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SAMUEL PROCTOR ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM at
the University of Florida
LUM 45A
Governor-Elect Jim Hols-Houser
10-31-72
Side 1
Interviewer: Lew Barton
B: This is Lew Barton, recording for the Doris Duke American Indian Oral History
Program under the auspices of the University of Florida History Department.
Right now, we are recording the last rally of Governor Jim Hols-Houser, who's
political campaign began right here among the Lumbee Indians, on July 4, 1970,
and, is ending here tonight. Right now, we are listening to a Lumbee Indian
String Band furnish the music for the rally.
(Music: Rock band playing Neil Young's "Down By the River". A man comes in and
announces that the music has to stop. The audience groans. Then, a lady's voice
comes in as an over-dub and identifies the man as being Stan Jones, who is the
proprietor of the Stable at which the rally is being held. The Stable is a place
where there are gatherings for bands, and rallies and whatever. Barton's voice
says that Stan Jones is a good Republican, etc, and they want to establish his
identification, at this point.)
Then, there is a discussion by some of the people at the rally about the role of
American Indians. A woman says something that is unintelligible, and a man replies
with:
M: Right. And the fact that we're American Indians is what we should be proud of.
W: Right. Right. But, uh, that doesn't seem to be the case, now.
M: If they want to take over, and they want educated people to follow them,
like fools. I think we don't do that.
W: And another thing.......(noise in the background is too loud).
M: (Could be Barton). I got me a beautiful tape recorder, today for keeps.
Voice over PA system in the background makes announcement for somebody to come up
front. A woman says something that is untelligible. Crowd noises. A girl screams.
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W: I said a thousand, but Nick said that there weren't that many, but I figured
there's been that many in and out.
More crowd noises.
Man says something unintelligible.
W: Yeah.
M: Well, I'd like to see us all together on something.
W: Well, they nearly..............(unintelligible)
Man over PA says: Mr. Gene Oxindine, are you in ?
Man says something unintelligible.
M: Yeah. Nick was proud of that layout in the paper. of me doing
my campaign. (the man is probably Jim Hols-Houser) I told him we all took part,
Janey helped us. And Tom Bruce helped us. Uh, AJdrtO and Howard.... there was
alot of us that contributed.
W: I'm glad he was pleased.
H: He really was.
PA Man: Smith, has he arrived?
W: He's coming.
M: I don't know if Nick's going to make it or not.
W: Did he mention it in ? Did he mention it the day he ?
Yeah, when you talked to him?
M: He said he was going to try, but he didn't know if he'd make it or not. But if he
did, he would see us. I understood it was kinda doubtful that he would make it.
W: Yeah.
Sound of chair sliding out from table above crowd noises.
M: I don't want you to think that I'm neglecting you. I see this beautiful girl,
here,..........(trails off)
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LUM 45A
Different Man: Well, listen, do you know, how....( is cut off by the man over the
PA who says something very unintelligible, but loud)
Two or three conversations seem to be going on. Humble typist can't understand any
of them. The PA man seems to be asking the crowd where each section of them are from.
When the man mentions Robinson County, there is much noise from whoever is sitting
at the table with Mr. Barton. There is also a big ovation from Cumberland County.
The PA man says, are you glad you're here? And the crowd responds with great en-
thusiasm.
PA Man: You want me to start off?
Crowd: Yeah!
PA Man: All right. I'm going to make one more call? Gene Oxindine, are you in?
Smith, are you here? All right, Mr. Gene Oxindine is going to welcome
everybody to the Stable. We got a here that wants to .
You want me to do it? (Laughs) OK, ladies and gentlemen, shall we begin?
He says more, that is unintelligible. Then, he says: My name is
and on behalf of everybody, I guess, I want to welcome everyone of you out,
to the Stable, right here at Pembroke, North Carolina, in Robinson County.
Uh, we would like all of you that have already eaten, everybody's through, and
we would like to take a moment and call for an invocation. And we would like to
have Rv. to deliver the invocation. So, if you're sitting,
would you mind, standing for just a minute, please? That's good for ya.
Reverend: May we, just for a few moments, for the invocation, bow our heads, rev-
erently, and look to the One that we would hope would guide the affairs of our
state andination. Bow our heads just for a few moments. Oh Lord, our Lord, how
excellent is Thy name in all the earth. We pause to praise and reverence Thy
name. We realize that Thou art God and the Creator of all things. Oh, Lord, we
would invoke this evening, of Thy guidance, on this occasion. Even as we have
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LUM 45A
met, for the purpose, here, instated, that even the flurry of our political
activities, we would keep in mind that we need Thy guiding hand. And the
affairs of our state and country. And we would pray for the leaders of our
nation and state and even local leaders, because of the awesome burden and
critical decisions that rest upon their shoulders. And, decisions that must be
made, that affect all of us. Oh, Lord, we pray for Thy help and Thy guidance,
in these times in which we live. As we met here tonight, we pray, again for thy
help, and may whatever would be, done or said, reflect even through our lives,'
and our activities, that we believe in the God of peace, and the God of hope, and
a God that puts faith in the heart of man. And, now may we, put our blessings on
each one here, for tonight, as we pray, Amen.
