The John M. Baker Papers, 1889-1927, mainly concern his conviction for sedition and related topics. Included are clippings, statements, and transcripts concerning his trial; similar materials from his libel suit against the Monroe Evening Times; and clippings, speeches, and letters on the referendum and his anti-war stand in general. In the folder “United States vs. John M. Becker-General ” is a paper written by Lillian Hanson in 1964 concerning Becker's case.
Other portions of the papers pertain to his campaigns for public office, 1898-1923, and to the 1925 case State of Wisconsin vs. Langlade County Creamery Company. This was a case in which Becker was defense attorney for the Creamery which was being prosecuted for not conforming to Wisconsin's cheesemaking laws. The case was highly publicized and when Becker succeeded in having the law declared unconstitutional, the making of quality Swiss cheese in Wisconsin was made legally possible.
