Charles Evans Boineau, Jr. Papers

2.5 ft. of materials, 1934-2003, chiefly 1961-1964, document more fully the emergence of a viable and active Republican Party in South Carolina than they do Boineau’s brief tenure in the South Carolina House of Representatives. The papers are arranged into nine series. In addition to the papers described herein, Mr. Boineau recorded an extensive interview with Modern Political Collections (now SCPC) regarding his education, wartime experiences, and political involvement.

Campaign materials primarily document Boineau’s 1961 election victory and consist largely of congratulatory letters. Two folders combine T.V. scripts and other press related materials for both Boineau’s 1961 contest and the 1962 Workman for Senate race with campaign advertising materials from the Republican National Committee. Of particular note in the campaign series, is the file “Civil Action, Boineau, et al v. Thornton, et al, 1964.” While only few items are found, it provides evidence of his unsuccessful court challenge to South Carolina’s full-slate election law. Records relating to Boineau’s efforts in the 1962 Workman and Spence campaigns are also found in this series. Clippings offer supplementary news accounts of Boineau’s 1961, 1962 and 1964 campaigns for office.

Invitations provide a partial record of speaking engagements, insight into the growing number of Republican organizations in South Carolina and Georgia, and evidence of spreading conservative views. Two small pocket calendars document Boineau’s activities in late 1961 and 1962. Speeches, although few in number, present Boineau’s thinking on issues facing the nation and South Carolina. Most of the speeches collected are those of Robert F. Chapman, Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, c.1961 to 1963.

Topical Files document, in part, Boineau’s interests and activities as a member of the South Carolina House, such as his proposed amendment to one of the state’s election laws, the “Loyalty Oath.” This series, however, is dominated by records which reflect Boineau’s association with the Republican Party at the national, state, and local levels. His service as a delegate to the 1964 Republican National Convention, participation in Republican regional conferences and association with the Richland County Republicans is well documented.

Personal papers include Boineau’s handwritten notes chiefly relating to meetings and speaking engagements from the campaign trail. These scribbled notes function both as an itinerary for Boineau and as a diary of Republican efforts throughout the state. The notes cover his early campaign efforts, speaking engagements, precinct or club organizations, Republican conferences, and minutes of both state and county executive committee meetings. Records documenting Boineau’s military career as a naval aviator during WWII and brief stint in the naval reserves, include his orders, fighter pilot training materials, and separation papers.

Clippings are arranged topically and recount Boineau’s campaigns and the activities of the Republican Party at the state and national levels. Printed materials include miscellaneous conservative pamphlets collected by Boineau.

Vertical File Materials contain information gathered by SCPC relating to Boineau and may duplicate information already present in the collection.