(ISSN 0043-6534) WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin • Vol. 62, No. 2 • Winter, 1978-1979 THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN RICHARD A. ERNEY, Director Officers WILLIAM HUFFMAN, President F. HARWOOD ORBISON, Treasurer JOHN C. GFILFUSS, First Vice-President RICHARD A. ERNEY, Secretary ROGER E. AXTELL, Second Vice-President

THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN is both a state agency and a private member organization. Founded in 1846—two years before statehood—and char­ tered in 1853, it is the oldest American historical society to receive continuous public funding. By statute, it is charged with collecting, advancing, and dissemi­ nating knowledge of Wisconsin and of the trans-Mississippi West. The Society serves as the archive of the State of Wisconsin; it collects all manner of books, periodicals, maps, manuscripts, relics, newspapers, and aural and graphic ma­ terials as they relate to North America; it maintains a museum, library, and re­ search facility in Madison as well as a statewide system of historic sites, school services, area research centers, and affiliated local societies; and it publishes a wide variety of historical materials, both scholarly and popular.

MEMBERSHIP in the Society is open to the public. Annual membership is $10, or $7.50 for persons over 65 or members of affiliated societies. Family membership is $12.50, or $10 for persons over 65 or members of affiliated societies. Contribu­ ting membership is $25; business and professional, $50; sustaining, $100 or more annually; patron, $500 or more annually.

THE SOCIETY is governed by a Board of Curators which includes, ex officio, the Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, the President of the Uni­ versity of Wisconsin, and the President of the Society's Auxiliary. The other thirty-six members of the Board of Curators are elected by the membership. A complete listing of the Curators appears inside the back cover.

The Society is headquartered at 816 State Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, at the juncture of State and Park streets on the University of Wisconsin campus. A partial listing of phone numbers (Area Code 608) follows: General administration 262-3266 Library circulation desk 262-3421 General information 262-3271 Maps 262-9558 Affiliated local societies 262-2316 Membership 262-9613 Archives reading room 262-3338 Microforms reading room 262-9621 Contribution of library materials and Museum exhibits and services 262-2704 artifacts 262-0629 Museum tours 262-9567 Editorial offices 262-9603 Newspapers reference 262-9584 Film collections 262-0585 Picture and sound collections 262-9581 Genealogical and general reference Publications orders 262-9613 inquiries 262-9590 Public information office 262-9606 Government publications and reference 262-2781 Sales desk 262-3271 Historic preservation 262-1339 School services 262-9567 Historic sites 262-3271 Speakers bureau 262-3266

ON THE COVER: Glenn Frank, tenth president of the University of Wisconsin, laying the corner­ stone of the Memorial Union on Langdon Street, May $0, 1927. [University of Wisconsin Archives] Volume 62, Number 2 / Winter, 1978-1979

^^KTEHISTo^ Isbst WISCONSIN SCO MAGAZINE OF > OF WIS*^ HISTORY (ISSN 0043-6534)

Published quarterly by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706. Distributed to members as part of their dues. (Annual member­ ship, .flO, or 17.50 for those Glenn Frank of the University of Wisconsin: over 65 or members of affiliated societies; family membership, A Reinterpretation 91 tl2.50, or 110 for those over 65 or members of affiliated societies; Steven D. Zink contributing, |25; business and professional, .|50; sustaining, $100 or more annually; patron, A German Farmer Views Wisconsin, 1851-1863 128 S500 or more annually.) Single Edited by Hartmut Keil numbers from Volume 57 forward are $2. Microfilmed copies available through University Microfilms, 300 Book Reviews 144 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106; reprints of Book Review Index 161 Volumes 1 through 20 and most issues of Volumes 21 through Wisconsin History Checklist 162 56 are available from Kraus Reprint Company, Route 100, Millwood, New York 10546. Accessions 165 Communications should be addressed to the editor. The Proceedings of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Society does not assume Annual Meeting of the State Historical Society 168 responsibility for statements made by contributors. Second- class postage paid at Contributors 176 Madison, Wisconsin, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wisconsin Magazine of History, 816 State Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706. Copyright © 1979 by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Paid for in part by the Maria L. and Simeon Mills Editorial Fund and by the George B. Burrows Fund.

PAUL H. HASS EDITOR WILLIAM C. MARTEN ASSOCIATE EDITOR

JOHN O. HOLZHUETER ASSISTANT EDITOR WHi (D487) 9303 Lower campus of the University of Wisconsin, April, 1927, looking westward towards Bascom Hill from the State Historical Society building at the juncture of State and Park streets.

90 Glenn Frank of the University of Wisconsin: A Reinterpretation

By Steven D. Zink

LENN FRANK, president of the Frank was adept at his new job. His literary GUniversit y of Wisconsin from skills won him a readership; his dynamic per­ 1925 to 1937, is not a prominent name on the sonality, eloquence, and friendly disposition Madison campus today. While the names of won him a personal following. In a matter of such University presidents as John Bascom a few years he had emerged as a prominent and Charles R. Van Hise are commemorated liberal spokesman of national standing. by buildings, Frank is remembered, if at all, Although Glenn Frank had widespread in­ for his dramatic exit from office. By the stan­ terests, he often wrote and spoke of his deep dards of the 1970's (and only to a lesser extent veneration for scholarship and the university. those of the 1920's), Glenn Frank was an un­ He emphasized the fundamental importance likely person to become head of one of the of the university to American society and its nation's most prominent state universities. crucial role in preserving the "democratic ex­ He was not an academician, but rather a periment." To secure maximum benefits from journalist and publicist hired by a board of the nation's universities, Frank advocated that regents whose chief interest lay in refurbish­ they form a close working relationship with ing the University's languishing reputation. government. In many ways his ideas were And in the conducive atmosphere of the 1920's, reminiscent of the vibrant "Wisconsin Idea" Frank succeeded amazingly well. By the 1930's, of two decades earlier, but Frank proposed a however, a changing political and economic higher status for the university than that of climate, accompanied by an altered concep­ mere servant to the state. He idealized the uni­ tion of the role of a university president, over­ versity as an equal partner which should fur­ rode Frank's earlier achievements and nish the state with uncompromising "pure brought his administration to an abrupt and thought." To Frank, the full-scale regenera- unseemly end. A native of small-town Missouri, Glenn Frank held only a bachelor's degree, earned AuTHOR's NOTE: One problem common to biography at Northwestern University in 1912. After as a literary genre is that biographers frequently ex­ amine a subject's personality and life at the expense graduation he remained at Northwestern as of related personalities and events. Often a shift away an alumni secretary until 1916, when he ac­ from the biographical focus to a broader plain of cepted a position as private secretary to the analysis produces a balancing effect. Examined in such Boston merchant-philanthropist Edward Fi- a maimer, Glenn Frank's personality and ambitions lene. In 1919 he, his wife, and their young emerge as less stark than they have been previously portrayed, and the roles of contemporary personalities son moved to New York, where in three years' and events take on larger significance. A historiograph- time he became editor of Century Magazine. ical note appears at the end of this article.

Copyright © 1979 by The State Historical Society of Wisconsin All rights of reproduction in any form reserved 91 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 tion of modern politics, government, and so­ Status of the University of Wisconsin across ciety demanded such an intimate relationship.' both state and nation. The regents sought a When, early in 1924, University of Wiscon­ president who could revive at least the rhetoric sin President Edward A. Birge informed the once engendered by the Wisconsin Idea. Cer­ board of regents of his willingness to retire, tainly, the board members required a record several persons mentioned Frank as a possible of accomplishment from their proposed ap­ successor. From June, 1924, to the following pointee; but, just as importantly, they wanted January, the board evaluated several candi­ a man of action who could rescue the Uni­ dates for the position, finally agreeing upon versity from the doldrums induced by the Dean Roscoe Pound of the Harvard Law World War and the conservative Birge ad­ School. The press printed word of the regents' ministration. Glenn Frank, thirty-eight years selection and took for granted Pound's accept­ old, was the epitome of action and flair. He ance. To the regents' dismay. Pound abruptly could capture the imagination of Wisconsin's turned down the offer. From January until citizens.' Regent Michael Olbrich expressed May, 1925, the humiliated regents discontin­ the board's enthusiasm for associating the Uni­ ued their search and directed their attention versity with such a man. Said Olbrich: "This toward budget matters. As the spring semester man is not merely university presidential tim­ drew to a close, the board members grew ber. He is presidential timber. There is no anxious about finding a new president. Re­ end to the distance he can go."^ gent Zona Gale, a noted author and personal Their fear of being turned down once again friend of Glenn Frank, again suggested that and their knowledge that Frank's income was Frank be offered the post. She met no oppo­ substantial induced the regents to offer Frank sition. Throughout the regents' search Frank a generous contract. It promised an annual had remained a prominent candidate.^ salary of $18,000, a large but ill-furnished Even though the impending summer recess residence recently donated to the University, and their earlier embarrassment may have and a house fund "to bear such expense ... as made the regents receptive to Gale's forth­ may be imposed upon the President by virtue right suggestion, the final decision in favor of of having to live in the large establishment Glenn Frank was not arrived at impulsively. provided and having to carry on entertain­ Frank filled many of the board members' ment incident to the most effective service to criteria for a new president. They were not the University." The contract also provided seeking merely an administrator; they wanted Frank and his family with an automobile and a personality—someone who could elevate the driver. Still, Glenn Frank could not have ac­ cepted the position for monetary gain. The contract stipulated that Frank could complete ^ Glenn Frank, "State Universities in State Politics, any outstanding writing agreements or pre- Can We Drive the Professor and Politician Abreast?" in Century Magazine (May, 1925), 121-124; Glenn Frank, "Three Pillars of Society: A Free University— ^ Clough Gates, business manager of the Superior A Pacific Church—A Realistic State," in Century Maga­ Evening Telegram and in 1937 one of Frank's chief zine (August, 1924), 567-573; and Glenn Frank, "The adversaries on the board of regents, wrote in 1924: University of Wisconsin—A Look Backward and For­ "Sometimes I think that in a measure too much scholas­ ward," in Wisconsin, Blue Book, 1927, pp. 362-368. tic experience develops a handicap for the man who ^E. A. Birge to J. C. Schmidtmann, February 1, 1924, is to assume the Presidency of a big school." See Gates in the E. A. Birge Papers, box 4, Archives Division, to Theodore Kronshage, Jr., president of the board State Historical Society of Wisconsin (hereinafter cited of regents, November 29, 1924, Kronshage Papers, as .Archives, SHSW); John Callahan to Lynn H. Hough, box 5. Also see the Wisconsin State Journal, June 22, June 19, 1924, Callahan to Walter Dill Scott, Callahan 1925, in which an article by Michael Olbrich appears, to E. A. Filene, July 10, October 16, 1924, and Filene introducing Frank to the Madison conmiunity and to Callahan, October 8, 1924, March 6, 1925, all in the noting the advantages of Frank's personal appeal over Michael B. Olbrich Papers, box 2, Archives, SHSW; that of a professional administrator; and French Stroth- Wisconsin Stale Journal (Madison), January 22, 29, er, "The Death of the 'Wisconsin Idea': An Article 1925. University President E. A. Birge also assumed on Political Evolution in La Follette's Old Strong­ that Pound would accept, and wrote him a letter of hold," in World's Work (October, 1925), 620-624. congratulation on his appointment. See E. A. Birge * Lawrence H. Larsen, The President Wore Spats: A to Dean Roscoe Pound, January 23, 1925, in tlie Biography of Glenn Frank (Madison, 1965), 63. See Theodore Kronshage Papers, box 5, Archives, SHSW. also the bibliographic note at the close of this article.

92 University of Wisconsin Archives Glenn Frank, newly installed president of the University, at a reception welcoming students to the opening of the fall term, September 25, 1925. 93 University of Wisconsin Arcfiives The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 1924-1925. Front row, left to right; Gilbert E. Seaman, Theodore Kronshage, Leola M. Hirschman, Elizabeth Waters, Zona Gale, President Edward A. Birge, Harry L. Butler. Middle row: Daniel H. Grady, John Callahan, D. O. Mahoney, John E. Cashman. Back row: M. E. Mc­ Caffrey, A. J. Horlick, Ben F. Faast, and J. D. Phillips, University business manager. viously negotiated speaking engagements, but wrote Zona Gale: "I feel that there is a that he should discontinue his syndicated chance to make the University of Wisconsin newspaper column as soon as possible and once more the pioneer that shall give leader­ presumably should limit future speaking en­ ship to the whole field of state supported edu­ gagements to the realm of University affairs. cation. I feel that we have only scratched the By trimming this source of Frank's income, surface of what a great university can mean the University assured him of a $7,000 reduc­ in the life of a state."^ At the very least, the tion from his previous yearly earnings.^ status accorded a major university president in the early years of this century promised