M: (AT table) Did Nicky make it?
W: Yeah, I think he made it.
PA Man: You all may think it's odd that we're meeting in, what is known as the stable.
And, uh, this used to be a stable. Just kind of has a little significance of what
has been happening, not only in Robinson County, but the whole state of North
Carolina. For so many years, we have been treated like we were animals in a
stable. (Hoots and cheers from the crowd.) Far out. That's why we're here, to-
night, ladies and gentlemen, we're kickin' off the things that make us belong in
a stable and we are gonna pull out and start out doing things right.(A guy in the
audience says, you tell him, brother.) We've got here, tonight, a man named Mr.
Davey Jones, who is from Cumberland County, and who is Jim's campaign manager,
in Cumberland County. He's going to be our MC, and he knows all the jokes and
how to keep things running. I tried to get 'em running, but they were late, so
they are going to take me off this job and give it to Mr. Davey Jones. Let's have
a good hand for Mr. Davey Jones. (Loud clapping and yelling is heard.)
5
LUM 45A
J: Tell you a little story about (the guy who just left).
You know, Mr. Jones', over here, son? First time I ever saw
these two here, I felt sorry for 'em. I told somebody, I said, you know it's a
shame when you see two people that's crippled. One's crippled on the right side
of his body, and the other is crippled on the left. They would lean against each-
other. Somebody from this county told me, he said, "You know, they're not exactly
crippled, they can't stand up ."(Laughs) So, you know,
it goes to show you, big boys do sip a glass of tea, every now and then. But I
Plan to be over in the county with you people. I think we're here for the
same cause. I don't think in the Democratic Party can come down here,
in this part of the country, and say, "Baby you've had it made for 73 years." I
don't beleive that you can do that down here. This is the we're sick
and tired of, that on election day, two days before,
Now, I'm from the east and was born in the East in Newburg,
and I know what these problems consist of. I can promise you anything, today, but
never deliver that can just been the Democratic way of doing
things in North Carolina. I think, without a question of a doubt, there's not a
single soul, in here, can tell me that you are satisfied with what you've got.
Is anybody here happy with the situation? Well, this is exactly what we are going
to change on Nov. 7. No longer will you have to sit in the back seat while some
politicians in Raleigh, to tax pay money out, That you have to sit
back there and suffer the consequences and you are here laboring every day, to put
money in their fat pockets. This is gone, over with, and it just well
is changing. And this county is going to be one that is going to change. (Applause
from the crowd) One thing about working with people that works for a living, at
least they know the value of a dollar. Told someone, the other day, Mr. Skipper
don't know a thing about our problem. I have to worry about the tenth of the
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LUM 45A
month, I have to worry about that date. I've got to worry about those papers
that I've got. And I don't think he has to worry about nothing. As a matter of
fact, I understand him and his wife's romance has even got better, because she
told him the other day, "Honey, if there be seventeen more, ."
So, I think that's one that's brought them closer together, he's got
close to her pocket book, she's got close to him. Saw a little joke in the
Charlotte Observer, the other day that says if you got to have fun about folks
buying the votes I'm going to get serious with you for a few minutes, and tell
something happened this afternoon. And this is something that really hits you
down deep. This afternoon, we were waiting, about 3 or 4 of us men, for Jim to
show, up in We were waiting in front of the downtown motor inn.
I had this Black fellow, that's been a Democrat, all of his life, fed up with the
system as much as anybody, and decided to help a little bit. He was standing out
there with me. And here comes the big Democrat in his Fleetwood Cadillac and
drove up, and God knows, I'm telling you the truth, he drove up, he called this
boy over. He said,"Charles, come here to the side." He said, "How much money
would it take to get you to stop working with Jim Hols-Houser?" Right in my
presence! And, after that, he had the gaul to come up to me and says,"David,
you know I'm against you, but I wish you the best of luck." I said, "Well, I
just hope your money never runs out, because you haven't got ." And that's
exactly the thing that we're fighting in North Carolina, today. Is the type of
situation where honestly will never prevail as long as the dollar mark is ahead
of it. Now, I think we're gonna change it, I believe it from the bottom of my
heart. I believed it here. We're going with the .
