Title: Glenn R. Davis Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1946-1974

Creator:

• Davis, Glenn R. (Glenn Robert), 1914-1988

Call Number: Mss 351; Micro 855

Quantity: 3 boxes and 9 reels of microfilm (35mm)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Congressional papers of Glenn R. Davis, Wisconsin representative from the Second District, 1947-1956, and from the Ninth District, 1965-1974. Copies of legislative bills and constituent correspondence, 1965-1974, reflect Davis' work on the House of Representatives committees on Appropriations, Public Works, Defense, and Military Construction, as well as on the Joint Committee on Budget Control. There is extensive correspondence between Davis and his constituents concerning the Watergate affair, 1973-1974. The Public Relations File contains media News Releases, 1967-1974, and Newsletters to constituents, 1950-1951, 1965-1974, issued by Davis' office. Political correspondence consists of copies of letters of such notable figures as Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and fellow congressmen, mainly on congressional matters. There is a biographical sketch assembled by Davis' staff, and a microfilm copy of scrapbooks, 1946-1974, which document Davis' career. The collection lacks administrative and campaign records.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss00351

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Glenn R. Davis, Republican congressman from Wisconsin, was born on a farm in Vernon Township, Waukesha County, the son of Charles W. and Jennie Wachendorf Davis. He received his B.A. in education at Platteville State Teachers College in 1934, and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1940. Davis married Waukesha dentist Kathryn McFarlane in 1942; they have five children.

In 1940 Davis was elected State assemblyman from the First District of Waukesha County, but he relinquished his seat two years later when he entered naval service. In an April 1947 special election, Davis was elected to the U.S. Congress from Wisconsin's Second District and remained in the House of Representatives until his unsuccessful bid for the Senate in 1956. During this period Davis was a member of the Appropriations and Veterans Affairs committees. From 1957 to 1965 Davis was a partner in the Waukesha law firm of Love, Davis, and McGraw, and took an active role in community affairs. In 1957 he again ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in a special election.

In 1965 Davis returned to Congress as representative from the newly-created Ninth District and was assigned to committees on Appropriations, Public Works, Defense, and Military Construction. He served on the Joint Committee on Budget Control, and cosponsored the Budget Control Act of 1974. A loyal Republican, Davis supported Richard Nixon throughout the Watergate affair. Davis resigned from Congress in 1974 following his defeat in the Republican primary.

The Glenn R. Davis Papers were assembled while he was congressman from the Ninth District of Wisconsin, 1965-1974. The period 1947-1956 when Davis served in the House of Representatives from Wisconsin's Second District, is documented in the collection by a microfilm copy of press clippings and by several newsletters. The collection is arranged in six sections: a Legislative Bill File, Watergate File, Public Relations File, Political Correspondence, a Biographical Sketch, and Press Clippings. The files contain mainly constituent correspondence; there are no administrative records or campaign material.

The LEGISLATIVE BILL FILE consists mainly of copies of bills Davis introduced or cosponsored, accompanied by correspondence with other congressmen and constituents relating to the bills. The largest amount of mail in this sequent of the papers concerns the Budget Control act of 1974 (Box 1, Folder 42).

Occasionally Davis has made notes about the bills. One folder contains bills and correspondence relating to bills, on which Davis spoke but which he did not sponsor. This series is arranged chronologically by session.

The WATERGATE FILE consists of correspondence between Davis and his constituents beginning with the hearings of the Senate Select Committee on Watergate in the summer of 1973 and continuing to Richard Nixon's resignation in August 1974. Although Davis did not participate directly in hearings, as a staunch supporter of Nixon he received considerable mail on the issue, even from citizens outside his district and state. The mail appears to have strongly supported Nixon until the “Saturday Night Massacre” (the firing of Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox) in October 1973; the mail then turned overwhelmingly against the President.

The PUBLIC RELATIONS FILE contains Newsletters to constituents between 1950-1951 and 1965-1974, and News Releases for radio, television and newspapers between 1967-1974.

