Francis E. McGovern papers, 1909-1915, 1935.

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Francis E. McGovern papers, 1909-1915, 1935.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/145784989

Papers of Francis E. McGovern, a progressive Republican governor of Wisconsin, 1911-1915, whose administration was notable for its social and administrative reforms. Correspondence comprises approximately half the collection and relates to his election and service as governor, state politics, the state and national progressive movement, the University of Wisconsin, civil service, and elections. Other papers include applications and endorsements for state jobs, nomination papers for McGovern's second term, and personal financial records. Letters from the spring of 1912 primarily concern the Republican National Convention and the contest between Robert La Follette, William H. Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt for the presidential nomination. Correspondents include John J. Blaine, La Follette's campaign manager; William J. Barnes, New York Republican favoring Taft; and New York backers of Roosevelt. McGovern's strategy as head of the Wisconsin delegation in the convention caused a rift between him and La Follette, and the subsequent correspondence is largely a record of the rivalry which followed until 1914, when McGovern was defeated for U.S. senator. During his second term, the governor had personnel difficulties with La Follette men who were secure in their positions by virtue of the state civil service law. Many papers deal with this problem and with McGovern's efforts to depose some of them, notably insurance commissioner Herman L. Ekern. Letters between McGovern and president Charles R. Van Hise of the University of Wisconsin and Charles McCarthy of the Legislative Reference Library discuss the need for changes in the University to meet problems arising from the rapid industrialization of the country. In other letters McGovern makes clear his position on woman suffrage, capital punishment, income tax, and cooperatives. Among his occasional correspondents are Herbert Hoover, who wrote on behalf of Belgian relief; Theodore Roosevelt, who discussed politics and urged support for woman suffrage; and Charles A. Beard, who was promoting the establishment of a specialized library to house material on state governments. Correspondence of McGovern's executive clerk and political manager, Harry Curran Wilbur, includes exchanges with party leaders throughout the state on means of healing the breach between La Follette and McGovern. The 1935 items are two letters by McGovern concerning the Barnes-Bashford election of 1908 and other past political developments.

9.4 c.f. (47 archives boxes)

Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6848279

Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project

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There are 12 Entities related to this resource.

University of Wisconsin

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McCarthy, Charles, 1873-1921

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Ekern, Herman Lewis, 1872-1954

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Beard, Charles Austin, 1874-1948

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American historian and educator From the guide to the Charles Austin Beard letters, undated, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.) Historian, political scientist. From the description of Austin Charles Beard letters, 1929-1939. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 465279213 Charles Austin Beard was born in 1874 and died in 1948. He was a political science professor and historian at Columbia Univer...

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

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Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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Barnes, William James, 1892-1964.

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Blaine, John J. (John James), 1873-1934

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Van Hise, Charles Richard, 1857-1918

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McGovern, Francis E. (Francis Edward), 1866-1946.

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