Manuscript Record

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION RECORD

RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934

Papers, etc.: 1894-1936 Omaha, Nebraska: Newspaper publisher; U.S. Senator Size: 2 boxes, 1 scrapbook, and 1 reel of microfilm

BACKGROUND NOTE

Gilbert Monell Hitchcock was born in Omaha, Nebraska on September 18, 1859, the son of Phineas W. and Annie Monell Hitchcock. His father was prominent in Nebraska politics, and served as United States Senator from Nebraska, 1871-1877. Gilbert Hitchcock received his early education in the public schools, and later studied in Baden- Baden, Germany. Upon his return to the United States, he enrolled in the Law College of the University of Michigan from which he received his law degree in 1881. In the same year, Hitchcock was admitted to the Nebraska Bar, and began the practice of law in Omaha. In 1885 he established the Omaha Daily World, an independent newspaper, and in 1889, purchased the Omaha Herald. These papers were combined to form the Omaha World Herald, which was first published on July 18, 1889.

Hitchcock (a Democrat) soon became active in Nebraska politics, and was a supporter of free silver and other policies advocated by William Jennings Bryan. In 1894-1895 Bryan assumed nominal editorship of the World Herald, which offered a forum for the presentation of his political philosophies. In return for the editorial chair, Bryan and several of his associates purchased stock in the World Publishing Company. Although this arrangement proved mutually advantageous, Bryan and Hitchcock gradually became estranged, partially because of Hitchcock's own desire to enter Nebraska politics. Although the World Herald continued to support Bryan during his presidential campaigns, the rift between the two men became irreparable during the administration of President Wilson. Bryan, who was Secretary of State in Wilson's Cabinet, was opposed to the President's war policies, while Hitchcock, then in the Senate, was one of the President's staunchest supporters.

Hitchcock's own political career began in 1902 when he was elected to the House of Representatives from Nebraska's second District. He won re-election to this seat in 1906 and 1908. During his three terms in the House, Hitchcock supported the establishment of a postal savings bank, and took an active part in an investigation of coal land frauds which resulted in the removal of Secretary of the Interior Ballinger. In 1910 Hitchcock ran for the U.S. Senate, defeating E.J. Burkett in the election conducted by the Nebraska Legislature. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1916 for an additional six-year term. While a member of that body, Hitchcock was a member of the Foreign Relations, Military Affairs, Philippines, and Banking and Currency Committees. He was active in the legislation which resulted in the income tax and the direct election of Senators, and took part in the passage of the Underwood tariff bill, and the Federal Reserve Act. Hitchcock also supported numerous other pieces of legislation including the Clayton RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934

Anti-Trust Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Alaska Development Act. Perhaps Senator Hitchcock's most significant contribution while in the Senate was his leadership of the fight for the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles and the Covenant of the League of Nations in 1919-1920. Although strongly supported by President Wilson, the treaty failed to be ratified by the Senate.

The post-war reaction, and Republican political victories, resulted in Hitchcock's defeat for the Senate seat by Robert B. Howell in 1922. In 1930 Hitchcock was again unsuccessful in his bid for re-election to the Senate, being defeated by Senator George W. Norris in the primary election. When Senator Howell died in 1933, Hitchcock was unsuccessful in his attempts to secure the appointment from Governor Charles W. Bryan. Gilbert Hitchcock was active in the civic affairs of Omaha, and an annual scholarship is still awarded in his memory by the Omaha World Herald to Outstanding Graduates of Omaha High Schools. Hitchcock married Miss Jesse Crounse of Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska, on August 30, 1883, and the couple was to have two daughters, Margaret and Ruth. Following the death of his first wife, in May 1925, Hitchcock married Martha Harris in 1927. Gilbert M. Hitchcock died in Washington, DC, on February 3, 1934.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of two boxes and one scrapbook of manuscript material arranged in eight series: 1) General Correspondence, 1894-1926; 2) Family Correspondence, 1912- 1936; 3) Speeches and Manuscripts, 1924-1925 and undated; 4) Financial Papers, 1894- 1924; 5) Printed Matter, 1899-1930; 6) Miscellany; 7) Scrapbook, 1934-1960; and 8) Political Correspondence, 1904-1924. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence and financial records relating to the career of Gilbert M. Hitchcock as publisher of the Omaha World Herald, 1894-1934 and as U.S. Senator, 1910-1922. The collection includes papers relating to the early business transactions with William Jennings Bryan, establishment and operation of the Omaha World Herald, and clippings relating to his senatorial career. Photocopies of letters written by Mrs. Hitchcock about social life in Washington during Hitchcock's senatorial career are also included in the collection.