We'd like to recognize, at this particular time, it's always my pleasure, and I
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LUM 45A
heard just a little while ago, that Vicky's father was a minister. I reached
over and told her, I said, "You may be suffering from a complex, it's go+so when
I ." But, Vicky is certainly an asset to the
Republican Party. I think she speaks well, from the highest level, from the
young people of our country. She stands head and shoulders when it comes to
integrity, she represents the She is the Miss in North
Carolina. She represents the public. Believe you me, she represents
you all. So, at this time, I would like to ask the prettiest thing on the stage,
Miss Vicky to please come up. (Applause)
V: Well, I've already been up here about three times, but I just want to say, again,
that I'm glad that you came out to support Jim Hols-Houser, and support the
Republicans. And I hope that you really learn alot here tonight, and I hope
you get to meet all the candidates. Thank you. (Applause)
J: Thank you, Vicky. We're going to get right on with the program. We've got a late
visitor, here, that is certainly welcome. I'm sure he's a stranger to you. Mr.
Gene Oxindine. (Applause)
0: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here tonight. Uh, I'm sorry I was a little late.
But I had to attend another meeting, I just got out. I rushed right over. They
asked me to talk for some. time about the development of the group:here tonight.
I would like to welcome each of you here to Pembroke, the home of the Robinson
County Indians. We're very glad to have all of you here. Uh, if you feel ill-at-
ease tonight, don't feel bad about it, because I feel somewhat uneasy myself
because this is the first Republican Rally I've ever attended, myself. So, uh,
(applause) I don't think it will be my last, uh, the rallies that I've been
attending in the past, we certainly never saw this number of people out. I don't
know whether they were enthused about the candidates, or about the barbeque. I
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haven't had the chance to try it, yet. But, I would like to, uh, give you some
what of personal testimony concerninJim Hols-Houser. I had the opportunity
of meeting him the first time, a year ago, this past July. Up at the Annual Indian
Day, at the recreation center, I was wondering, at the time Hols-
Houser why was a rated Republican asked to give a key-note address
in a Democratic county? But after listening to Jim talk for awhile, I could
very well understand why they brought him in. Jim, that day, he told about a
couple of things that he had, uh, he was responsible for coming into the county.
And, uh, I knew about those, I had wondered at the time, how they got into the
county, because I knew it was a change. We had to receive these things in the
past. And, also, he made some promises, that day, and for some unknown reason,
he kept those promises. Now, this was something that I was not used to, except
done as a-group. But, uh, the next thing I got back
to him, was, a year ago, uh, next month, when the Board of Trustees at Pembroke
State University, along with the, uh, Council of States, came out with the
notice that they were going to demolish Old Main, in favor of a new auditorium.
Now, they tried to convince us of that fact, that, uh, this was another
of progress. Now, uh, at the time, I had always been a member of the silent ma-
jority, even then, quite often, the vocal minority would not express my sentiment.
But, being in the school business, uh, you don't get involved in any controver-
sial issues. But, when they came out on the desk, saying they were going to
destroy Old Main, which was the, as you know, Pembroke Station version, it was
the first Indian college, or, four year college for Indians in the United States.
And this was the last remaining building, and I couldn't stand by and see this
take place. Okay, by the way iwe jumped into this fight, uh, wholeheartedly, and
we went to see our Democrat, youlknow, this being a Democratic county. All of our
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Inidans are Democrats, or they've been that way for the last 75 years, we
contacted our political, Democrat politicians, and they turned a deaf ear to
us. So, we didn't know what to do, we were about to lose the struggle. And
someone suggested contacting Jim Hols-Houser. As before, when we contacted Jim
Hols-Houser, he certainly came to our rescue. And because of his help, and as-
sistance, now, at this time, this is not a very popular stand to take, but Jim
knew this was in the best interest of the Indians of this county, and he certainly
stood behind us on this issue. Now, the next contact I had with Jim, was, uh,
if you remember back in June when B. F. Goodrich announced that they were going
to close the footwear place about miles east of here. Uh, we were quite upset
about this because they were going to put about 13 of our brothers out of work.
Okay, uh, announced that they were going to purchase the plant, and
everyone who and the Justice Department moved in and they would not
approve the purchase. We didn't know what to do. We were again, so,
again, we contacted Jim Hols-Houser. He came to our rescue, again. He contacted
the people in Washington, he worked very hard on this issue. And, uh, very
shortly after he got involved, they, the Justice Department backed off, so the
plant is operating at full blast, and everyone seems to be happy. So, Jim has
really been a friend to the people, here, in this area. And, uh, I think we can
be a friend of his, now. He needs our help, so let's all get out come next Tues-
day, and give Jim the support that he needs. Now, if we, uh, send Jim to Raleigh,
to the governor's mansion on Nov. the 7th, I'm sure we'll have a direct line
between Pembroke and Raleigh, rather than from Pembroke to to Raleigh.
