Democrats-For-Willkie papers
Creator: Democrats-for-Willkie
Call Number: BE.D38
Dates: July-November 1940
Physical Description: 42 boxes, 9 Volumes, 9 package
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Table of Contents:

Biographical/Historical Note
Scope and Content
Subject(s)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Access
Use
Citation
Content List
Series I: Subject file
Box 1
Box 2
Box 3
Box 4
Box 5
Box 6: INDIVIDUALS
Box 7: PRESS RELEASES, DRAFTS OF RELEASES
Box 8: NEWS CLIPPINGS
Box 9: NEWS CLIPPINGS
Box 10: NEWS CLIPPINGS
Box 11: NO THIRD TERM DAY
Box 12: NO THIRD TERM DAY
Box 13: POST-ELECTION CORRESPONDENCE
Box 14: REQUESTS FOR CAMPAIGN MATERIAL
Box 17:
MRS. WARWICK'S FILE
MR. FERGUSON'S FILE
MR. WILLIAM T. PHEIFFER'S FILE
Series II: Geographic file
Box 17
Box 18
Box 19
Box 20
Box 21
Box 22
Box 23
Box 24
Box 25
Box 26
Box 27
Box 28
Box 29
Box 30
Box 31
Box 32
Box 33
Box 34
Box 35
Box 36
Series III: Alphabetical file
Box 37: A-D
Box 38: E-J
Box 39: K-O
Box 40: P-Z
Series IV: Treasurer's Office file
Topical File:
Box 41:
Box 42:
Ledgers:
Box 42:
Series V: Packages and memorabilia
Collection Overview
Title: Democrats-For-Willkie papers
Creator: Democrats-for-Willkie
Call Number: BE.D38
Dates: July-November 1940
Physical Description: 42 boxes, 9 Volumes, 9 package
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Biographical/Historical Note
These papers come from the files of the Democrats-For-Willkie, a splinter group of the Democratic Party which was organized to back Wendell L. Willkie in his campaign for the presidency in 1940. The group was opposed to the re-election of Franklin D. Roosevelt for a third term, believing that a third term went against American tradition, and feeling that a third and fourth term could eventually lead to dictatorship.

In July of 1940 Lewis W. Douglas, John W. Hanes, Mrs. Roberta Campbell Lawson and Alan Valentine organized the National Committee of Democrats-For-Willkie. Alan Valentine was chosen the Executive Director and their headquarters were located in the Chanin Building in New York City. The Democrats-For-Willkie functioned at the state level through the appointment of State Advisory Chairmen as well as through direct communication with local Democratic organizations which sympathized with Willike. The National Committee was dissolved after Willkie's defeat on November 5, 1940.

Scope and Content
Index:

Subject File: The Subject File consists of sixteen boxes of correspondence and miscellaneous material which have been arranged topically. The first five boxes contain individual topic s arranged from A to Z and the remaining eleven boxes contain larger units, such as Press Releases and News Clippings, which have also been arranged alphabetically.

Geographic File: The Geographic File consists of twenty boxes of correspondence arranged by state. Within this geographic classification the material is divided into several categories listed below. The number of categories and the amount of material in each category varies greatly between the different states. In this inventory the individual s for each state are not listed; however, easy reference can be made to the boxes to determine how each state fits into the general pattern.

Alphabetical File: The Alphabetical File consists of four boxes. It is primarily a file of carbon copies of letters sent out from various members of the Democrats-for-Willkie. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by the name of the addressee.

Treasurer's Office File: The Treasurer's Office File consists of two boxes of financial reports, correspondence and memoranda which have been arranged topically. There are also eight ledgers concerning the financial functions of the organization of Democrats-for-Willkie. The official financial reports have been wrapped in a separate package.

Packages and Memorabilia

Subject(s):
Presidents--Election
Political campaigns
Correspondence
Press releases
Account books
Valentine, Alan Chester, 1901-
Democrats-for-Willkie
Politicians
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were placed on deposit in the University Library through the efforts of President Alan Valentine. Their use was restricted for ten years (until January 1, 1951) to members of the Committee, or persons authorized by them; thereafter they became available to the public. As their return was not demanded by the Committee before January 1, 1961, they became the outright property of the University Library on that date.Access
The Democrats-For-Willkie papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.Use
Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.eduCitation
[Item title, item date], Democrats-For-Willkie papers, BE.D38, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Administrative Information
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Publisher: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Address:
Rush Rhees Library
Second Floor, Room 225
Rochester, NY 14627-0055
rarebks@library.rochester.edu
URL:


Content List