Series 1 consists of letters, most of them written to Senator Hitchcock by World Herald business manager Henry Doorly, regarding the maintenance and expansion of the World Herald. Letters explaining new press and photographic procedures are included. Series 2 consists of letters written by Mrs. Hitchcock and her daughters Ruth and Margaret (Mrs. Henry Doorly). Hitchcock's speeches and a thesis entitled "The Congressional Career of Gilbert M. Hitchcock" are contained in Series 3.

Series 4 contains financial papers of the World Herald including incorporation papers and bylaws, business agreements between William Jennings Bryan and Hitchcock, lists of stockholders, prospectuses, estimates for the proposed World Herald and Prudential Insurance Company of America. Audits, operating statements, publications of an office building and managers organization, and accounts of Bryan are also included in this series. Series 5 contains newspaper clippings dealing with Hitchcock's senatorial action

RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934 and campaign pamphlets. Series 6 consists of public relations pamphlets, and correspondence regarding contributions made to the collection. Series 7 is one scrapbook containing Hitchcock's obituaries. Series 8 consists of 60 letters and telegrams relating to patronage and presidential politics. A calendar of this series is available.

Series 1, folder one and parts of Series 4, folder two, are on one reel of microfilm filmed by the Gilbert M. Hitchcock foundation.

Note: See the photo component [RG3640.PH] for related images. The NSHS holds numerous manuscript and public records collections containing correspondence of Gilbert Hitchcock. See the NSHS Library Catalog and the Nebraska History index for various publications and articles by and about Gilbert M. Hitchcock.

INVENTORY

Series 1 - General Correspondence, 1894-1926

Box 1 Folder

1. 1894, undated (film) 2. 1910 3. 1914 4. 1915 5. 1917 6. 1919 7. 1920 8. 1922 9. 1923 10. 1924 (film) 11. 1925 12. 1926

Series 2 - Family Correspondence, 1912-1936

1. Mrs. Gilbert M. Hitchcock, letters, 1912-1925 (photocopies) 2. Ruth Hitchcock, letters 1921-1936 (photocopies)

Series 3 - Speeches and Manuscripts, 1924-1925, n.d.

1. Speeches, 1924-1925, n.d. 2. "The Congressional Career of Gilbert M. Hitchcock," M.A. thesis by Paul Polmantier, 1935(?)

RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934

Series 4 - Financial Papers, 1894-1924

Box 2 Folder

1. Incorporation papers, mortgage, and bylaws of the World Herald 2. Agreements with William Jennings Bryan, 1894-1895 (film) 3. World Herald agreements, 1895-1915 4. List of stockholders, prospectuses, record of transactions (film) 5. Costs and estimates for proposed World Herald building 6. Indenture between Prudential Insurance Co. of American and World Herald and loan agreements 7. World Herald monthly statements, 1916-1924 8. Audits, 1913-1921 9. Building Owners and Managers Association of Omaha Office Building Experience Exchange, 1920-1921 10. Accounts to W.J. Bryan, 1895 (film)

Series 5 - Printed Matter

1. Newspaper Clippings, 1899-1930 2. Campaign pamphlets

Series 6 - Miscellany

1. World Herald public relations material 2. Correspondence regarding contributions to collections

Series 7 - Scrapbook, 1934-1960

Scrapbook (see oversize)

Series 8 - Political Correspondence, 1904-1924

1. Political Correspondence

Ht 10-13-1973 Revised TMM 05-04-2010

RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934

Subject headings:

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925 Gregory, Thomas W., 1861-1933 Gruenther, C.M. Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934 Hitchcock, Jessie (Crounse), -1925 McAdoo, William Gibbs, 1863-1941 Merideth, Edwin T. Mullen, Arthur F., 1873-1938 Nebraska -- Politics and government Newbranch, Harvey, 1875-1959 Newspapers -- Nebraska -- Omaha United States Congress. House of Representatives United States Congress. Senate Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924 World Publishing Co. (Omaha, Neb.)

RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934

Series 8 - Political Correspondence Calendar

1. Xeroxed News clippings. Pp. 1&2 of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 13, 1904. Notably the article: “Fads, Frauds, and Follies Cripple Nations Finances.” Hitchcock as Representative speaks out on State Dept. officials who used private carriages and coachmen at government expenses.

2. Hitchcock to Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo February 28, 1914 Suggested that McAdoo submit Gruenther’s name to President Wilson as candidate for appointment to Collector of Internal Revenue for Nebraska. Gruenther’s endorsements from Nebraska Democrats are included.