So, on Nov. the 7th let's all get out and support Jim Hols-Housey our next
governor of North Carolina. (Applause)
M.C. There's nothing like telling it like it is,:is there? (Says something unintel-
ligible) (Laughter from the crowd) This thing looks like a jigsaw puzzle, and
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I hope I come out on the right end. Some people I'd like to recognize, tonight.
A few of them would you stand up? Mr. Fowler Everett is the
eastern coordinator on the Nixon and Hols-Houser Organization, a fine gentleman
and a hard-working man. Fowler, how about standing up, just a second? (Applause)
The next gentleman, we'd like, tonight, to come up and speak to you for a few
seconds, is one that I'm sure all of you know. He's certainly
than anyone I've seen. Mr. Carmel Martleer, is he still our Indian Organization
Secretary. At this time, I'd like to bring him up to talk to you. (Applause)
M:. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to speak to you, tonight, from
my heart. As you know, we Indians, down here, have no voice in the Democratic
system. They are going to lie to us until we change. I went down, yesterday, to
the Board of Education,..I'm gonna back up, a little bit, I'm gonna back up to
last week. When I had plans to meet Mr. You know who he is,
dontcha? That rat sneaked in the back door. You don't
do ya? You don't want a man like that, that sneaks down his term(?), who won't
talk to ya, do ya? (Loud, "no" from the audience.) I told him, I said, 'Lemme tell
ya one thing, there goes that sneaking black snake, on the ground.' That's exactly
what is. If a man can't meet with you, and talk to you about the issues,
he don't need to be your governor. That's a mistake, we people have made down
here in Robinson County. I'll tell ya, just like, uh, four years ago,
came through here..(Simulated woman's voice says,'I come back.') he's
never come back. (Laughter from the audience.) I'd like to add, here, this ain't
Jim Hols-Houser, here. (Woman comes back on with, 'Try it, you'll like it.')
Try it' Try it on the 7th, and I'll bet$10.00, you'll like it. down
here, yesterday, at superintendent you
know who he is, don't ya? Little ol' young Eddie. All of ya know him. Went on
down there, never did come to work. And allE. wanted to do, was ask him 5 simple
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questions. What'd he do? He never showed up to work, yesterday, nor the day
we had 500 people, there, wanting 5 questions answered. And we had nobody to go
to, because we had no down at the Board of Education. Let me tell
you people something, tonight, we need representation, here. We've never had it
for the last 75 years. This 2nd of November, change your election habits. Let's
change. Yesterday, we needed a man from the Justice Department. I made one call,
and, last night, that man was here from Washington, D.C. And he was
from the Nixon Administration. When President Nixon, went in office, there's
230 million dollars. Now, the Indians get 530 million dollars. That's progress!
(Applause) I'll tell you something, I've heard from the grass roots people. We
are not the grass roots people, but I tell you one thing, our organization has
guts, and it's going to take people with guts to change Robinson County. And, with
guts, we need to change our party. We need the Republican party. Let's send Jim,
here, to the governor's mansion, so we will have a voice. Please let's do that
on Nov. 7th. (Applause)
M.C. says something unintelligible, and somebody agrees with, 'That's right.' You know,
I want to give you all a little tip. Now, if the Democrats have not been good
to you, I'm a registered Republican, by God, and I'm going to tell you how to make
a bunch of money in the next 3 or 4 months. Now, we all know that you've got to
have money to do things. The Democrats have kept it to themselves, long enough,
so I'm gonna give you a tip. I'm gonna open up a new corporation, next month.
Now, this corporation is but what we're gonna do, is
make more money than ever made, you know Mr. he sure knows
how to make it, don't he? We gonna make more money than DuPont and General
Motors. Cos I'm gonna open up a trucking company that hauls
household goods. And, I'll have at least four offices in Raleigh to take care
of the outflow. That's gonna be in January, when we clear that place out, there's
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gonna be alot of people moving out. (Applause) So, I'm just giving you a little
tip. We got it going both ways, because we know if we bring that mess out, we
got to put something nice in. So, we can make a pile of money, so you oughtta
get together with me after this meeting, we'll go ahead and form this corporation.