The POLITICAL CORRESPONDENCE folder contains copies of letters between Davis and notable figures including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and fellow congressmen. Some letters are personal, but most discuss congressional legislation.

The Biographical Sketch is a single sheet containing information on Davis' life, assembled by his staff.

The PRESS CLIPPINGS, 1946-1974, come from Wisconsin and national newspapers and detail Davis' involvement in politics, particularly his political campaign and his service in congress. There are fewer clippings for the years 1958-1963, when Davis was out of the political scene. During that period they document his community activities. The clippings are arranged in roughly chronological order. After microfilming the clippings were returned to the donor.

The papers are arranged chronologically in each of the categories.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Glenn R. Davis, Waukesha, Wisconsin, 1972, 1975, 1980. Accession Number: M72-411, M75-17, M80-189

Processing Information

Processed by Donna E. Webber (FGH intern) and Joanne Hohler, October 1977. Microfilm additions processed by Claire Collier and Max Evans, July 1981.

Mss 351	Series: Legislative Bill File
	Subseries: 89th Congress - 1st Session, 1965
Box   1 Folder   1	H.J.R. 43 - Amendment, Election of President and Vice-President January 4, 1965.
Box   1 Folder   2	H. Con. Res. 112 - Establishing a Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress. January 18, 1965.
Box   1 Folder   3	H.R. 6876 - Recognize Paralyzed Veterans of America Inc. March 29, 1965.
Box   1 Folder   4	H.R. 11137 - Federal Savings and Loan Restrictions. September 17, 1965.
Box   1 Folder   5	H.J. Res. 716 - United States World Food Study and Coordinating Commission. October 14, 1965.
	Subseries: 90th Congress - 1st Session, 1967	⇧
Box   1 Folder   6	H.J. Res. 40 - Amendment, Election of President and Vice-President. January 10, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   7	H.R. 465 - Repeal of Presidential Election Campaign Act of 1966. January 10, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   8	H.R. 466 - Commission for the Study and Reform of the Federal Budget. January 10, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   9	H.R. 467 - Anti-trust Law Applicable to Professional Baseball. January 10, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   10	H.R. 469 - Federal Savings and Loan Restrictions. January 10, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   11	H.R. 3351 - Benefits for Widows of Employees of Lighthouse Service. January 23, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   12	H.R. 8926 - Prohibit Desecration of the Flag. April 20, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   13	H.R. 10663 - Restrict Import of Dairy Products. June 6, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   14	H.R. 11412 - Relief of Lucille D. Steele. July 12, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   15	H.J. Res. 730 - Designation of “National School Safety Patrol Week.” July 19, 1967.
Box   1 Folder   16	H.R. 14242 - Amend Internal Revenue Code of 1954. December 4, 1967.
	Subseries: 91st Congress - 1st Session, 1969	⇧
Box   1 Folder   17	H.R. 2411 - Relief of Lucille P. Steele. January 7, 1969.
Box   1 Folder   18	H.R. 3731 - Relief of Miyako Kohori. January 15, 1969.
Box   1 Folder   19	H.R. 3778 - Limit Questions on the Census. January 16, 1969.
Box   1 Folder   20	H.R. 5503 - Release of Lead from Stockpile. January 30, 1969.
Box   1 Folder   21	H.R. 5504 - Pornographic Mail. January 30, 1969.
Box   1 Folder   22	H.R. 7972 - “Fugitive Fathers Bill.” March 3, 1969.