N large part, Frank accepted the = Wisconsin State Journal, June 22, 1925; "Memo­ randum of Agreement Between the Undersigned Com­ I•presidenc: y of the University of Wis­ mittee of the Board of Regents of the University of consin out of his reverence for universities Wisconsin and Glenn Frank," n.d. (mimeograph), in and his desire to be a part of what he idealis- the George Clarke Sellery Papers, Chancellors and tically considered to be one of the "three pil­ Presidents Collection, box 7, University of Wisconsin Archives (hereinafter cited as UW Archives); Larsen, lars of society."^ The post challenged him to The President Wore Spats, 43. put into practice his ideas about the function "Frank, "Three Pillars of Society," 567-573. of the university in American society. He ' Larsen, The President Wore Spats, 53. 94 ZINK: GLENN FRANK

to give the editor of the Century a more intel­ criticism of the Birge administration mounted. lectually respectable forum from which to ex­ These political workings within the Univer­ press his ideas. sity were widely known and were of no small As the University's new president, Glenn import to Dean Roscoe Pound who, when Frank faced a treacherous political situation. proffered the presidency, turned it down. Al­ Even before the board of regents ratified though Glenn Frank was not strictly a politi­ Frank's contract on June 4, 1925, Regent cal appointee, his oft-mentioned progressivism Michael Olbrich wrote Frank to proceed with did not hurt his image in the eyes of the re­ caution in making statements so as not to gents. The board's willingness to disregard antagonize the conservative or "stalwart" Frank's lack of university administrative ex­ forces in the state. As in the past, the Univer­ perience in favor of his ability to breathe new sity remained closely bound to state govern­ life into the University by recapturing the ment and politics, an alliance which had waning spirit of the Wisconsin Idea was, in helped to forge an international reputation itself, an expression of the board's progressive for the University. Benefits, however, had influence.* not been the sole result of the alliance; fre­ Glenn Frank inherited from President quent political interference in University af­ Birge numerous problems, many of which fairs had been a by-product. The most acces­ stemmed from the University's embroilment sible point for this political penetration was in politics. Prior to World War I, the Univer­ the fifteen-member board of regents, each sity severed its ties with the La Follette pro­ member of which traditionally served a six- gressives. The initial split followed progres­ year term and owed his appointment solely sive state defeats, but a more serious breach to the governor. Often this body had been followed. In early 1918, a majority of the criticized for exerting partisan political in­ faculty members signed a petition condemning fluence. Not the weakest voice of those who the anti-war posture of Senator Robert La had expressed discontent was that of former Follette. Within three years the situation President John Bascom, who had resigned in changed markedly. The progressives regained 1887 following long-term political harassment. control of state government, and wartime hys­ Early in the twentieth century the progres­ teria melted into postwar disillusionment. sives, under Governor Robert M. La Follette, Forgetting their own wartime passions, many profoundly altered the University-government citizens found it incomprehensible that the relationship by revitalizing the University's University had gone on record against "Old commitment to service to the state. Calling this Bob" for whom they trooped to the polls in notion of service the Wisconsin Idea, the pro­ record numbers in 1922 to re-elect. Thus, the gressives utilized the advice of University ex­ faculty's wartime excesses not only alienated perts on numerous state problems and in gen­ progressives but also cost the University con- eral assigned the University a more visible and more vital role in the life of the state. Through the Wisconsin Idea the progressives also gave « Michael Olbrich to Glenn Frank, June 4, 1925, Ol­ an air of legitimacy to what once had clearly brich Papers, box 2; John Bascom, "President Bascom been partisan political interference in Univer­ and the University" (mimeographed copy of an open sity affairs. Thereafter, the appointment of re­ letter published in the Wisconsin Prohibitionist, June 22, 1887), in the Noble Clark Papers, box 2, UW gents to the board more closely mirrored the Archives; Merle Curti and Vernon Carstensen, The politics of the party in power. University of Wisconsin: A History, 1848-1925 (2 vols., The selection of University presidents was Madison, 1949), I: 270; Roscoe Pound to John Calla­ also affected. In 1903, Governor La Follette han, January 27, 1925, Pound to Theodore Kronshage, January 27, 1925, both in the Kronshage Papers, box influenced the selection over more conserva­ 5; George Marvin, " 'Wisconsin' and Wisconsin: How tive candidates of Charles R. Van Hise, who a Radical State and a Serviceable Institution Hinder served until his death in 1918. A conservative, and Help One Another," in Outlook (January 13, 1926), Edward A. Birge, succeeded Van Hise. In the 70. In his letter to Callahan, Pound wrote, "I had as­ early twenties, as the progressives regained sumed a situation entirely divorced from politics, and the information I now have as to the intimate relation the political power they had lost during the of the university and its conduct to politics comes as war and their numbers on the board grew, a distinct shock."

95 did he anticipate the rapid postwar rise in enrollment.^ By 1925, the University of Wisconsin was clearly slipping. In March, progressive Re­ gent Theodore Kronshage wrote a series of articles to alert Wisconsinites about the seri­ ous problems facing the University. He sought to convince the citizens that they had been mis­ informed about the University. He urged them to put pressure on the reluctant legisla­ ture and the tight-fisted governor, John J. Blaine, to provide increased funds for pro­ fessors' salaries and to relieve overcrowded fa­ cilities. Kronshage's was the first real effort since the war to regain the confidence of the state's citizens. Although his campaign met with some success, the balance of the task of reconciliation fell to the new president, Glenn Frank.i"

JONFRONTED with the numer­ C;ou s political and economic prob­ lems of the University, Frank was fortunate that his appointment met with widespread approval. Even the older, more conservative faculty members seemed to accept Frank. Be­ neath the placid surface, however, there was apprehension. George Clarke Sellery, the stub­ born dean of letters and science who always claimed to represent an influential body of faculty opinion on campus, later wrote of these apprehensions. Anyone from outside the faculty would have evoked some dissatis­ faction, but Frank, who was not even an academician, only aggravated the situation. Intellectual contempt for Frank is a persistent theme throughout Sellery's memoirs, and in­ deed was a more widespread feeling among the faculty than has been generally noted. The generous salary awarded Frank was another source of irritation. But perhaps Sellery's chief objection to Frank was the very one University of Wisconsin Archives which, in retrospect, he omitted from his Governor John J. Blaine and President Edward A. memoirs. Personally, Sellery enjoyed a close Birge of the University of Wisconsin. relationship with President Birge and had played a large role in the operation of the siderable citizen support. As a signer of the La Follette petition, President Birge only "Curti and Carstensen, The University of Wisconsin, hoped to maintain the University during II: 115. troubled times. He did not pressure the legis­ ^"Capital Times (Madison), February 27, March 2-7, 1925; Theodore Kronshage to Michael Olbrich, March lature for additional funds, he did not attempt 21, 1925, Olbrich Papers, box 2; Marvin, "'Wisconsin' to win back the University's lost support; nor and Wisconsin," 72. 96 University of Wisconsin Archives Alpha Gamma Rho costume party, 1925.

University of Wisconsin. He had also been Some subtle faculty objections were not prominent in initiating the petition condemn­ the only reaction lost in the widespread en­ ing Senator La Follette during the war. Con­ thusiasm over Frank's appointment. Robert sequently, criticism of the Birge administra­ M. La Follette, Sr., was the most important tion both stung him and made him fearful of political figure in the state. While the regents the consequences of his past actions. It seerried searched for a new president for the Univer­ only too clear to Sellery, and indeed to other sity throughout 1924, La Follette's attention faculty members as well, that the new presi­ rested upon his bid for the presidency of the dent had been hired to carry out the vengeful United States. Still, La Follette maintained wishes of the retrenched state progressive a lifelong interest in the University and ex­ leaders.*i pected to be consulted about a new president. When no formal inquiry was forthcoming, " Larsen, The President Wore Spats, 77; John D. he made known to the board his wish that Hicks, My Life with History: An Autobiography (Lin­ Robert Morss Lovett of the University of coln, Nebraska, 1968), 205; Fred L. Holmes, "Glenn Chicago be appointed president. The board Frank, 1925-1937," in Wisconsin Alumnus (July, 1943), did indeed contact Lovett, but in January, 304; Capital Times, January 8, 1937. The fear of retri­ 1925, he withdrew liis name from considera­ bution may not have been without foundation. See C. V. Ballard to John Cashman, July 10, 1925, in the tion. Upon Frank's hiring in May, La Follette John Cashman Papers, unprocessed. Archives, SHSW. made no public statement concerning the re­ Ballard complained to Cashman, a regent and a state gents' decision. A month later, the elder La- senator, about E. A. Birge's $10,000 annual pension Follette was dead. on the grounds that Birge's participation in the round robin against La Follette's anti-war stand had dis­ Although his assessment of Frank will never graced the University. be known with certainty, there is reason to 97 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 believe that "Old Bob" had even less enthu­ was untrue—and Middleton later denied mak­ siasm for Frank than he had had for the re­ ing the statement—it serves to demonstrate gents' first choice, Roscoe Pound. Philip La the significance Frank placed upon his failure Follette recalled in his memoirs that his father to receive an initial endorsement from "Old had thought Glenn Frank "shallow."'^ This Bob." After nearly twelve years as president, is not surprising. Only a year and a half be­ Frank had come to recognize the convoluted, fore being designated president, Glenn Frank frequently irksome nature of the relationship had denounced those United States senators between state politics and the University of who had irreconcilably opposed America's en­ Wisconsin. try into the League of Nations. In a rare out­ If Frank held any illusions about his new burst, Frank had charged that the senators job, they must have been shaken by events were parochial, demagogic, and possessed the shortly after his hiring. In early 1925 the "lowest form of political intelligence."'^ Be­ General Education Board, a foundation fund­ ing one of the those who had vehemently op­ ed by the Rockefeller fortune, had given the posed the League of Nations charter in any University $12,500 for medical research. By form. La Follette could hardly have been a narrow vote the board of regents accepted fond of Frank's characterization. Further­ the money. Shortly thereafter a Milwaukee as­ more, during the heat of La Follette's 1924 semblyman protested, and an immediate furor third party presidential bid, Glenn Frank ensued which lasted throughout the summer wrote, "I have never been able to muster and remained a topic of controversy for sev­ great enthusiasm for the 'third party' move­ eral years. In the past, the University had ac­ ments that have arisen since I became a voter. cepted foundation gifts without complaint, . . ."" Such evident differences between the but the death of Robert La Follette, Sr., in the two men, combined with the impression of summer of 1925 made the gift controversial. Frank which La Follette imparted to his son, Only a few months before his death the sen­ lend some significance to a story Frank told ator had chided American universities for ac­ much later, at the time of his removal in 1937. cepting gifts from monopolistic sources. The He claimed that on the day in 1925 when progressive-dominated board of regents could news of his appointment appeared in the New hardly ignore the assemblyman's protest.^^ In York press, he was lunching at the Player's fact, only a month earlier it had asserted that Club, where he encountered La Follette's son- the University would "always be one of the in-law, Robert Middleton. Middleton warned most enduring memorials to Robert Marion him, "Don't get your neck into that, it's against La Follette."'^ the wishes of the family.''^^ Even if the story As the pressure mounted, many progressives rallied to support the apparent wishes of their deceased leader, and Madison's progressive "Philip F. La Follette, Adventure in Politics: The newspaper, the Capital Times, applied edi­ Memoirs of Philip La Follette, ed. by Donald Young (New York, 1970), 232-233; Milwaukee Journal, March torial pressure for the return of the money. 10, 1936; Robert Morss Lovett, All Our Years: The At their August meeting the regents voted Autobiography of Robert Morss Lovett (New York, nine to six to return the money and adopted 1948), 196-197. Lovett maintains that he was contacted a resolution forbidding acceptance of such about the position by Governor John J. Blaine, Philip La Follette, and Robert La Follette, Sr. He was dis­ gifts in the future. The alumni vociferously couraged, however, by a letter from John R. Commons which detailed the frequent political overtones of the position and by what Lovett felt was the general lack 1= "Battle of Madison," in Time (December 28, 1936), of faculty support for his nomination. Also see Curti 30; Capital Times, January 8, 1937; Wisconsin State and Carstensen, The University of Wisconsin, II: 157; Journal, January 8, 1937. Belle Case La Follette and Fola La Follette, Robert M. " Curti and Carstensen, The University of Wisconsin, La Follette: June 14, 1855-June 18, 1925 (2 vols.. New II: 224; Robert M. La Follette, Sr., editorials in La York, 1953), 1155. Follette's Magazine (January, 1925), 2-3, (February, ^'Glenn Frank, "The Wages of Complexity: On 1925), 19-20; Marvin, " 'Wisconsin' and Wisconsin," 70; Civilization and the Biology of Death," in Century George Clarke Sellery, E. A. Birge: A Memoir (Madi­ Magazine (December, 1923), 319-320. son, 1956), 82. " Glenn Frank, editorial in Century Magazine (Sep­ " University of Wisconsin, Board of Regents, Min- tember, 1924), 715. utes, June 22, 1925, UW Archives. 98 1

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WHi (D487) 2998 University of Wisconsin students at the Presbyterian Student Center, 1935. opposed the move, as did progressives Michael ing to leave the University. He witnessed the Olbrich and Theodore Kronshage, who ques­ intense loyalty which Robert M. La Follette tioned the board's authority to reject founda­ commanded even in death. He saw the in­ tion gifts without approval by the legislature. fluence that political ideology exerted upon Olbrich expressed this opinion in reply to a the board, and the disruption that such ad­ letter of concern from the bewildered new herence could entail when marshaled to affect president, Glenn Frank, who still resided in the function of the University. He observed New York.i* the narrow range in which he would be forced For Frank the implications of the episode to function as president, and the precarious were far more important than the vague reso­ balance he would have to maintain between lution the board adopted. Frank witnessed the desires of the faculty and the various rival the independence of the faculty members, who political factions. Privately, Frank favored not only harshly repudiated the board's ac­ foundation gifts as a source of University reve­ tion but also allowed rumors to circulate that nue and quietly worked for them while in of­ several distinguished members were prepar- fice; but publicly he took an ambivalent stand on the question after his arrival in Wiscon-

'•^ Capital Times, August I, 4, 1925; University of Wisconsin, Board of Regents, Minutes, August 5, 1925; Michael Olbrich to Glenn Frank, August II, 1925, Ol­ ^'' Wisconsin State Journal, October 8, 1925; Curti brich Papers, box 2. and Carstensen, The University of Wisconsin, II: 229; 99 University of Wisconsin Archives Bascom Hall addition, April, 1926.