I've got every idea, in the world, how to do it. I'm just broke. (Laughter)
(M.C. says something else that is unintelligible.) I'd also like to recognize,
at this time, another fine gentleman, Mr. Tom Kelly, which is chairman of the
young Republicans, right here at the college. At this time, I'd like to recognize
Mr. Tom Kelly. (Applause)
K: Like many students at Pembroke State University, it has been my honor, over the
past three years, to attend school, in this community. the
people in this area, I've learned that honor, duty and belief in important things
in life, have no skin color. And I think, that, uh, the relationship between the
people in this community, and the school,..... the relationship between Pembroke
State University, and the community at large, has grown over the years. Not only
that, but our appreciation of political power that the Indians of Robinson County
hold. Now, in the past, this power has not been used. But, with your help, and
the help of the rest of the voters in this county, we can have a governor: who can
work for you. And, I think Jim Hols-Houser is the governor we need. (Applause)
M.C. You know, I'll tell you one thing, we do it pretty good. I'll scratch out ten
names of the people who are supposed to be the next up. We're doing real well.
if you come up with another list, maybe we can have another map,
At this time, I'd like to recognize two men that have been
my friends, in the Republican Party, to work with. They have certainly been a
tremendous assets in the Republican Party. They are fine citizens and I'll
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assure you that they are people that want to change things as bad as you do.
One of North Carolina's finest chairmen, Mr. Marily Davis from Columbus County,
would you please stand? (Applause) The next gentleman, he could tell you a few
things about the Democratic Party. You know, they can't those the 2nd,
just for the election day. Now this man's had experience in what I'm fixin' to
tell ya. If you think that you can't vote a man in, and wind up when the election
night's on with your man with your man tallied out, then our next man, that I'm
going to introduce to you, is a man who caught called the courts
in, called the ballot boxes. His candidate was defeated, he turned
right around became the House Representative from his area.
He worked all night long So this just goes to show ya this
next man what it is to fight this Democratic And, he
did it, until he did a fine job, and turned the whole thing around in Columbus
County. This next man is Mr. Leroy Stock, Board of Elections, is a real first
class Republican. Leroy..... (Applause) And, of course, that's the best part of
of him, right behind him, that's his beautiful wife. The reason we will let Leroy
speak, just a second, to ya, is because this bad experience that he's had with the
of these ballot boxes. We'll give him about 2 or 3 minutes because
we're rushed, but I do want him to say hello to ya, and tell ya some of the prob-
lems that we face.
S: Thank you, David. Thank you for having me over, tonight. I don't think I have ever
had a greater experience, in my life, than to see you people here tonight. I want
to tell you, simply, in the shortest terms I know how, as to why you should elect
Jim Hols-Houser, the next governor of the state of North Carolina. First of all,
you know, in North Carolina, and with out giving him the historical background of
why this is true, that every....which party controls the office of governor,
controls the election machinery, in the state of North Carolina. This is to say
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that if the Democrats control the governor's office, then, they in turn control
the election machinery, which John Robert can tell you. Now, you know
the experience that John Robert's gone through. He and I worked this out, toge-
ther. But, if Jim Hols-Houser is elected governor of the state of North Carolina,
this is probably what will happen. Let me digress, just one second. For 72 years,
Governor Bennett, I think, from County, was the last Republican
governor, that we had. He went out of office in 1900. And we have been without
a Republican governor, and consequently, without control of the election machinery,
for 72 years, Today, the governor...the party that controls the governor's office,
that controls the election machinery, because he appoints five members in the
State Board of Elections. And, Under the law, the law says that not more than 3
members of the same party as the governor. Meaning, that the governor appoints
3 Democrats and 2 Republicans to the State Board of Elections. In addition, they
appoint the State Board of Public Security Board, with 2 boards...2 members of
this board is Democrats, 1 Republican. In addition to this, the precincts, there's
2,255 precincts in this state. 2 of these, are Democrats and 1 Republican.
Consequently, they control all the election machinery. I contend to you that if
we elect Jim Hols-Houser, we will have 7 members of the State Board of Elections,
3 of which will be Democrats, 3 of which will be Republicans, and 1 Independent
The county boards will be composed of 5, possibly,and now I'm not speaking for
Jim, because I nevertalked with him about this, but 3.....2 of these would be
Democrat, 2 would be Republicans, and 1 Independent and on the in the pre-
cincts, the 2, 255 precincts, there would be 2 Democrats, 2 Republicans, and 1
Independent This is what I say it would take to make good government in
North Carolina, a free two-party system, as competitive as any business, or any-
thing else, in the state of North Carolina. Thank you.
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M.C. The next gentleman, it gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity to intro-
duce him, is a gentleman who has worked hard and long for change in North
Carolina. This year, he threw his name in the hat for the Congressman of his
district. He's a man who has worked extremely hard on this. Jerry, I'd like to
say that I know your opponent, very well. He's from Cumberland County, Mr.
