There’s another famous relative in my family tree, a Great Uncle, Morgan G. Sanders (1878-1956). He was my Grandmother, Linnie Ross Sanders Wallace’s, brother and was a Democrat back when southern Dems were very conservative. But that’s getting ahead. Morgan was a teacher, newspaper owner, Assistant Clerk of the Texas Senate, lawyer, County Attorney, District Attorney and then, he really hit the ‘big time’.

In 1920 he was elected to the United States Congress and served from March 4, 1921 until January 3, 1939. In 1921, he also was admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court. When John Nance Garner was sworn in as Vice President in 1933, Morgan took his seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. This is the committee that originates taxes, tariffs and funding of our Government.

Morgan was a staunch supporter of states rights and a balanced federal budget and broke with President Roosevelt over the packing of the Supreme Court and many other New Deal programs. He sure sounds like my kind of legislator! Breaking with FDR proved costly because he lost his reelection bid in 1938 and then returned to Texas.

Morgan died in 1956. “Uncle Morg” was one of Mother’s favorites and she spoke about him often. I never met him but I did meet his Son, Dr. Gurley Sanders. I’m fortunate to have men like Morgan Sanders in my ancestry!