RANK did not enjoy controversy. relations with the influential La Follette fam­ FFro m the outset, he made an ef­ ily and won the admiration of progressive fort to pacify all sides in disputes. He also politicians. Yet if Frank was willing to accom­ wisely trimmed some of his ideals to accom­ modate some minor political points, he was modate the continuous political inspection he unwilling to follow every suggestion. He expected to undergo. In the spring of 1926, consistently took a strong stand for academic he invited Philip La Follette to hold a part- freedom of speech and tenure. Upon his ar­ time position in the law school. La Follette rival in Madison, Frank ignored early pres­ accepted. Frank made the appointment full- sure to relieve George Clarke Sellery as dean of time in 1927 and later even offered La Follette letters and science and to discipline other the deanship. In this way, he cultivated good World War I opponents of Senator La Fol- lette.2° In early 1927, when United States Senator John J. Blaine protested a faculty James Ward Rector, "An Analysis of a Biography," 46, member's bulletin on the state's income taxes in State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Editorial Di­ vision, Book Production File, series 981, box 25, folder 5, Archives, SHSW. An edited version was published •"La Follette, Memoirs of Philip La Follette, 116; with different pagination as Analysis of a Biography Capital Times, January 8, 1937; New York Times, Jan­ (Madison, 1968). See also bibliographic note. uary 11, 1937; Holmes, "Glenn Frank," 304. 100 ZINK: GLENN FRANK

and recommended that Frank direct the mem­ college and invited Meiklejohn to Madison ber either to retract the statements or resign, to administer it. The experimental college Frank defiantly responded that "as long as I began operation in the autumn of 1927. It am president of the University of Wisconsin was a distinct institution within the Univer­ complete and unqualified academic freedom sity. Selected freshmen and sophomore stu­ will not only be accorded to the members of dents lived in a separate campus dormitory its faculty but will be vigorously defended in close proximity to their instructors, where regardless of the pressure, the power, or the for two years they received informal univer­ prestige that may accompany any challenge sity training which emphasized directed in­ of the inalienable right of scholarship."^^ dependent study. After two years, the students By carefully balancing contending forces joined the rest of the University students to and by drawing upon the reservoir of good complete their degrees. The college won na­ will that accompanied his arrival in Madison, tionwide publicity for the University and a Frank achieved considerable success in his good deal of acclaim in educational circles first few years as president. He ended the until the Depression forced its closure in building drought which had plagued the Uni­ 1932.23 versity since 1913, and during his administra­ Frank had still other plans for altering the tion sixteen structures were completed and curriculum. Although as early as 1926 he several more begun. The Memorial Union thought it urgent to reform the large college and the carillon tower were prominent among of letters and science, a plan in the form of the new buildings. Another outstanding fea­ a faculty report did not emerge until 1930. ture of Frank's administration was his percep­ The report reflected Frank's influence. Put tive appointment of deans. During his twelve into effect in the autumn of that year, it pro­ years of service he named Lloyd K. Garrison vided for a two-year diploma for the predicted as dean of the law school, Edwin B. Fred as 15 per cent of students who could not meet dean of the graduate school, C. J. Anderson new, higher standards required to advance as dean of the newly established education past the sophomore year. For many of those school, William S. Middleton as head of the who proceeded, the plan promised more in­ medical school, and the popular Chris Chris- dependent work, interdepartmental majors, tensen as head of the college of agriculture. a test of general knowledge at the end of one's In addition, several new and nationally known college career, and a chance for advanced individuals were added to the faculty. Among students to receive an M.A. at the end of their the most prominent were Edwin E. Witte, the four years of study. In the same year the chief formulator of the Social Security Act; school of education opened. Formally a sub­ John M. Gaus, the political scientist; and John ordinate school within the college of letters D. Hicks, the historian. All of the appoint­ and science, it received independent status ments added inestimably to the stature of the under the direction of Professor C. J. Ander­ respective departments and colleges and to son. the University of Wisconsin as a whole.^^ In 1932 Frank succeeded in establishing the Frank also initiated several curriculum in­ Farm Folk School, which replaced the Farm novations, the most notable being the ex­ Short Course. First detailed in 1927, the perimental college. In early 1926, he con­ school provided educational training for tacted Alexander Meiklejohn, onetime pro­ young farmers. For four winter months young fessor of philosophy at Amherst College and farmers from all over the state lived on cam­ a noted proponent of educational reform. pus. They learned useful farming techniques Frank outlined his ideas about the proposed and rural civic responsibilities, and were ex­ posed to music, drama, and a smattering of

^ Chicago Daily News, June 16, 1929. ^ Holmes, "Glenn Frank," 308; Mark H. Ingraham, '^ Glenn Frank to Alexander Meiklejohn, January "The University of Wisconsin, 1925-1950," in Allan 16, 1926, in the Alexander Meiklejohn Papers, box 32, G. Bogue and Robert Taylor, eds.. The University of Archives, SHSW; Alexander Meiklejohn, The Experi­ Wisconsin: One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years mental College (New York, 1932); Milwaukee Sentinel, (Madison, 1975), 73. September 20, 1930.

101 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

Frank's achievements did not come easily, though in his early years he met little resist­ ance from the board of regents, which seemed receptive to change. He was often less suc­ cessful in convincing the more conservative faculty members. Frank's proposals were cour­ teously received but infrequently acted upon. The experimental college and other curricu­ lum reforms were particularly susceptible to such treatment. Much of this resistance prob­ ably stemmed from the faculty's reluctance to accept Frank as an intellectual. Many of the older, influential faculty members continued to view Frank as a publicist who did not un­ derstand the workings of the University.^^ George Clarke Sellery was more resistant than most. In 1918, upon Sellery's nomination to the deanship, one regent had objected that Sellery often demonstrated a "lack of sym­ pathy or even cooperation" toward ideas sub­ mitted by others.^^ A story related by Henry Wriston, a former president of Lawrence College, bears this out. In the morning session of a meeting of Wis­ consin college administrators, representatives adopted a plan to standardize their institu­ Alexander Meiklejohn. tions' entrance forms. Glenn Frank, represent­ ing the University of Wisconsin, heartily con­ other culture-oriented courses. Within a few sented. When the representatives returned years the program became so popular that from lunch, Frank adamantly opposed the only a lack of facilities limited enrollment. In plan. Sellery told Wriston later that at lunch 1927 Frank also established a bureau of edu­ he had threatened Frank with an open fight cational records and guidance and began a before the faculty unless he changed his posi­ program of freshman orientation. The fol­ tion.^'^ Frank's submission reveals the timidity lowing year, he expanded the orientation of his presidential leadership and the powerful period to a full week during which graduate faculty obstacles he faced, as well as the truth students, rather than faculty, informally aid­ of Sellery's oft-repeated dictum: "Ours is a ed the new students. All of Frank's innova­ faculty university."2^ tions required increased funds, which he suc­ cessfully lobbied from the legislature. He net­ ^ Sellery, Some Ferments at Wisconsin, 54; Larsen, ted the University record state appropriations. The President Wore Spats, 70-80; Milwaukee Journal, From a low of less than $3.8 million for the December 17, 1936; Hicks, My Life with History, 204; 1925-1926 academic year, the University by Ernest L. Meyer, "Glenn Frank: Journalist on Parole," the 1930-1931 academic year received over in American Mercury (February, 1934), 152-153. $5.2 million.2* '^ Curti and Carstensen, The University of Wisconsin, II: 304. '" Henry M. Wriston to Leslie H. Fishel, Jr., Octo­ ^Milwaukee Sentinel, April 8, 1930; Holmes, "Glenn ber 31, 1967, in the Henry M. Wriston letters. Archives, Frank," 308-310; George Clarke Sellery, Some Ferments SHSW. at Wisconsin, 1901-1947 (Madison, 1960), 40-44; Mil­ ^ Hicks, My Life with History, 201. Apparently Sel­ waukee Journal, June 12, 1927; Wisconsin, Legislative lery was so recalcitrant that in 1932 he drove the usually Reference Bureau, "Total Receipts and Receipts from mild-mannered Frank to explore the possibility of re­ the State of the University of Wisconsin, 1850-1941," moving him as dean of the college of letters and science. typewritten document dated 1942 in the Legislative See Holmes, "Glenn Frank," 304; Ingraham, "The Uni­ Reference Bureau Library; La Follette, Memoirs of versity of Wisconsin," 63; and Sellery, Some Ferments Philip La Follette, 235. at Wisconsin, 38.

102 d^» «j^. sr/'^^^^s ^Vvj^

4

.-^ -

University of Wisconsin Archives Glenn Frank addressing a farm audience at Farmers' Field Day on the University of Wisconsin campus.

Despite the handicap of an often recalci­ but most frequently spoke to educational or trant faculty, Frank gave the University of alumni groups. Outside Wisconsin, he kept Wisconsin a new vitality and rescued its repu­ his reputation as a national liberal spokesman tation as an innovative educational institution. alive by means of his syndicated newspaper He accomplished this not merely with innova­ column. Both his speaking tours outside the tions but largely through the strength of his state and the newspaper column were ques­ personality, his youth, and the abrupt depar­ tionable under the terms of his contract, but ture with the past which he clearly represent­ in 1927, when Frank's contract to write the ed. He countered widespread state hostility newspaper column expired, the regents made toward the University by pleading with citi­ no effort to prevent him from renewing it, zens to forgive its wartime excesses.^^ He and, according to Frank, Michael Olbrich and urged the faculty, as the regents had urged John Callahan (the original signers of the him, to make speaking engagements across contract) heartily agreed that he should be the state; for, as president of the board of re­ allowed to continue the column. Regardless gents Theodore Kronshage wrote him, "it is of whether such an agreement was reached, to your and our interest to try to reach all the regents until the mid-thirties voiced no op- classes and conditions of men."5" Frank was also in great demand as a speaker ^ Frank, "The University of Wisconsin," 362-368. outside Wisconsin, and he ventured outside ••" Theodore Kronshage to Glenn Frank, November the state on speaking tours whenever Univer­ 10, 1925, Kronshage Papers, box 6; Ada J. McCarthy to Michael Olbrich, August 23, 1925, Olbrich to George sity affairs, which always held priority, per­ I. Haight, November 10, 1925, and Olbrich to Judge mitted. As was the case in Wisconsin, he ad­ D. O. Mahoney, October 21, 1925, all in the Olbrich dressed many different types of organizations. Papers, box 2.

103 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, I978-I979

position to Frank's carrying the University in Wisconsin political circles. It came not banner across the nation and into the coun­ from the stalwarts but from the ousted pro­ try's newspapers.^i gressives. Once out of power, the progressive Frank's early success at Wisconsin broadened politicians' perspective on the University his personal reputation as well as that of the changed. Long considered by many progres­ University. He gained recognition as a major sives to be their private domain, the Univer­ figure in American education. H. L. Mencken sity in the preceding quarter-century had fal­ mentioned Frank, after less than two years at len on hard times whenever the progressives Wisconsin, as one of a handful of men fit to had lost political office. No small part of the be President of the United States, citing his reason for this was the progressives' political intelligence and forthrightness as reasons for sniping at the party in power. In 1929, this his selection. By the end of the twenties nu­ ongoing struggle for control of the University merous articles linked the innovations and broke out once again. Frank's liberal creden­ success of the University of Wisconsin to the tials were immediately called into question influence of Glenn Frank. The Chicago Daily when he continued to work in harmony with Tribune spoke of the University of Wisconsin Governor Kohler. Progressives accused Frank under Glenn Frank as an innovator in high­ of playing into the hands of the old conserva­ er education, and the New York Times spoke tive faculty members, and he suddenly seemed favorably of the atmosphere of change at Wis­ unwilling to take their side. In reality, Frank consin under the leadership of Glenn Frank. continued to walk the precarious line between In 1930, The Nation named Glenn Frank as the politics of the party in power and the de­ one of thirty-four "intellectual rulers" of the mands of the faculty. The chief difference United States. As Frank became more cele­ was that Frank no longer walked the progres­ brated in national educational circles, he re­ sives' political tightrope.^••' ceived an increasing number of requests for As 1930 dawned, a bad situation worsened. his opinion on a wide range of educational In February, Governor Kohler made three ap­ questions, and was asked to speak at more and pointments to the board of regents. Following more academic functions. The national atten­ common practice, he filled the expired terms tion Frank received cannot be separated from with men who shared similar political views, the highly favorable reputation the Univer­ naming three stalwart Republicans to replace sity enjoyed in the late twenties, and the re­ three progressives. Immediately, the progres­ gents' choice of Frank appeared to have been sive organ, the Madison Capital Times, a shrewd one indeed.'^ charged Kohler with trying to gain political control of the University. In an editorial two days after the appointments, the Capital Times called the appointees "political henchmen." N November, 1928, the "stalwart" In March, as if to emphasize the shift in politi­ I•Republica; n Walter J. Kohler won cal composition, the board of regents formally the governorship. By mid-1929, the first mur­ repealed the 1925 ban on the University's ac­ murs of discontent with Frank could be heard ceptance of foundation gifts. Even though the resolution had never been subscribed to in ac­ ^The original terms of Frank's contract stated: tual practice, it represented the embodiment "Mr. Frank has certain definite contractual obligations to which he was committed before his election, viz: (1) A number of lecture engagements before State ^'H. L. Mencken, editorial in American Mercury Teachers Associations, during the Fall of 1925. He (June, 1927), 159; Capital Times, May 26, 1927; Chica­ cannot honorably cancel these, and so will fill them. go Tribune, June 16, 1929; New York Times, Novem­ (2) A contract to write a daily signed editorial for The ber 22, 1930; Superior Evening Telegram, September McClure Newspaper Syndicate. Mr. Frank agrees 19, 1930 (reprint from The Nation). Throughout that such a schedule of writing should not be under­ Frank's presidential papers are scores of invitations to taken concurrently with the Presidency of the Uni­ speak to diverse groups across the nation. Frank de­ versity, but he must extract himself at once if pos­ clined a significant number of these, citing the press sible, and if it prove impossible to cancel the contract of University business. See the Glenn Frank Papers, at once to conclude the arrangement within the short­ Chancellors and Presidents Collection, UW Archives. est possible time." See the "Memorandum of Agree­ "^ Capital Times, February 9, 1930; "Battle of Madi­ ment," Sellery Papers. son," in Time (December 29, 1936), 23-24.

