Summary Information
John M. Becker Papers
1889-1927
- Becker, John M., 1865-1926
Mss 109
0.8 c.f. (2 archives boxes)
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of John M. Becker, a Green County, Wisconsin judge and ardent pacifist, convicted of sedition and removed from office in 1918 for promoting a ballot referendum on the question of U.S. entry into World War I. The papers include newspaper clippings, speeches and transcripts related to his 1918 trial and anti-war stance, as well as documents concerning his libel suit against the local newspaper, The Monroe Evening Times, and documents pertaining to a suit brought by his client, the Langlade County Creamery Company, against the State of Wisconsin, opening up the manufacture of Swiss cheese in Wisconsin. The papers also include materials from his election campaigns, 1898-1923.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss00109 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
John Michel Becker was born at Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, June 29, 1865. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1890 and immediately set up his practice in Monroe, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1897, he was elected County Judge of Green County and was subsequently re-elected five times.
As ardent pacifist, in 1917, Becker persuaded the Monroe City council to allow a referendum question on United States entry into World War I. The vote was taken only three days before the U.S. did enter the war and was the only official referendum held in the United States. The question read, “Under existing conditions, do you favor a declaration of war by Congress?” The result was 954 “noes”to 95 “yeas”.
Through Becker published a letter of support for the war effort once the U.S. was in the war, he continued activities which made him a figure of controversy. In 1918, he ran for Governor of Wisconsin and included in his platform (1) a statement of complete support of the anti-war actions of Robert La Follette, then under investigation for these actions; and (2) a proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to require a referendum of the people before entering any war. He lost the election but these two platform planks plus later speeches and comments formed the basis of an indictment against him for sedition in May, 1918. He was convicted in August and removed from office September 9, 1918. He immediately appealed and the decision was reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals in October, 1920. This was too late, however, to save his office, his savings, or the good regard of many people.
Twice more, Becker ran for public office: for Green County District Attorney in 1922 and again for County Judge in 1923. He lost both contests. He served briefly, from January to April, 1923, as County Judge in an interim appointment by Governor Blaine. Otherwise, he spent his time in private law practice until his death in October, 1926.
Scope and Content Note
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.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Emma Becker, Monroe, Wisconsin. Accession Number: M65-51
Processed by Karen Baumann and KL, June 22, 1970.
Contents List
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Anti-War Stand, 1917-1922
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Compaigns and appointments, 1898-1923
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Box
1
Folder
3
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John M. Becker vs. The Evening Times Company of Monroe, Wisconsin, a corporation, Emery A. Odell and Robert E. Knoff, 1921
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Box
1
Folder
4
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State of Wisconsin vs. Langlade County Creamery Company, 1925-1927
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United States vs. John M. Becker
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Box
1
Folder
5
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General, 1918-1925
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Box
2
Folder
1
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Vol. 1, Aug., 1918
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Box
2
Folder
2
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Vol. 2, Aug., 1918
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Box
2
Folder
3
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Vol. 3, Aug., 1918
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Box
2
Folder
4
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Vol. 4, Aug., 1918
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Box
2
Folder
5
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Miscellaneous, 1889-1926
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