The papers of conservative Republican George W. Blanchard include personal and constituent correspondence, campaign files, speeches, and microfilmed biographical clippings. Except for some of the clippings dating from 1934, the collection relates entirely to Blanchard's four terms in the Wisconsin Legislature, 1924-1932. Unfortunately this documentation consists primarily of constituent correspondence, and it does not illuminate the struggles between the Stalwart and Progressive Republicans of this era in which Blanchard was a central figure.
The constituent correspondence is arranged into several categories. Legislative files focus on particular pieces of legislation, while the subject files are arranged alphabetically and may contain correspondence on a number of different bills. Also included with the legislative files are a few annotated bills and drafts of amendments to bills. Of the subject-filed correspondence, those pertaining to forestry are the most valuable in the collection. These contain minutes and other papers pertaining to the work, 1928-1929, of the Interim Committee on Forestry and Public Lands not available elsewhere in the Archives. Unfortunately no papers touch on the passage of the Forest Crop Law.
Documentation in the political files primarily dates from Blanchard's unsuccessful campaign against Thomas Amlie in 1931. In addition to correspondence for this campaign, there are good files of press releases and speeches. In the convention files are correspondence from Republican Party leaders such as William J. Campbell concerning the 1925 and 1926 party conventions and the background for formation of the Voluntary Committee.