104 •2m m0

•wmm4':;*^ 'j^^ii "Mi

WHi (X3) 34398 Members of the Madison Town and Gown Club at the home of Governor Walter J. Kohler, Sr., 1930. Left to right: Edwin A. Birge, Charles S. Slichter, Burr Jones, Edwin B. Fred, Harry L. Butler, Lucien M. Hanks, Governor Kohler, and John R. Commons. of progressive principle.^^ Frank favored its answer charges that he traveled too much and repeal, and was even ready with a plan for devoted too little time to University affairs. organizing the various University divisions Under these new circumstances, Frank was into institutes to make the University of Wis­ compelled to defend actions which had ear­ consin "attractive to those who control the lier been applauded. Yet there was validity private and public sources of support for re­ in the criticism, for his activities did exceed search and training."^^ the normal duties of an administrator, and By the spring of 1930, President Frank was stimulated a trend toward delegating every­ forced to endure ever-harsher criticism, which day affairs to the deans of the various colleges. stemmed from the interpretation placed upon Frank had come to confront only the major his behavior by the progressive "outs," the ac­ issues, while serving as goodwill ambassador tions of Governor Kohler's new appointees for the University, a job which fitted his abili­ to the board of regents, and the first effects ties as a publicist far better than the handling of the Great Depression. He was forced to of routine administrative detail. Like others before him, Frank had found that the Univer­ sity of Wisconsin was not conducive to an ac­ »* Capital Times, February 14, 16, 1930; Sellery, tive administrative leader, for the faculty Some Ferments at Wisconsin, 51; Milwaukee Journal, December 14, 1930. wielded substantial power. He therefore had ••* Sellery, Some Ferments at Wisconsin, 52. sought to serve the school in the best possible 105 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 manner and at the same time to remove him­ litical confidants reinforced La Follette's as­ self from the day-to-day struggle with the facul­ sessment.'* ty, the board of regents, and various political In December, 1930, the governor-elect dis­ factions.^^ cussed Frank's proposed University biennium As criticism mounted in 1930, Frank began budget with Theodore Kronshage. A long­ to defend the University and himself. Ever time La Follette family friend, an active pro­ sensitive to overt political influence in Uni­ gressive politician, and a respected authority versity affairs, and buoyed by increased self- on University affairs, Kronshage had been confidence from his heralded achievements, he president of the board of regents that had began to assert his principles forcefully and to selected Glenn Frank in 1925. Some time after disregard the sensitive political protocols being replaced as a regent in 1927, he had which he had so carefully observed in his pre­ come to the same conclusion as many other vious five years as president. In a speech open­ progressives: Frank was a poor administrator. ing the All-University Religious Convocation Kronshage expressed to La Follette his belief in April, 1930, Frank spoke of the University's that the University wasted thousands of dol­ duty to remain neutral in political alignment: lars and could withstand a curtailment of "The day it sells its soul to a particular creed funds. La Follette also discussed the Univer­ or party or race it would as well close its sity's budget with three older professors: deans doors, for it will die as a seat of learning and Charles S. Slichter, Charles Bardeen, and linger only as an agency of propaganda for the George Clarke Sellery. Although they pled half-truths of partisanship."^''' Frank's self- with the governor-elect not to make drastic confidence, combined with his weariness of reductions, they did little to allay La Follette's appeasing state political factions, proved to growing dissatisfaction with Frank.'^ be an unfortunate footing on which to open Imperceptibly intertwined with La Follette's the new decade—a decade in which he was to questioning of Frank's administrative abilities administer the University of Wisconsin was the progressives' partisan political snip­ through the worst financial crisis in American ing of the previous year and a half. Frank's history. desertion of progressive political principles In November, 1930, Wisconsin elected Phil­ seemed beyond doubt. He had worked har­ ip F. La Follette governor. Immediately, the moniously with the stalwart Republican Gov­ Milwaukee Journal predicted that the Univer­ ernor Kohler; he had supported the repeal of sity would once again become the pawn of the ban on foundation gifts and had even pro­ progressive politicians, and that if the Uni­ posed a reorganization of the University's versity refused to submit to the progressives, academic divisions to make the funds easier it would be starved for funds. At least in part, to secure. In October, 1930, Frank had sup­ both remarks proved provident. La Follette ported the board of regents' request for wasted little time in familiarizing himself $350,000 in research money from the Rocke­ with the formidable task of combatting the feller Fund. Governor La Follette opposed effects of the Depression. Clearly, a dilemma foundation gifts as vehemently as had his fa­ confronted him. The constitution prevented ther. If there had ever been strong La Fol­ him from formulating a deficit budget, yet lette family opposition to Frank's appoint­ necessity bound him to provide for relief ment (as Frank later claimed), it must have while not increasing taxes. The logical ave­ been fully aroused by the time Philip La Fol­ nue of escape appeared to be to trim the ex­ lette took office.^" penditures of the state and the University, which had received large increases through­ '^Milwaukee Journal, November 25, 1930. ^ La Follette, Memoirs of Philip La Follette, 234; out most of the previous decade. Various po- Sellery, Some Ferments at Wisconsin, 89; Progressive, December 13, 1930. " Max Otto, "On the College Frontier v. Wiscon­ ^ Milwaukee Journal, February 12, 1930; Hicks, My sin's Experience," in The Nation (October 29, 1930), Life with History, 201. 467-469; Milwaukee Journal, October 22, 1930; The " Glenn Frank, "The University—Its Place in the Progressive, November 29, 1930; Sellery, Some Ferments State," in Wisconsin Alumni Magazine (April, 1930), at Wisconsin, 51; Philip La Follette, editorial in La 267. Follette's Magazine (October, 1925).

106 ZINK: GLENN FRANK

N January, 1931, La Follette read assessment he was not mistaken. Regent Har­ II"hi s budget message to the legisla­ old Wilkie and some lower-salaried faculty ture. In it he instructed Frank to be frugal members protested the waivers; some higher- in his operation of the University and to re­ salaried senior faculty members threatened move the "deadwood" from the faculty—an to seek positions elsewhere. Throughout, admonition some believed referred to those Frank held firm, maintaining that the board members not in agreement with La Follette.''^ of regents' salary waivers were equitable and Upon receiving the governor's proposed bud­ adamantly opposing any reduction in staff, get, the legislature took the initiative. Pro­ preferring instead to divide the available work gressives led an investigation into the finances on a part-time basis. Indeed, the University's of the University. They criticized University salary and employment policies were merciful expenses and programs, and were particularly in comparison to the flat 15 per cent imposed critical of the faculty's outside research activi­ by President Roosevelt upon federal em­ ties, which they believed slighted student in­ ployees' salaries in 1933, and the action of uni­ struction. They also scrutinized Frank's per­ versity administrators elsewhere, who not only sonal expenses, his salary, home, and automo­ slashed salaries but dealt massive layoffs to bile. Stalwarts did not oppose the investiga­ junior faculty members.** tion; they were quite content to let the pro­ Eventually Frank came to believe that the gressives attack the University and its pro­ lean University budget was more than a mere gressive-appointed president. In April, 1931, matter of Depression finances. He had always the biennial budget became law, and marked­ been sensitive to political encroachment in ly reduced the University's state appropria­ University affairs for fear of the danger it tion. For 1931-1932, the legislators trimmed posed to academic freedom, and in May, 1932, $600,000 from the $5.2 million appropriation he denounced both stalwart and progressive of the previous year. For fiscal 1932-1933, the Republicans for what he called their efforts legislators trimmed an additional $900,000. to eliminate from the faculty and the Uni­ Thus, during La Follette's two years in office, versity administration those not in political the state government reduced the University's agreement with them. "There are some Pro­ operating funds by more than $1.5 million.''^ gressives who would like to see . . . the Uni­ The reduction jolted the University. It versity turned into a propagandist agency for halted Frank's innovations, programs suffered their particular views of politics and econom­ for lack of funds, curriculum reforms were ics," he said, and vowed, "I will never willing­ scrapped, and construction of new campus ly buy support for the University at the price facilities stopped. The most notable casualty of turning it into a propagandist agency for was the experimental college, but the most any particular group in this state. . . .'"'^ Un­ controversial was the reduction in University questionably Frank underestimated the effects salaries. In June, 1932, the regents adjusted of the Depression on state finances, and per­ the University pay scale for the upcoming year haps he was even too sensitive to political en­ by implementing a system of salary reductions croachment in University affairs. Yet the cur­ which ranged from 20 per cent for the highest- tailment of funds did have political overtones salaried employees to 12 per cent for teach­ ing assistants.'*' •" Wisconsin State Journal, June 22, 1932; "Statement Frank realized that no Depression salary by Harold M. Wilkie, President Board of Regents of policy would be free from criticism. In this University of Wisconsin at Board Meeting of January 6, 1937 in Reference to University Presidents," in the Philip Fox La Follette Papers, box 68, Archives, SHSW. •"Frank Freidel, Franklin D. Roosevelt: Launching "• La Follette, Memoirs of Philip La Follette, 235; the New Deal (Boston, 1973), 243. For example, another Hicks, My Life with History, 207; "Wisconsin: Glenn Big Ten school, Ohio State University, dealt faculty Frank Goes Out But His Stock Goes Up," in Newsweek and staff members massive layoffs and forced retire­ (January 16, 1937), 16. ments. Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 25, 1933; Milwau­ •" Wisconsin State Journal, January 12, 30, November kee Journal, July 6, 1932, May 8, 1935. 19, 1931; Milwaukee Journal, December 14, 1930, Jan­ ** Glenn Frank, "Freedom, Education and Morals in uary 9, 1931; Wisconsin, Legislative Reference Bureau, the Modern University," in Wisconsin Alumni Maga­ "Total Receipts," 3. zine (June, 1932), 279-280.

107 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

which dated back to the earliest progressive pression, when the legislature scrutinized the criticism of Frank. Whether spurred by the Franks' high living at state expense. As the effects of the Depression or by the flexing Depression deepened, complaints about the muscles of a progressive governor, these cri­ Franks' ostentatious living came from other ticisms gained new impetus once Philip La quarters. Some members of the Madison com­ Follette took office. munity belatedly claimed that the Franks had From the outset of La Follette's term as introduced an entirely new standard of living governor, the nascent mutual distrust and per­ to the city. sonal dislike between the two men seemed When Philip La Follette assumed the gover­ to fester and grow. The potential for rivalry norship in 1931, his wife Isabel, who had an had always been great. Both men were young, intense interest in entertaining, could not hope personable, and constantly in the spotlight. to match the Franks. President Frank's income Both were also superb orators; both were de­ far exceeded the governor's; the presidential termined to be successful in whatever they mansion dwarfed the governor's residence. undertook. President Frank and Governor Besides, political considerations would not La Follette both skillfully and dogmatically have allowed Mrs. La Follette to entertain lobbied the legislature for their desires. The as extravagantly as the Franks, even if she had two men used a similar technique, and often wished to forsake her usual simple, but taste­ worked at cross purposes. While La Follette ful, parties. A rift developed between the lobbied for Depression measures which fre­ two wives which paralleled the friction be­ quently called for reduced University expen­ tween the husbands. As tension heightened ditures, Frank lobbied for larger University between the two families, sensitivity increased. appropriations. Not surprisingly, each came A series of snubs resulted. Unacknowledged to question the other's sincerity. Like other invitations, unreturned visits, and a failure to progressives. La Follette doubted Frank's pro­ follow all the social amenities became the gressive leanings. Frank, on the other hand, practice on both sides. By 1935, relations were viewed La Follette as leading a political at­ so strained that the Franks were no longer tack upon the University without regard for invited even to official social functions at the the sanctity of academic freedom.*^ governor's mansion.^^ A social animosity also contributed to the in­ creasingly brittle relationship. In Boston and New York, the Franks had lived very fashion­ ably. Their manner of living had changed lit­ A FOLLETTE was defeated in tle when they moved to Madison. The Uni­ 'his re-election bid in 1932. Upon versity had granted Frank a generous enter­ leaving office, he traveled throughout the tainment allowance and a large residence. state in an effort to increase his political base From the outset, the Franks were the leaders and to gain support for launching an inde­ of social life in Madison and lived a little out pendent Progressive party in 1934. Out of of keeping with the rest of the city. They em­ office, he grew ever more disenchanted with ployed two maids and hired uniformed stu­ dent workers for social occasions. They fre­ " Rector, "An Analysis of a Biography," 49; "Let­ ters to the Editor," in The Nation (February, 1937), quently gave lavish parties in the style of the 195; Isabel Bacon La Follette, final draft of her un­ twenties. Their lifestyle evoked little com­ published autobiography, 102, box 165, Isabel Bacon ment until 1930 and the onslaught of the De- La Follette, unpublished political diary, 25-26, box 61, copy of Glenn Frank's state tax returns, box 66, "Statement by Harold M. Wilkie," box 68, all in the "John D. Hicks to Harriet Eliot, January 25, 1937, Philip La Follette Papers; John D. Hicks to Harriet in the John D. Hicks Papers, Archives, SHSW; Hicks, Eliot, January 25, 1937, Hicks Papers; Wisconsin State My Life with History, 206; William T. Evjue, A Fight­ Journal, January 6, 1937; "Battle of Madison," in Time ing Editor (Madison, 1968), 559; L. David Carley, "The (December 28, 1936), 23-24; August Derleth, Still Small Wisconsin Governor's Legislative Role: A Case Study Voice: The Biography of Zona Gale (New York, 1940), in the .4dministrations of Philip Fox La Follette and 245; La Follette, Memoirs of Philip La Follette, 233, Walter J. Kohler, Jr." (doctoral dissertation. University 237; "Wisconsin: La FoUette-Frank Fight Comes Out of Wisconsin, 1959), 151, 202; Larsen, The President in the Open," in Newsweek (March 21, 1936), 32-33; Wore Spats, 98. Hicks, My Life with History, 206.

108 WHi (D487) 7851 President Frank's residence at 130 North Prospect Avenue, Madison.

Glenn Frank and his administration of the for his lack of administrative ability, his su­ University. His views received reinforcement perficial education, rhetoric, ostentatious liv­ when in January, 1934, Ernest Meyer, a re­ ing, and his supposed retreat from liberal porter for the Capital Times, wrote the first ideals. By midyear the article had received thorough critique of Glenn Frank and his widespread state exposure, being reprinted, operation of the University. In an article in part, in both the Capital Times and the which appeared in the American Mercury, Milwaukee Journal. Echoing progressive crit­ Meyer assembled all the diverse criticisms of icisms, it satisfied Frank's adversaries.'** the previous five years. He chastised Frank •" Meyer, "Glenn Frank: Journalist on Parole,"

109 WHi (X3) 15017 Recipients of honorary degrees from the University of Wisconsin, pictured with Glenn Frank, 1929. Left to right: Ole E. Rolvaag, author of Giants in the Earth; Zona Gale; President Frank; Walter Charles Murray, president of the University of Saskatchewan; and Carl von Marr, a German artist.

