Donnelly, Phil M. (1891-1961), Papers, 1944-1957, (C2151)
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Phil M. Donnelly Papers (C2151) Collection Number: C2151 Collection Title: Phil M. Donnelly Papers Dates: 1944-1957 Creator: Donnelly, Phil M., 1891-1961 Abstract: Papers relating to Donnelly’s two terms as Democratic governor of Missouri. Collection Size: 91.6 cubic feet (8235 folders) Language: Collection materials are in English. Repository: The State Historical Society of Missouri Restrictions on Access: Collection is open for research. This collection is available at The State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-Columbia. If you would like more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Collections may be viewed at any research center. Restrictions on Use: Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Rights & Reproductions on the Society’s website for more information and about reproductions and permission to publish. Preferred Citation: [Specific item; box number; folder number] Phil M. Donnelly Papers (C2151); The State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-Columbia [after first mention may be abbreviated to SHSMO-Columbia]. Donor Information: The papers were placed on contract with the University of Missouri by Phil M. Donnelly on January 11, 1957 (Accession No. CA3303). Related Materials: Additional materials related to the Phil M. Donnelly Papers can be found in the following collections: Phil M. Donnelly Inaugural Ceremonies, (C2386) Hammond and Irwin Photographs, (P0897) (C2151) Phil M. Donnelly Papers Page 2 Processed by: Processed by George Kellner, Jerry Butcher, and Peggy Fitz, September 1965. Finding aid revised by Elizabeth Engel in January 2014 and by Lauren Leeman on April 27, 2020. Historical Note: Phil M. Donnelly was born in Lebanon, Missouri, on March 6, 1891 and received his education at Lebanon High School and the Saint Louis University Law School in St. Louis. Donnelly was admitted to the Bar on December 24, 1912. He married Juanita McFadden in Maplewood, Missouri, on May 22, 1915. They had one son, Phillip David. Donnelly served as prosecuting attorney of Laclede County and several terms as city of attorney of Lebanon. Donnelly was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1922. In 1924, he was elected to the Missouri Senate and reelected in 1928, 1932, 1936, and 1940. While a member of the 57th General Assembly, he was majority floor leader of the Senate and during the 58th General Assembly served as president pro temp of the Senate. He held the same office during part of the 60th General Assembly. In 1938, Donnelly was the chairman of the Statutes Revision Commission and served as the chairman of the Decennial Statue Revision Commission in 1939. In the 61st General Assembly, he acted as chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means and Committee on Education. He also served on the following committees: Judiciary, Criminal Jurisprudence, Banks and Banking, Agriculture, Roads and Highways, Private Corporations, Railroads and Internal Improvements, Penal Institutions and Reform Schools, and Rules and Joint Rules. Donnelly was elected Governor of Missouri in November 1944, and later was elected for a second term on November 4, 1952. Donnelly, a Democrat, faced a Republican controlled General Assembly in both the 1945 and 1947 sessions. Administratively, he successfully opposed the Federal Social Security Administration. He instituted a $75 million bond issue that was approved by the voters to modernize the state institutions and rehabilitate them. Judicial appointments were filled on the basis of legal qualification rather than party affiliations. In labor, he clashed with the St. Louis police department when it desired to unionize and with strikes in public utilities in Kansas City and St. Louis. The resulting legislation, the King-Thompson Act, penalized strikes against public utilities. However much of the act was later declared unconstitutional. Donnelly contended with a Republication controlled House in the first session of his second term. He directed the quelling of prison riots which attracted national attention in 1953. He also moved against crime and gambling. During the 1953-1955 drought he refused Federal Assistance, while working for the farmer in his plight. In his appointments, he refused to select his judicial judges for the non-partisan Board. In 1955, he used the veto twenty-six times. Following his governorship, he retired from politics and transitioned into practicing law with his son in Lebanon, Missouri. He died in Lebanon, Missouri on September 12, 1961 and he is buried in the Lebanon, Missouri city cemetery. Arrangement: The collection has been arranged into the following two series: Go to top (C2151) Phil M. Donnelly Papers Page 3 First Term (1945-1949) Second Term (1953-1957) Scope and Content Note: The collection is largely comprised of governor’s files and departmental correspondence. Some newspaper clippings on various topics and index cards on state employees are also included. First Term (1945-1949) This series contains materials related to Donnelly’s first term as governor. Second Term (1953-1957) This series contains materials related to Donnelly’s second term as governor. Container List: First Term (1945-1949) Series f. 1-419 Miscellaneous personal, political, and legal correspondence f. 1-68 1945 f. 1-34 Fraternal organizations. Political appointments. 