Mss.0100.17.1
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Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives 230 Kappa St. Clemson, SC 29634 [email protected] URL: http://library.clemson.edu/depts/specialcollections/ Mss.0100.17.1 Table of Contents Summary Information .................................................................................................................................... 3 Historical note ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Scope and Content note ................................................................................................................................. 4 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................ 4 Collection Inventory ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Chief of Staff Records, Series 40, 1959 - 2002 ......................................................................................... 4 - Page 2 - Mss.0100.17.1 Summary Information Repository: Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Title: Strom Thurmond Collection, Chief of Staff Records ID: Mss.0100.17.1 Date [inclusive]: 1959-2002 Physical Description: 40 Cubic Feet Language of the English Material: Mixed Materials 1-110 [box]: ^ Return to Table of Contents Historical note The Chief of Staff (see Administrative Assistant series) handled all matters connected with the operation of Senator Strom Thurmond's office in Washington, DC. This individual, Robert J. 'Duke' Short, was responsible for implementation of and changes in office policy, and supervised the office staff. He had overall responsibilty for all coorespondence except for the Senator's personal correspondence. The Chief of Staff established and maintained records on personnel, employment recommendations, promotions, demotions and discharges. In addition, he handled all patronage matters that dealt with office positions and other government positions, and was in charge of the interns and pages. The Chief of Staff kept the Senator informed of all office operations, carried out special assignments, and tasked the Press Assistant with covering newspapers and publications for articles of importance or interest to the Senator. Furthermore, he edited or proofed all drafts of statements and speeches before they went before the Senator. Finally, the Chief of Staff helped during political campaigns, and was the only staff member allowed by law to do so as part of his normal duties. Due to Senator Thurmond's extreme age, his Chief of Staff, of necessity, took on additional responsibilities to assist the Senator and carry out all his Senate duties. Some of these additional duties included attending all Senate meetings, listening and advising, and in some instances, speaking for the Senator. Mr. Short also hired additional staff, sepcial assistants to Senator Thurmond, to asist him in any way necessary to carry out his official duties as well as push his wheel chair. As the Senator and Mr. Short carried out their duties the Senate has recognized Mt. SHort's contributions, not only to Senator Thurmond but to the Seante as well, and honored him with the unprecedented disignation of Assistant South Carolina Senator. - Page 3- Mss.0100.17.1 The Special Assistants to Senator Thurmond, mentioned above, included Jason Rossbach and Mark Ivany. Mr. Short's Personal Secretary was Eliza Edgar, whose father is famous South Carolina Historian, Author and Radio personality Dr. Walter Edgar. Mr. Short also held the unique distinction of being Senator Thurmond's Chief of Staff for over 30 years, which is longer than most senators have served in Congress, including the junior Senator from South Carolina, Fritz Hollings. ^ Return to Table of Contents Scope and Content note The Chief of Staff series contains records ranging from ordinary day-to-day office files and correspondence to unique and sensitive committee and agency files. The dates of inclusion are 1959, when Duke Short first became employed by Senator Strom Thurmond, to the end of 2002, when all record-keeping activities caesed due to Senator Thurmond's, and therefore Duke Short's, retirement. ^ Return to Table of Contents Administrative Information Publication Statement Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives 230 Kappa St. Clemson, SC 29634 [email protected] URL: http://library.clemson.edu/depts/specialcollections/ ^ Return to Table of Contents Collection Inventory Chief of Staff Records, Series 40, 1959 - 2002 - Page 4- Mss.0100.17.1 ^ Return to Table of Contents 86th Congress, 1959-1961 Title/Description Instances Correspondence, Including Thurmond's Election to and Resignation from his US Senate Seat (1951 - 1959 88th Congress, 1963-1965 Title/Description Instances Thurmond Portraits Correspondence 90th Congress, 1967-1969 1st Session Title/Description Instances Correspondence, Including Judgeships, Olin D., Johnston, and Ronald Reagan (1960-1967) 2nd Session Title/Description Instances Voter Opinion Survey, Presidential Race, South Carolina 91st Congress, 1969-1971 Title/Description Instances Projects - Military Government Association Membership 92nd Congress, 1971-1973 1st Session Title/Description Instances James E. Duffy and SC Republican Party Issues 2nd Session Title/Description Instances Previous Adminitrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, July 25 Projects - Internment at Arlington Cemetary - Page 5- Mss.0100.17.1 Voter Opionon Survey, Sixth Congressional District, South Carolina Voter Opinion Survey, South Carolina 93rd Congress, 1973-1975 1st Session Title/Description Instances Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, January to April Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, May Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, June Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, July Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, August and September Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, October Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, November and December 2nd Session Title/Description Instances Department of State Concerning Karl and Tom Hawkins (see 1975) Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, January Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, February Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, March and April Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, May to July Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, July to December Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, August to December South Carolinas Appointed to the Nixon Administration Staff - McMaster, Henry Dargan (1973 - 1974) - Page 6- Mss.0100.17.1 Staff - Nickeron, Constance F. 94th Congress, 1975-1977 1st Session Title/Description Instances Department of State Concerning Karl and Tom Hawkins (see 1974) Miscellaneous Election Law Issues (1974 - 1975) Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, February to June Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, July to December Staff - Clary, Gary E. (1974 - 1975) 2nd Session Title/Description Instances Miscellaneous Election Law Issues Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, January to June Results of 4th District Public Opinion Poll, Compiled and Analyzed by Lee Atwater Staff - Blandford, Joseph Bernard III (1974 - 1976) Staff - Coates, William A. (1973 - 1976) Staff - Johnson, Mary Jane (1973 - 1976) Summary of Senator Thrumond's 20 Years in the Senate The Darden Poll, Presidential Election, Southern States 95th Congress, 1977-1979 1st Session Title/Description Instances Lewis Edward Beasly, Military Assistant (Governor David Beasly's Father) Nationwide Survey on Attitudes Toward Labor Issues Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, January to December Staff - Ducworth, George Marion (1974 - 1977) - Page 7- Mss.0100.17.1 Staff - Hucks, Rebecca (1974 - 1977) Survey of Political Attitudes, South Carolina, August - part 1 Survey of Political Attitudes, South Carolina, August - part 2 Survey of Political Attitudes, South Carolina, August - part 3 Survey of Political Attitudes, South Carolina, August - part 4 Survey of Political Attitudes, South Carolina, August - part 5 Survey of Political Attitudes, South Carolina, September Voter Registration Population in House District 121 2nd Session Title/Description Instances Campaign Silver Tray Gifts Correspondence - Lois McGaha, Cofidential Miscellaneous Election Law Issues (1977 - 1978) Previous Administrative Assistant Files Carried Over - Memorandum to Senator Thurmond, January to June South Carolina Survey and Related Material Survey of Political Attitudes, South Carolina, April - part 1 Survey of Political