Farrell Dobbs Papers, 1928-1983

Contents List

Container Title
Eau Claire Mss BB
Part 1 (Eau Claire Mss BB): Original Collection, 1960-1974
Physical Description: 4.0 c.f. (4 record center cartons) and 1 reel of microfilm (35 mm) 
Scope and Content Note

The papers consist of correspondence, memoranda, policy papers and drafts, minutes, clippings, and other informational material documenting Peterson's political activities from the late 1960s through the early 1970s. Except for occasional references, there is no material on his business career. The collection, which is arranged as an alphabetical subject file, contains extensive documentation on Peterson's activities as chairman of the Wisconsin McCarthy for President Campaign, his work for reform within the national party organization, and his unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.

The Wisconsin McCarthy for President file, loaned for microfilming by Peterson in 1969, includes campaign and administrative materials such as position papers, campaign literature, and delegate correspondence. There are also two large files of letters from the general public received by Peterson after the events of the national convention in Chicago. This microfilm complements the Wisconsin McCarthy for President collection donated to the Archives by co-chair Michael Bleicher.

Peterson's work for organizational reform is documented in the files on the New Democratic Coalition, which are comprised primarily of correspondence and memoranda, as well as in the files on each of the reform commissions on which he worked. While primarily containing correspondence and memoranda, the files from the Commission on Rules also include records of hearings, as well as drafts and material on proposed rules. Similarly, the Charter Commission files contain correspondence, memoranda, papers from national meetings and state conferences, and charter drafts.

Also in the collection are files relating to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, ranging from Peterson's tenure as l0th District chairman and national committeeman for Wisconsin, to his 1970 gubernatorial campaign. Material on the latter is extensive and includes speeches, position papers and background information; press releases; and a large file of newspaper clippings. Of special interest is a small-file of correspondence with George McGovern, which provides interesting sidelights on Peterson's early break with the senator, and material on his leadership of the Midwestern campaign for Edmund Muskie in 1972.

Photographs received with the collection have been filed in the name files of the Visual Materials Archive.

Box   1
Folder   1
Biographical material, undated
Americans for Democratic Action
Box   1
Folder   2
Correspondence and memoranda, 1968-1972
Wisconsin
Box   1
Folder   3
1965-1968
Box   1
Folder   4
1966 convention
Box   1
Folder   5
Center for Political Reform, 1972
Charter (Sanford) Commission
Box   1
Folder   6-7
Correspondence, charter drafts, 1973-1974
Box   1
Folder   8-10
Meetings, 1973
Box   1
Folder   11-12
State conferences, 1973-1974
Box   1
Folder   13-15
Wisconsin Charter Commission, 1973-1974
Box   1
Folder   16
Charter draft conference, 1974 March
Box   1
Folder   17-20
Clippings, biographical, 1967-1972
Box   1
Folder   21
Coalition for an Open Convention, 1968
Box   1
Folder   22
Commission on Party Structure and Delegate Selection (McGovern-Fraser Commission), 1969-1973
Commission on Rules of the Democratic National Committee (O'Hara Commission)
Box   1
Folder   23-27
Correspondence, 1969-1972
Box   1
Folder   28-32
Hearings material, 1969-1970
Box   1
Folder   33
Issues paper draft, 1969
