The collection consists chiefly of records from F. Ryan Duffy's senatorial and judicial careers. The material covers his life from 1906 when he graduated from high school to his death, with the majority covering the 1932-1960 period. There is little truly personal material in the collection, although his personality can be studied using his correspondence and speeches. The collection consists of biographical material, campaign material, general correspondence, speeches, and judicial and legislative files.
The collection begins with BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL and includes biographical sketches written for newspapers and Who's Who volumes, memorabilia, and an anecdotal oral history interview conducted by Milwaukee Journal reporter Richard L. Kenyon concerning Harry Truman and other famous people with whom Duffy was acquainted. Also included are numerous daybooks and diaries from the period 1935 through 1970. Although the 1939 volume is missing, two books exist for 1938 and additional extracts are available for 1935-1936 and 1951. Scrapbooks of clippings primarily from Duffy's legislative and judicial career are available on microfilm. These begin in 1906 and end in 1969. The first two scrapbooks, which cover the period 1906-1913, are more personal and cover his high school and college days. The originals of the volumes which contained photographs are available in the Visual and Sound Archives, as are the loose photographs contained in the papers. Scrapbook 4 entitled “War Record, 1917-1919” consists largely of orders and military papers, although there a few letters are included. Most notable is a lengthy letter to Mrs. Duffy describing postwar conditions in France.
CAMPAIGN MATERIAL, which is arranged chronologically, consists primarily of correspondence. Included are materials on Duffy's 1932 and 1938 campaigns as
well as general information on Wisconsin politics during the intervening years. Included from the 1932 campaign are itineraries for speaking engagements, bulletins and press releases, a list of Duffy workers, support and congratulatory letters, and letters to and from constituents. Material on Wisconsin politics for 1936-1938 includes statistics on the 1936 gubernatorial and presidential races, correspondence, and the Democratic platform. Information on finances of the Democratic party in Wisconsin, together with statistics and lists of contributions in the files of John J. Slocum are also included, as well as correspondence concerning the condition of the Democratic Party in 1938 and its convention. The material for Duffy's 1938 contest begins with correspondence concerning a testimonial dinner in February 1938. Also included is material on the announcement of his candidacy; endorsement resolutions from various state groups; correspondence on the management of the campaign; campaign literature; material about a potential opponent (General Ralph M. Immell) and actual opponents (Alexander Wiley and Herman Ekern); consolation letters; and correspondence and clippings concerning Samuel B. Corr, Secretary-Treasurer for Duffy's campaign, and his indictment for embezzlement in 1939. General information pertaining to both 1932 and 1938 campaigns are also included--election statistics, by county; financial statements, including an investigation in 1938 into the Duffy for Senator Club; and nomination papers (mostly 1932) and correspondence with circulators. This latter material which discusses information on Duffy's chances for victory in 1932 provides the best evidence in the collection on what Wisconsinites thought in that politically significant year.
The SENATE FILES include general and patronage correspondence and legislative files. The general correspondence, arranged alphabetically by subject, covers many topics, such as the appointment of Hugo Black to the Supreme Court in 1937 and the opposition of Duffy's constituents; Raymond J. Cannon, a Wisconsin congressman; and the “Cheese War” (1938) arranged by Duffy between New York and Wisconsin cheeses. Other interesting topics include the rumors of Duffy's recall in 1935 and a controversy over Elmer Serl, a farmer, and a Liberty League brochure in 1936 that gained national attention.
Correspondence concerning patronage is arranged alphabetically by name. Many names stand out for their importance to Wisconsin politics - Arthur Altmeyer, Carl R. Becker, John M. Comeford, L. Hugo Keller, Otto LaBudde, Henry Schwallbach, and John J. Slocum. Also included is a file on Patrick T. Stone, a federal judge and Duffy's brother-in-law.
The files concerning legislation introduced or supported by Duffy are arranged alphabetically by subject. The material consists of correspondence, marked copies of the legislation, and occasional research material. The largest collection of material concerns Duffy's copyright bill. Here may be found research material; correspondence with constituents, supporters, and Wallace McClure of the State Department (1935); and suggestions for changes from Mary Bendelari of the National Council of Design and others. The same type of material, though less of it, is included on the copyright treaty with which Duffy was also concerned.
The JUDICIAL FILES primarily cover the years 1939-1959, but some of the material extends to 1973. Included are reports, statistics, and legislation on bankruptcy cases (1940-1945), and material (1943-1947) on the Referees Salary Bill from the Bankruptcy Committee on which Duffy served. Files for cases for which Duffy wrote an opinion are arranged alphabetically by the
title. The material in the files includes correspondence between judges, drafts of opinions, notes, court orders, and an occasional letter from a prisoner. Additional correspondence about matters that concerned Duffy as a judge or which were judicial in nature is also filed here. Examples include the Chandler Act (1939-1940), rules and appropriations for juries, and the Selective Service Act of 1940. The researcher is cautioned that there may be gaps in some of this correspondence.
Also included are form letters Duffy used as a judge, lists of his cases, and notes and instructions on his cases. The latter are divided into civil and criminal and then arranged alphabetically, with a special section under civil notes and instructions on automobile cases. Included also are statistics on Duffy's cases, such as citations used for his opinions and lists of cases appealed to the Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE contains several categories, such as Army and Navy commissions, arranged alphabetically (which contains correspondence from people wanting Duffy to help them get commissions) and correspondence between Duffy and his law partner, Russell Hanson (1934-1941). A political file (1934-1953) is included, which contains correspondence on the Democratic Party in Wisconsin and federal elections, with Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, and with various judges around the state seeking Duffy's support for their elections. Within the reunion correspondence, for the 1950 and 1955 reunions from the University of Wisconsin, is material on the bronze plaque installed on Bascom Hall.
There is also correspondence (1938-1952) between Duffy and people seeking support from him for post-office jobs based on his past influence as a Senator, as well as letters from people serving in World War II (“V” Mail) and from famous people. The “V.I.P.” correspondence is arranged according to the status or location of the person (i.e., the White House--secretary to the President), and then by year. Duffy included lists of the letters with name, date of letter, and number received for easier reference.
SPEECHES made by Duffy form a part of this collection and cover the years 1934-1971. They are arranged chronologically and include the final draft and the notecards. Almost half of the material covers Duffy's years in the Senate, especially the years 1936-1938, when he was running for re-election. The rest of the speeches cover the period through 1971.
