On Film - Vermont Secretary of State

Secretary of State Harry H. Cooley
1965—1969
2 microfilm reels
BIOGRAPHY
Harry H. Cooley was born in Georgia, Vermont on November 13,
1893. He studied at the Vermont state school of Agriculture and worked
as a farmer and agricultural teacher. He was a resident of Randolph,
Vermont all of his adult life and was active in local politics. Cooley
was Supervisor of the White River Soil Conservation District from 1941
to 1958 and the President of the White River Dairy Cooperative from
1950 to 1960. He was Randolph’s representative to the Vermont House in
1959 and served two terms as Secretary of state, from 1965 to 1969. He
lost his bid for reelection in 1968 to Richard Thomas. Harry Cooley
died in the fall of 1986.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
Secretary of State Cooley’s records include material on the
enforcement of the Outdoor Advertising Law, which was an important
function of the office during his administration. There are Attorney
General’s opinions concerning Outdoor Advertising, memos between
Cooley and Governor Hoff on the law as well as copies of letters from
Hoff to Violators of the law. There is limited material concerning
elections, including some correspondence on absentee ballots, minutes
of a meeting with Town Clerks on proposed changes in election laws and
a 1968 telegram from Eugene McCarthy stating he did not want to be on
the ballot as a candidate for the New Party. There are also scattered
records on Licensing and Registration and the Corporation Divisions.
There are Attorney General opinions on corporations and licensing, a
list of chiropractors, and a resignation letter from the Director of
Licensing. Cooley’s records also include memos to and from the
Department of Administration, a statement on the duties and
responsibilities of the Secretary of State’s Office and a 1966 press
release on why he should be reelected.
Other records do not have much to do with the Office of the
Secretary of State, but may have some value to the researcher.
Included is an Agriculture Department essay on the decline of milk
production in the 1960’s, a Development Department memo on important
developments in the economy, charts on industrial change and the
tourist and recreation business from 1946 – 1963, and a review of the
Executive Branch. There are also Emergency Board minutes and minutes
to the Vermont Historical Society trustee meetings.