Box   1
Folder   34
Joint meeting of O'Hara and Fraser commission, 1971 November
Box   1
Folder   35
Notes, undated
Proposed rules
Box   2
Folder   1
Apportionment, 1969-1971
Box   2
Folder   2
Convention procedures, 1971
Box   2
Folder   3
Democratic National Committee, 1971
Box   2
Folder   4
Logistics, 1970
Box   2
Folder   5-6
Standing committees, 1970-1971
Box   2
Folder   7
Concerned Wisconsin Democrats, 1967-1968
Conference on Democratic Party Organization and Policy (Democratic Midterm Conference), 1974
Arrangements Committee
Box   2
Folder   8
Correspondence
Box   2
Folder   9-10
Meetings
Box   2
Folder   11
Subcommittee on Media
Box   2
Folder   12-13
Charter draft and amendments
Box   2
Folder   14
Coalition for a Democratic Majority
Box   2
Folder   15
Democratic Planning Group
Box   2
Folder   16
Miscellany
Box   2
Folder   17
Notes
Box   2
Folder   18-31
Correspondence, general, 1963-1972
Box   2
Folder   32
Cudahy, Richard D., 1968
Box   2
Folder   33
Cunningham, George, 1963
Box   2
Folder   34
Democratic National Committee
Box   3
Folder   1-6
Correspondence and memoranda, 1969-1972
Box   3
Folder   7
Executive Committee meeting, 1971 October
Box   3
Folder   8-9
Democratic National Committeeman campaign, 1971-1972
Democratic National Convention
Box   3
Folder   10-11
Correspondence and memoranda, 1968, 1972
Credential challenges, 1972
Box   3
Folder   12
Chicago
Box   3
Folder   13
Wisconsin
Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Box   3
Folder   14-16
Correspondence and memoranda, 1967-1972
Box   3
Folder   17
State convention, 1970-1972
Box   3
Folder   18
Third Congressional District, 1972
Tenth Congressional District
Box   3
Folder   19-20
Conventions, 1968-1969
Box   3
Folder   21
Executive Committee, 1967-1969
Box   3
Folder   22-26
County organizations, 1967-1968
Box   3
Folder   27
Durand, John, 1968
Box   3
Folder   28
Fort Howard Paper Company (pollution suit), 1970-1971
Box   3
Folder   29
Fries, David, 1968
Gubernatorial campaign, 1969-1970
Box   3
Folder   30
Brochures and flyers
Clippings
Box   3
Folder   31
Eighteen-year-old voting
Box   3
Folder   32
Government reorganization
Box   3
Folder   33
Labor
Box   3
Folder   34
Letters to the editor
Box   3
Folder   35
Local committees
Box   3
Folder   36
Lucey, Patrick
Box   3
Folder   37
Maier, Henry
Box   3
Folder   38
McCarthy endorsement
Box   3
Folder   39
Migrant workers
Box   3
Folder   40
Miniskirts
Box   3
Folder   41
Motorcade
Box   3
Folder   42
Oster Company
Box   3
Folder   43
Peterson, Bobbi
Box   3
Folder   44
Peterson-Lucey debate, 1970 July
Box   3
Folder   45
Racine
Box   3
Folder   46
Rockfests
Box   3
Folder   47
State Fair
Box   3
Folder   48
Students and youth
Box   3
Folder   49
Sykes, Jay
Box   3
Folder   50
Taxes
Box   3
Folder   51
Tourism
Box   3
Folder   52
TV appearance with Lucey, 1970 September
Box   3
Folder   53
TV spending reforms
Box   3
Folder   54
Vietnam
Box   3
Folder   55
Welfare
Box   3
Folder   56
Wisconsin Education Association
Box   3
Folder   47
Zablocki, Clement
Box   3
Folder   58-60
Chronological file, 1969-1970
Box   3
Folder   61
Papers regarding beginning of campaign
Box   3
Folder   62
Press releases
Box   3
Folder   63
Schedules
Speeches
Background material and position papers
Box   3
Folder   64
Abortion
Box   3
Folder   65
Automobile insurance
Box   3
Folder   66
Campus unrest
Box   3
Folder   67
Crime and police
Box   3
Folder   68
Drugs
Box   3
Folder   69
Education
Box   3
Folder   70
Speech for Wisconsin Education Association
Box   3
Folder   71
Government reorganization
Box   3
Folder   72
Migrant labor and minority rights
Box   3
Folder   73
