Public Papers

Public Papers, 11.25 linear feet, are arranged in the chronological order of the positions Russell held. These materials document Russell’s service as: Secretary and later Deputy Director of the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion, 1943 to July 1945; Assistant Secretary of State, July 1945 to January 1947; Governor of South Carolina, January 1963 to April 1965; and United States Senator, April 1965 to January 1967.

The War Mobilization and Assistant Secretary of State records consist of six folders and are arranged chronologically.

Gubernatorial papers are divided into general and topical files. The materials chiefly document some of Russell’s activities as governor, such as the governor’s hearings on Trotter’s Shoals Dam, education programs and political appointments. Russell’s own appointment to the Senate is included. Documents later than 21 April 1965 are filed in the Senate series. Materials documenting Russell’s Senate appointment are divided between the Gubernatorial and Senatorial records, with the date of Russell’s official appointment, 22 April 1965, as the dividing line. The files preceding Russell’s appointment to the Senate contain correspondence from many constituents with recommendations for Johnston’s replacement. Ernest F. Hollings’ name was suggested multiple times.

Senate papers are arranged in the following sub-series: General, Grants and Projects, Newsletters, Press Releases, Schedules, and Topical files. General papers contain constituent correspondence which address multiple subjects or do not fall under a specific topical heading, thus to ensure that they have seen everything on a topic, researchers may need to study both General Papers and Topical Files.

Grants and Projects, 2.5 linear feet, relate to everything from agricultural grants to postal construction projects, and are organized topically. Community Development files include projects to improve the economic and social aspects of municipalities as well as their infrastructure. Materials are arranged according to the funding agency or the name given a specific project. Energy files relate to the building of federal dams and nuclear facilities. Correspondence regarding energy issues of a political nature will be found in Topical Files. Water files relate to water and sewage projects for local communities and the maintenance of public waterways.

Newsletters and Press Releases chiefly relate to national issues and legislation sponsored by Russell, ranging from agriculture to Vietnam. On that latter, Russell stated, “our action in Vietnam is a responsible, necessary, and restrained use of the minimal force required to deter present levels of aggression in Vietnam.” Schedules include an appointment book, accepted invitations and weekly schedules, and document his Senate campaign as well as his service in that body.

Topical Files relate to issues and legislation before the Senate. Particularly rich are the files relating to Russell’s committees: Agriculture and Forestry; Post Office and Civil Service; and Labor and Public Welfare. The topics Agriculture, Civil Service, Labor, Postal Affairs, and Welfare have been maintained as separate headings as they were in the Russell office. Agriculture files chiefly concern cotton, dairy farming, tobacco and special legislation like the “Food for Freedom” Bill, the Rural Electrification Act, and the Special Milk-School Lunch Program. Civil Service files relate to issues such as the Federal Pay Bill and Retirement Benefits. Labor files chiefly relate to legislation regulating the compensation of workers and restriction of protest rights, and Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Act, regarding compulsory union membership. Materials relating to federal postal employees are located in the Postal Affairs files. Postal Affairs materials chiefly concern proposed parcel post rate increases, size and weight standards, and local postal appointments.