candidate for Governor came last
week in Washington during a whirlwind tour
of state congressional offices. Sprouse or-
ganized the trip to give the grass roots people
some idea of the administration's position on
politics. For those who think he was hunting
for headlines, he did the same thing two years
ago for county chairmen.
The poll of the committee was not a Sprouse
idea. A Washington newspaperman conducted
it and recorded the results. They show the
other contenders-Barron, Robertson, Carson-
receiving only one or two votes. Sprouse piled
up a hefty 15. The 15 were not recorded as
to geographical location but the number is
large enough to warrant a supposition that
Sprouse has support from all around the
state ... by Charles E. Ryan
SPROUSE WITH TWO former Governors, William C. Marland, left, and William Wallace
Barron, center, at the Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner, prior to Gov-
ernor Marland's death.
SPROUSE HAS BEEN referred to by newsmen throughout the State as one who possesses the Kennedy youthful vitality, ideas
and imagination.
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Governorship May
Coo By Default
GERARD SHERRY, Editor
YRGHT Morgantown Dominion News
The question of who will
be the Democratic standard-
bearer in the state for the
Gubernatorial election next
year has got all the political
pundits guessing.
The main difficulty lies in
the fact that there is a dearth
of talent in the state Demo-
cratic ranks. At least, if
there is talent, it is hard to
discern.
The o n e contender who
might have given the party
hope, State Chairman James
Sprouse appears willing to
quit because of a lack of
support from the Statehouse's
main inhabitants.
From all accounts we have
learned Mr. Sprouse looked
too much like someone will-
ing to lead the party out of
the sterile buddyism plaguing
the top echelon of state gov-
ernment. Those who are en-
trenched do not wish to be
disturbed unless they also are
guaranteed further fruits of
political victory.
For our part we feel Mr.
Sprouse has all the qualities
which go to make a governor.
He's honest. He works hard.
And he has the confidence of
many of the party faithful
all over the state.
The strikes against him
seem to be that he's not a
"yes" man for the Governor
or anyone else. He's pro-
labor, and he is not adverse
to criticizing big business.
We say these are strikes
against him for it would be
true in relation to any person
with these views aiming for
support from the Governor
and those close to the Execu-
tive Mansion.
It is not that the Governor
is by any means anti-labor-
he just doesn't want to alien-
ate any group. The trouble
is this is not how a strong
governor should act. He
should take s t a n d s and
shouldn't worry if he feels
in conscience he is doing
what was right for the state.
None of the other Demo-
cratic hopefuls, who have so
far shown interest in the gov-
ernor's race, seem to be much
different than Governor
Smith. They are affable men,
but hardly likely to rock a
boat or stir a torper.
This state needs strong
leadership. We need a strong
Democratic governor w h o
will free the party from its
inertia and from its talent for
disunity. We may have to
wait four years. We hope
not, but it is entirely possi-
ble that the Republicans will
put up a political figure who
will be hard to beat. And
with the current Democratic
shuffling about, the governor-
ship could be lost by default.
'Sprouse for Governor' Club
In Ohio County; Sprouse Family
At Summer Farm in Randolph
CPYRGHT Elkins Inter-Mountain
The first "Sprouse for Gov-
ernor" club in northern West
Virginia has been formed in
Ohio county.
Gray Williamson of West Lib-
erty and James Dailer of Wheel-
ing will be co-chairmen of the
unit which will seek volunteer
support in behalf of James M.
Sprouse, chairman of the West
Virginia State Democratic Exec-
utive Commitee.
Sprouse has a summer home
in Randolph county. With their
five children, Sprouse and his
wife arrived from Charleston a
week ago to spend the summer
and fall at their farm which
adjoins Camp Pioneer near Bev-
erly. He commutes to Charles-
ton.
Williamson said he "consid-
ered it an honor and a privilege"
to serve as co-chairman of the
"Sprouse for Governor" organi-
zation in Ohio county.
"Jim Sprouse is a man for
whom I have the highest regard
and respect, and I pledged my
every effort in his support. To
me he is the embodiment of
the intelligence, awareness, hon-
esty, and youthful vigor that
characterized our late President
John F. Kennedy. He possesses
qualities rare in an individual."
Pointing out that Sprouse is
an untiring worker and a born
leader of men," Williamson said
that the state Democratic Chair-
man "is marked by a keen sense
Tis state and in his
WZ-
tagious!"
Sprouse, as governor, "will
lead this state to even greater
heights than ever before real-
ized and will bring West Vir-
ginia into the national spotlight
as a state on the move," accord-
ing to Williamson.
Urging "every West Virginia
citizen who cares about the
future of his state to support
Jim Sprouse for governor," Wil-
liamson said that if West Vir-
ginians study the issues and
candidates, "they will rapidly
come to one conclusion: there is
only one man who can be the
next governor of West Virginia
-James Sprouse-and he has
only one real opponent, apathy."
Joining Williamson and Dailer
as the nucleus for Ohio county's
"Sprouse for Governor" club are
William 0. Waller, Robert Reas-
beck and Joe Duffy, all of
Wheeling.
Sprouse, 43, was educated in
Williamson public schools and
received the Purple Heart and
Bronze Star while serving as a
World War II infantryman. He
received his law degree from
Columbia University in 1949,
Served as assistant counsel of
the Displaced Persons Commis-
sion during the Truman Admin-
istration and for five years car-
ried out domestic and overseas
assignment for the Central In-
telligence Agency.
Sprouse began a highly suc-
cessful law practice in Charles-
ton in 1957 and became a volun-
teer worker for the Democratic
party. He performed a variety
of duties including the chair-
manship of Gov. Hulett C.
Smith's successful 1964 guber-
natorial bid.