1945 governors' conference. Law practice. Autograph requests. Honorary degree. Lengthy correspondence with Senator Frank P. Briggs. Comment on Harry S. Truman in Briggs' letter. Description of Dachau concentration camp. Foreword of Cyril Clemens' biography of Truman. Kansas City politics. Requests for job references. Acknowledgment of gifts. f. 35-45 Sale of state cars. R. Mabee on Truman. Missouri labor agencies reorganization. Death of mother. Support for political clean-up. Appointment delays. Lebanon, Missouri, politics. Republican anti-administration tactics. News releases in Jefferson City. State politics in general. Investigation of state penal system. Missouri women Democrats. Views on American Jews. f. 46-54 Annual National Farm Income Report. I.C. Salisbury poem on F.D.R.'s death. Cartoon of Donnelly. F. Smith on St. Joseph, Missouri, political problems and constitution of Missouri. Invitations and relative information to U.N. to locate in Missouri. R.R. Nacy and Missouri Democratic Women's Club. Women desire honorary colonel's awards. Parole for criminals. Support for and opposition to F.P. Briggs' 1946 bid for reelection. St. Louis housing problems. P.N. Carter on Briggs; Donnelly's support of Briggs. Lebanon, Missouri, newspapers on administration. f. 55-68 Kansas City Star unfriendly to Donnelly. Donnelly's personal accounts with West Publishing Company. Execution of Leo Lyles. Wooding on Kansas City Star. Pendergast and election of 1944. Increase in judges' salaries. World War II combat Go to top (C2151) Phil M. Donnelly Papers Page 4 record of the 75th Infantry, 7th Armored Division, and list of Missourians in it. Greeting cards. 35th National Guard transferred to Missouri. U.S. National Guard reorganization. Veterans' benefits. Missouri veterans' program. f. 69-148 1946 f. 69-80 Missouri Bible School. W.H. Tucks' speech on unionization of public and state employees. Union Pacific Railroad to sell Kansas City property. Penitentiary auditor fired; writes on conditions in penitentiary. Donnelly on farm• labor vote in Missouri. State politics, F.P. Briggs campaigning; shift in rural-urban vote; youth for politics. General Assembly leaders. Donnelly's appearance on Charlie McCarthy Show. Veterans' education and training. Briggs and campaign or 194b, backing in St. Louis. Briggs on Farm Employment Practices Committee filibustering. St. Louis police union fight. f. 81-91 H.O. Chambers on Missouri politics and personal legal matters. Missouri River flood control. Southeast Missouri oil drilling. St. Louis Police Union fight. F.P. Briggs needs campaign help. U.S. Employment Service under state control. Criticism of Donnelly's appointments. Cochran resigns as Missouri's 13th District representative. F.P. Briggs' support in primary. Letters re: Department of Finance appointment. Aid to education. Establishment of State Department in Missouri. Closing of Veterans Administration in Lebanon, Missouri. Veterans' priority in appointments. H.S. Truman and Winston Churchill's visit to Fulton, Missouri. f. 92-94 Repeal of Wagner and Norris-LaGuardia. Acts. Audrain County in Democratic fold. T.J. Gavin on Kansas City politics and Pendergast machine: Pendergast accomplishments in 1946 primary; Republicans running Kansas City Election Board; L. Graves hindrance to Democrats (he was anti•Pendergast); Pendergast's reputation and ability to produce for Democrats; L. Graves' wrecking of Democratic Party; suggests Pendergast men for appointments. f. 95-102 F.P. Briggs' promises irritate St. Clair County Democrats. Redistricting. L. Graves on Kansas City primary; discusses J.L. Lewis; Kansas City election defeat; election fraud; party politics in general. Democratic Party on defensive in St. Louis. F.P. Briggs' defeat. Letter suggesting Harry S. Truman resign. Over hauling of Democratic Party framework. Advocates Donnelly for senator. Tom J. Donnelly on sensationalism in national politics. H.S. Truman's domestic food conservation and the Marshall Plan. National Guard for Truman•Churchill visit to Fulton. E. Cortes of Cortes Defense - a neurotic's view of U.S. defense system. Lebanon post office scandal. Personal matters. Go to top (C2151) Phil M.