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REVS CONFERENCE
GOVERNOR FRRRIS BRYANT
TALLAHASSEE
June 11, lgh
NEWSMEN PARTICIPATING: Bill Bowen, wcrv; Robert W. Delaney, ORLANDO
SENTINEL-STAR; Barbara Frye, UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL; John Hayes,
WFGA, WTVJ; Budd Mellichamp, ABC RADIO; Allen Morris, CRACKER
POLITICS; Robert Sherrill, MIAMI HERALD-ST. PBTERSBURG TIMES SERVICE;
Doug Starr, ASSOCIATED PRESS; Ray Starr, ABC RADIO; George Thurston,
win; Everett Hilliard, FLORIDA TIMES UNION.
GOVERNOR: Good afternoon, Mrs. Frye and gentlemen. Are there any
questions?
D. STARR: why did you come back early?
GOVERNOR: The conference ended at noon on Rednecday and we left
Cleveland at five o'clock -- I would say that was not early, but late.
FRYE: Did you bring us any greetings from Senator Goldwater?
GOVERNOR: No. As a matter of fact I didn't have a chance to discuss
his feelings about his friends in Florida.
FRYE: Did the Governors of the -- did the Democratic Governors get
any publicity out of the conference? It seemed that all they did was
talk about the Republicans.
GOVERNOR: No, we were watching the blood flow and glad it wasn't ours.
(laughter)
FRYE: And enjoyed it?
GOVERNOR: That's right. (laughter)
R. STARR: Governor, in your speech in Cleveland you mentioned a
seminar to take place in Florida starting on November 22. You
omitted the location of where this seminar is going to take place.
Has this been decided?
GOVERNOR: No, it has not.
R. STARR: Do you have any ideas?
GOVERNOR: No. Really we haven't gone that far. Until we secured
approval by the entire conference, we did not go beyond the
suggestions that were incorporated in the committee report.
R. STARR: Wouldn't this take a rather large area.to hold such a
seminar in ~ a maJor city?
GOVERNOR: A big city?
R. STARR: Yes, sir.
GOVERNOR: Yes it would take -- conceivably there would be as many
as aides and let's see -- I suppose there might be five or six or
seven people as instructors. It would take a big enough city to
hold 57. (laughter)
BOWEN: Governor, would you bring us up to date on information that
you have on the St. Augustine situation?
GOVERNOR: Well, I think the reports that I read last night or this
morning concerning activities over there -- I read several news-
papers and generally I think they reflect about the same information
that I have.
FRYE: Rave yon heard from your side since you got back?
GOVERNOR: Yes, I have. I have talked with a number of peOple about
the situation and they anticipate that there will be further marches.
And we anticipate that we will be able to maintain law and order.
we can't prevent the throwing of a atone or incidents of this kind
completely because we would have to line the walks. But assuming
that the marchers give us notice of course and time, we anticipate
that law and order will be maintained.
BOWEN: that additional plans have you made for St. Augustin? In
addition to sending the extra 0 troopers over, have you made any
other additional plans such as notifying the National Guard stand-
ing by?
GOVERNOR: Well, without subscribing to your statement of what I
have done, let me say that we are going to from time to time do
whatever is required, but we will not in all probability be making
any announcements about it because I really feel that this kind of
things stirs up rather than quiete.
BOMEN: You are prepared though?
GOVERNOR: We are prepared to do whatever is necessary.
THURSTON: Governor, do you have full confidence in the sheriff of
St. Johns County?
GOVERNOR: Full confidence in what -- I wouldn't have sent additional
support over there if I had full confidence. He needed help and,
therefore, we have sent him help. I am confident that with that help
the Job well be done.
BONEN: You are not speaking of his ability?
GOVERNOR: I don't know -- I wasn't, no -- no.
FRYE: Did the Sheriff ask for help or did your aide?
GOVERNOR: The Sheriff has on a number of occasions indicated that
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he would welcome help. I am always reluctant to move into local
situations because -- I know that this group is aware -- active law
enforcement is not the specific function of the Governor's Office.