Although Sprouse has not an-
nounced he will be a candidate
for governor, the first "Sprouse
for governor club" was
formed this week in William-
son, Sprouse's home town. The
Ohio county unit becomes the
second in the state.
During a poll this past spring,
five of the 15 Democratic county
chairmen who answered a
Charleston Gazette question-
naire favored Sprouse as their
party's gubernatorial nominee.
Sprouse was the only person to
receive more than two votes.
15 Favor Sprouse
State Demo
c
By HARRY ERNST
Gazette Washington Bureau
(Article in Part)
WASHINGTON - The war in
ietnam is hurting the Demo-
ratic _party in West Virginia,
ut a majority of party leaders
Polled want President Johnson
run for re-election next year.
Those are the opinions of 34
embers of the Democratic
Le Executive Committee from
roughout West Virginia, who
CPYRGHDem Leader, Children on Vacation Here
JAMES M. SPROUSE, who has been mentioned prominently as a Democratic candidate for Governor in
the 1968 primary election, is shown with his five children at Oglebay Park where they are spending the
weekend. Left to right are Jeff, 7; Sherry, 3; Sprouse; Shelly, 3; Tracy, 10; and Andy, 4.
Vacationing At Oglebay
Sprouse Debates Move
As GovernorshiD HoDeful
By DEBBY WOOD
ommittee Chairman James i
Sprouse is vacationing t h is
s
eekend at Oglebay Park a
hinking over his decision on
whether he will be a candidate
or governor in 1968.
Sprouse said on his arrival
ere, however, that he is not
eady to make that decision. He
ndicated an announcement
ight be forthcoming in two
weeks.
"I want to talk to various
olitical figures in the state and
et the opinions of 'the man on
he street' before I definitely
ake up my mind," Sprouse de-
lared.
But right now Sprouse, who is
hairman of the State Demo-
ratic Executive Committee,
olds the lead among the party
andidates mentioned for the
gubernatorial post.
Five of 15 Democratic county
chairmen in the state favor the
choice for the gubernatorial
nomination,
the possible candidates to re-
ceive more than two votes.
0 n e Democratic chairman
said he had also polled the 10
members of his committee and
that seven of them had voted in
favor of Sprouse.
The party chairman and his
five children arrived at Oglebay
Park last evening and will re-
main there until Sunday. Mrs.
Sprouse is in a hospital in
Charleston recuperating from a
slipped disc in her back.
Sprouse will return to
Charleston soon and then come
back here on Monday to address
the Marshall County Young
Democratic Club at the Mar-
CPYRGHT
shall County courthouse at
8 P.M.
While vacationing here,
Sprouse is mixing business with
pleasure.
He left early this morning to
ocratic officials. Before his stay
here is concluded, he hoped to
confer with Democratic Party
leaders throughout the Northern
Panhandle area.
Commenting on the possibility
of his candidacy, Sprouse de-
clared, "This campaign started
out almost by accident. Thus
far, I have not been actively
campaigning. I wanted to sit
back and see what happened
and let the strength manifest
itself. And right now, things
seem very hopeful.
The round of visits in Brooke,
Hancock, Ohio and Marshall
counties is designed "to see how
things are shaping up from their
point of view."
For Governor
t -,Chiefs Want Johnson Again CPYRGHT
flew here Tuesday for a glimpse
of their federal government.
Fifteen of them also said they
favor the committee chairman.
James Sprouse of Charleston,
C n-
didate for governor in 1968.
THESE WERE the questions
asked members of the Demo-
cratic State Executive Commit-
tee and their answers:
* Who do you now favor as
the Democratic candidate for
governor next year?
Sprouse, 15; former Gov. Bar-
ron, three; Atty. Gen. C. Donald
Rrak~rkceaa, thoso; son. Jeeningo
Randnlnh two, Rpn .Tnhn M
Slack Jr., two; Rep. Ken Hech-
ler, two; former Atty. Gen. John
Fox, two; State Senate Presi-
dent Howard W. Carson, one;
State Commerce Commissioner
Angus E. Peyton, one.
(Two committee members list-
ed either Sprouse or Hechler,
three said they have no prefer-
ence and two didn't answer the
question.)
* If you had a choice, who
*'^ -a'a^te ? r. 911&&j4.-N+
next year-Lyndon Johnson,
Hubert Humphrey, Robert Ken-
nedy or someone else?
Johnson, 23; "someone else,"
one; Kennedy, five; Humphrey,
one; Sen. J. William Fullbright,
D-Ark., one; former Gov. George
Wallace of Alabama, one; no
preference, two.
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SPROUSE FOR GOVERNOR CLUB
Sprouse At 43, Potential Candidate For West Virginia's Highest -Office
Career of Dem's Energetic Chairman Reads Like James Bond Fiction
By HERB LITTLE
CPYR Ted Press Writer
CHARLESTON (AP)-The bi-
ographical sketch which the
graying but still collegiate-
looking man handed across the
desk might have been that of
the hero of a spy novel.
It mixed elements of intellect
and physical prowess such as
novelists concoct for fictional
characters like James Bond:
Fullbright scholar, amateur box-
ing champion, overseas opera-
tive for the Central Intelligence
Agency, decorated combat in-
fantryman.
But the subject of the sketch
was the man across the desk,
not a character in a novel. This
James was Sprouse, not Bond.
James Marshall Sprouse, 43,
is thinking very seriously of
running for governor of West
Virginia.
"I intend to make a decision
within a very few days and will
make it known to my associ-
ates," Sprouse told the inter-
viewer in his Charleston law of-
fice.
He quickly added, however,
that he will not make a public
announcement for some time
yet if he decides to run.
