The Bice Papers consist of correspondence, writings, subject files, biographical material and an oral history transcript. Except for a few autobiographical references, the collection almost entirely concerns his 22 years as a member of the Wisconsin Legislature. Even for these years, the
coverage is not complete, and there is virtually no documentation on his early years in the Assembly or his efforts in behalf of the “65/55 speed limit” law. Papers on the 1961-1962 and 1963-1964 legislatures are also absent. There is valuable material, however, on his important work in behalf of the Knowles highway safety bill and the uniform 21-year beer law. Also of special interest is the transcript of the oral history interview with Bice conducted in 1968, an autobiographical philosophy of government, and the large, although still incomplete, file of his weekly radio talks. Taken together, these writings and the correspondence provide the researcher with an unusually revealing and complete philosophy of government. The documentation is even more interesting because of Bice's reputation as a maverick Republican who supported the interests of individual citizens. Researchers may find additional biographical information in Bice's book of collected articles, Years to Remember (1985). This book is available in the Society's Library.
The collection is organized into five series. First is filed a 1968 ORAL HISTORY interview, which may duplicate a separately-catalogued interview held by the UW-La Crosse ARC.
The majority of the collection consists of CORRESPONDENCE from constituents and colleagues. Unfortunately, the original order of this section was masked by work done on the collection in 1971. In 1985 processing was completed, and the correspondence was rearranged chronologically by month. For the 1967-1968 legislature a small portion of correspondence was filed by bill number when notations so indicated on the material. Although many of Bice's letters are variations on form letters, others are revealing of his views and actions. For the 1953, 1955, and 1957 sessions the correspondence dates primarily from the months when the Legislature was in session. There are no papers for the 1961-1962 and 1963-1964 sessions.
WRITINGS include copies of articles, radio talks, speeches, columns, guest editorials, and press releases. Most interesting are the radio talks which are of two types. One sequence, which is arranged by number, appears to have aired under the title “Your State and Mine.” The second group is arranged solely by date. Bice also wrote a regular weekly column which appeared in the La Crosse Shopper under the title “This is America.” Although only a few of these articles are in the collection, it is likely that many of the “Your State and Mine” talks also appeared in the column. Other writings include “As I See It,” an extended unpublished essay on his philosophy of government; guest editorials from the La Crosse Tribune; press releases; and Treasures of the Forest, the second edition of a booklet he wrote about wood and the importance of forest conservation. Portions of “As I See It” and some of the La Crosse Tribune editorials were published as Years to Remember.
SUBJECT FILES consist of correspondence, memoranda, and reference material dating primarily from Bice's years in the Assembly and from the 1967 Senate term. Most interesting are the files on highway safety, the uniform 21-year beer law, and vocational education. Two files contain correspondence and memorabilia pertaining to several election campaigns.
The BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL consists of clippings and a 1968 roll call.
