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In the late 1860s, when the infamous “Boss” Tweed ran New York City politics, one of his key lieutenants was Richard B. Connolly, the city comptroller. As the extent of the ring’s embezzlement, bribery, and kickbacks became known, the newspapers dubbed him “Slippery Dick” Connolly.

Slippery, indeed. Connolly skipped bail and fled to France, where he remained a fugitive from justice for the rest  of his life.

The next Richard in public life to earn the moniker “Slippery Dick” was the late Senator Richard Russell of Georgia — not for graft and villainy, but for his skills as a political leader and power broker.

Richard B. Russell, Jr. was born in 1897 in Winder, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia Law School at age 20; was elected to the state legislature at 23; became Governor of Georgia at 33; and became a U.S. Senator at 35.

Russell represented Georgia in the Senate from 1933 until his death in 1971. He was nationally respected for his integrity and honesty at the highest levels of government. He was, indeed, a patriot and a dedicated public servant.

But at the same time, Russell was a committed segregationist who repeatedly blocked civil rights legislation in order to preserve white Southern traditions. Russell never preached hatred or promoted violence in defense of his beliefs, but he managed to delay meaningful social change by a decade or more.

To his credit, Russell urged full compliance after his best efforts failed and the Civil Rights Act became law in 1964. He spoke out against further resistance because the law was the law.

When I was a young man, Richard Russell was a towering presence on the political scene. He was regarded as the most powerful figure in Washington other than the President. He was a much-beloved figure to all Georgians. Well, to the white ones, anyway.

As often happens with powerful politicians, Russell succeeded over the years in bringing vast amounts of government largesse to his home state.

As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he secured funding for 15 military installations around Georgia.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he steered 25 major federal research facilities to the state. Why is the CDC located in Atlanta? Because Richard Russell made it happen.

Russell’s birthplace is listed as Winder, Georgia, but he was, in fact, from the unincorporated community of Russell, located just east of Winder.

Russell, Georgia was, and still is, a quiet residential community of about 1,200. It is home to a VFW post, a couple of convenience stores, and the stately Russell house and family cemetery. The old Russell house is empty now, but for years, it was Senator Russell’s primary residence.

And, located a short distance away, out of sight of the main highway, almost literally a stone’s throw from the Russell house, is a modern airport with a runway capable of handling large military jet aircraft.

The airport was built in the 1940s as a small, simple emergency landing field. But after World War II, Dick Russell stepped in. He arranged for federal grants to upgrade the facility, including the construction of a runway 5,500 feet long.

With a runway that size, Russell was able to travel easily between his home and Washington, D.C., using virtually any kind of civilian or military aircraft available.

The improvements also allowed visitors to fly in, so Russell was able to receive guests and conduct meetings at his home.

Someone, somewhere, probably has a record of all the distinguished guests, foreign and domestic, who arrived at Dick Russell’s house over the years to discuss matters of diplomacy, politics, and business. I’d love to see it.

Mind you, I’m not judging Russell in this matter one way or the other. The improved airport surely made his life and duties easier.

Nor did the improvements to the airport benefit him alone. Today, Barrow County Airport is a modern, efficient facility that serves a growing industrial base in the corridor between Athens and Atlanta. As the two cities sprawl relentlessly toward each other, the airport becomes more and more important.

But the story of Senator Russell’s airport proves that the old adage is true: one man’s pork is another man’s vital local project.

Russell and FDR in 1932.

Russell getting an earful from LBJ in 1964.

Approaching Barrow County Airport.