The Meyer article also elicited a strong de­ satisfy those who hired him and keep him on fense of Frank. In a subsequent issue of the the job." Wright asserted that Frank's mere American Mercury, Zona Gale enumerated maintenance of his job in the face of all the Frank's various contributions to the Univer- political pressures was proof of his success.^" sity.''9 In response to the reprinted article in Even an instructor came to Frank's defense, the Capital Times, the architect Frank Lloyd writing that the salary waivers were fair and Wright pointed out the adversities and pres­ that President Frank had "great virtues."^* sures under which Glenn Frank or any presi­ Despite such rebuttals, Meyer's article public­ dent of the University of Wisconsin labored, ly vented the dissatisfaction with Frank and declaring: "He is a hired man and has to propounded the charges upon which Frank's critics would later build their case for his re­ moval. 149-159; Capital Times, June 25, 1934; Milwaukee Journal, June 25, 1934. If Frank retained any substantial bloc of pro- •" Zona Gale, "Some Achievements of Glenn Frank," in American Mercury (February, 1934), 381-383; Wis­ •* Capital Times, February 6, 1934. consin State Journal, February 6, 1934. ^^ Wisconsin State Journal, February 14, 1934. 110 ZINK: GLENN FRANK

gressive support in early 1934, by midyear he changes were taking place in Wisconsin. In had alienated it and had forfeited any chance May, 1934, Wisconsin progressive Republicans to repair relations with Philip La Follette. founded an independent Progressive party. In March, 1933, the nation looked to the new Under their new banner, the Progressives ac­ President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to lift cepted at least the direction of the New Deal, the country out of the misery of the Depres­ while abandoning the crippled Republican sion. Along with the rest of the nation, Glenn party and avoiding an alliance with the more Frank supported Roosevelt's early efforts to conservative state Democrats. The party was relieve distress and breathe new life into the an immediate success. In November, it swept economy. Not until a few months after the Philip La Follette back into the statehouse National Recovery Administration became ful­ and elected a United States senator, seven ly operative did he begin to express reserva­ congressmen, and fifty-three state legislators.S'* tions about the New Deal. In late 1933, Glenn By the time the Progressives took office in Frank abruptly withdrew his support of Roose­ January, 1935, Frank's uneasiness with the velt's policies. He conveyed his disenchant­ New Deal had catapulted him into the endear­ ment with Roosevelt through his newspaper ing arms of national liberal Republicans. column and speeches, and later summarized After their humiliating presidential defeat in his views in a book, America's Hour of Deci­ 1932 and the even more recent setbacks in sion, published in the autumn of 1934.^2 the 1934 congressional elections, many liberal Frank did not oppose relief measures per Republicans sought to change the party's se; rather, he objected to the permanent im­ image. By late 1934, a number of the faithful print that the New Deal promised to stamp had begun to look to someone like Glenn upon the American way of life. He believed Frank as a possible Republican presidential that the New Deal was "playing fast and loose candidate for 1936. with the values of private initiative," a "price­ Frank appeared to be ideal. He was a re­ less value" that "we must preserve at all costs." spected liberal intellectual and an accom­ He deplored the growing bureaucracy and plished speaker who had already attracted con­ the centralization of power in Washington. siderable national attention through his rea­ He became increasingly apprehensive about soned objections to the New Deal. Undoubt­ the extraordinary emergency powers delegat­ edly, Frank was flattered to be considered a ed to Roosevelt, saying it was "not a simple presidential possibility, and on occasion he matter to confine the effect of emergency pro­ may have even flirted with the idea of pur­ grams to emergency periods." Frank did not suing the nomination. Such may have been disapprove of economic correctives if they the case when he accepted an invitation to were established systematically and were a speak at the 1935 Republican Lincoln Day part of a discernible plan, but his logical mind dinner in New York. Whatever his reasons revolted against what he felt was the hastily for doing so—a growing distaste for FDR's New improvised and incoherent nature of New Deal policies or a tinge of presidential fever Deal legislation. In his most pervasive criti­ —Frank's national political stock soared by cism, he argued that the complex economic virtue of his appearance. Only a few days problems called for sober thought and steady later. President Roosevelt, in outlining the action, not "distracted agitations," which pro­ "schools of thought of our Opponents," duced "not so much a national plan as a med­ ley of divergent and mutually contradictory plans." Frank was not alone. By late 1933, ^''Larsen, The President Wore Spats, 157; Glenn many once active Republican progressives Frank, America's Hour of Decision: Crisis Points in National Policy (New York, 1934). across the nation echoed similar fears.^^ '"'Frank, America's Hour of Decision, 9, 43, 45, 49, 51, 83-84, 175; Otis L. Graham, Jr., An Encore for Re­ form: The Old Progressives and the New Deal (New York, 1967), 27, 39, 58, 67. T the same time that Glenn ^ John E. Miller, "Governor Philip F. La Follette, A the Wisconsin Progressives, and the New Deal, 1930- •Frank was retreating from his 1939" (doctoral dissertation. University of Wisconsin, support of the New Deal, profound political 1973), 130.

Ill WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 viewed Glenn Frank as the choice of the lib­ Frank's rebuff, his name still received men­ eral Republicans.^5 tion outside Wisconsin as a possible liberal Even though Frank never openly solicited candidate as late as the spring of 1936.^" support, on numerous occasions throughout Unlike Glenn Frank, Philip La Follette left 1935 his name resurfaced as a possible Re­ no doubt in anyone's mind about his interest publican nominee. The support came pri­ in holding high public office. As early as marily from the East.^^ Until mid-1935, he 1934, he had had visions of expanding the received little notice from Wisconsin Repub­ newborn state Progressive party into the na­ licans, a situation that frustrated a Republi­ tional political arena, where he planned to can journalist, L. B. Nagler. In a letter to unite the progressive factions of both major the editor of the Republican Wisconsin State parties in a "national political realignment."" Journal published May 23, 1935, he asked: Even though Glenn Frank had little Republi­ "What is the matter with Wisconsin? Here, can support in Wisconsin, the jealousy was in our midst, we have a candidate who has no less real. Woodrow Wilson's advancement attracted nation-wide attention by his charm from the presidency of Princeton University and brilliancy, and is recognized as one of the to that of the United States was only too fresh outstanding men of our generation, yet we in the memories of Wisconsin Progressives, have done nothing, and we are doing nothing, the La Follette family, and Phil in particular. to capitalize this fact."5''' But to most Wiscon­ In the words of the historian John Hicks, they sin stalwarts, who were in complete control "had no notion of permitting the rise of an­ of the state Republican party following the other star in the Wisconsin political heavens."^^ departure of La Follette and his supporters, It was not only Frank's political promise, Glenn Frank was still tainted with progres­ but the very method by which he had achieved sivism. He had been the choice of the liberal prominence that met with progressive mis­ wing of the party, and his recent feud with trust. Although Wisconsin Progressives main­ La Follette could not obscure his own progres­ tained only an informal alliance with FDR, sive bent and his original ties to Madison. they conceded that he was leading the coun­ Thus the stalwart Republicans refused to sup­ try in the right direction, and, more impor­ port his candidacy. tantly, they understood that their success at Probably because he considered the specu­ the polls depended upon projecting an image lation harmless, Frank made no effort to curb of themselves as being the political party in talk about his availability as a candidate prior Wisconsin which most closely adhered to the to Nagler's letter. By June, however, with New Deal. Such an image was not contrived. the introduction of the issue into Wisconsin, The new Progressive party worked with the Frank saw himself being drawn too deeply national New Deal programs more harmo- into politics. He realized that a man could not "discharge his responsibility for the execu­ ™ Wisconsin State Journal, August 28, 1935. Never­ tive direction of a state university, dependent theless, Progressives maintained that, regardless of upon successive legislatures and widely vary­ Frank's rebuffs, he was politically ambitious. Also see ing political support, if he participates per­ La Follette, Memoirs of Philip La Follette, 233; Evjue, sonally in party conflict."^^ When, in August, A Fighting Editor, hm-, Newsweek (March 21, 1936), 33. Press reports such as one in March, 1936, in which Mrs. Frank's name appeared on a Wisconsin Re­ Frank reportedly said, "Of course Glenn is eventually publican presidential poll, he acted quickly, going to the White House," did nothing to assuage Pro­ ordering his name removed and emphatically gressive fears. stating: "I am not in politics and see no point "" Wisconsin State Journal, February 9, March 12, in having my name included."^^ Despite 1936. "i Miller, "Governor Philip F. La Follette," 130, 180- 182, 191, 226, 227, 230; Evjue, A Fighting Editor, 554, ^ Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Edward M. House, 567. February 16, 1935, in Elliott Roosevelt, ed., F.D.R.- '^John D. Hicks, review of Larsen, The President His Personal Letters (New York, 1950), 452. Wore Spats, in Pacific Northwest Quarterly, 57: 92 "* Raymond Clapper, "Where Will the Lightning (April, 1966); Holmes, "Glenn Frank," 311; "Charges Strike?" in Review of Reviews (May, 1935), 28-32. Preferred Against President Glenn Frank of the Uni­ " Wisconsin State Journal, May 23, 1935. versity of Wisconsin," in School and Society (December ^ Larsen, The President Wore Spats, 160. 19, 1936), 814.

112 ZINK: GLENN FRANK niously than had the preceding Democratic administration, and in 1935 Phil La Follette unsuccessfully attempted to establish Wis­ consin's own system of Depression programs, generally following the guidelines of Roose­ velt's New Deal.^^ Thus Frank's repudia­ tion of Rooseveltian policies placed Governor La Follette and the Wisconsin Progressives alongside as a target of conservatives.

|URING 1935, as Frank contin­ D:ue d to gain national prominence while meeting with increasing disfavor among Progressives, he encountered his most trying year in administering the University of Wis­ consin. In June, 1935, Harold Wilkie, a con­ stant adversary of Frank, was elected presi­ dent of the board of regents. In his new posi­ tion, Wilkie stepped up his criticism of dif­ ferent aspects of the administration of the University and reiterated his disapproval of the existing waiver system on University sal­ aries. Still more trying for Frank was the bat­ tle for legislative approval of the University's budget. At one point, the Wisconsin senate drafted and passed its own alternate budget for the University, decimating University Courtesy Reierson Studio funds and calling for curtailments that in­ Harold M. Wilkie. cluded abolishing the school of education. Not surprisingly, Frank perceived obvious po­ gain political office by claiming that Philip litical motives behind some of these senatorial La Follette and Glenn Frank were leading actions.^ the state toward communism, socialism, While the legislature roughly handled the and atheism. Although unsuccessful at the University's proposed budget, a special senate polls, he had managed to generate a great committee investigated alleged radical activi­ deal of publicity and had aroused latent sus­ ties on the campus. The investigation stemmed picions about the University. Throughout, from repeated charges that the University was Frank had met the charges head on, attack­ a haven for communists. The source of many ing Chappie for his political opportunism of these charges was John Chappie, an Ash­ and red-baiting. Still, suspicions lingered, and land newspaper publisher who, beginning in in September, 1935, the senate committee is­ the early thirties, made several attempts to sued its findings. The report was ambiguous. It called for increased vigilance on the part •« Miller, "Governor Philip F. La Follette," 218-233; of the University administration in removing John E. Miller, "Progressivism and the New Deal: persons wlio expounded un-American doc­ The Wisconsin Works Bill of 1935," in the Wiscon­ trines, at the same time admitting that the sin Magazine of History, 62: 25-40 (Autumn, 1978). University was not a hotbed of communism.*^ * Glenn Frank, "Politics and Our Alumni," in Wis­ consin Alumni Magazine (October, 1935), 3; Capital Times, June 23, 1935. Wilkie subsequently wrote an ** Wisconsin State Journal, September 21, 1935; article critical of the salary waiver system. Harold M. " 'Red' Report Censures Administration," in Wiscon­ Wilkie, "Salary and Wage Adjustments in the Uni­ sin Alumni Magazine (October, 1935), 5, 30; Frank, versity of Wisconsin," in The Wisconsin Public Em­ "Freedom, Education and Morals in the Modern Uni­ ployee (October, 1936), 3, 10. versity," 276-281; New York Times, November 22,

113 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

Even though the legislature eventually ac­ letic Director Walter Meanwell and football cepted a more moderate budget and the sen­ coach Clarence Spears. The board of regents ate committee's findings were less damaging investigated charges that Spears drove his than expected, these threats to the University's players too hard and committed illegal ex­ freedom instilled in Frank a pessimism about cesses to improve the team's performance. the ability of state-supported education to re­ Meanwell faced allegations of profiting from main free from political dictation. In late the University's purchase of football equip­ July, 1935, when asked by Current Contro­ ment. Both were accused of competing for versy magazine to write an article upholding control of the athletic department. Despite the freedom of state universities, Frank re­ a denial, the regents noisily dismissed both sponded: "Having had ten years of experi­ men in early 1936.^^ ence with the myriad forces that threaten the Both these widely publicized incidents freedom of even the most liberal of state uni­ brought to mind a scandal that had embar­ versities in one of the most liberal of states, rassed the University earlier in the decade. I could hardly in conscience play the role of In 1930, an exaggerated incident had grown PoUyanna in the proposed debate on the free­ out of the expulsion of a male and a female dom of universities."^^ student allegedly found sleeping together by Other problems confronting Frank in 1935 Dean of Men Scott Goodnight. Goodnight and were less political and more strictly adminis­ Dean of Women Louise Nardin handled the trative. In April, the regents fired Extension matter routinely and without fanfare. There Division Dean Chester Snell. Snell had be­ the affair would have ended if the English come dean in 1926, having been offered the professor and poet William EUery Leonard position before Frank became president. Over had not come to the rescue of the expelled his nine-year tenure, Snell had amassed a num­ students. In a letter he wrote to Glenn Frank ber of enemies through tactless administra­ —and later released to the press—Leonard tion of the division. He had replaced many protested the "police actions" of the deans. of the division's chief administrators, had re­ Immediately the incident ballooned into a appointed assistant professors on a yearly rath­ major scandal which eventually led to a re­ er than a tri-yearly basis, and had stressed organization of student disciplinary proced­ teaching rather than research. By the spring ures.^' of 1934, Snell's actions had led to a concerted As president, Frank bore the brunt of the drive for his removal. A regents committee criticism engendered by these incidents. Crit­ conducted a secret investigation later in the ics charged that the crises arose out of Frank's year. Upon its conclusion, the regents asked neglect of administrative detail. There was Snell for his resignation. Snell refused, de­ a good deal of validity to the argument. fending his actions and at the same time Frank's closer attention might have prevented thrilling the press and public with stories of at least two of the episodes from reaching the lewd parties held by some of his accusers on point of explosion. A constant vigilance of a yacht in Lake Michigan. In April, 1935, the Dean Snell's actions would have stopped short regents summarily dismissed Snell, but only his antagonizing of underlings and a prompt after his charges of immorality against Uni­ answer to Professor Leonard's letter might versity officials had drawn unfavorable pub- have prevented his releasing it to the press. licity.^^ Yet Frank must have felt constrained in Another controversy in 1935 involved Ath- each instance. Any such close scrutiny of a dean's actions would have been contrary to long-standing Wisconsin practice, and would 1931; John B. Chappie, La Follette Road to Com­ munism (Ashland, Wisconsin, 1936); John B. Chappie, probably have met with unfavorable faculty La Follette Socialism (.-Vshland, Wisconsin, 1931). reaction. Discretion had long been the rule "^ Glenn Frank to Pierre Loving, July 27, 1935, Frank Papers, box 183. "' Frederick M. Rosentreter, The Boundaries of the •^ Wisconsin State Journal, December 18, 1935, Jan­ Campus—A History of the University of Wisconsin Ex­ uary 29, February 15, 1936; Larsen, The President Wore tension Division, 1885-1945 (Madison, 1957), 141-144; Spats, 114; Sellery, Some Ferments at Wisconsin, 73-84. Larsen, The President Wore Spats, 112-113. "Larsen, The President Wore Spats, 108-112.