3. Hitchcock to Woodrow Wilson February 28, 1914 Submitted Gruenther’s endorsements to the President.

4. Wilson’s Presidential Secretary to Hitchcock March 2, 1914 Acknowledges Hitchcock’s letter of February 28th.

5. Woodrow Wilson to Hitchcock (xerox) March 7, 1914 re: McAdoo’s request to nominate C.M. Gruenther for the post of Collector of Internal Revenue in Nebraska.

6. Hitchcock to C.M. Gruenther (xerox) March 11, 1914 Informed Gruenther of Wilson’s rather cryptic letter of the 2nd.

7. Hitchcock to Gruenther July 8, 1914 re: Wilson’s considerations to whether to appoint Gruenther; scrutiny of prospective Federal Reserve Board appointees.

8. Wilson to Hitchcock (xerox) July 14, 1914 Refused to nominate Gruenther because the President felt that the appointment would offend Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan.

9. Hitchcock to Wilson July 16, 1914 Expressed surprise at the President’s refusal to name Gruenther.

10. Hitchcock to Gruenther July 16, 1914 Enclosed Wilson’s refusal to nominate him and the Senator’s reply to the President. Letter also briefs Gruenther on a fight for the Federal Reserve Board Nominees.

11. Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo to Hitchcock August 18, 1914 Informed Hitchcock of intention to recommend to the President the appointment of Omaha Mayor James C. Dahlman as Collector of Internal Revenue for Nebraska. Asked if the Senator objects.

RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934

12. Hitchcock to McAdoo August 18, 1914 Acknowledged McAdoo’s letter; said that he will take some time to reply.

13. Hitchcock to Gruenter August 20, 1914 Sent Gruenther a copy of a letter to Harvey Newbranch of the Omaha World-Herald.

14. Hitchcock to Newbranch August 20, 1914 Discussed a prospective compromise with Bryan. Sen. Hitchcock would not object to Dahlman as Collection of Internal Revenue if Bryan would not object to Gruenther as United States Marshall, while the appointee to the office of District Attorney should be agreed between them. Hitchcock requested from Newbranch information on the primary campaigns of Bryan and Dahlman.

15. Hitchcock to Wilson August 20, 1914 Informed the President of the compromise and his willingness to defer action until Bryan reaches a decision on that compromise.

16. Hitchcock to Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan September 14, 1914 Requested an answer to the proposition of compromise.

17. Hitchcock to Wilson October 17, 1914 Sent a copy of the written propositions of compromise and informed the President that he (Hitchcock) and Bryan had agreed to drop the matter until after the approaching election.

18. Wilson to Hitchcock October 21, 1914 Acknowledges Hitchcock’s letter of October 17th.

19. Hitchcock to Wilson December 21, 1914 Told the President that Bryan refused to compromise. Hitchcock suggested the name of John C. Byrnes.

20. Wilson to Hitchcock December 23, 1914 Acknowledges Hitchcock’s letter of the 21st and informed him that he shall consider the new candidate.

21. McAdoo to Hitchcock May 14, 1915 Proposed the appointment of Mr. George Loomis as Collector of Internal Revenue for Nebraska.

22. Hitchcock to Secretary McAdoo May 17, 1915 Hitchcock felt that his proposal of Byrnes had been ignored and so refused to approve Loomis as Collector.

23. Cooksey* to Hitchcock May 21, 1915 Cooksey to draw McAdoo’s attention to Hitchcock’s letter of the 17th upon McAdoo’s return.

RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934

24. Attorney General Thomas W. Gregory to Hitchcock June 18, 1915 Suggested that Hitchcock name a man satisfactory to the Attorney General for U.S. Marshal, and name a man satisfactory to the Secretary of the Treasury for Collector of Customs; that one satisfactory to the Attorney General be named by Bryan for District Attorney, and one satisfactory to the Secretary of the Treasury be named by Bryan for Internal Revenue Collector. (3 copies)

25. Hitchcock to Gregory June 23, 1915 Hitchcock felt that to agree to the Attorney General’s suggestion would be to abdicate his Senatorial privilege to recommend candidates for the best two offices in the State. He rejected the suggestion. Bryan by now was a private citizen and Hitchcock was indignant at the thought of abdicating his duties to Bryan’s whim.

26. Gregory to Hitchcock (telegram) June 29, 1915 Suggested Thomas S. Allen for District Attorney and James R. Swain or M.L. Corey for U.S. Marshal.

27. McAdoo to Hitchcock (telegram) June 29, 1915 Suggested that McCuen and Loomis were suitable men for Collector of Customs and Collector of Internal Revenue respectively.

28. Gregory to Hitchcock June 30, 1915 Chastised Hitchcock for rash words in June 23 letter.

29. Hitchcock to Gregory June 30, 1915 Complained that the appointments of the men suggested by Gregory and McAdoo would cause some discomfort among his friends and some Nebraska democrats. Suggested that they meet to resolve the issue.

