Truman Day

Friday, August 25…

So yesterday’s tour gave us a cultural overview of Kansas City. Today we’re off to Independence (basically a suburb of KC) to take in some history at the Truman Library. All I really know about Truman is relevant to the bombing of Hiroshima. (My earliest brush with actual politics occurred in 1956 when Eisenhower campaigned in Chestertown, MD – pop 5000 – and for a few moments was about 10’ directly in front of me. Republican nominee Adlai Stevenson was talking about extending the school week to Saturday, so all us kids were sporting I LIKE IKE buttons.) Anyway, Greg and I were quite impressed with Truman, who served nearly 95% of FDR’s 4th term. Talk about a learning curve!

Home Office (replica).  Lots of books, lots of chairs, lots of personal mementos.

Replica of Truman's White House office. To me, that double-sided desk speaks
volumes regarding his respect for others.
(more on this in BlogThoughts below)

Truman home 1919-1972

Truman and Bess Wallace were schoolmates from early childhood, but their family backgrounds were worlds apart. What Truman lacked in money and education, however, he made up for in integrity, hard work and persistence. When (after a 9-year courtship) she finally agreed to marry him, they moved into her family home. Truman didn’t actually gain ownership until his mother-in-law died in 1952. When his 2nd term as president ended, he and Bess returned to this house, oversaw needed renovations, and lived reasonably quiet and ordinary lives until their deaths. For a more detailed account, see www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/harry_truman_nhs.html

BlogThoughts... Back to Pendergast. He ran the Democratic Party in Kansas City, and in 1922 he asked Truman to run for a judgeship in Jackson County. Truman won the election, and his reputation for hard work and honesty ultimately benefited Pendergast as well. After Truman’s election to the U.S. Senate, however, he knew many senators still saw him as “Pendergast’s man” and began to (successfully) distance himself from “Boss Tom.” When FDR chose Truman as his running mate in ‘44, it was a smart political move but he had no real interest in Truman per se and virtually ignored him after the election.

Amen. (Truman was a reader.)

One last political thought. I commented earlier that I was impressed with the double-sided desk in Truman’s Oval Office. To me that signified an attitude of partnership. Then I got curious and wondered if the desk was Truman’s personal choice or just “the” Oval Office desk. Turns out it was commissioned by Teddy Roosevelt and used by half a dozen other presidents, but only Truman placed a second blotter across from his own.

Parting shots...

"Spiderweb" ahead!

Practical, I suppose, but still a bit creepy.