Within the hackneyed confines of a preface it is difficult, indeed, to convey the sense of gratitude I feel to so very many people'for their aid and advice. It is impossible to name the more than one hundred political, labor, farm, and business leaders with whom I discussed the politics of their respective states. The vast majority of them were' incredibly generous with their time and knowledge of the politics of their states. The word inspire has become woefully weary from over-use. However, its. Meaning remains intact when applied to the counsel provided me by Professor V. 0. Key, under whose guidance this study was originally undertaken at Harvard University as a doctoral dis sertation. I must also extend my thanks to Professor Bennett Wall of the University of Kentucky for his aid in so many ways.