Charlie Rhodes He is thought so well of in Cumberland County, and we love
him so much, that in his own primary, I think he was beat 4 to 1, in his own
primary, in his own precinct. So, uh, Charlie is a pretty good boy, just never
grown up yet. Uh, I saw Charlie not too long ago, and I told him, I said, well
Charlie, if you lose this election, what is your daddy gonna buy you next? And
that's basically what you're talking about is maturity and immaturity. Uh, I
know Charlie Rhodes, and I know what he is. I know what he stands for. He's a
good boy, I don't have a thing in the world against him. But, I swear, there's
no room in Washington for boys. So, I think we got a man who can represent us as
a man. He's a man who's lived with you. He knows what your problems are. Mr.
Rhodes has never, in his life, had to work I don't believe. This man's had
to work every day, just like you. I'm going to tell you something, we need to
elect him, too. Jerry is a hard working man. He is credit to our district.
And, at this time, I'd like to turn the mike over to him. Ladies and gentlemen,
the next Congressman of our district, Jerry Scott. (Applause)
S: It's certainly a pleasure to be here, tonight. And I want to go to Washington
to work for you. I'd like to run a couple of things by you that I think are
important issues in this campaign, and things that should be corrected, issues
that we should do something about. 'Cause I have a farm background, and I know
the problems of a farmer. I was on the issue, and I know the problems
of getting tobacco on the floor. We're put in this situation where we're having
to haul tobacco in this district. You drive
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Drive back home. Load your tobacco. Drive to and put it on the
floor. Drive back home. Two days later, you drive to the auction, and sell it.
This is ridiculous and something should be done about it. And something can be
done about it. (Applause) I will propose a bill before Congress, requiring that
each belt have a minimum sales time equal to 110% of the quota. So that every
farmer sell his tobacco in his area and not have to haul it out of his district.
This is costing us money, it's taking...it's hurting our economy, it's doing
away with jobs, our people should be here, processing this An-
other thing that bothers me, quite a bit about this campaign is the governor.
And this is Harlan we're talking about. (Somebody near the tape
recorder is talking which drowning out the speaker, but also makes it impossible
for me to hear either speech.).....Ladies and gentlemen, we're talking about 26%
of the million jobs We're talking about 30,000 jobs in this
district. If that doesn't affect this district, I don't know what does. We
need President Nixon in the White house in the next four years. (Applause)
I ask you, tonight, if you're going to vote for the president, then don't vote
against him in Congress. Send him a man that will support his programs. Thank
you very much. (Applause)
M.C. Just like for him to stand up so we can recognize him, we have another gentle-
man just come in, they just give me another note. Mr. John Thompson, which is the
the 7th District Chairman for the Republican Party. John, would you mind standing?
Where's he at? (Applause) Thank you, John. The next man I will introduce to you,
will be the man who introduces the next governor of North Carolina. Mr.
Lowry, is our Chairman, also your Co-chairman for the election of Jim Hols-
Houser for Governor. Trying a steadyjob is trying to do
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the rest of the hard work for the people in this area__
At this time, Mr Lowry, please. (Applause)
L: Thank you, David, and, oddly enough, this is about the lasitime we're going to
use him as an MC. He runs longer than any other man I've seen in my life, (Laughs)
YA'll want to hear this speech I got, or do you want to hear the next Governor
of North Carolina? (Applause) I think has said it all, we want a
man who's got action, and a man who's for change, and that's the next Governor of
North Carolina, Mr. Jim Hols-Houser. (Raucous applause)
Side 2.
B: Lew Barton, recording for the Doris Duke Foundation's American Indian Oral
History Program, under the auspices of the Department of History, at the
University of Florida, Dr. Samuel L. Proctor, in charge of the program. Here,
in North Carolina, this time, we had a Republican Governor elected for the first
time, in this century, to be more exact, in about 70 years. This was Jim Hols-
Houser. Jim Hols-Houser's campaign began right here in Robinson County, North
Carolina, on July 4, 1970, at the Lumbee Annual Homecoming. And, it also ended
here. This was the last leg of his journey, the last leg of his campaign,
which ended right here. Now, this is recorded at the last rally by Governor
Jim Hols-Houser...the gubanetorial candidate is speaking......is speaking, now.
H: ......car insurance. Because, too often, today, you're discriminated against,
when it comes to the payment of your car insurance premium. You need to talk
about lifting up per capital in North Carolina, so that any man who's willing to
work is going to be able to earn a decent living for himself and his family.