Next month Sprouse will have
been West Virginia Democratic
chairman three years. While the
job yields a broad acquaintance
with party functionaries, it
doesn't do much to implant the
holder in the consciousness of
the general public.
Lately Sprouse has been try-
ing to fill this gap-"getting ex-
He has been accepting speaking
dates around the state and ap-
pearing on television interview
shows.
On these visits he also talks
privately with important local
Democrats. He asks frankly
how they would feel about a
Sprouse candidacy in the pri-
mary next May.
"I've been very careful how-
ever not to indicate positively
that I am running for governor,"
Sprouse said.
"I am well aware of the in-
dividual effort it takes on their
part once you get people in-
volved in a campaign.
"I have no intention of getting
in prematurely and then getting
out of a campaign.
"Once I make an affirmative
decision to run, I will be in the
campaign until after election
day."
The field Sprouse is survey-
ing is wide open right now. The
list of persons mentioned as pos-
sible seekers of the Democratic
nomination for governor runs to
nearly 20, but only one, state
A Cheerful Young Man O n A Mission
legislator W. R. (Squibb) Wil-
son of Fairmont, has announced
his candidacy.
The list includes such promi-
nent party figures as ex-Gov.
W. W. Barron, Atty. Gen. C.
Donald Robertson, State Senate
and former Atty. Gen. John G.
Fox. Lately the name of U. S.
Sen. Jennings Randolph also
has been mentioned in Demo-
cratic gubernatorial speculation.
When and if Gov. Hulett C.
Smith, who cannot succeed him-
self, decides to support a par-
ticular Democrat for the nomi-
nation, the field of primary
prospects will shrink abruptly.
But Sprouse indicated his own
decision will not necessarily
hinge on whether he is tapped
as the state administration can-
didate.
Sprouse has strong ties to or-
ganized labor, growing out of
his service as counsel for the
West Virginia Labor Federation,
AFL-CIO. He no longer does this
work himself, although the law
firm of which he is a member
still represents the federation
along with other clients.
Where does he stand in the
political spectrum? One ob-
server put it this way: "By
West Virginia standards he's a
liberal. In New York he'd prob-
ably be considered a middle-of-
lowed his own philosophy by
surrounding himself with much
of the same. His advance cote-
rie stationed at the Downtowner
might pool their ages and not
add up to Everett Dirksen . . .
who is a Republican anyhow.
the-roader."
He hasn't run for office be-
fore but came u in the part
throug the Young emocra
ranks. He is former YD state
president. In 1964 he was chair-
man of Smith's successful pri-
tn i, era g,,,, -1 ?i,,,,i
paigns for governor.
Sprouse once was the Golden
Gloves bantamweight champion
of West Virginia. In World War
II Army service in Europe, dur-
ing which he received the
Bronze Star and Purple Heart
while he was a scout for an in-
telligence and reconnaissance
platoon, he won the lightweight
championship of the 104th In-
fantry Division.
He now carries 160 pounds on
his 5-foot-6 frame and limits his
boxing activity to teaching
youngsters the sport at the
YMCA. He also plays basket-
ball there during h i s lunch
hours.
Sprouse was born in William-
son. He attended St. Bonaven-
ture College in Olean, N. Y., and
received his law degree from
Columbia University in 1949. He
won a Fullbright scholarship
and used it to study interna-
tional law at the University of
Bordeaux and the University of
Paris. He speaks French and
German fluently.
From 1951 to 1957 he worked
CPYD-ems 'Guider of Destiny' ears New Look
Classmate Cites His Record
"Sprouse For Governor Of
W. Va. Club" Organized
CPYRGHT Williamson Daily News
Pete Spano, a local insurance
man, announced here today the
formation of a "Sprouse for
Governor of W e s t Virginia
Club."
The first organization of its
kind was formed Sunday by
Mingo County citizens to urge
S t a t e Democratic Chairman
James M. Sprouse to be a candi-
date for Governor in the 1968
election.
Spano, who was named presi-
dent of the club, stated Sun-
day that "we want Jim Sprouse,
whose hometown is Williamson,
to know that everyone in Mingo
County is behind him 100 per
cent."
The new president was a
classmate and a close personal
friend of Sprouse's in William-
son High School.
In making the announcement
Spano gave the following rea-
sons for the organization:
"I am a businessman not a
politician but we have known
Jimmy Sprouse all of his life
and we feel he would provide
the answers for the economic
and other problems of West Vir-
ginia. Jimmy came from a poor
but proud family and when he
was in school in Williamson his
family was having their tough-
est time economically. Despite
the lack of any financial re-
sources at all Jimmy quickly be-
e sn nntctnndinQ lender at
school. He made the best grades
with no big effort, he was presi-
dent of our Hi-Y Club, Vice
president of our class, Editor-in-
Chief of the School annual and
despite the fact that he had few
niceties and luxuries and the
advantages the other kids had,
he was voted the most popular
boy in our class. He was a fin
athlete and retained his humil-
ity with his honor of being
high school hero. The fact the
he has become one of West Vir-
ginia's outstanding lawyers
with a firm in Charleston, an
a respected leader of the strong-
est political party in West Vir-
ginia, is a great tribute to the
Democratic system in this coun-
try and in West Virginia.
He returns to Mingo County
whenever he can and the thing
everyone notices is that he is
not a bit different now than
when he was in high school. He
thinks, feels and understands
the problems of the average
citizen of West Virginia be-
cause he was raised with them
and knows first hand their
hardships. All of us feel he
would make a great Governor
and we have formed this club to
urge him to try for this high
office and to help him if he de-
cides to make the try. Anyone
wishing to join us in boosting
Sprouse may contact me at this
By DON DANIFLS
'-' (IV Register
I'
T~ Ir(C[A c in Part)
When West Virginia Demo-
ats kick off operation "Let's
et Elected" here today the
1 rincipal cog among the big
~ heels will be a Ronald Reagan-
1 Joking type with just faintly
raiyiug hair, boundless energy
rid some "realistic" ideais about
olitics.