I am not staffed for it, except in emergency situations under Chapter
14, we really don't have the power to do it. But this was the kind
of thing that I felt an ounce of prevention might well be worth a
pound of cure and so we have provided what we hope is a couple of
ounces Just to be safe.
DELANEY: Governor, with whom are you in closest contact over there?
With what individual?
GOVERNOR: With the Highway Patrol people.
DBLANEY: With a particular individual?
GOVERNOR: Major Simmons.
DELANEY: Major Simmons?
GOVERNOR: Yes.
HAYES: Martin Luther King seems to think that U. 8. Marshals are
needed there. Do you agree with him?
GOVERNO: Well, we need the business, but we don't need them for
law enforcement -- no. As a matter of fact, I don't know of any
court order that they would enforce.
FRYE: Have you been contacted by any federal agency or anybody in
washington about the situation in St. Augustine?
GOVERNOR: We are constantly in touch with all levels, including
Washington and the people in Jacksonville and the people in St.
Augustine. Yes, ma'am.
FREE: But I mean like the White House or someone hasn't called to
find out if --
GOVERNOR: No, I have been in contact with them frequently over a
period of the last several weeks and have an excellent relationship
there -- really, though as a basis of mutual understanding so that
neither of us will act on inadequate information.
FRYE: Then you have discussed the St. Augustine situation with
the White House?
GOVERNOR: Oh, yes. At the apprOpriate time I also discussed the
Jacksonville situation, the Tallahassee situation and all of them
at some time.
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FRYE: what is the Tallahassee situation? How did that get
involved?
GOVERNOR: Changing. (laughter) Coming along fine.
BOHEN: Governor, earlier this week Governor wallace in a statement
said that in his opinion the civil rights bill Just passed would be
extremely hard to enforce in the South and he predicted that it
would be repealed within three, four or five years. would you
comment on that?
GOVERNOR: Well, I really am not that wise. The repeal if it was
left up to the two senators from Florida, I would agree that would
be true. But when you have 100 senators and 25 or #35 House members
I am not sufficiently familar with their views.
BOWEN: Well, do you feel it would be hard to enforce in the South?
GOVERNOR: It would be very difficult to enforce, but then I could
be wrong about that. I really haven't studied the law except in
the accommodations section really.
FRYE: Governor, let me get one thing straight that I am interpret-
ing what you meant like when you said that you had been in contact
with Washington ~~ I presume that you have relayed to them the
feeling that the situation is under control here and that you do
not think you need federal trOOps? Or has it gotten that specific?
GOVERNOR: Let me put it this way. I have never suggested to them
what they do, either send them in or not to send them in. I have
tried to convey to them my feeling about the situation and what we
have the capacity and the will to do. Now whether they send in
federal people -- that is their problem. But my purpose in part
in staying in frequent communication with them is so that they will
not act on any assumption that we are not willing or capable of
doing the Job that we set out to do.
DELANEY: Governor, I am a little unclear about who "them" is in
this case?
GOVERNOR: I mean it to be unclear yes. In other words I --
DELANEY: You wouldn't care to clarify it?
GOVERNOR: No, I really wouldn't. We talked with the FBI, the
Department of Justice, with anybody who has a direct relationship
in this problem.
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DELANEY: Did you talk with the President about it?
GOVERNOR: No, I have not.
FREE: Governor, while you were in Cleveland you had --
GOVERNOR: Excuse me Just a moment -- not in several months.
Several months ago I did, yes, but not in several months. Not
concerning St. Augustine, no.
D. STARR: Well, are there any federal people coming down?
GOVERNOR: Now, you will have to ask them that. not that I know of.
D. STARR: Has the St. Augustine business the reason you came back
today?
GOVERNOR: No, I planned to come back.
R. STARR: But you didn't plan to hold a news conference?
GOVERNOR: I was not sure when I left -~ Mrs. Bryant had suggested
that we stay over last night instead of coming back yesterday
afternoon, and I originally consented. But we were in Washington
last week, and in New York, and I rushed back here to be at my
daughter's graduation and went to Cleveland and, frankly, I hate
to be domestic about this thing but I was ready to come home.
(laughter)
FRYE: Even willing to face this?
GOVERNOR: Even to face this. Besides I was on the telephone so
much that I might Just as well be home.