Now, you know, if we want to do all these, it's going to take a governor who
cares. Who cares about people. Not just, not just rich people or influential
people, or powerful people, but who cares about all the people. And I ask you,
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and I ask you ask yourselves, can a man from Greensborough, who's a multi-millionare,
who's spending money on his own campaign like it's going out of style...,can a man
from Greensborough, who's spending his own money like it's going out of style, who's
a multi-millionare, really understand the problems of the problem of the people in
Robinson County? I say no. Now, there's no question our campaign's on the move.
The polls show it and I know it because I've been out there. We've got this
thing, if we'll just do two things. One is, to make sure between now, and a week
from today, that each of you contact your neighbors and your friends, and say
let's go to the polls, and vote for Jim Hols-Houser. (Applause) And the second
part is to make sure that a week from tonight, when we start putting the clamp
on this election process, and the votes start getting counted, let's make sure we
get a fair shake at the count out. (Applause) Now, just as an added thought, in
closing, we come a long way, you and I. I been in this part of the state many
times, and it's great if we wind up the last week of the campaign to be able to
come into Robinson County and see this kind of crowd. I thank you from the
bottom of my heart, for all of your support and for the help that you've been to
me, and the fine friendships that we have made here, in this county. Now, I
want you to do me one more thing, I want you to start getting ready, getting your
bags packed, because on Jan. 2, I want to see you up in Raleigh when we in-
augurate Jim Hols-Houser as our governor. Thank you very much. (Applause)
Voice on PA: Now, Jim....Don't go away cos Jim's going to go down, he wants to meet
everybody, so you stay right there. We got a man here we want to come up to the
microphone, Mr. Dennis Vance National Coordinator for the American
Indian Movement. Dennis, come on up here. (Applause) While Dennis is coming
up to the microphone, we're gonna have some little girls, you know, collecting
money for radio spots, for and we're going to have some girls
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going around through the crowd, and if you can hlep them, in any way....50 or a
dollar, or some of you fat cats with a $100.00 check, you drop it in when the
girl goes around. OK? Mr. Dennis Vance. He's on his way. Come on up here,
Parnell, tell us a little something about this man.
P: Thank you, Tom. Dennis Vance is a Chippewa, from Cat's Lake, Minnesota. I went
up there in and they was.....the bureaucrats was spread all over the
place but we got that straightened out. The American Indian Movement, is a move-
ment that has guts. They go into areas, and straighten out things, like we had
here, yesterday. Down here at this Democratic controlled The
National Indian Movement went in there and we got just the proper man
And, it's really straightened out. Is Dennis coming up?
Sounds of Indian drums and then the crowd goes wild. There are many war whoops. By the
way, I don't really know if his last name's Vance, or not, but that's the closest
interpretation, I can make. At this time, it is established that an Indian wardance
is going on. Everybody seems very excited. Barton comes on and says that there are
500 Indians participating in an Indian war dance. Somebody comes on the PA and says,
"Ladies and Gentlemen, how 'bout that?" Everybody starts chanting. Somebody comes
over the PA and says,"At this time, we're going to have Dennis to speak to the
people." (Much applause and yelling.)
V: There aren't very many people, throughout the country, that are willing to become
Indian advocates. Because historically, this country has denied Indian people due
process. (Applause) All across the country, in Minnesota, North Dakota, South
Dakota, on all the way across to Washington state, Indian people are being hurt.
(Applause) Every day we are reminded, that Indian people have signed various
treaties with this government. And, every day this government is neglecting those
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treaties. We want to remind Americans on Nov. 7th, that they have an obligation
to every one.of those;treaties. We want to remind all the elected officials in
Washington D. C., on Nov. 7, that they have an obligation, here at home, that
the real war is here in America, not in Southeast Asia. (Applause) Indian
people are being hurt in schools across the country. Because we have allowed our
students to go to Non-indian schools, they have found reason to deny you and I
the right to control most of these schools. On Nov. 7, as you go to the polls
and vote for whomever you want to, I want you to remind yourselves that all the
mistreatment against the American Indian has ended. (Applause) I want you to
remind yourselves and whoever you are voting for, that this kind of national
abuse is ended forever. (Applause) There'll be no more of that kind of Indian
mistreatment that we have been subjected to, throughout the last 2 centuries.
There'll be no more Indian men killed or murdered in the streets. There'll be
no more of our women being raped. (Applause) There'll be no more of us being
illegally held in those county jails or those state prisons. (Applause) On Nov.