The n a m e is James M.
prouse, the prototype of the
emocrat's attempt for a "new
I ok."
Sprouse is here to do the man
i al labor involved in oresentiii
overnor TRnlett Smith and Sell-
tor .T~nnings Randolph to th
ilhful and anyone else with
ote.
"We need young people in th
arty. New blood," the chair
ran of the State Democrats
ommittee says and he has fol
Sprouse Backed
For Governor
By Boone Club
Cht'rleston Gazette
MADISON-A Boone Count
"Sprouse For Governor Club'
was formed here Wednesda
night during a Democratic meet
ing at the courthouse.
The club was formed to urge
the candidacy of James M.
Sprouse, a Charleston lawyer
and chairman of the State Dem-
acratic Executive Committee, for
governor.
Named as co-chairmen of the
organization were Marion Comp-
ton of Sylvester and Deputy
Sheriff Tweel Browning of Mad-
ison.
A party spokesman said the
meeting was attended by "about
50 influential Democrats."
CPYRGHT
Sprouse Elected
Airline Official
mes : prouse o ar es on,
W. Va., has been elected assist-
ant secretary of Lake Central
Airlines, the corporation an-
nounced Saturday.
Sprouse is a Charleston law-
yer and state chairman of the
Democratic party in West Vir-
ginia.
Lake Central said Sprouse's
new duties will not require that
he leave Charleston.
licans could nominate.
Others who received votes for
the Democratic nomination for
Governor in 1968 are: former
Governor W. W. Barron, three;
Atorney General C. Donald Rob-
ertson, three; Senator Jennings
Randolph, two; Rep. John M.
Slack, Jr., two; Rep. Ken Hech-
ler, two; former Attorney Gen-
eral John Fox, two; State Sen-
ate President Howard W. Car-
son, one; State Commerce Com-
missioner Angus E. Peyton, one.
Two committee members list-
ed either Sprouse or Hechler,
three said that they have no
preference and two didn't an-
swer the question.
President Johnson 1 e d the
choice for Democratic candi-
date for president next year
with 23 votes. Senator R. F.
Kennedy received five votes and
one vote each went to Senator
J. William Fullbright, D-Ark..
and former Governor George
Wallace of Alabama.
Sprouse Holds Lead Among
Democratic Co,.~7hiets
Charleston Gazette
(Article in Part)
Five o a Democratic coup y
chairmen who answered a Ga-
zette questionnaire favored
James M. Sprouse as their
party's gubernatorial nominee.
Sprouse was the only person to
receive more than two votes.
In addition, one said he had
polled the 10 members of his
committee and that seven had
voted for Sprouse. Atty. Gen. C.
Donald Robertson received the
other three votes.
0 n e county chairman, who
preferred Sprouse, s a i d he
thought sentiment of committees
in the state is fairly evenly
divided between Sprouse a n d
Robertson.
"South of the Kanawha River
you hear mostly Sprouse," he
said, "and north of it mostly
Robertson."
He said that Sprouse and
o er son have an advantage
the feeling of county chairmen
is concerned.
"Jimmy has got to know them
real well because he is chair-
man of the state executive com-
mittee. Don also knows them
well because he's been cam-
paigning them for the last two
or three years."
JOIN "YOUR"
SPROUSE for
GOVERNOR CLUB
NOW!
Approved For Releas~P00o704114 : CIA-RDP75-6MbbT0400350007-9
for the CIA in this country and
abroad. His overseas CIA as-
si nments took him o such
p aces as Vienna, Berlin and
Munich.
Sprouse, his wife June and
their five children live in a new
~hn.l .. o4..r. .. h...h~.. r7 o..uln.._
ment. Summers he packs them
off to his 40-acre farm near
Beverly in Randolph County,
where he has "some pigs, a few
calves, two sheep that are just
about to have lambs, and one
pony."
He is a Presbyterian and be-
longs to the usual assortment of
fraternal and veterans organi-
zations. His business and pro-
fessional activities include serv-
ice as West Virginia counsel and
assistant corporate secretary for
Lake Central Airlines.
The primary reason that I
am interested at all in being
governor is my deep conviction
that we must have leadership at
this level with the single-minded
purpose of imaginative service,"
Sprouse said.
"It's no secret that the world
is walking away from West Vir-
ginia in many vital areas. With-
out getting into specifics at this
early date, it is clear to me that
the only answer for West Vir-
ginia is to be honest, sincere,
bold, imaginative and aggres-
sive."
Sprouse takes the attitude
that party lines these days are
not so clearly defined as in the
times of the big "machines."
He figures what you have to do
now is "go out and get votes.
Earn them."
James Sprouse and W. Va. Democratic Executive
Committee Visit President at White House
CPYRGHT Randolph Enterprise
W. VA- tate
Democratic Chairman James M.
Sprouse and members of the
West Virginia Democratic Ex-
ecutive Committee have re-
turned home from a two-day
schedule of activities in the Na-
tion's Capitol.
Highlights of the affair was
a visit with President Lyndon
B. Johnsn in the Cabinet Room
of the White House. The group
was welcomed to the nation's
executive mansion by the Na-
tion's First Lady Ladybird John-
son.
Chairman Sprouse and several
members of the committee also
met with New York Senator
Robert F. Kennedy.
