Boys’ State

Election to Iowa Boys’ State was a highlight of my junior year. Normally, the American Legion picked two juniors and paid their way to the event. The war years, however, caused cancellation so no one had gone for four years.

Because of that, the local post decided to sponsor four juniors and four seniors in 1946. The function of Boys’ State is to help high school students learn more about local and state government.

We got our first lesson in politics the second night at Camp Dodge, near Des Moines, where we spent the week. We arrived early at a meeting only to be prevented from going into the assembly hall. Apparently a metropolitan school with a large contingent was having a caucus. After they asked where we were from, they let us come in. We later realized that even though we were from a small town, our eight votes put us in a class with the large schools.

The gist of the conversation inside the hall was for us to make a deal with the metropolitan delegation. If we would vote for their man as speaker of the house, they would vote for our legislation. Since we had no preference for speaker, we agreed to the deal. The next morning, we dutifully voted for their speaker and he was elected.

What we were not aware of, however, was that the speaker set the agenda and our piece of legislation was scheduled late in the afternoon. By that time, another measure very similar to ours was voted in. When ours came up, it was not even voted on because of the similarities. Our big city friends were relieved of their obligation but still received our help to elect their man -- a first lesson in politics. Be sure to know the true results of any deal you might make.

Another memorable moment at Boys’ State came at the closing ceremonies with Iowa Governor Blue as the speaker and some 700 juniors and seniors in attendance. Along with the governor on the stage was his good looking teenage daughter. After his address, he asked if there were any questions.

From the back row of the auditorium a hand rose. “Yes,” said the governor.

A serious question about something the governor had said during his speech was of course expected. Instead, the questioner asked, “Sir, does your daughter have 699 friends?”