This collection primarily documents Bronson La Follette's political career during his first
two terms as Attorney General of the State of Wisconsin (1964-1968) and his national involvement
as a consumer advocate. The materials are divided into eight series. Records within each series
are arranged chronologically under subseries headings whenever possible. The first series,
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION, contains biographical sketches, including one of his first wife, Lynn
Godwin La Follette; newspaper articles; a list of professional positions and affiliations; and
letters pertaining to his 1964 resignation as Assistant U.S. Attorney General for the Western
District of Wisconsin.
PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE includes both incoming letters from his mother Rachel, and outgoing
letters, most of which are addressed to other family members. Among these are letters to Fola La
Follette Middleton, a paternal aunt; his brother Joseph; and a cousin, Robert La Follette
Sucher.
The 1964 CAMPAIGN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL series includes research materials which La Follette
used for his speeches; newspaper editorials about George Thompson, his predecessor; and speeches
given by other people such as his father, Senator Robert M. La Follette Jr., and former
Wisconsin Governor John W. Reynolds. Position papers on such topics as reapportionment,
appointive power, and labor management relations as well as copies of his press releases appear
in this series.
The fourth series covers La Follette's 1964-1966 TERM AS ATTORNEY GENERAL. Filed here are
position papers on topics such as consumer fraud, Wisconsin bail laws, and compensation for
victims of crimes; newspaper editorials commenting favorably on his tenure as Attorney General;
and newspaper articles discussing La Follette's speeches and departmental activities. Two Lawyer
Day Books and press releases complete the series.
Correspondence in La Follette's 1966 CAMPAIGN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL papers is divided into
General Correspondence and memos to or from Dick Wegner, friend, advisor, and member of his
campaign staff. Most of the letters in General Correspondence were written to La Follette's
political supporters. Some pertain to the arrangement of campaign activities. There is a single
exchange of letters between La Follette and Assemblyman Louis J. Ceci, La Follette's Republican
opponent, regarding a possible political debate between them. Materials for the campaign
brochure, speeches and statements by and about La Follette, and campaign information such as the
voting records of the Democratic and Republican primaries for Menominee and Milwaukee counties,
the election results from Menominee County, and materials about Ceci's political record complete
the series.
The scope of materials in the sixth series, 1966-1968 TERM AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, is similar to
that of La Follette's first term in office. Included are press releases; two Lawyer Day Books; a
small group of favorable comments; and various speeches on such topics as battered children,
consumer education, and Wisconsin Governor Warren Knowles' 1965 Trade Mission. Research
materials for this last speech are also included.
Correspondence relative to Bronson La Follette's 1968 CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN is
divided into two areas: Campaign Staff and Campaign Activities. The first group consists of
memos and letters to and from his campaign committee members, especially Dick Wegner; a copy of
the campaign handbook which the county representatives followed; and fundraising objectives and
statistics. Campaign activities correspondence consists of letters from La Follette to his
supporters; arrangements for testimonial dinners; a list of votes cast in Milwaukee County
during the election; and letters pertaining to La Follette's loss in the election. Also found in
this series are speeches and position papers on a variety of topics such as consumerism, law
enforcement, and Governor Warren Knowles' administration. One folder has a collection of
newspaper clippings on state issues with which the campaign was involved, such as taxes, the
poor, racism, and the urban crisis.
While Attorney General, La Follette was involved in a wide variety of NATIONAL AFFAIRS. This
last series is quite large and has been divided into several subseries. Most of the letters in
the Washington, D.C. Correspondence are between La Follette and members of the U.S. Congress,
including Wisconsin Representative Robert Kastenmeier and Senators Gaylord Nelson and William
Proxmire. This subseries also includes correspondence with Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey.
The second sub-series pertains to La Follette's 1965 trip to India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) where
he lectured for the American Specialist Abroad Program. Included in the folder are
correspondence, tourist information, a speech, a press release announcing his appointment, a
paper published in the 1966 issue of the Law Quarterly by the
India Law Institute, and information regarding the political controversy which resulted from the
trip. Issues involved monetary compensation for the trip from non-state sources and the
acceptance of outside jobs by a state employee. From 1967-1968 La Follette was a member of the
Adlai Stevenson Institute of International Affairs. Most of the information in this subseries is
correspondence pertaining to a reception in Madison for William R. Polk, the Director of the
Institute. An informational booklet about the Institute is also included.
La Follette worked on Vice-President Humbert Humphrey's Task Force on Consumers from
1967 to 1968. Included are press releases, speeches, consumer statements about problems, and
recommendations; a list of Task Force members; and the official Republican and Democratic
platforms on consumer affairs. The second folder of this subseries contains correspondence of
which one set of letters pertains to Task Force member Reverend R.J. McEwen's request to
presidential candidates Hubert Humphrey and Richard Nixon for their views on consumer issues.
Some letters were from the United Democrats for Humphrey headquarters; many have attached
position papers. From 1966 to 1969 La Follette served on President Lyndon Johnson's Consumer
Advisory Council (CAC). He was chairman for 1967-1968. This subseries contains general
information about the CAC such as a summary of activities, 1964-1967; a press release announcing
La Follette's appointment; a list of members for 1965 and 1968; undated position papers; and
minutes of a January 1967 meeting. Several speeches and memoranda by Betty Furness, Johnson's
Special Assistant to the President for Consumer Affairs, are included. Speeches by other
individuals such as Federal Trade Commission members Philip Elma and Mary Jones are in the
collection. General correspondence as well as information on La Follette's appointment as
chairman of the CAC in August 1967 and subsequent correspondence are included.
MISCELLANY includes a 1964 letter about the family homestead becoming a National Historic
Landmark, a 1968 letter about La Follette's Board of Directorship of the Consumer Union, and
photographs of La Follette and Robert F. Kennedy.