A vote of the 34 members on
the trip showed that 15 of them
said they favor Sprouse to be-
come the Democratic Candidate
for Governor in 1968. And 22
think Republican Arch Moore,
Jr., would be the toughest gub-
ernatorial opponent the Repub-
CP
YRGHT
 Approved For Release 2000/04/14: CIA-RDP75-00001 R000400350007-9
Sprouse Receives Standing Applause
West Virginians Can Meet Toda
Sprouse Well Received
By Boone County Crowd
Coal Valley News
James M. Sprouse, State Dem-
ocratic Chairman, told a crowd
of more than 200 people here
last Saturday night that "West
Virginians can no longer sit
back and watch the rest of the
nation move ahead while we re-
main stagnant in the thinking of
the 19th century."
Broaddus Lorrison, president
of Young Democrats presided,
and introduced John Protan,
County Democratic Chairman.
Protan presented county offi-
cials including Judge K. K. Hall,
who introduced the speaker, Mr.
Sprouse.
Sprouse, who has been men-
tioned most recently as one who
is interested in running for Gov-
ernor of West Virginia in the
1968 election, emphasized to the
gathering at the Boone County
Court House that it is now up to
our people to carry the torch.
It is the responsibility of every
man, woman and child in the
Mountain State to join in a
crusade of promoting Demo-
cratic progress." He compared
the years of progressive move-
ments under Democratic leader-
ship as to those under a Re-
publican administration.
Sponsored by the Boone Coun-
ty Young Democrat Club, those
attending the meeting were elec-
ted officials, coal miners, pro-
fessional people, housewives--
and people from all walks of
life.
Sprouse acknowledged that
the warmth of the county citi-
zens was very evident for him
as they all listened very atten-
tively as he pointed out the
needs of West Virginia. He
asked all those present to think
positive and not negative for the
good and the strength of the
Democratic Party. He asked
that they remind their friends
and their neighbors to talk only
of the good that has been done
and to counteract the version of
such good by the opposition
party.
Sprouse compared a 1 1 the
cities of W. Va. and the state as
a whole to the chaotic uprisings
in the other major cities and
throughout the world, stating
that West Virginians have a
pride in their state, in their peo-
ple and to themselves and we
intend to keel) this, he said.
The torch for the awareness
of the needs of all the people of
America and West Virginia was
first lit by the late Franklin D.
Roosevelt the state chairman
said, continuing that it became
brighter here in West Virginia
with the election of the late
President John F. Kennedy and
now the progressive programs
of President Johnson. "The
W. W. Barron and Hulett Smith
administrations have offered for
the people of West Virginia more
independence and state and fed-
eral programs than ever before
in the history of our state and
we expect to keep it this way,"
stated Sprouse.
He concluded his talk by ask-
ing for all out support of the
Democratic movement to Keep
West Virginia Moving Ahead-
so that our state would not suc-
cumb to the promises of self
gain of the opposition party-so
that they could not say West
Virginians are complacent-so
that they cannot say that we
here in this great state are liv-
ing in docile ignorance or
apathy.
"This is my country and this
is your country," said Sprouse
"and it is up to us with all
of our imaginative thinking to
make West Virginia a truly
great part of this Great So-
ciety."
Sprouse, who spoke gently and
seriously, received a standing
applause, which gave evidence
of instant popularity as candi-
date for W. Va. Governor.
JAMES M. SPROUSE, second from left, appeared at a University Seminar
Arnold, political science graduate student, Mr. Sprouse. Prof. Thomas M
Elefonte, both political science majors.
Wh
ere I he Action Must be CPYRGHT
Sprouse
Lectures
Students
PYRGHT
s Challenge
Morgantown PosLCPYR(
to political system is s ag-
iant in West Virginia. We must
et knowledgeable people in-
'olved. We don't have this in-
'olvement in politics or even
overnment now."
In this manner West Virginia
entocratic Committee Chair-
nan James M. Sprouse encour-
ged more participation by col-
ego graduates in the political
'orkings of the state at a sem-
nar Monday afternoon at the
niversity Library.
Mr. Sprouse was greeted in
he browsing room of the WVU
ibrary with a "standing room
nly" crowd as approximately
00 students packed in to hear
he Democratic leader. "I
bought this was going to be a
eminar not a lecture," he said.
Carrying on in his disapproval
f non-participation in govern-
ent, air. Sprouse said that vot-
ng in every election does not
onstitute participation. "We
teed active participation and in-
olvement," he said.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Sprouse
ad addressed a political science
eminar and assailed what he
ailed "stagnation" in student
nterest in the political process
hat guides state government.
"What we need is enlightened
ntellectual participation in
hings like politics," he said.
iscussing some of the political
)roblems of the state, Mr.
'prouse estimated voting fraud
ad been uncovered last year in
ight counties. "We have to
tamp out things like corrup-
bl b t
b
"What's Right With W. Va."
West Va. On Right Track,
Sprouse Tells Rotarians
ion. Its not a
tg pro em u pYRGHT
t is a problem."
More interest could be stimu-
James M.
ated in colleges by requiring
nent Charles
11 students to take at least one
)olitical science course during
mer Willia
heir higher education he rec-
keeping wit
mmended.
'
Shown are (left to right) Thomas
rake, Rodney Pyles and Jeffrey
Sprouse, a promi-
ton lawyer and for-
mson resident, in
h the observance of
Williamson Daily News
est Virginia's 104th birthday,
\1
yesterday spoke on "What's
right about West Virginia" at
the regular weekly meeting of
the Williamson Rotary Club at
the Moutaineer Hotel.
Sprouse, who has been men-
tioned as a possible candidate
for governor in 1968, not only
spoke of the Mountain State, but
also heaped praise on the city of
Williamson.
