Oral history interview with Cecil L. Edwards
Scope and Contents
This oral history interview with Cecil Edwards was conducted by Irvin Luiten from May 18 to 26, 1988. In the interview, Edwards discusses his family history and early life in Salem, Oregon, including his education and early interest in government. He then talks about his experiences working for the Oregon Legislature beginning in 1933. He discusses the old Capitol building, which burned down in 1935; campaigns he worked on, and the role of lobbyists. He also talks about working as secretary for Governor Charles Sprague. Edwards then describes his service in the National Guard during World War II, particularly working with horses and dogs. He talks about returning to work in Oregon government after the war ended, including serving on the Racing Commission; being fired by Governor Mark Hatfield; lobbying for the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association; and returning to the Legislature to work as a secretary. He discusses the numerous committees he was secretary for, including the agriculture committee, fish and game committee, and land-use board. Edwards next discusses his tenure as secretary of the Senate from 1965 to 1975, focusing on many of the legislators he worked with, including Clarence Barton, Debbs Potts, and Jason Boe. He also speaks at length about redistricting, as well as the duties of the secretary of the Senate and Senate rules.
Dates
- 1988 May 18-26
Creator
- Edwards, Cecil L. (Interviewee, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
In Copyright – Rights-Holder(s) Unlocatable or Unidentifiable: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/
Biographical note
Cecil Leroy Edwards was born in Salem, Oregon, in 1906. He began working as a secretary for the Oregon Legislature in 1933, serving as chief clerk of Oregon House of Representatives in 1963, secretary of the Senate from 1965 to 1975, and legislative historian from 1975 to 1993. He died in 1995.
Extent
.1 Cubic Feet (3 audiocassettes (2 hr., 27 min., 24 sec.) + transcript (77 pages) + 1 photograph (color, 4 x 4 in.))
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Oral history interview with Cecil L. Edwards conducted by Irvin Luiten from May 18 to 26, 1988, as part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series. Edwards served as chief clerk of the Oregon House of Representatives, secretary of the Senate, and legislative historian.
Existence and Location of Copies
General
Forms part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series.
- Edwards, Cecil L.
- Historians -- Oregon
- Legislation -- Oregon
- Lobbyists -- Oregon
- Oral Histories
- Oregon
- Oregon -- History
- Oregon -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Oregon State Capitol (Salem, Or. : 1876-1935)
- Oregon. Legislative Assembly
- Oregon. Legislative Assembly -- Officials and employees
- Political Campaigns -- Oregon
- Secretaries
- Sprague, Charles A. (Charles Arthur), 1887-1969
- interviews
Creator
- Edwards, Cecil L. (Interviewee, Person)
- Luiten, Irvin H. (Interviewer, Person)
- Title
- Oral history interview with Cecil L. Edwards
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sarah Stroman
- Date
- 2019
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
- Sponsor
- This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org