30. Hitchcock to Gregory (telegram) June 30, 1915 Same as letter of the same date.

31. Hitchcock to McAdoo June 30, 1915 Same as June 30 dispatches to Gregory. The meeting was to involve McAdoo, also.

32. Hitchcock to McAdoo June 30, 1915 Telegram identical to the letter of the same date.

*Private Secretary to McAdoo

33. Gregory to Hitchcock July 1, 1915 McAdoo on vacation and that contents of Hitchcock’s letter to be wired to McAdoo (telegram).

34. McAdoo to Hitchcock July 1, 1915 Requested Hitchcock to meet him halfway on the Nebraska patronage issue in the interests of party harmony.

RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934

35. Gregory to Hitchcock (telegram) July 6, 1915 To arrange a meeting with Hitchcock in Chicago.

36. Gregory to Hitchcock (telegram) July 7, 1915 Meeting arrangements.

37. Hitchcock to McAdoo July 7, 1915 Informed McAdoo of meeting with the Attorney General in Chicago (telegram).

38. Gregory to Hitchcock July 10, 1915 Postponed meeting.

39. Hitchcock to Gregory (telegram) July 12, 1915 Acknowledged postponement of meeting.

40. R.G. Siecher* to Hitchcock November 2, 1923 Enclosed a 30-page story written by Paul Y. Anderson, which reviewed the testimony before the Public Lands Committee of the Senate regarding Teapot Dome.

41. Arthur F. Mullen to Hitchcock November 2, 1923 re: Consideration of forming a democratic delegation to run McAdoo for President.

42. Mullen to Hitchcock December 1, 1923 Re: encourage Hitchcock to back McAdoo against Charley Bryan on a presidential ticket.

43. Hitchcock to W.H. Thompson Undated Asked Thompson to run as a delegate at large to the 1924 Democratic National Convention.

44. Mullen to McAdoo December 8, 1923 Urged McAdoo to file in the Nebraska primary as a preferential candidate for the Presidency.

45. McAdoo to Mullen December 12, 1924 Re: McAdoo’s stand on the major issues. Optimistic despite Bryan opposition.

*Washington Press Service Director

46. McAdoo to Thompson December 28, 1923 McAdoo told Thompson that he would not contest Bryan in Nebraska if Bryan filed as a Presidential candidate. Requested more information on the Nebraska situation.

47. Mullen to McAdoo January 8, 1924 Informed McAdoo of the situation in Nebraska and urged him to file in the Nebraska Primary. Also encouraged McAdoo to speak out against the KKK to gain support in Nebraska.

RG3640.AM: Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859-1934

48. McAdoo to Hitchcock January 12, 1924 Expression of appreciation to Hitchcock for his interest in McAdoo’s campaign.

49. McAdoo to Mullen January 12, 1924 Agreed to file as candidate for President if Governor Bryan did not declare first.

50. McAdoo to Mullen January 12, 1924 Agreed to refrain from filing until Governor Bryan decided what to do about the Governorship or the Senatorship.

51. McAdoo to Mullen January 14, 1924 McAdoo decided not to enter Primary.

52. Mullen to McAdoo January 14, 1924 Mullen suggested Dan V. Stephens as McAdoo’s Nebraska campaign manager. In discussing McAdoo’s situation with Mr. Traynor, Mullen decided to press McAdoo to file before Bryan, thus making Bryan file as the opposition candidate.

53. Mullen to McAdoo January 14, 1924 Same as letter of the same date (telegram).

54. McAdoo to Mullen (2 telegrams) January 15, 1924 McAdoo agreed to file first, only if he got approval of Mr. Rockwell.

55. Mullen to Hitchcock January 20, 1924 Re: Supporting McAdoo.

56. Mullen to Hitchcock January 21, 1924 Re: McAdoo’s decision to enter Primary.

57. Mrs. Sadie E. Flaherty to Hitchcock February 22, 1924 Appealed to Hitchcock for help in fighting a bond company which demanded that she pay a deficit that she allegedly had built up during her tenure as Postmaster of Hyannis, Nebr.

58. Edwin T. Merideth to Hitchcock July 17, 1924 Friendly letter reminiscing on fighting the Progressives at the recent convention.

59. Leo J. Ryan to Hitchcock July 19, 1924 Ryan said that Bryan no longer had ambitions of being governor or senator, but his cap was set for the Presidency.

60. Mullen to Hitchcock December 11, 1924 Re: Reorganization of the Democratic National Committee. Mullen wanted Hitchcock to chair the Committee and he himself to retain his membership on the Committee.