114 WHi (D487) 10386 Dean Chester Snell and Glenn Frank, November, 1928. for the handling of student morality cases, and scandal would have been more difficult to a letter of protest from a professor was little have prevented. The athletic department was reason to alter common policy and draw at­ unwieldy, since no clear administrative juris­ tention to the affair. The athletic department diction existed. It also differed greatly from 115 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

Other segments of the University, in that the In February, 1936, shortly after the new department was largely autonomous and vo­ regents took office, the board president, Har­ ciferous alumni heavily influenced its opera­ old Wilkie, met with Governor La Follette. tion. Nevertheless, Frank's vacillation re­ The two discussed their dissatisfaction with vealed his weakness in coping with crises and Frank. In a few days, Wilkie met again with provided a valid basis for questioning his ad­ the governor. This time Regent Daniel Grady ministrative ability. and an ex-offido member of the board. State By early 1936, the coalescence of several fac­ Superintendent of Public Instruction John tors promised Frank another difficult year as Callahan, accompanied Wilkie. According president. The nationwide airing of the criti­ to La Follette's later recollections, all three cism of Frank marshaled by the Meyer arti­ men were strongly opposed to Frank's con­ cle in 1934; Frank's immoderate life-style dtrr- tinuing as president, and Callahan agreed to ing the Depression; his disenchantment with suggest to Frank that he resign.'^* Callahan, the New Deal and subsequent mention as a however, in a letter to his daughter less than 1936 Republican presidential nominee; the a week before he was to discuss the presidency administrative crises; and, above all, his long­ with Frank, gave no indication of such strong standing friction with Governor Philip La disenchantment. He wrote only that there Follette all drew to a climax. was a growing feeling on the board that Frank's ambition was to win the presidential nomination and that this was hurting his ability to administer the University. He made IN January 6, 1936, Governor La no mention of intending to ask Frank to re­ 0;Follett e dramatically altered the sign. Instead, he wrote, "I think Frank should composition of the board of regents by ap­ be told about what seems to be developing pointing five progressives. Four of the new and if some of the others are not going to do appointees replaced regents whose terms had that I feel that I should.'"^^ expired. The fifth replaced Regent Leonard Kleczka on the grounds that he lived in a Nevertheless, by early March rumors were congressional district already represented on rife on campus that Frank intended to resign. the board. In addition, due to reapportion­ Having been alerted by Callahan to the dis­ ment, the governor was able to reduce the satisfaction of some regents, Frank prepared number of regents from fifteen to fourteen a defense of his administration for the regent and not to reappoint the former president of meeting of March 10. Even though no attack the board, Fred Clausen. La Follette's ap­ was forthcoming, Frank sought to dispel the pointment of five new members meant that in rumors. He condemned the private criticism two terms as governor he had appointed eleven of his administration and enumerated some of of the fourteen regents.''''' his achievements as president. Regents George W. Mead and Mrs. Jessie C. Coombs also spoke ™ Wisconsin State Journal, January 7, 1936; letters in defense of Frank's administration. After to dismissed regents and letters to new appointees, Philip La Follette Papers, box 46; Revised Statutes of the State of Wisconsin, 1935, chapter 17.07 (4), which See the Milwaukee Journal, January 18, 1935. The prescribes the length of regents' terms and the gover­ most significant aspect of the episode was that La Fol­ nor's power to appoint regents. The only check on lette permitted this "unlawfid" appointment to stand the governor's appointment power over the regents until January, 1936, when he moved to correct the was public opinion. .Although regents normally served situation. See La Follette to Fred H. Clausen, January six-year terms, they could be dismissed legally "by 3, 1936, Philip La Follette Papers, box 46. the governor at pleasure." New appointments needed •^ La Follette, Memoirs of Philip La Follette, 237- to be designated only by the governor. 238; "Statement Presented by Regent Kenneth Hones," Kleczka's legal status as a regent came into question January 6, 1937, in Sellery Papers, box 7; "Statement almost immediately upon La Follette and the Pro­ by Harold M. Wilkie, President, Board of Regents of gressives' assumption of office in 1935. Kleczka's posi­ University of Wisconsin at Meeting of December 16, tion was questioned because he did not live, as required 1936 in Reference to University President," Philip La by law, in the district La Follette maintained he repre­ Follette Papers, box 64; Newsweek (March 21, 1936), sented. The law had frequently been disregarded, and 33. in this instance it is not clear even that Kleczka, who '^John Callahan to his daughter, February 16, 1936, belonged to the political opposition, was an offender. John M. Callahan Papers, Archives, SHSW.

116 ZINK: GLENN FRANK

a brief exchange. Regent Wilkie called upon file as charges of political interference in Uni­ Frank to consider resigning for the good of versity affairs mounted. Still, almost from the University and admitted that the gover­ the outset, he drew criticism for "packing" nor shared his belief that the University was the board of regents and masterminding the under poor executive management. Then, effort to remove Frank. The belief that the following an embarrassing pause, the board locus of power behind University affairs re­ abruptly turned to its regular business, leav­ sided in the governor's office rather than the ing the discussion at an impasse that only board of regents was so pervasive that an ap­ hinted at the bitter struggle ahead.'^^ plicant wrote Governor La Follette directly, News of some Progressive regents' efforts to asking to be considered for the expected presi­ secure Frank's resignation received national dential vacancy. La Follette quickly per­ attention and brought forth a flood of protest. ceived the effect that adverse publicity Most comments reflected the widespread be­ could have upon his re-election bid later in lief that the drive to force Frank's resignation the year. Consequently, he ordered Regent was a political attack. The Wisconsin State Wilkie not to move against Frank until after Journal claimed that the meetings of the pre­ the November election. Wilkie and the La dominantly Progressive board of regents would FoUette-dominated board obediently ceased soon be referred to as political caucuses.''^ all direct attacks upon Frank. When the re­ Paul Mallon, a nationally known political ob­ gents met in April, there was no sign of the server, spoke in Madison only two days after drive to remove Frank as president.''* the regents' March meeting and blamed the Even though overt efforts to oust Frank "expansion of Mr. Frank as a national politi­ evaporated during the summer, political in­ cal figure" for the effort to remove him as terference in University affairs continued. At president. He went on to say, "The big ques­ the June regents meeting Frank presented tion is whether Mr. Frank would be having his proposed University budget for 1936-1937; much less trouble now if his speeches had the board members split seven to seven over been less critical of the New Deal."^^ In ad­ its approval. The seven in opposition were dition to the strong personal defense Frank La Follette appointments, led by Harold Wil­ received from the two regents at the board kie. As an ex-officio member of the board, meeting, the faculty later in the week greeted Frank moved to cast the deciding vote, which him with a five-minute ovation when he spoke Wilkie disallowed. The Progressive bloc then to them about reorganizing the University's took it upon itself to formulate a budget, to athletic program. Once again Zona Gale gave be presented at the July regents meeting. a glowing defense of Frank's administration, Despite the attorney general's ruling that dis­ at the same time warning of the dangers of allowance of Frank's vote was illegal, Wilkie political interference in University affairs.''^^ and the Progressive bloc won passage of their Even one of the men mentioned as a possible proposed budget by a vote of eight to five. successor to Frank, Dean Lloyd K. Garrison At the August regents meeting, the Progres­ of the law school, publicly announced that sives again frustrated normal University pro­ Frank "will have in the future, as he has in cedure by attempting to block the appoint­ the past, my affection, my respect, and my ment of Warren W. Clark as associate direc­ loyalty."^'' tor of agricultural extension. Clark was the Governor La Follette assumed a low pro- choice of both Dean Chris Christensen of the agricultural college and President Frank. In­ ^^ Wisconsin State Journal, March 10, 11, 1936; Mil­ stead of Clark, the Progressive bloc wished to waukee Journal, March 10, 1936; Capital Times, March appoint Walter Duffy, who at one time had 10, 11, 1936; "Frank Under Fire," in Wisconsin Alumni Magazine (April, 1936), 204, 227-228; Newsweek been an active progressive politician. After (March 21, 1936), 33. ''^Ibid.; Wisconsin State Journal, March II, 1936; "Frank Under Fire," in Wisconsin Alumni Magazine (April, 1936), 204. ™ Charles E. Skinner to Philip F. La Follette, March '" "Frank Under Fire," ibid. 15, 1936, Philip La Follette Papers, box 49; La Follette, •"^ Wisconsin State Journal, March 14, 15, 1936. Memoirs of Philip La Follette, 238; Wisconsin State 'Ubid., March 15, 1936. Journal, April 22, 1936.

117 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 an extended and heated argument, the regents of the University of Chicago claimed that hired Clark, but did not specify his position.''' academic freedom at the University of Wis­ By August, belief that a political faction consin was on the decline and blamed the gov­ controlled the board prompted widespread ernor and the regents for involving the Uni­ speculation into how Wisconsin might differ­ versity in politics.*5 ently appoint regents.*" The board's actions But only a few days before Gideonese spoke, had aroused bitter and concerned criticism. the Wisconsin Progressive party had won a An editorial in the Janesville Gazette telling­ smashing victory to arrive at its pinnacle of ly reviewed the board's actions as an effort power. After the election, La Follette and his to "force the resignation of the president," wife departed for Europe on a short vacation. by impeding his administration rather than Upon La Follette's return, state political con­ by a noisy and overt ouster.** The usually doc­ siderations were behind him, and the long- ile alumni organization even entered the fray. postponed showdown with Glenn Frank be­ An editorial in the Wisconsin Alumni Maga­ came the chief order of business. zine cited a passage of the Wisconsin Statutes which provided: "No sectarian or partisan tests shall ever be allowed or exercised in the appointment of Regents." Acknowledging N December 7, La Follette met that this law had already been breached, the 0 with Regent Harold Wilkie and editorial closed: "we protest to the high another Progressive anti-Frank regent, Clough heavens the high-handed methods adopted by Gates. For two hours they discussed Frank the clique now in control of this supposedly and his administration of the University. Two non-partisan board."^^ The vice-president of days later, Wilkie and Gates met with Frank the alumni association, Howard T. Greene, and asked him to resign. According to the two warned, "Today, under the present political regents' accounts, Frank agreed to resign management, no university's professor's job quietly. Frank, however, adamantly denied is safe."*^ making such an agreement. The press seized The alumni organization maintained its upon the story and contributed to the ten­ vigilance throughout the autumn, even after sion leading up to the regents' monthly meet­ the uproar over the regents' summer actions ing.*^ had subsided. In the October edition of the On December 16, the regents met in Bas­ Wisconsin Alumnus, alumni president Harry com Hall, amid a crowd of curious spectators. Bullis reiterated earlier warnings: "The Uni­ As soon as Harold Wilkie called the meeting versity of Wisconsin is confronted with the to order. Regent E. M. Christopherson pro­ threat of political control!"** The regents' tested that the request for Frank to resign actions of 1936 drew suspicion of political in­ was invalid without the entire board's authori­ volvement not only within the state but also zation. The board voted down this resolution from without. Speaking before a Milwaukee of protest. Immediately, Wilkie took the floor. meeting of the Wisconsin Education Associa­ He asserted that the question before the board tion in November, Professor Harry Gideonese was not one of removing Frank but rather of reviewing his performance in consideration for reappointment in June. He then pre­ ™John Craig Ralston, "The La Follette Dynasty," sented a formal list of grievances against 420-421, in the John Craig Ralston Papers, box 5, Ar­ chives, SHSW; "Regents Battle on Budget," in Wis­ Frank. consin Alumni Magazine (.\ugust, 1936), 388, 420; Wilkie claimed that Frank had mismanaged Wisconsin State Journal, June 17, August 17, 1936; the University's finances and had lost the Milwaukee Journal, August 18, 1936. '^Milwaukee Journal, July 28, 1936. "'^ Janesville Gazette, August 20, 1936. '^Milwaukee Sentinel, November 7, 1936. '"'Editorial in Wisconsin Alumni Magazine (August, ™ Isabel Bacon La Follette. political diary, 28, Philip 1936), 363; Milwaukee Journal, August 22, 1936. La Follette Papers; Wisconsin State Journal, Decem­ » Milwaukee Journal, August 23, 1936. ber 9, 10, 1936; statements by Harold M. Wilkie at ** Harry Bullis, "A Challenge to All Alumni—Politics regents' meetings, December 1(5, 1936, January 6, 1937, Must Not Control the University," in Wisconsin Alum­ Philip La Follette Papers; La Follette, Memoirs of nus (October, 1936), 4. Philip La Follette, 239.