FRYE: In Cleveland you were with Mayor Burns.
GOVERNOR: Through Monday about ten or eleven o'clock -- from Sat-
urday through Monday.
FRYE: Did you have an opportunity to discuss with him the problems
of the governorship transition and what you might do or not do?
GOVERNOR: We had informal and very general discussions. It was a
social occasion and I wanted him.to have the opportunity to meet
the other governors and to learn the format of the conference and
he needed a rest so we did not get into any detailed discussions.
We did establish, if I may say so, an association which will permit
us to exchange views as he feels that he needs to know anything that
I might be able to tell him. I will be glad to do it.
HAYES: Would you be in favor of Goldwater if he voted against the
civil rights bill?
GOVERNOR: That would have nothing to do with my vote in the
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presidential elections.
HAYES: You will support the democratic nominee?
GOVERNOR: I expect to do so.
SHERRILL: A local question, Governor. Circuit Judge Tom Collins
resigned, I understand, and I was wondering if you expedt to have
an announcement or a replacement soon?
GOVERNOR: Yes, I hope to have one today or tomorrow. Yes, air.
We considered that this morning as a matter or fact, and hope to
do so.
wILLIARD: Governor, Martin Luther King is reported as saying that
he didn't think you had done what you should have in the St.
Augustine situation. Has he conveyed to you by any means what he
thinks you should do?
GOVERNOR: No, I haven't heard from him so far as I know.
FRYE: You don't plan to go to St. Augustine?
GOVERNOR: Not until the Quadricentennial celebration. (laughter)
Are there other questions? Thank you.
SEVERAL: Thank you, Governor
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FRYE: -'!ha b is the Tallahassee situation? How did that -e t involved? GOVERNGR: Chr-:iging. (inushter) cciairig along rirje. BOWE!a: C-:>verrtor, earlier this weej: Governor ?!al lace irs a rtaterent 3-10 that in his opiniori the e'ivil rights bil j just passed sould be exi~t'd'l-lely haT-| UC' GDECT'Ce IIt tllC ;3Cuth and he predict bed th8 tit ':lould be repealed within three, four or five yettrs, '.'euld yell pon'111erit on that? GOWliNJR: Vlel], I reallya:r, riot that wise .'The repeal if it t-:43 left up to the two senatora frari Florida, I would acree ".hal: would be true. But when yrm have 100 senat-orc ared a25 or 435 Hourn rie1'iters arl Det GUffic i.Putly CUli1r!.P tell-b T.I',eir '/le!VS. 2001,'l-ji ~:.~ell, dcyou fol it iaould be hard to enforce in the SouthY COVERNO!i: It would be very difficult to ertforce, but then I could be '.frog libo'20 that. I really haven't studled the las: eveept in the ancainmodnticris senton rally. FRYE: Goveror, let n:e got om thing straight that I ai:1 interpret tlag whe.t you -rie-rit like shnn you said that you had been ir. cortact with ~:Mhlngton --presse r.hat you have relayed to theEt the fee~ing i.hElt the altuation ir, under control here and that you do r.ot th1ril-: yOU r:eed federal trceps? Or has it Entt-en t~1At sper'fk? GOVEf|1-IOR: Let a put il. LMs 2:37. I ha-ve never suggered to them l'rhat thEy '10, either -Ond them 10 Dr r!Ct 00 Gend thrMr. ir., I have -.ried to C.cro:ey to T.hmi :ny feelinjabol b the si HuaLitw. nrid What we have the Minic '.ty and the will to co. lict-: whether they send in Emic191 penple -thM is thelproblent, But ray purpose in part in stayirs irt faqunn r. ceriisiunicati on '31 th them 13 so that they will riot Oct rir. any assu:ription that we are not willing or capable er dair!c; thc. Job that to set out to do. DFIA[al: 00verrior, I .ari a little unclear about who '' therr" is 111 this cace? rlf:Vj~.lli-|Oh I IrenO i e 00 he unr-lear -yes in Other worrh I -GUAEEYi YGu I:;D.lldrti t C.-tt'e t0 Claril'y 107 rTV[Eld:-: 210, I rrally -aldn' t ':e trilked with the FF1, the Depardrr:nt of Jiistice, 1::tth miybaly who has E r1 tract rela tier.ship in thia 1:roble.i.