Nuclear energy and pollution
Box   3
Folder   74
Prison reform
Box   3
Folder   75
Taxes
Box   3
Folder   76
Tourism
Box   4
Folder   1
Transportation and urban affairs
Box   4
Folder   2
Vietnam
Box   4
Folder   3
Welfare (Speech for Wisconsin Public Workers Association), 1970 June
Box   4
Folder   4
Welfare, health, and Social Security
Box   4
Folder   5
Miscellany
Box   4
Folder   6
Drafts and reading copies
Box   4
Folder   7
Critiques
Box   4
Folder   8
Notes and outlines
Box   4
Folder   9
Thank you letters to supporters
Box   4
Folder   10
Guggenheim, Charles, 1963-1965
Box   4
Folder   11
Hanson, J. Louis, 1967-1968
Box   4
Folder   12
Hughes, Harold, 1970-1973
Box   4
Folder   13
Humphrey, Hubert H., 1964-1972
Box   4
Folder   14
Independent Voters of Illinois, 1968
Box   4
Folder   15
Kastenmeier, Robert, 1968
Box   4
Folder   16
Kaufman, Arnold S., circa 1968
Box   4
Folder   17
Kelly, Paul, 1966
Box   4
Folder   18
Kennedy, Robert F., 1968
Box   4
Folder   19
La Follette, Bronson, 1967-1968
Box   4
Folder   20
Lowenstein, Al, 1967-1969
Box   4
Folder   21
Maier, Henry, 1973
Box   4
Folder   22
Maiers, Harold, 1968
Box   4
Folder   23
McCarthy, Eugene J., 1969-1972
Eau Claire Micro 23/Micro 433
McCarthy for President, 1967-1968 (filmed without counter)
Reel   1
Committee correspondence
Reel   1
Delegates and related correspondence
Reel   1
Finances
Reel   1
Media budget
Reel   1
Literature and campaign material
Reel   1
Local Wisconsin headquarters
Reel   1
National staff
Reel   1
Position papers, The Record, et cetera
Post-convention correspondence
Reel   1
Pro
Reel   1
Con
Reel   1
Primary results
Reel   1
Releases
Reel   1
State organizations
Reel   1
Women's vote
Reel   1
Miscellany
Eau Claire Mss BB
Box   4
Folder   24
Miscellaneous correspondence
Box   4
Folder   25
McGovern, George, 1960-1972
Box   4
Folder   26
Michigan Conference of Concerned Democrats, 1968
Box   4
Folder   27
Mitchell, Steven, 1968-1972
Box   4
Folder   28
Muskie, Edmund, 1971-1972
Box   4
Folder   29
Nelson, Gaylord, 1964-1968
New Democratic Coalition
Box   4
Folder   30-38
Correspondence and memoranda, 1968-1973
Box   4
Folder   39
Hiring subcommittee, 1969
Box   4
Folder   40
Independent Democratic Coalition, Illinois affiliate, 1969
Box   4
Folder   41
National conference, 1970
Box   4
Folder   42
Nikolay, Jack, 1969
Box   4
Folder   43
O'Brien, Joyce, circa 1970
Box   4
Folder   44
O'Konski, Alvin, 1967-1968
Box   4
Folder   45
Proxmire, William, 1964
Box   4
Folder   46
Reuss, Henry, 1968
Box   4
Folder   47
Schlesinger conference on national political conventions, 1969
Box   4
Folder   48-49
Slate vs. McFetridge, 1968-1971
Box   4
Folder   50
South Dakota--McCarthy for President, 1968
Box   4
Folder   51
Speeches, 1968-1970, undated
Box   4
Folder   52
Vietnam miscellany, 1967-1968
Box   4
Folder   53-54
Voter registration, 1971-1972
Box   4
Folder   55
Warshafsky, Ted, 1968-1972
Box   4
Folder   56
Wisconsin presidential primary law, 1969
Box   4
Folder   57
Wisconsin presidential selection committee, 1971-1972
Box   4
Folder   58
WTMJ
M90-285
Part 2 (M90-285): Additions, 1947-1980
Physical Description: 10.0 c.f. (10 record center cartons) 
Scope and Content Note: Additions, 1947-1980, related to Peterson's political activities at the state and national levels. Materials include correspondence and clippings from his 1970 gubernatorial campaign, correspondence and other material on Democratic National Conventions, 1968-1976, and records on the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, 1971-1978. Also included are photographs from the Democratic National Convention (1968) and of Peterson and his family.