118 ZINK: GLENN FRANK

confidence of the University community and the state at large. He indicted him for the several public scandals of his administration (particularly the Snell affair and the recent scandal in the athletic department), claiming that Frank was indecisive and lacked other essential qualities expected of an efficient ad­ ministrator. Further, he claimed that he de­ voted too much time to lecturing and writing activities that provided the president with a sizable supplementary income, activities which Wilkie asserted were questionable under the terms of Frank's contract. Closely related to the latter charge were personal and household expenses which Frank had charged to the University.*^ Following Wilkie's presentation, Regent Daniel Grady defended Frank from what he believed was an attack directed from the gov­ ernor's office. Then, without preparation, Glenn Frank attempted to counter Wilkie's allegations. He insisted that the charges were vague generalities that dealt "with types of WHi (X3) 28321 criticism which can be heard on the campus Public men, photographed about 1935 with the of any major university in America."** Frank governor's party. Front row, left to right: Lt. Gov­ reminded the board of the Depression's ef­ ernor Henry A. Huber; Governor Philip F. La Fol­ fects and the resultant lack of funds to ad­ lette; H. J. Burgstahler, president of Cornell Col­ vance educational programs. He also remind­ lege. Back row: Assemblyman Moulton B. Goff; ed the board of the University's achievements Glenn Frank; William T. Evjue; Fred L. Holmes. even in the face of adversity. Accepting the challenge to his record, Frank steadfastly re­ speed," but claimed that January 20 was the fused to resign.*^ earliest possible date by which he could gather Early the following week, the executive and assimilate evidence. Harold Wilkie de­ committee of the board of regents met to re­ clared that a January 6 meeting would allow solve the impasse. The committee members Frank sufficient time. Frank strenuously ob­ were Harold Wilkie, Clough Gates, John Cal­ jected, and Regent John Callahan interceded lahan, and Glenn Frank. All present agreed to say that January 20 was not an unreason­ that a public meeting should be called as soon able delay. Both pleas went unheeded. The as possible to consider the presidency. Frank committee followed Wilkie's proposal and consented to prepare his defense with "utmost slated the meeting to begin on January 6, 1937, at 10:00 A.M. in Bascom Hall.w *'Harold M. Wilkie statement, December 16, 1936, From December 10, when the Wisconsin Philip La Follette Papers; minutes of adjourned meet­ State Journal reported a renewed effort to ing of the board of regents, December 16, 1936, Sellery oust Frank as president, to his actual removal Papers, box 7; "The Case of Dr. Frank," in Wisconsin on January 7, 1937, there occurred a tremen­ Alumnus (January, 1937), 126-133, 139, 170. ** Stenographic report of Frank's impromptu com­ dous outpouring of opposition from across the ment after Wilkie's December 16, 1936, statement, nation. The intensity and volume of the sup­ Frank Papers, box 189; minutes of adjourned meeting, port for Frank so startled his critics that they December 16, 1936, Sellery Papers; Milwaukee Sentinel, accused him of having organized it during the December 17, 1936. relative quiet of the preceding summer. Al- *" Stenographic report of Frank's impromptu com­ ment, Frank Papers; minutes of adjourned meeting, December 16, 1936, Sellery Papers; Capital Times, De­ *• "Typescript Minutes of the Executive Committee,' cember 16, 1936. December 21, 22, 1936, Sellery Papers, box 7. 119 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 though there is no evidence that Frank per­ implications. He claimed that "if a La Fol­ sonally mounted such a campaign, organized lette today can destroy the independence of support did exist. On December 13, Zona a university, a Huey Long tomorrow can, on Gale, a long-time progressive and close friend the same exact principle, destroy the inde­ of both Philip La Follette and Glenn Frank, pendence of churches and the press. "^^ The released a statement to the press, decrying editor of The Nation, Oswald Garrison Vil- Frank's removal as a political ouster and claim­ lard, voiced his opposition to the ouster in ing it was against all "progressive" principles. an open letter to the Capital Times and later Gale then appealed to national columnists for in The Nation. He conceded that some of the support and called for an investigation by the charges against Frank were true, but astutely American Civil Liberties Union. Fred L. argued that Frank's lack of standing as a Holmes, another writer who was a close friend scholar, his limited administrative experience, of both La Follette and Frank, and Emerson and his compromising mind were all known at Ela, president of the Madison chapter of the the time of his hiring. Therefore, Villard as­ University's alumni association, joined Gale in serted, political considerations transcended a limited campaign to encourage telegram- any question of Frank's administrative abili­ sending to the board of regents.^* ties."* The Wisconsin press generally opposed Frank's ouster. In part, this opposition re­ flected the "hostile" press which Philip La EITHER the press nor concerned Follette maintained he and the Progressives Nindividual s needed any prompt­ had always faced. In this instance, however, ing to respond to the regents' action. The even some normally friendly newspapers de­ national press covered the story in depth. It fected. Those newspapers which did remain appeared as page-one news across the nation unflinching in their support of the Progres­ and was the topic of editorials in both news­ sive board members' call for Frank's removal papers and periodicals. Most of the national simply enumerated the board's charges against interest reflected a fear that partisan politics Frank and denied any political motives. On was coming to play too much of a role in the other hand, the overt anti-La Follette governing American universities. Such con­ newspapers charged the Progressive regents cern was particularly acute since Americans with being under the governor's direction. had but recently seen German, Russian, and They viewed the attempt to remove Frank as Italian universities fall victim to governmental a conflict between Philip La Follette's ambi­ takeover. Even closer to home was the ex­ tions for higher office and Frank's mention ample Huey Long had set with his interfer­ as presidential timber, or simply as Frank's ence in the affairs of Louisiana State Univer­ failure to agree politically with La Follette.®^ sity. The newspaper columnist Mark Sullivan Most Wisconsin newspapers followed a less best expressed the fear that the trend was a partisan tack. Like the national press, they general one, and that the situation at Wis­ expressed alarm at the prospect of political consin only forecast the overthrow of academ­ interference in University affairs. Frank's ic freedom in other American institutions of long-time image as a progressive appointee, higher learning.^^ j^ his syndicated newspaper his well-publicized life-style, and his real ad­ column, Walter Lippmann drew even larger ministrative faults discouraged a full-fledged

'"• Sellery, Some Ferments at Wisconsin, 90; Harold M. Wilkie statements, December 16, 1936, January 6, 1937, "New York Herald-Tribune, December 17, 1936. Philip La Follette Papers; Milwaukee Journal, De­ " Oswald Garrison Villard, "Education or Politics: cember 23, 1936; Derleth, Still Small Voice, 248; Harold The Ca,se of Glenn Frank," in The Nation (December P. Simonson, Zona Gale (New York, 1962), 131; "State­ 26, 1936), 762; Capital Times, December 14, 1936. ment Presented by Regent Kenneth Hones," Sellery »= La Follette, Memoirs of Philip La Follette, 180; Papers; Wisconsin State Journal, December 13, 1936; Wisconsin State Journal, December 18, 1936; Milwaukee "The Dismissal of Dr. Glenn Frank," in School and Journal, December 23, 1936. The Wisconsin State Society (January 16, 1937), 96. Journal ran an article about the defection of several '"New York Herald-Tribune, December 14, 1936, state newspapers from the ranks of those which sup­ January 1, 1937; Evjue, A Fighting Editor, 562. ported La Follette before Frank's removal.

120 WHi (X3) 10376 Chemistry class, University of Wisconsin, 1928.

defense. Besides, such a defense obscured lems caused by the Depression but opposed what most Wisconsin newspaper editors per­ the removal of Frank. Both, however, agreed ceived to be the real issue; namely, whether on the larger issue. The Journal called for a partisan political groups should be permitted different makeup of the board to avoid even to encroach on, and gain control of, an inde­ the suspicion of political interference in Uni­ pendent University of Wisconsin. Wisconsin's versity affairs.^^ The Sentinel graphically editors clamored for a change in the method concurred: "The present board may soon add used to select the board of regents and called the scalp of Dr. Frank to a belt from which for legislative safeguards to protect the Uni­ dangles a heterogeneous collection of scalps versity from political abuse, but even among of football coaches, but until the people of these newspapers there was disagreement about the state insist upon a differently constituted whether Frank should be retained. For exam­ board we will look for no benefit from the ple, even though the Milwaukee Journal change.""'^ placed part of the blame for the failure of Across the nation, people responded to the Frank's administration upon the board of re­ gents and the Depression, it still called for his '"Milwaukee Journal, December 17, 1936, January removal. The Milwaukee Sentinel, on the 5-8, 1937; Milwaukee Sentinel, December 20, 1936. other hand, stressed the administrative prob­ '"Milwaukee Sentinel, December 20, 1936. 121 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 attack upon Frank as a political threat to levied against his "radical" economic philoso­ academic freedom, and those who opposed phy. In a statement which came to be regard­ Frank's removal far outnumbered those who ed as a ringing defense of American academic approved of it. But, as was true of the news­ freedom, the board of regents had exonerated paper editorials, a detailed defense of Frank's Ely of all charges. Clearly, it was out of fear administration was rare. The overriding con­ that political considerations once again threat­ cern was that Frank should not be fired as a ened this treasured legacy that most people result of a thinly veiled political attack. voiced their protests.*"* Backing came from nearly all quarters. Uni­ Despite their diversity, most opponents of versity of Wisconsin students threatened to the proposed removal of Frank believed that strike if Frank were fired. In obvious support, Philip La Follette was responsible for the re­ the American Civil Liberties Union requested gents' actions. The governor received numer­ a list of the charges against Frank, and the ous letters criticizing him for injecting poli­ National Education Association requested per­ tics into University affairs. Some writers at­ mission for a representative to attend the tacked La Follette for betraying his father's hearing."* Nathaniel Phillips, president of ideals and vowed not to vote for him or his the National League for American Citizen­ brother again. Others drew an analogy be­ ship, said, "The prominent part taken by tween the actions of the late Huey Long and President Frank in opposition to New Deal those of La Follette. Less emotional letters policies lends color to the fear that the attack, simply conveyed a deep concern for the Uni­ headed as it is by Governor La Follette, an versity of Wisconsin's reputation and future, ardent New Deal supporter, is the result of and for the adverse effect such political inter­ President Frank's political views.""" Many ference would have upon the control of other university officials elsewhere protested the state universities. La Follette answered the move to drive Frank from office. Typical was criticism by claiming that sole responsibility the message that the board of regents received for the decision to dismiss or retain Frank from Harry Woodburn Chase, chancellor of rested with the board of regents.i''^ New York University, who wrote: "One test In the final stages of Frank's removal. La of whether democratic institutions can be Follette wished to remain conspicuously aloof maintained in America is our ability to keep from the proceedings. Indeed, his appointees our Universities free from partisan political on the board were carrying out his wishes control."*"" effectively; yet. La Follette aided them wher­ Wisconsin alumni groups across the state ever possible. He sought to temper the ad­ and nation deluged the board with letters, pe­ verse national press opinion by appealing to titions, and telegrams in opposition to the re­ his friend Arthur Sulzberger of the New York moval of Frank. Of the many received by the Times. He also widely distributed Harold board of regents or printed in the press, one Wilkie's charges against Frank, sending a copy was of more than passing notice. "The econ­ in response to almost every letter he received. omist Richard T. Ely expressed dismay at the Undoubtedly, La Follette's intention in dis­ planned political ouster of Frank. Ely's name tributing the Wilkie report was to gain sup­ recalled an incident of forty years before, when port for, or at least to moderate the opposi­ he had been a professor at Wisconsin, and tion to, the prospect of Frank's removal. Since had been placed on trial as a result of charges much of the report emphasized Frank's sub­ stantial income and questioned expenses he

""New York Times, December 15, 1936; Willard Givens to Board of Regents, telegram, January 3, 1937, ""^ Milwaukee Sentinel, December 25, 1936; Richard and American Civil Liberties Union to Board of Re­ T. Ely to University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, gents, telegram, January 4, 1937, both in Sellery December 28, 1936, Sellery Papers, dismissal com­ Papers, file labeled "Communications received by Board munications file. of Regents re dismissal of Glenn Frank," box 7. "^ Philip La Follette Papers, boxes 64 and 65, con­ "•'New York Times, December 23, 1936. tain numerous letters about the proposed removal of 100 ii^Yry Woodburn Chase to Board of Regents, De­ F'rank. See particularly L. D. Coffman to Philip La cember 30, 1936, Sellery Papers, dismissal communica­ F'oUette, December 14, 1936, and Frank ,A. Vanderlip tions file. to Philip La Follette, December 14, 1936.

122 ZINK: GLENN FRANK had charged to the University, the effect was estimate; but just as clearly, Frank was not to play upon the theme of deprivation and without substantial faculty support.*"* Pro­ financial loss suffered by so many as a result fessor John Hicks claimed that "a good ma­ of the Depression.*"^ In letters to Bruce Bli- jority was for him," but "rightly or wrongly, ven, editor of the New Republic, and Aubrey many of them [the faculty] feel that for them Williams, deputy administrator of the Federal to take sides with the President against the Emergency Relief Administration, Wisconsin majority of the Regents would be to invite Congressman Thomas Amlie, one of the for themselves the same treatment that the founders of the Progressive party, confirmed President is about to receive."*"^ As the day that the attack on Frank would focus on his of the hearing approached, anti-Frank forces alleged extravagance as a basis for his re­ claimed that the faculty's silence signified moval. Amlie believed that such extravagance approval of the proposed forced resignation. in the face of the Depression would "be a Such an assertion was tenuous at best. On hard thing to explain."*"* Thus La Follette's several occasions a faculty referendum on charge that Frank conducted a "vicious cam­ Frank's removal had been suggested. Sens­ paign" of propaganda to win support paled ing a political escape, Governor La Follette beside La Follette's own actions in the final sounded out the plan on George Clarke Sellery days before the hearing.*"^ and political scientist John Gaus. Both men Throughout the public debate over Frank's rejected the idea, claiming that the "faculty removal, the faculty remained quiet. How did not know all the facts and therefore could the faculty as a whole felt about Frank will not be expected to vote intelligently."*"* Fi­ probably never be known. Sociologist Max nally, on the day of the hearing, a number of Otto favored Frank's removal and wrote his faculty representatives dispelled the assump­ friend John Dewey, asking him not to speak tion that they supported Frank's ouster, stat­ out on the complicated situation. Obviously ing that for the "welfare of the university" George Clarke Sellery and other faculty mem­ they could take no side.*"" bers who had earlier opposed Frank welcomed his dismissal, and Frank's high standard of liv­ ing may have cost him support among poorly paid professors who had struggled through IN January 6, the hearing opened. the depths of the Depression. Certainly, 0 A tumultuous crowd of students, Newsweek's claim that 90 per cent of the faculty, alumni, legislators, and members of faculty supported Frank was too high an the press crowded into the president's office in Bascom Hall. Harold Wilkie spoke first, 103 pjiilip La Follette to Arthur Sulzberger, December repeating his charges of December 16 but giv­ 16, 1936, PhiKp La Follette Papers, box 64; Rector, ing more particulars and showing less re­ "An Analysis of a Biography," 54-55; Wisconsin State straint in his condemnation of Frank and his Journal, January 6, 1937; Capital Times, January 6, 1937. On the day before the hearing, January 5, 1937, administration. He expanded upon some La Follette acted to erase a threatening legal technicali­ criticisms, especially those dealing with ty in order to preserve a narrow anti-Frank majority Frank's income and with expenses he had on the board. Due to a procedural oversight, he had charged to the state, both of which he elabo­ failed to file the necessary papers with the secretary rately detailed in the appendix of his printed of state about the removal of Regent Leonard J. Kleczka, one of the regents replaced in January, 1936. statement In closing, Wilkie characterized Kleczka's removal thus was not in force technically. A report that some pro-Frank regents might take ad­ ™Max Otto to John Dewey, December 18, 1936, in vantage of the technicality prompted La Follette to the Max Otto Papers, box 3, Archives, SHSW; News­ correct the error. week ganuary 16, 1937), 17. ^'''Thomas Amlie to Aubrey Williams, December 16, i<"John D. Hicks, rough draft of a faculty statement 1936, Thomas Amlie to Bruce Bliven, December 17, on the proposed tiring of Glenn Frank, January 5, 1937, 1936, in the Thomas Amlie Papers, box 34, Archives, Hicks Papers. SHSW. ^™ "Trouble in Wisconsin," in New Republic (De­ "=La Follette, Memoirs of Philip La Follette, 240; cember 30, 1936); Isabel Bacon La Follette, autobiogra­ "Statement by Governor Philip F. La Follette on Presi­ phy, 298, Philip La Follette Papers. dency of University of Wisconsin, January 8, 1937," ^"^ Wisconsin State Journal, January 6, 1937; Capital Philip La Follette Papers, box 68. Times, January 7, 1937.

