Sherman Minton

Book excerpt: Authors Gugin and St. Clair explore the forces and events that shaped Minton's political style and judicial character. Chief among the influences on Minton were his southern Indiana roots, his childhood adversity, his attraction to populism and its foremost proponent, William Jennings Bryan, and his involvement in the partisan politics of Indiana. Out of this mixture was born a political philosophy that was neither liberal nor conservative, but pragmatic. As both New Deal senator and Cold War justice Minton acted in harmony with his long-held views of democracy. From an early age Minton longed to be in public service. The road to this goal, however, as the authors chronicle, was marked with detours and bumps. But Minton, drawing upon the strength acquired during the difficulties of his youth, was doggedly determined. His fascinating journey, therefore, stands as an inspirational testimony to will and perseverance. Minton's life, too, is testimony to the value of wit and humor. While he was deeply committed to performing his public duties as conscientiously as possible, he nevertheless was ever ready with a quip or joke to deflate a contentious situation, disarm an opponent, or just brighten up someone's day. The author's capture Minton's humor, warmth, and grace through their use of the frequent and lively correspondence Minton carried on with such friends as President Truman, Hugo L. Black, William O. Douglas, Fred M. Vinson, Felix Frankfurter, Earl Warren, Carl A. Hatch, and Lewis B. Schwellenbach.