Sam Rayburn (1882-1961) was a Texas Congressman who was a longtime and effective Speaker of the House. “To get along, go along” (also sometimes phrased “go along to get along”) was, some say, his advice to young Congressmen.
Wikipedia: Sam Rayburn
Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn (January 6, 1882 – November 16, 1961) was a Democratic politician from Bonham, Texas. “Mr. Sam”, as he was widely known, served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives for 17 years, and is widely regarded as the most effective Speaker of the House in American history.
14 October 1952, Kerrville (TX) Times, pg. 1, col. 4:
Claude Gilmer of Rocksprings, chairman of the Democrats for Eisenhower, last night blasted at Rayburn’s claims of Democratic prosperity.
“It is sickening to see Get-Along, Go-Along Sam Rayburn and his coterie of Trumanites travelling all over Texas gloating over the blood-stained dollars that are now in circulation and calling it prosperity,” Gilmer said at Hillsboro.
11 February 1960, Fresno (CA) Bee, pg. 48?, col. 1:
Mr. Sam still could rule, the New Republic believes, if he passed the threat down the line: “If you want to get along, go along.”
15 August 1961, Long Beach (CA) Independent, pg. B1:
“Let us all be spokesmen for freedom by speaking up. We can win if each of us resolves to never again just ‘go along to get along.’”
(Rep. John H. Rousselot, R-San Gabriel—ed.)
16 November 1961, Burlington (NC) Daily Times-News, pg. 10C, col. 5:
Another of Mr. Rayburn’s precepts to young Congressmen was, “To get along, go along.”
18 April 1963, Galveston (TX) Daily News, pg. 5, col. 3:
“I don’t know why it is so popular to go along to get along all of a sudden—thought that was the philosophy of Washington.”
(Senator Andy Rogers of Childress—ed.)
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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