Citing his own experience,
Sprouse stated that when he was
attending Williamson H i g h
School he was "raised as much
by the community as by hia
family."
"Some people don't realize
what a prime example of demo-
cracy that Williamson is," he
continued.
He spoke of the friendly at-
mosphere that lies herein, com-
mending the way people of dif-
ferent religions and nationalities
mingle happily.
Then the former Williamson
High graduate turned his talk
to the state as a whole. "Too
often, national magazines point
out only what is wrong with our
state," he noted.
Youth's Vital Role In Politics Stressed
Wheeling News Register
DANIELS
Ci r cl In Part)
"The accent is on you
That slogan was presented
his morning to Wheeling Col-
ego students by James M.
Arouse, dynamic and outspoken
-oung chairman of the State
emocratic Party.
In an interview prior to his
nest lecture at the college
Arouse declined to predict who
?ould be the next Democratic
andidate for governor but he
id say that the party must and
will start "at the ground floor"
to rebuild its sometimes sagging
fortunes.
Sprouse told the political science
class of Professor Roger Haigh.
And he urged the students to
become "active in politics no
matter which party they prefer."
He said the power of special
interest groups must be curbed
and that the private citizen's
role in politics is not now suf-
ficient. "The weight of one com-
pany, one segment of the com-
mum y s ou not be allowed to
control, to overly influence the
real will of the people.
those of non-voting age must
play In politics. He urged them
to "go out and work" for the
party of their choice. To man
the polls, to speak out, to drive
cars at voting time but more
than anything else to work "all
year long, every year and not
just during elections."
Sprouse, dark-haired and
hard-eyed challenged the stu-
tensto carry the banner-of
their belief with wit, energy and
Intelligence. "The citizen's role
in is not sufficient." he
~ ?1.n ! n n4,. :4:
zen now interests himself in pol-
itics only when he is confronted
with an issue which affects him
directly. The answer to that is
for young people to get into poli-
tics all year long, not just at
voting time."
He urged the Wheeling Col-
lege students to discover "the
guts of politics."
"We need," Sprouse said,
But what they fail to tell
and what we ought to hear is
what's right," the personable
Sprouse continued. "We don't
have the filth here in our state
that they have in Chicago; we
don't have the violence here that
they have in Cincinnati and
other major cities; and we don't
have a divided city like they
have in Berlin."
While touching u p o n the
beauty of the state's m a n y
mountains, Sprouse followed
through, stating, "People in
West Virginia have a long way
to go, but we're, in my opinion,
on the right path."
"Whenever the subject of what
you would like a place to be is
dwelled upon too long, observ-
ers often say you're talking
about Utopia," he stated.
"While this isn't completely
true, it is true that we should
strive to make West Virginia as
close to our own personal Uto-
pia as we possibly can," he
related in closing.
Sprouse, who was introduced
by program chairman John
Moses, commended the city for
its continuing efforts in seeking
local improvements, although
civic leaders "sometimes seem
to face insurmountable prob-
lems."
He also stated he could fore-
see the day when Williamson
would have a completely new
downtown business section.
CPYRGHT
"leadership. We need dynamic
young people with c l e a r
thoughts and with energy. We
need vnnng nPAp1 Ai., ..n7
those who simply grow old with
the party. It matters not,"
Sprouse said, "that some of you
are too young to vote. What
matters is t h a t you become
aware of what confronts you,
what confronts the nation and
what confronts the State of West
Virginia. What matters is that
you take an alive interest, an
energetic part in the operation
of the state and the nation."
Approved For Release 2000/04/14: CIA-RDP75-00001 R000400350007-9
 Sprouse-The Self Made Man
A West Virginian's Rise To Fame
Star Rises In Political Sky CPYRGHT What's Going
By DON MARSH
Charleston Gazette
When James M. Sprouse came
to Charleston seven years ago,
he and two other lawyers, with
whom he established a practice,
had to reject a $40 desk (with
chairs) because it was too ex-
pensive.
Instead, they chose less osten-
tatious furniture, priced at $30,
and, temporarily abandoning the
solemn dignity cultivated by
young lawyers, helped erect the
partitions that divided the room
they'd jointly rented into sep-
arate offices.
"I REMEMBER that we had
burlap drapes made," said Rob-
ert Douglas, one of the three.
"We told each other that at
least we wouldn't scare any
clients away because we looked
too prosperous.
"The first case we got in-
volved a personal injury. We
wanted a $3,000 settlement and
their lawyer offered $2,850. A
couple of days after the trial
started, he offered the $3,000.
By then, we decided to go ahead
with it and after five days the
jury went out for 50 minutes
and came back with a verdict of
$15,000.
"The hardest part of all was
resisting the impulse to throw
our papers in the air and jump
up and down. We had to look as
if $15,000 verdicts were some-
thing that happened to us every
day."
FROM THAT TIME, Sprouse's
career has moved upward. His
first office (early Warner
Brothers: you can almost see
Edward G. Robinson staggering
in, clutching a stomach wound,
saying "Get me my mouth-
piece") has been replaced by
an entire floor in another build-
ing, complete with paneling and
wall-to-wall carpeting.
His income is at a level that
would have dazzled his Mingo
County forebearers and he re-
cently was elected chairman of
the state Democratic Executive
Committee, a position that puts
him in the vanguard of West
Virginia politics.
Douglas, his old law partner
said: "What's impressive about
Jim is that everything he's
achieved, he's earned himself.
He came here without family or
friends to help him establish a
practice. His success is due to
hard work and his own efforts.
And it couldn't have happened
to a nicer person."
SPROUSE, 43, is a compactly
built man of less than average
height. He has a slightly lop-
sided grin and a nose to match.