7, I want you to declare total Indian freedom for all Indian people. (Applause)
I have never, to this day, endorsed any kind of person that is running for public
office, because I have dealt with individuals, senators and congressmen, across
this country, who have lied to us everyday. (Applause) And, they have lied to us
last week, last month and last year. If I was to endorse such a person, to help
Indian people, I would probably endorse a person like Jim Hols-Houser. (Applause)
If he's going to be your-next governor of North Carolina, I want you to remind him
every day, of the commitments that he has made to Indian people. (Applause) I want
Jim Hols-Houser to remind other governors across the country, also, of the commit-
ment that they have to the Indian people. (Applause) And neither this governor,
nor the governor of Minnesota, or North Dakota, is going to get any kind of rest
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until we have justice for Indian people. (Applause) That's the kind of commit-
ment I'm gonna make to you. I'm going to Washington, to demand that all these
senators and congressmen live up to all these commitments. And they better start
living up to them Nov. 7,8,9,10,..from here on in. (Applause) We want to remind
the president of the United States, also, that as they draw the Viet Nam war to
a close, as they start to bring the troops home, we want to remind them that
Indian people have fought in every major war that this country has had. And
Indian people have fought honorably protecting the United States of America.
(Applause) Put a warning across America on Nov. 7, to the president, congress-
men, and senators, that a new kind of struggle has been born, right here in North
Carolina, the last two days. (Applause) This new struggle is sweeping America.
(Applause) And while it's sweeping America, we're gonna sweep out all those
senators that have hurt us. (Applause) We're gonna sweep out all those con-
gressmen that have hurt us, in the.past years. And we're gonna sweep out all
those white Indians also. On Nov. 7th, we're gonna... every Indian people across
the country, from the Oglala Sioux, to the Sioux, to the Chippewa
Nation, we're going to be watching North Carolina, we're going to be watching
Jim Hols-Houser, how he does for Indian people, if he does. There are very few
men who are willing to take up the struggle for Indian people. If Jim Hols-
Houser is one of those kinds of individuals, one of those rare individuals, who is
willing to speak for all people, then all Indian people will back individuals such
as Jim Hols-Houser. But, Jim, one warning we'll give you four years to do a job.
You can better believe, Jim, that if you don't do the job, on the next term, on
the next time the elections come around, we're going to elect an Indian governor
of this state! (Applause) A warning, a final warning to all the states across
America, that if Nixon doesn't do his job, or McGovern doesn't do his .job, either,
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the next time around, we're going to elect an Indian for the President of the
United States. Where's Jim? Is Jim still in the crowd? C'mon and shake hands,
Jim, let's put it together. (Applause and yelling.) If you're willing to fight
for Indian people, Jim, you've got a long struggle ahead of you. (Applause)
And, it's going to be hard struggle, also, because Indian people are used to
hard struggles. (Applause) And we're going to win in North Carolina. (Applause)
H: Like all of you, again. We're gonna see you in Raliegh on Jan. the 2nd. But, you
do the job for us, next Tuesday on Nov. the 7th, 'cause that's when you declare
your freedom. (Applause)
V: OK, we're going to sing all the way to Washington, D. C. (Applause) Indian people
are finding out the truth, now. We're working and we're digging, and we've dug
out some of that corruption, today, about that school board in County.
We're gonna take out all those crooks, take 'em all right out. We're sick and
tired of going to their meetings. We're sick and tired of going to their meetings,
and having them deny us, everything, all kinds of benefits. (Applause) From now
on, they're coming to our meetings. We don't want no more white people, white
school boards telling us what to do. (Applause) From now on, it's going to
be Indian school boards. (Applause) Not only in North Carolina, but in every one
of those places. On Nov. 7, it's not only gonna be a victory for the election
process, it's going to be a victory for Indian people all across the country.
We're tired, we're very tired of a hundred years struggle. We're sick and tired
of that kind of abuse. But, we don't need the rest, now, those people need the
rest. All of those white people out there, that have been against us for all of
these years, they're the ones that need the rest because, they're the ones that
need the rest because it's a whole brand new ball game, now. They know they have
won two or three innings of this game, well, we're coming up to bat, now, brother.
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And they better start packing and going to there homes. Are you ready for a little
Indian music? (Applause and yelling) Are you ready for an Indian victory? Are
you going to elect Jim Hols-Houser? Right on, Jim! (Applause and yelling) OK,
Jim has to go to a .... Jim's on his way to other places, but if you become
governor,Jim, those doors will be open. (Applause) They are going to be open
24 hours a day, Jim. (Applause) Do you people want a change for Indian people,
in the Indian program? (Crowd: Yes;) Are you sick and tired of this kind of
system? ? Let me hear it from the North Carolina
Indians. Screaming and Applause.)
The sound of chanting and drums is heard until the tape is turned off.
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