Inauguration Day is always special

By Jack Brammer
HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU

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FRANKFORT -- "Yes sir, Inauguration Day is always special in Kentucky."

That's what the 91-year-old woman Kentuckians endearingly knew as "Mama Chandler" said 16 years ago to reporters on the day Brereton Jones was sworn in as the state's chief executive.

Mildred Chandler, the wife of A.B. "Happy" Chandler, who was governor in the 1930s and 1950s, was right. Inauguration Day, with its pomp, pageantry and surprises, is special in Kentucky.

On this day when Steve Beshear becomes the 61st governor in the Commonwealth's history and gives Democrats control again of the executive branch, the Capital City will gussy up and try to behave as if royalty were coming to visit.

In a parade this morning up Capital Avenue, the state's royal couple of the day -- Beshear and his wife, Jane -- will ride in a green-and-gold carriage.

After his swearing-in ceremony and inaugural address this afternoon, three balls free to the public tonight on the Capitol grounds will usher in the new administration with song and dance. A fireworks display later will put an exclamation point on the busy day.

The festive day means about $2 million for Frankfort's economy, says Carl West, editor of The State Journal, who remembers bigger crowds on inauguration days when patronage ran unchecked in Kentucky politics and "everyone was looking for a state job."

Besides the history and the hoopla, the day is special because of the surprises.

No red-blooded Kentucky man will forget Gov. John Y. Brown Jr.'s 1979 inauguration with the presence of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders in their skimpy uniforms. Celebrities Andy Williams, Muhammad Ali, Lee Majors and Foster Brooks also showed up but didn't get as much attention.

Brown said yesterday the cheerleaders "must have been Phyllis' doing," referring to his former celebrity wife, Phyllis George.

"I had a lot on my mind that day," said Brown. "Two hours before my speech and after watching the parade, I had a splitting headache. Steve Wilson, an aide, brought me over to the Mansion to get a shot of whiskey or bourbon and it got rid of my headache. That's never been reported.

"Dr. Thomas Clark and other historians said it was one of the best inaugural speeches ever."

When Brown's term ended in 1983, he left a personal note taped to the door of the governor's office for his successor, Martha Layne Collins. It said, "Everything was working when I left. JYB."

On her inaugural day, Collins, Kentucky's first and last female governor, wore a red wool coat with a black collar for her parade.

Also in the parade was Alice McDonald, the new superintendent of public instruction. She also wore a red wool coat with a black collar.

The identical attire simply meant that she had the same good taste in clothing as the new governor, McDonald said. "I don't know where she got hers, but I got mine off the rack at Dawahare's."

Wallace Wilkinson had a dozen events over a 36-hour period for his 1987 inauguration, including a dinner at Rupp Arena in Lexington for 12,000 people who were entertained by the Judds.

Wilkinson's inaugural committee bought 10,000 commemorative posters to sell to defray some of the inaugural expenses. But it sold only 50 and ended up giving them away.

Brereton Jones and his family rode in the 1991 inaugural parade in a horse-drawn carriage.

As it passed the state Republican Party Headquarters on Capital Avenue, Jones, a Democrat who used to be a Republican, noticed a sign in an upper window in the GOP office. It read: "Best Wishes Gov. Jones."

Jones quipped, "Maybe my mother put that there."

Paul Patton remained attentive to the passersby in his 1995 inaugural parade for about two hours but got most excited when a float went by carrying employees of Kentucky Elkhorn Coals Inc. Patton had become a millionaire in the coal business.

Bob Babbage, the then-state Democratic chairman, got Patton's attention by hollering to him, "Eight more years. Eight more years."

Babbage was prophetic. Patton got another inaugural parade in 1999, and became the first Kentucky governor since James Garrard in 1800 to be sworn in for a consecutive, four-year second term.

Four years ago, Gordon Chaney of Eubank, former chairman of the Lincoln County Republican Club, wore his black Stetson to Ernie Fletcher's inauguration. Republicans, who had been out of the governor's office since Louie Nunn in 1971, showed they were up for partying.

"I'm 61," Chaney said that inauguration day. A Republican governor in Frankfort "probably won't happen again in my lifetime."

Chaney is traveling out of state today and will not be at today's Democratic inauguration.

Like the rest of them, this inauguration day will be special.

So Mr. Beshear can party hearty today. Starting tomorrow, he will have to govern.      

Comments

[Ray C.]

Jack, this is a great article. I've always enjoyed reading you and being with you. Your picture is good.

Happy Holidays, Ray Crider

[Robert Cumming]

What a wonderful record breaking December weather day to usher in the new era's Inaugural Parade. Muhlenburg County 4-H Horsemans Club was unquestionably the most unique sight in the 3 hour parade . Noticed State House leadership was well represented in the parade with Speaker Jody Richards ,Democratic majority leader Rocky Adkins and even minority republican leader Jeff Hoover. Curiously I didn't see either State Senate president Williams or majority leader Kelly or any other state senate members for that matter in parade attendance.

"The festive day means about $2 million for Frankfort's economy, says Carl West, editor of The State Journal, who remembers bigger crowds on inauguration days when patronage ran unchecked in Kentucky politics and "everyone was looking for a state job.""

Mr. West must've been talking about the Patton, Jones, Wilkinson, Collins, Brown, Carroll and Ford administrations.

[dbp]

Jack,
I am afraid the "royal couple" term is too accurate.
We worship such roles and spend far to much to get there, not realizing the price is far to high.
Thanks for your great writing and memories.