Box   1
Folder   1-5
Gubernatorial campaign, 1970
Box   1
Folder   6
Information on cities and Southeastern Wisconsin regional planning
Press releases
Box   1
Folder   7
General, 1970
Box   1
Folder   8
Financing education position paper, 1970 May 15
Box   1
Folder   9
Awaiting ruling on Fort Howard, 1970 June 18
Box   1
Folder   10
Fort Howard denied request to cancel hearing, 1970 June 19
Box   1
Folder   11
Eighteen-year-old vote, 1970 June 21
Box   1
Folder   12-13
Nuclear power plants, 1970 July 3
Box   1
Folder   14-15
Auto insurance, 1970 July 5-6
Box   1
Folder   16
Zablocki, 1970 July 7
Box   1
Folder   17
Maple Bluff, 1970 July 9
Box   1
Folder   18
Campus discipline, 1970 July 10
Box   1
Folder   19
Monitoring waterways, 1970 July 10
Box   1
Folder   20
Response to Board of Regents, 1970 July 12
Box   1
Folder   21
Creation of Department of Consumer Protection, 1970 July 13, 1970
Box   1
Folder   22
Investigation of wood pulp imports, 1970 July 13
Box   1
Folder   23
Response to Fort Howard, material for press conference, 1970 July 15
Box   1
Folder   24
Racine rehabilitation project, 1970 July 16
Box   1
Folder   25
Frinzi release, 1970 July 17
Box   1
Folder   26
Discriminatory employment practices, 1970 July 18
Box   1
Folder   27
Employment of minority groups
Box   1
Folder   28
Handouts
Box   1
Folder   29-30
Incomplete press kits
Box   1
Folder   31
Campaign manual
Newspaper clippings, 1970
Box   1
Folder   32
Democratic National Convention, 1970
Box   1
Folder   33
Democratic Party
Box   1
Folder   34
Crime, law and order, police
Box   1
Folder   35
Courts
Box   1
Folder   36
Crime victims (aid)
Box   1
Folder   37
County reorganization
Box   1
Folder   38
Consumers
Box   1
Folder   39
Civil servants
Box   1
Folder   40
Civil rights and liberties
Box   1
Folder   41
Bombing
Box   1
Folder   42
Auto insurance
Box   1
Folder   43
Announcements of talks (campaigning)
Box   1
Folder   44
American Party
Box   1
Folder   45
Abortion
Box   1
Folder   46
Air pollution
Box   1
Folder   47
Photocopies of newspaper clippings
Box   3
Folder   7
Campaigning
Box   3
Folder   8
Elderly
Box   3
Folder   9
Education
Box   3
Folder   10
Drugs
Box   3
Folder   11
Fort Howard
Box   3
Folder   12
Farm
Box   3
Folder   13
Green Bay campaigning
Box   3
Folder   14
Gronouski
Box   3
Folder   15
Israel
Box   3
Folder   16
Insurance, health plans
Box   3
Folder   17
Inflation
Box   3
Folder   18
Environment
Box   3
Folder   19
Draft
Box   3
Folder   20
Housing
Box   3
Folder   21
Governor Knowles
Box   3
Folder   22
Endorsements
Box   3
Folder   23
Election analyses
Box   5
Folder   4
Jack Olson
Box   5
Folder   5
Campus unrest
Box   5
Folder   6
Miscellaneous
Box   5
Folder   7
Property tax
Box   5
Folder   8
Police and crime
Box   5
Folder   9
Immigration and migrants
Box   5
Folder   10
Housing
Box   5
Folder   11
University of Wisconsin bombing
Box   5
Folder   12
Ecology and pollution
Box   5
Folder   13
Nixon and Vietnam
Box   5
Folder   14
Peterson for Governor
Box   5
Folder   15
Lucey primary
Box   2
Folder   3-7
General (campaign), 1970
Box   2
Folder   8-9
Newspaper clippings, 1970
Box   2
Folder   10
Maps
Box   2
Folder   11
Vote analysis, Lucey-Carley, 1966, and McCarthy primary, , 1968
Correspondence, 1968-1970, undated
Box   2
Folder   12
Dave Obey
Box   2
Folder   13
Post-primary requests
Box   2
Folder   14
Media and organization requests for appearances and questionnaires
Box   2
Folder   15
Letters of support (to be sent)
Box   2
Folder   16