	Subseries: 92nd Congress - 1st Session, 1971	⇧
Box   1 Folder   23	H.R. 2373 - U.S. Court of Labor- Management Relations. January 26, 1971.
Box   1 Folder   24	H.R. 4962 - Social Security Legislation. February 25, 1971.
Box   1 Folder   25	H.R. 5188 - Veterans Affairs Education. March 1, 1971.
Box   1 Folder   26	H.R. 11082 - Amend Title IV, Social Security Act. October 4, 1971.
	Subseries: 92nd Congress - 2nd Session, 1972	⇧
Box   1 Folder   27	H.R. 12744 - Tax Checkoff Repeal. January 31, 1972.
Box   1 Folder   28	H.R. 13366 S. 4000 - Cyclamate Reimbursements to Manufacturers. February 23, 1972.
Box   1 Folder   29	H.R. 14351 - Internal Revenue Code Homeowner Mortgage Interest. April 13, 1972.
Box   1 Folder   30	H.R. 14849 - Duty-Free Animal Glue. May 9, 1972.
Box   1 Folder   31	H. Con. Res. 638 - Prisoners of War. June 27, 1972.
Box   1 Folder   32	H.R. 16093 - Federal Budget. July 27, 1972.
	Subseries: 93rd Congress - 1st Session, 1973	⇧
Box   1 Folder   33	H.R. 1728 - Memorial Markers. January 11, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   34	H.R. 1729 - Amend War Claims Act of 1948. January 11, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   35	H.R. 1954 - Relief of Frank Tsao. January 11, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   36	H.R. 2208 - Relief of Raymond Suchy. January 15, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   37	H.R. 2971 - Election Spending. January 26, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   38	H.J. Res. 249 - Amendment, Redistricting. January 29, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   39	H.R. 5074 - Application for Renewal of Broadcast Licenses. March 1, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   40	H.R. 6504 - Federal Trade Commission Act. April 3, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   41	H.R. 7130 - Budget Control. April 18, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   42	H.R. 7130 - Budget Control. April 18, 1973. Constituent Correspondence.
Box   1 Folder   43	H.R. 8121 - Federal Trade Commission-Trademarks. May 24, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   44	H.R. 8122 - Internal Revenue Code - Homeowner's Mortgage Interest. May 24, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   45	H.R. 11859 - Amateur Athletic Act. December 10, 1973.
Box   1 Folder   46	Papers Relating to Davis' Remarks in Congressional Record , 1966-1972. Note: See appendix in this finding aid for a full list of speeches.
	Series: Watergate File	⇧
Box   2 Folder   1-2	Senate Watergate Investigation - Constituent Correspondence. , March - December 1973.
Box   2 Folder   3	Legislation: Judiciary Committee.
	Special Prosecutor - Constituent Correspondence. , October - December 1973.
Box   2 Folder   4	Resignation - Constituent Correspondence. , November - December 1973.
Box   2 Folder   5-7	Impeachment of President Nixon - Constituent Correspondence. , August - December 1973.
	Series: Public Relations File	⇧
Box   3 Folder   1-2	Newsletters , 1950-1951; 1965-1974
Box   3 Folder   3-5	News Releases , 1967-1974.
Box   3 Folder   6	Series: Political Correspondence, 1965-1974	⇧
Box   3 Folder   7	Series: Biographical Sketch	⇧
Micro 855	Series: Press Clippings	⇧
Reel   1	December 1946-1948
Reel   2	May 1948-May 1950
Reel   3	June 1950-December 1953
Reel   4	January 1954-May 1956
Reel   5	May 1956-August 1956
Reel   6	September 1956-July 1957
Reel   7	July 1957-September 1966
Reel   8	September 1966-December 1972
Reel   9	January 1973-September 1974
Reel   9	1974, Opponents
Reel   9	1974, Miscellaneous and Campaign Clippings

Appendix: Chronological List of Davis' Remarks and Insertions in the Congressional Record