Even though his full head of
dark hair is beginning to turn
gray, and his chin line is be-
ginning to soften under the on-
slaught of years, there is some-
Approved For Release 2000/04/14 CIA-RDP75-00001 R000400350007-9
SPROUSE FOR GOVERNOR CLUB
champion in the state. He also
won his Army division's cham-
endat "T laarnad to fly a nlnn1.1
before I learned to drive a car."
But he washed out and ended his
military career as an infantry-
man.
He had attended St. Bonaven-
ture College as a serviceman
and when he was discharged
(with a Purple Heart, a Bronze
Star and the rank of private
first class) he re-enrolled.
"I wanted to be a writer. I
was one of about two Protest-
ants in school, I guess, but my
best friend was a priest who
was head of the English deparr-
ment.
"He and two or three others
of us went on vacation to the
Adirondack mountains and I
took some stuff-some poetry
and short stories-for him to
read.
"He didn't say anything about
it and on the way back I said,
"Father, did you read the ma-
terial I left with you?" He said
'yes' and didn't say anything
else. I waited a few minutes and
said, 'Father, what did you think
of it?'
"He looked out the window
and said, 'Jim, just how serious
are you about this thing? I said,
"Well, that's what I want to do.'
He said, 'Take my advice, Jim,
take up law.' "
SPROUSE GRADUATED from
Columbia University's law
school in 1949. He won a Full-
bright Scholarship and was in
the first group to go to Europe.
He studied international law ar
the University of Bordeaux and
the University of Paris.
In 1950, he worked with the
Displaced Persons Commission
and later joined a law firm in
Charleston.
"One day I got this letter from
the Central Intelligence Agency.
It was certified mail and said
'destroy if not delivered.' They
offered me a job. I conjured up
visions of beautiful girls and
the Orient Express but they'd
probably heard I spoke French
(he later learned German). Any-
way, I went to work for them."
Sprouse was employed by CiA
for more than five years. He
was stationed in Washington
part of the time and was an op-
erations officer in Europe for
the remainder.
"The experience was wonder-
ful," he said. "I learned a lot
of things. There are some of the
ablest people in government
working for CIA. But, finally,
I got more and more the feeling
that it was all pretty silly. for
me at least. It was as if you
lived in a neighborhood and
spied on your neighbors.
"Of course, we have to have
the CIA. It's one of the facts
of life, like having the hydrogen
bomb. But I decided it wasn't
for me."
HE RETURNED to Charleston
in 1957, opened the office with
the burlap drapes, and entered
politics. He lost an attempt to
win nomination to the House of
Delegates the next year but was
invited to participate in the
campaign.
After the election, he got a job
as a legislative draftsman and,
through his work, met Miles
Stanley, president of the West
Virginia Labor Federation.
Eventually, Stanley retained
Sprouse as the federation's
counsel.
At the same time, Sprouse
continued in politics. He took
an active role in Young Demo-
cratic Clubs' affairs, and worked
with the Hulett Smith campaign
in 1960 when Smith ran unsuc-
cessfully for the Democratic
gubernatorial nomination. When
Smith ran, and won, the primary
in 1964, Sprouse was his cam-
paign chairman.
THROUGH SMITH'S efforts,
Sprouse was appointed chair-
man of the state executive com-
mittee. The appointment was
well received although, in some
circles, there was a question of
his suitability because of his
"T dnn't think it's valid."
Sprouse said. "It's no secret
that Miles and others in the
federation advised me against
taking the job, just as it's no
secret that Smith wasn't their
choice for the nomination."
He said he and Stanley were
good friends, close personally,
professionally and politically.
"Of course I'll listen to h i s
ideas. But I want to listen to
everybody. It's obvious t h a t
labor isn't always right just as
no person or group is always
right."
He .,aid he decided to join
Smith because he respected him.
"And I'm interested in politics.
It is a worthwhile endeavor and
more people should take an ac-
tive role."
He said he thought Smith and
other Democrats "are in very
good shape for the fall election
and he predicted the p a r t y
would win most statewide offi-
ces.
"We have the natural edge in
registration and Hulett and oth-
ers on the ticket are very at-
tractive candidates. Hulett, for
example, should be able to pull
Republican votes because he's
been a businessman for so long.
As a matter of fact, that's why
some elements of labor have
been so cool toward him."
He said the general tone of
the campaign from the Demo-
cratic side would be continued
economic recovery and expan-
sion. "We'll run pretty much
on the accomplishments of the
state and national administra-
tion."
BASED ON TILE PRIMARY
campaign, he said he assumed
that corruption in state govern-
ment would be a Republican
theme.
"I don't think they'll get any-
where with it. First of all, they
talk about 'rumors of graft and
corruption' without ever really
bringing anything out.
"Second, if there has been any
wrong-doing, I feel that Hulett
would be the first to clear it up.
I certainly feel that way. My
position is simple: "When it
comes to the administration of
public affairs, monetarily or
otherwise, the greatest respon-
sibility is required.
"It's my feeling that a person
who abuses a public trust is
not really deserving of much
mercy and I don't think any-
body-a politician or anyone
else-owes it to himself or to
his party to protect him."
HE SAID HE WAS optimistic
the state's Democratic congres-
sional seats would be retained
and he predicted that President
Johnson would easily carry the
state.
"I think the President has
been able to retain all the good
will that people felt for Presi-
dent Kennedy and to expand on
it through his own personality.
I don't think it makes much dif-
ference who runs against him.
I don't believe either Goldwater
or Scranton could attract many
votes from him."
Sprouse said after the cam-
paign ends, he's going to take a
less active role in politics. "I
have absolutely no ambition to
h o 1 d an elective office. I'm
going to practice law and raise
my family."