Nuclear reactors and Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Box   2
Folder   17
O'Hara Commission
Box   2
Folder   18
Attorney General Warren
Box   2
Folder   19
Speaking engagements
Box   2
Folder   20
Governor Knowles
Box   2
Folder   21
DNR
Box   2
Folder   22
George McGovern
Box   2
Folder   23
Answered correspondence, informational
Box   2
Folder   24
Out mail
Box   2
Folder   25
Thank-you letters
Box   2
Folder   26
Letters of support and inquiry
Box   2
Folder   27
Personal issue correspondence
Box   2
Folder   28
Office correspondence
Box   2
Folder   29
TV stations/news release tapes
Box   2
Folder   30
Letter to TV stations, regarding prime time for candidates
Box   2
Folder   31
Response to letters requesting prime time for candidates
Box   2
Folder   32
Sanchez, migrant worker, Kenosha
Box   2
Folder   33-34
Donald Peterson
Box   3
Folder   1
Donald Peterson, biographies
Box   3
Folder   2
Press releases
Box   3
Folder   3
Brochures, announcements, invitations
Box   3
Folder   4
Speeches
Box   3
Folder   5
Rally materials
Box   3
Folder   6
Weekly schedules
Box   3
Folder   24-26
General (campaign), 1970
Box   5
Folder   3
General (campaign), 1970 (continued)
Box   5
Folder   16
Personal expenses
Box   1
Folder   48
Newspaper clippings, 1968-1969, undated
Box   1
Folder   49
Appointment of Peterson as Affirmative Action Officer by Carter, 1976
Box   1
Folder   50
James G. O'Hara, 1971
Box   1
Folder   51
Voter registration, 1971
Box   1
Folder   52-53
Edmund Muskie, 1971-1972, undated
Box   1
Folder   54
Speech materials, 1971-1972, undated
Box   1
Folder   55
Legislature reapportionment, 1965
Box   1
Folder   56
Jimmy Carter position papers, 1976, undated
Box   1
Folder   57
Federal Election Commission, 1976
Box   1
Folder   58
Caucus, 1976 May 29
Box   1
Folder   59
Carter delegates' profiles, 1976
Box   1
Folder   60
Democratic National Committee/New Democratic Coalition, 1971-1972, undated
Box   2
Folder   1
Campaign finance reform, 1973-1974
Box   2
Folder   2
Correspondence, 1977
Box   3
Folder   27
McCarthy, 1968
Box   3
Folder   28
McCarthy campaign manual
Box   4
Folder   1
Donald Peterson, personal, 1962-1967, undated
Box   4
Folder   2
Democratic Farm Labor Party (DFL) correspondence, 1954-1957, undated
Democratic National Convention, 1968
Box   4
Folder   3
Delegates
Box   4
Folder   4
Convention procedures
Box   4
Folder   5
Wisconsin delegation
Box   4
Folder   6
Delegate's Guide to an Open Convention
Box   4
Folder   7
Coalition for an Open Convention
Box   4
Folder   8
Americans for Democratic Action
Box   4
Folder   9
New Democratic Coalition correspondence, 1968
Post-convention correspondence, 1968
Box   4
Folder   10-11
Con-Peterson
Box   4
Folder   12-22
Pro-Peterson
Box   4
Folder   23
Democratic National Committee handbooks
Box   6
Folder   1-6
Democratic National Convention, 1968
Box   6
Folder   7
Official program
Box   5
Folder   1
McCarthy, press releases, 1968
Box   5
Folder   2
Wisconsin election law, 1967
Box   5
Folder   17-20
John Anderson presidential campaign, 1980
Box   5
Folder   21-24
Political materials, 1957-1971, undated
Box   5
Folder   25
McCarthy presidential campaign materials, 1967-1968
Box   5
Folder   26
McGovern campaign manual, 1962
Box   5
Folder   27
Survey of political attitudes, South Dakota, 1962 July
Box   6
Folder   8
Walt Thoresen, 1972
Box   6
Folder   9
HUAC [House Un-American Activities Committee] - Stronghold of Conservatism?, Gregory Peterson, undated
Box   6
Folder   10