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DElft:fY: Did you talk t:lte the President about it? 00VmlNOR: No, 3 lanvo not, ??~1-5; Goverr.ar, ??hile ycu were 1:1 Cle-reland -;-0-: hrel -GOVIE;1-,0Ja Excu o :7.0 la E -> ::sol:ir:.ra -riot irt :te we n-l ricr. t~.s -~Mer,-l enl-.as as, -riisi, yes, but nci. Jim se':oral molitha, 1-lelCGrtcerniniSt. Ati;'utirie, r'o. 1:'. STAFile 21.1'., am Th'ee any federal ::.eeple co-riing 0:wi'? GOVI:EGE: jlma you n111 leva to nok theni thrat. Not th&.t -luiou or. ~~'. ETartin al-he S':. itugatir-e "r:.us Laen the ressor. yo11 cerr.e tack today? GOV! dK'-;3: ja'i, 1 planr:Cri o.-cGIP 1:-?::2. ~~;. : TARi?: -ut you di~n r t plan to hr'id a rtews cor.fererce" r|0'll 5[2.95 I :010 ilot r.133 ':11100 T left -Erl. ~313-a11L ha/I Suiges:tad 1.0 .1 '.;Elfly rilfer irist. r,.|..-.h!. ir!Gl-P~ C'f CC-Pilr( IN~t'l~ GEteEiB~ afterr.com, J.d I coli'irially concented Eut '-:e wists in -:a::Bir..:--.:'rt -an-. lo:e nrai tri ila Y..:10 a:1 T r-une-J back here to be at riy d:m-:;h-,cr'o gridation ,rta '.:enl: L-., rleveland ariel, fparill s', i ita-:rro bdensentio about 7,!!10 tliirir; ot:0 I E!E ready to ct:me her.e. (lmht--r) ~GYi" r -ve. uil l '.ar to fac'i t;&:': UOW:li!K:R: is':ert 1:.' t're thi::-El:rltlEG 1 1-ras an the telephore so roc!t --.rt t. I r:ip;ile Just -c, '.:011 he horse. RTE : In 012-/2.'9:ic.; you '.:ei:rith Nayar F1.lenes. VETC[03: ribrc..J:0 1~otv.imi 60001: Mri :ir e-leer, ra elecit -i-.-ori :m t-. .:/ to 71:1.1El-: Mc;ri(l'Eg; ?-YE: ..-''.d you hae ar. r-pporturtlty ti: -::iacuss ;ith bilri --he prob1eris of 1:!-.e coverrersh-ip trnn-i it ion :niri wat:t yriu -c.ig:t dr; or r.01 e.105' 005EN10R; ';:e had infeni.al and -:ey general :11xussion:'. I t. '.:-13 a aric 3.:-:1 occticieri and i 'n:1ted airl to have the opportuD Lt:/ Lo ,iret thE' Otile r E-l?rilOr2 -ellir.j 1-r. legirit t]ie forer.el::Of Tlle I:-'nJ/?'ertr:e Al |-.l:Tir:-e'li--| 3 re:-i; 30 U-2 ill-2 30t f---'t" 1.-:1:0 0:rl~r' -irl 001-] "jri:j -l i:-Ct,3'-1011r i 2 ~ic:. em t -!!:115!-., if I -r:ay e-y so :m moo'.a tic ri ',:lti ch 2:1 ', ] pran:: t !l-, t-' '''Z-bari-_"e ".'ie':.0 -iIIfeels thzit ~:JDeeda t-i imOli ar'ythlDK '.09. I I ritr':.'; Lie able tc --c i~ 01:5. I wil .he r]--a ro clo i t. l-li;YM: "c.1011~.--~ yi-u .e it-t i'it--?Ol' Gi' ilD1ele:ater' if lie VOted I.if-2-i DSt CIll el--lil racists i-. L1] 2 00'/ 'i~:ll'~.lb That '::euld have netj-linE: :o de 111 t.h -17 vol o 111 Wie
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