He's married to the former
June Burt whom he met while
thing essentially boyish about
the face.
His manner is unassuming.
Douglas said, "When you first
meet him, you think 'here's a
country boy, not quite at ease
in the city,' and you're dead
wrong."
Sprouse's mind is cooly ana-
lytical and his background is
unusually cosmopolite. He is a
former boxing champion, a for-
mer combat infantryman and-
fluent in two languages-a for-
mer American spy.
He was born Dec. 3, 1923, at
Williamson. His father was a
painter and carpenter. H i s
mother was a member of a pio-
neer Mingo County family.
"My mother's folks were farm-
ers, coal miners and politi-
cians," he said. "It was a good
county for politics. One of my
uncles was named chief of po-
lice by a Democratic faction in
Williamson and another man
was appointed by a Republican
faction. There was a shooting
before it was settled. My uncle
didn't get shot but he didn't get
to be chief. It shows they took
politics seriously."
AS A HIGH SCHOOL senior,
he was a Golden Gloves boxing
CPYRGHT
both were working in Washing-
ton. ("We had a real bureau-
cratic courtship.") They have
five children.
In spite of his disclaimer of
political ambition, those who
know him aren't so sure.
As one of them pointed out,
he's young, hard working and
ambitious.
"Furthermore, could he miss?
He's been a boxer, an infantry-
man, a spy and a lawyer. What
better qualifications for public
office in W e s t Virginia are
there?"
On In
Charlgpr
By CHARLES F. RYAN
Wetzel Democrat Capitol
Correspondent
- e heaviest
ipple to date in the huge sea
f potential Democratic Guber-
atorial possibilities was made
ast week by James Sprouse,
t a t e Democratic Executive
hairman, was voted a heavy
avorite for the Governor's race
by the Executive group.
That's a heavy measuring
tick to shove down the throats
f other potential candidates.
o dismiss the vote lightly
would be a mistake. Although
prouse may be somewhat of a
'boss" to the members of the
ommittee
they are not con-
,
rolled by him.
The vote on just who the com-
littee members favor as a can-
idate for Governor came last
week in Washington during a
hirlwind tour of state congres-
sional offices. Sprouse organ-
ized the trip to give the grass
cots people some idea of the
dministration's position on pol-
itics. For those who think he
as hunting for headlines, he
id the same thing two years
go for county chairmen.
THE POLL of the committee
was not a Sprouse idea. A
Washington newspaperman con-
ducted it and recorded the re-
sults. They show the other con-
tenders - Barron, Robertson,
Carson - receiving only one or
two votes. Sprouse piled up a
SPROUSE FOR GOVERNOR CLUB
7101/-2 Lee Street
Charleston, W. Vo.
CPYRGHT
hefty 15. The 15 were not re-
corded as to geographical loca-
tion but the number is large
enough to warrant a supposition
that Sprouse has support from
all around the state.
Looking over the crop,
Sprouse stands out well. For-
mer Governor W. W. Barron has
CPYRGHT
several skeletons in the closet.
Attorney General C. Donald
Robertson is running in any
case but he cannot hope to re-
ceive the administration back-
fine legislator and highly capa-
ble man, lacks the force and
vitality to be a good candidate.
Public relations men-those that
have conducted campaigns-say
they'd have a tough time selling
Carson to the voting public.
Sprouse has something West
Virginians have long wanted in
a Governor; he is made up of
tough convictions, honest char-
acter, practical politics a n d
rapid brilliance. Ile looks like
the kind of a man for whom
any Democrat could go the dis-
tance.
FEW KNOW the inner work-
ings of Mr. Sprouse. It's hard
to discern the political and phil-
osophical beliefs of the man that
has been mapping political stra-
tegy. However, it can be as-
sumed that Sprouse is in some
degree responsible for the lib-
eral actions of the present ad-
ministration. He is connected
with labor, serving as counsel
for the State Labor Federation.
He knows industry, serving as
a business attorney in Charles-
ton for several years.
In any case, Sprouse will have
ample time to let his public
know where and how he stands
on the issues. Unless some
strings are pulled and yanked,
there will be more than a few
Democrats seeking the nomina-
tion in what could be a wide
open primary. The current ad-
ministration will undoubtedly
have to focus on one person to
limit that primary to a two-man
race at best. When the door is
slammed and the decision is at
hand, the name Sprouse should
carry heavy importance.
Letter From Charleston
By CHARLES F. RYAN
CPYRGHininion News Capitol Correspondent
The freshest face to appear on the scene in the last week is
that of Democratic State Chairman James Sprouse who says he is
interested in running for governor. Nay, more than interested, he
indicates he wants to run. Sprouse, who likes the ideals but recoils
from the realities of political life, is the man that organized the
Smith campaign and is largely responsible for the "togetherness"
Democrats have. He came up from humble surroundings and now is
one of the state's most successful attorneys. He's tough by way of
having been in investigatory work for the federal government and
he's sharp.
Endorsement of either Sprouse or Carson would mean Demo-
crats would be endorsing one of the finest servants the state has had.
Carson has led the State Senate from a "me-too" body of the 1950's
to the pace-maker of the 1960's. He remained quiet on some really
important issues too long during the past legislative session, speak-
ing up only when it was too late to save the measure but not too
late to place Carson in the widely publicized stance of pumping for
the legislation. But, be that as it may, Carson has still performed
admirably and has lost financially at home to do so.
Sprouse is of a similar nature. He has the advantage of knowing
the organization workers throughout the state and has earned their
respect and confidence. If anyone is similar to Bobby Kennedy in
West. Virginia, it would have to he Jim Sprouse.
Approved For Release 2000/04/14: CIA-RDP75-00001 R000400350007-9