Household expenses
Box   6
Folder   11
Election materials, 1952-1975, undated
Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Box   6
Folder   12
Assembly Election Committee hearing, Eau Claire, 1975 December 1
Box   6
Folder   13
Delegate selection, Wisconsin primary, 1974-1975
Box   6
Folder   14
Party designation committee, 1974-1975
Box   6
Folder   15
Presidential selection commission, 1976
Box   6
Folder   16
New Democratic Coalition, 1972-1975
Box   6
Folder   17
Louisville issues conference, 1975 November 21-23
Box   6
Folder   18
Doug LaFollette, 1974-1975
Box   6
Folder   19
Third district, 1975-1976
Box   6
Folder   20
Wisconsin election contests, 1974
Box   6
Folder   21
Party officers, state legislators, 1974
Box   6
Folder   22-23
State conventions, 1972-1974
Box   7
Folder   1-3
State conventions, 1975-1976
Box   7
Folder   4-16
Administrative Committee meetings, 1974-1976
Box   7
Folder   17-20
Delegate selection, National Convention, 1976
Box   8
Folder   17
1972-1974, undated
Box   9
Folder   1
1972-1974, undated (continued)
Box   9
Folder   2-3
Executive Committee meetings, 1976 May-June
Box   9
Folder   4
State constitution and party officers, 1976
Box   9
Folder   5
Administrative Committee meetings, 1973
Box   9
Folder   6
Recount committee, 1973-1974
Box   9
Folder   7
Subcommittee on Party Structure, 1971-1975, undated
Box   9
Folder   8
Party designation, 1974-1976, undated
Box   7
Folder   21
Democratic Planning Group, 1973-1975
Democratic National Committee
Box   7
Folder   22-27
1972-1977, undated
Box   7
Folder   28-29
Charter Commission, 1973-1975, undated
Box   7
Folder   30
Democratic National Convention, 1976
Box   7
Folder   31
Current members, 1975-1976, undated
Box   7
Folder   32
Voting systems, 1971-1975, undated
Box   8
Folder   1
Voting records, 1947-1974
Box   8
Folder   2-3
Executive Committee, 1977 August 12
Box   8
Folder   4
Commission on Delegate Selection and Party Structure, 1972-1973, undated
Commission on Presidential Nomination and Party Structure (Winograd Commission)
Box   8
Folder   5-13
1975-1978
Box   8
Folder   14
Presidential primary questionnaire, 1976, undated
Box   8
Folder   15
Presidential primary study, 1977, undated
Box   8
Folder   16
Preliminary draft report, 1977 September 10
Box   8
Folder   9
McCarthy, 1973-1976
Box   8
Folder   10
Jimmy Carter presidential campaign, 1976
Box   8
Folder   11-12
Political materials, 1973-1978
Box   8
Folder   13-16
Political and personal materials, 1971-1975, undated
Box   10
Folder   1-3
Political and personal materials, 1971-1975, undated (continued)
Box   10
Folder   4-6
Political materials, 1968-1976, undated
Box   10
Folder   7
Campaign finance, 1974
Box   10
Folder   8
Boiler Room Party files, undated
Box   10
Folder   9
McCarthy volunteer lists
Box   10
Folder   10
Contributor lists, undated
Box   10
Folder   11
Speech materials, 1968-1969, undated
Box   10
Folder   12
George Wallace, 1975
Box   10
Folder   13
Vietnam and amnesty, 1974
Box   10
Folder   14-16
Morris Udall, 1974-1976, undated
Photographs
Box   10
Folder   17
Peterson and family, undated
Box   10
Folder   18
Peterson, campaign portraits, undated
Box   10
Folder   19
Democratic National Convention, 1968
M2006-119
Part 3 (M2006-119): Additions, 1968-1970
Physical Description: 2 posters (1 oversize folder) 
Scope and Content Note: Additions, 1968-1970, consisting of 2 campaign posters; Eugene McCarthy for President (1968) and Donald Peterson for Wisconsin Governor (1970).