1965, January 19.	“Less Foreign Aid”
1965, January 25.	“The Pause of Conscience”
1965, March 2.	“Medicare Not Good Enough”
1965, March 15.	“GOP Talk of Other Roads”
1965, May 24.	“Question Planned Parenthood as Anti-Poverty Project”
1965, July 26.	“Playing With Your Money? The Government Hasn't Any”
1965, July 26.	“Ripon Society - Fracturer of GOP”
1965, August 3.	“Some Queries”
1965, August 9.	“Immutable Law”
1965, August 17.	“Milwaukee Matches Jobs and Men”
1965, August 17.	“How Much Will Melting Pot Hold”
1965, August 26.	“Now It Can Be - Fresh Water Anywhere”
1966, January 10.	“Behind Those Campus Demonstrations”
1966, January 25.	“U.S. Housing Policies Have Done More Harm Than Good”
1966, January 28.	“Budget Becoming Political Weapon”
1966, April 26.	“Tosans' New Magazine to Rally Young Conservatives”
1966, April 26.	“Farm Squeeze”
1966, May 4.	“Statement of Pure Milk Products Cooperative” (Cheddar Cheese)
1966, June 14.	“The Big Republican Opportunity” speech by Dr. Robert Spitzer,
1966, June 27.	“Shaw Junior High School”
1966, July 25.	“The Anheuser-Busch Case”
1966, August 29.	“Continuing Appropriations, 1967”
1966, August 30.	“Political Use of the Film - John F. Kennedy-Years of Lightning, Days of Drums”
1966, September 1.	“President's Club Should Go Out of Business”
1966, September 13.	“D.C. Appropriations”
1966, October 11.	“Public Works Appropriation Act”
1966, October 19.	“D.C. Appropriations Act”
1967, February 27.	“Salesmen of Democracy”
1967, April 13.	“A Constructive Vietnam Week”
1967, April 17.	“The Struggle for Fresh Water”
1967, May 17.	“Rent Supplement Amendment to Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968”
1967, May 22.	“It Makes One Wonder”
1967, July 18.	“Expanded Federal Meat Inspection Questioned”
1967, July 25.	“Public Works and Atomic Energy Commissions Appropriations”
1968, June 19.	“Riots in Milwaukee, Wisconsin”
1969, January 23.	“Congress Looks at the Electoral College”
1969, February 18.	“WISN-TV Newsfilm is Best in the World”
1969, February 18.	“Richard Nixon: Ideological Descendant of Abraham Lincoln”
1969, March 11.	“New Weapon in War On Hunger”
1969, April 2.	“Halt, Big Brother”
1969, October 8.	“Public Works Appropriation Bill”
1969, October 30.	“Pennsylvania Foreign Language Research Project Critique”
1969, October 31.	“Slowing Pains”
1969, November 3.	“Battle of Philosophy”
1969, November 3.	“The U.S.S. Milwaukee Joining the Fleet”
1969, November 12.	“A Cogent Comment on the President's Vietnam Speech”
1969, November 13.	“Silent Majority is No Longer Silent”
1969, November 17.	“Gold Star Parents Support the President”
1969, November 17.	“Immediate Withdrawal Cannot Be”
1969, November 18.	“End of the Road”
1969, November 24.	“District of Columbia Appropriations”
1969, December 8.	“Defense Appropriations”
1969, December 16.	“Conference Report, DC Appropriations Committee”
1969, December 29.	“Who are the People of the Silent Majority”
1970, January 27.	“Effective Action by ICC”
1970, January 27.	“All Squares Please Stand”
1970, March 3.	“Legal Rights Belong to Everyone”
1970, March 3.	“America's Freedom is Still Appreciated”
1970, March 11.	“Peacemakers are Violence-Makers”
1970, March 12.	“Uncommon Commonsense”
1970, March 26.	“The Constitution - Need and Fulfillment”
1970, April 15.	“Students Supporting Pollution Fight”
1970, June 15.	“Land Use in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin”
1970, June 15.	“Remarks from a Serviceman in Cambodia”
1970, June 24.	“Interview with a Former Member of the Communist party who was also an FBI informant”
1970, July 28.	“What Does our Flag and our Independence Day Mean to Us?”
1970, August 13.	“Concerning Equal Rights for Women”
1970, September 10.	“Apostle Islands National Park”
1970, September 22.	“Public Works and Atomic Energy Commission Appropriations Bill”
1972, March 7.	“President's Trip to China”
1972, May 1.	“War Distortion”
1972, May 9.	“Letter from Vietnam”
1973, July 23.	“Voter Registration”