123 University of Wisconsin Archives Dean George C. Sellery and President Frank, April, 1930. 124 ZINK: GLENN FRANK

Frank as "a man who repeatedly violated day-to-day affairs of the University, he said. agreements, broke promises, lived luxuriously Rather, "The chief executive is charged with and lavishly on state funds, lacked courage and responsibility for matters of university policy capacity, lost the confidence of those with and development, for the problems of major whom he must deal, constantly proved lack appointments, for the budget, for securing of leadership, mismanaged university finances, the necessary annual income for the work of rarely faced the truth, and almost always re­ the university, for dealing with the alumni, sorted to equivocation."**" Following lunch, and with varied public interests that affect Regent Clough Gates, a Superior publisher, and are affected by the university."*** Frank launched into an even more stinging indict­ stressed that it was necessary for the University ment of Frank. Reading from an attractively to maintain wide-ranging contacts and claimed printed 18,000-word pamphlet he had pub­ that the ultimate beneficiaries of the publicity lished, he reinforced Wilkie's charges.*** he received from his writings and speaking Glenn Frank next took the floor. Before engagements were the University and the beginning his defense, he apologized for be­ state of Wisconsin. He maintained that his en­ ing unable to answer in depth every indict­ gagements outside the state had created a ment, citing the short amount of time granted, great amount of goodwill for the University an attack of influenza, and the closing of Uni­ at very small cost since outside the state he versity offices for the Christmas recess. Direct­ usually charged a fee for speaking to groups ing his defense toward board president Wil­ and had thus saved the University thousands kie, Frank claimed that much of Wilkie's of dollars for travel expenses.**^ criticism was personal conjecture, unsubstan­ In defense of his continuing his syndicated tiated by facts. He denied mismanaging the newspaper column, Frank claimed that the University's finances and pointed out that original signers of the contract. Regents Cal­ Wilkie failed to take into account fiscal pres­ lahan and Olbrich, had given him their per­ sures placed upon the University as a result mission to renew the contract when it ex­ of the Depression.**2 He pointed out also pired in 1927. Although this "memorandum that the board only once had failed to ap­ of agreement" was never formally acted upon prove his budget as submitted, and expressed by the board of regents, Frank assumed that his willingness to have any expert in the the "practical construction" of eleven years country examine his budgetary procedures as had made it binding. Finally, Frank defend­ long as they were "in no wise involved in the ed the expenses he and his family had charged political cross-currents of Wisconsin. . . ."**^ to the University as being within the terms He denied having lost the confidence of the of the 1925 agreement. He pointed out that University community, and he disputed the the University, on its own initiative, had pro­ alleged weaknesses in his administrative abil­ vided for entertaining as well as for furnish­ ity. ing and maintaining the large presidential resi­ To answer Wilkie's indictment, Frank dis­ dence, which in Frank's opinion always cost cussed at length his lecturing, writing, and the the University a prohibitive amount in up­ expenses he had charged to the University. keep and should no longer be used.*** He spelled out what he perceived to be his As a part of his defense, Frank reviewed duties as president He did not believe it was some of his administration's achievements: the duty of the president to administer the the numerous innovations of his early years

™ Harold M. Wilkie statement, January 6, 1937, "* Ibid. Philip La Follette Papers; Wisconsin State Journal, "•^ Ibid. January 6, 1937. ^" Ibid.; Fred [Harvard faculty member] to ™ "Statement by Regent Clough Gates," Philip La Max Otto, January 16, 1937, Otto Papers. This letter Follette Papers, box 68. maintains that Roscoe Pound, the dean of the Har­ ^^^ Glenn Frank, "Statement to the Regents of the vard Law School who had turned down an offer of the University of Wisconsin," January 6, 1937, Sellery University of Wisconsin presidency, concurred with Papers, box 7; Capital Times, January 2, 1937. Frank's assessment of the presidential mansion and 1'^ Frank, "Statement to the Regents of the Univer­ maintained that it was one reason why he had refused sity of Wisconsin," January 6, 1937, Sellery Papers. the job.

125 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 before the crippling effects of the Depression; were appointees of Governor Philip La Fol­ the national recognition he had gained for the lette. One even baldly admitted disfavor with University; an increase in enrollment of over the president, saying: "Dr. Frank has not 2,500 students despite curtailed budgets from been such a good progressive."*2" Five of the the legislature; and the graduate school's rise eight had served less than one year, having from seventh to second in national academic begun their terms in February, 1936. On the rankings.**^ other hand, the seven regents who voted Due to the length of the three statements, against removing Frank had served an aver­ the hearing adjourned following Frank's de­ age of more than six years as board members fense. When it resumed the following day, and had been appointed by governors of vary­ those present heard further defense of Frank. ing political persuasions. Several regents spoke in Frank's behalf, as did Reaction to Frank's dismissal was swift. As alumni Zona Gale and George I. Haight, and the hearing dispersed, Frank responded to Harry A. Bullis, former president of the alum­ reporters' queries by saying only that he was ni association. Deans Frank O. Holt of the the victim of a "political firing squad."*^* Of extension division and Edwin B. Fred of the the many disgruntled onlookers, perhaps An­ graduate school attested to the progress of the ton J. Carlson, chairman of the free speech University under Frank. State senator and committee of the American Association of former Regent John Cashman also spoke in University Professors, best expressed his feel­ support of Frank, claiming that he was ad­ ings: "This is the most extraordinary and mired and respected among the state's farmers. farcical proceeding I have ever seen in forty Frank elaborated upon his defense of the day years of American education."*22 The follow­ before, but Regent Daniel Grady gave the ing morning, in one last desperate effort, be­ most stirring presentation. After first deny­ tween 500 and 1,500 students marched from ing the validity of Wilkie's charges, he devot­ the campus to the governor's office in the ed most of his defense to a topic Frank had capitol. The governor calmly listened to the almost entirely ignored: the political impetus students' demands that Frank be reinstated, behind the removal attempt. Grady de­ and responded that the action was the deci­ nounced the motivation of the anti-Frank sion of the board of regents and was for the bloc of regents, reminding them that it was good of the University. The students dis­ illegal to exercise partisan political judgment persed. The issue being resolved, the national in University affairs. In closing, Grady ap­ press quickly lost interest. The only task that pealed for a just vote: "There is no prize in remained was to find a new president.'^^ this contest but there is a jewel we wish to preserve, and that is non-interference of poli­ tics in the affairs of this great institution."*** LENN FRANK served as presi­ Following a dinner recess, the regents re­ dent of the University of Wis- assembled to cast their votes. As predicted G by the press from the renewal of the contro­ versy in mid-December, the regents voted eight "' Frank, "Statement to the Regents of the Univer­ to seven not to renew Glenn Frank's contract sity of Wisconsin," January 6, 1937, Sellery Papers. ^^ Wisconsin State Journal, January 7, 1937; "Re­ in June. The anti-Frank regents, however, gents Dismiss Dr. Frank, 8-7," in Wisconsin Alumnus went one step further, placing the president (February, 1937), 178-179. on an immediate leave of absence—and there­ ""Sellery, Some Ferments at Wisconsin, 92; Wisconsin by belying Wilkie's opening contention that State Journal, January 8, 1937. On January 7, however, the hearing was only to determine whether to Sellery maintained that his appointment as temporary president came as a surprise to him. rehire Frank in June. '^Milwaukee Journal, January 7, 1937; "Wisconsin: To fill the presidential vacancy temporarily, Glenn Frank Go« Out But His Prestige Goes Up," the regents named Dean George Clarke Sel­ Newsweek (January 6, 1937), 17. lery, who had been contacted first—not by ^^ Wisconsin State Journal, January 9, 1937. the regents, but by Governor La Follette— '^ Anton J. Carlson, "Statement After January 7, 1937, Hearing," Sellery Papers, box 7. nearly three weeks earlier.**" Of the eight ^Newsweek (January 6, 1937), 17; Capital Times, regents who voted for Frank's removal, all January 8, 1937. 126 ZINK: GLENN FRANK consin for nearly twelve years, during which of the Depression. As the economic crisis time he consistently functioned in the man­ worsened, he interpreted attacks on his presi­ ner for which he was hired. Yet he was not dency and curtailment of funds as a bald po­ simply a respected national spokesman for litical effort to shackle the University and a the University. He initiated programs that threat to academic freedom. Simultaneously, kept the University in the forefront of talk in the face of the Depression, the progressives in higher education circles, worked hard for abandoned their original conception of what (and won) generous state appropriations, and tasks the president of the University of Wis­ rekindled the requisite enthusiasm of Wis­ consin should perform. They demanded an consin's citizenry. academic administrator who would play a In total agreement with the spirit of the less costly, less conspicuous role in state af­ Wisconsin Idea, and emboldened by his suc­ fairs. The conflict between these two views cess, Frank never fully appreciated the ex­ eventually narrowed into a battle between tent to which the progressives viewed the Uni­ the two most promising and ambitious fig­ versity as their private domain. As a result, ures in the state. In a clash fueled by per­ when the progressives lost state political con­ sonal, political, and philosophical animosity, trol in the late twenties and Frank maintained there could be only one victor. Philip La harmonious relations with new state officials, Follette was triumphant The University of he fell from favor. Wisconsin and the state as a whole, not Glenn Frank also failed to appreciate the severity Frank, were the losers.

Bibliographic Note The best single source on Glenn Frank is Lawrence H. Lar- sen's The President Wore Spats: A Biography of Glenn Frank (Madison, 1965). This lucid biography has not been without its detractors. The two most persistent criticisms have been that Larsen exaggerated the acquisitive nature of Frank and that he did not give sufficient weight to political forces in Wisconsin, which ultimately determined Frank's tenure. The first criticism has been the most persistently expressed. Theodore R. Sizer, in reviewing the Larsen biography in the American Historical Review (71: 1468, July, 1966), noted that the author's treatment of Frank's personality might be over­ drawn. A full-fledged critique written by a friend of the Frank family followed (James Ward Rector, Analysis of a Biography [Madison, 1968]). Although Rector takes Larsen to task for many factual errors and unsubstantiated statements, the thrust of his rejoinder is to refute Larsen's characterization of Frank as a man consumed with a burning desire to achieve great wealth, social status, and national recognition. The second criticism (that perhaps Larsen placed too little emphasis on the role of Wisconsin politics in the operation of the University and particularly on the political aspects of Frank's removal from office) was best enunciated in a generally favorable review by John D. Hicks, a former chairman of the University of Wisconsin history department. See the Pacific Northwest Quar­ terly, 57: 91-92 (April, 1966).

127 A German Farmer Views Wisconsin, 1851-1863

Edited by Hartmut Keil

Translated by Marylou Pelzer

INTRODUCTION

OST of the millions of persons versify education in agriculture and besides M•; wh o poured into the United was well-to-do), but because he had too many States during the past three hundred years other interests which diverted him. He was somehow managed to make new homes in also not successful as a writer. For that career their adopted country. But some did not. A he had a certain gift but his work never few, like Karl Ludwig Wilhelm Pflaume of caught on. Now, a century later, Karl the town of Aschersleben in Prussia, merely Pflaume's descriptions of America have come tarried, then returned home. to light as important documents about Wis­ Pflaume's twelve years here, from 1851 to consin's past, and particularly about the Ger­ 1863, constituted a prolonged tour of inspec­ man-American experience in those formative tion. From his base in Manitowoc County, years between statehood and the Civil War. Wisconsin, he examined America's condition, Karl Pflaume (he used the Americanized developed a farm (of which much is still in name Charles while he lived in Wisconsin) production), and acquired the material for a was born in Aschersleben on October 23, 1817, literary career that occupied the rest of his into a prosperous family of landowners and life back in Germany. His contribution to officeholders. (His home town is the equiva­ the United States during his sojourn amount­ lent of a county seat for an area of the same ed to nothing out of the ordinary. He was a name, and is about a hundred miles southwest middling success as a farmer, not because he of Berlin and fifty miles northwest of Leipzig, lacked ability or knowledge (he had a uni- the famous German publishing center.) Pflaumes since the 1500's had been leading officials there. Young Karl broke this pat­ EDITOR'S NOTE: I want to thank Eberhard Pflaume, tern when, at the age of sixteen, he decided a grandson of Karl Pflaume, without whose co-opera­ tion and consent these extracts from his grandfather's to learn farming by practical experience so unpublished writings could not appear. Mr. Pflaume that he could administer the family proper­ lives at Amselweg 48 a, 402 Halle/Saale, German Dem­ ty. He evidently wearied of the practical ocratic Republic, and would welcome letters from when he was in his twenties, for in 1842 readers. He owns and administers the Pflaume family archive, from which he provided microfilm copies he enrolled at the University of Jena, where of Karl Pflaume's published and unpublished manu­ he specialized in agricultural economics. His scripts to the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. intellectual tendencies, together with a re­ In connection with this publication, he also supplied form spirit, led him to be a leader in Aschers­ biographical information about Karl Pflaume, photo­ graphs, and the only known copies of Pflaume's Mani­ leben during the German revolution of 1848. towoc County newspaper, Der Buschbauer. He organized a workmen's association, the

128 Copyright @ 1979 by The State Historical Society of Wisconsin All rights of reproduction in any form reserved KEIL: A GERMAN FARMER

among them in America; his name appears only fleetingly in just one of the many accounts about this colorful group which contributed to America men like Carl Schurz, the famed senator and cabinet officer who got his start in Wisconsin. These political refugees includ­ ed many who tried to make their livings on farms and "whom their American neighbors called 'Latin farmers', partly in amazement and partly in derision, for they knew much about the classics and the book-learning of the universities, but practically nothing of the art of farming in a frontier society."^ Plaume was better prepared for farming than they, owing to his special training; and he was as well read in European literature and German philosophy as the best-read of his fellow Forty-Eighters. He read extensively; he brought part of his sizable library with him, and later had his father ship another trunk- ful of his books. Also like others, he tended towards free church views, did not have his children baptized when they were infants, and approved the efforts of some German Courtesy Eberhard Pflaume freethinkers to establish a national associa­ tion in about 1856. Again like other Forty- Karl Pflaume. Eighters, he opposed slavery and was an early and enthusiastic Republican, joining the new- local militia, a turner society, and the Asso­ party after its founding in 1854. ciation for the Preservation of the Rights of the People.* The revolution failed, but Karl The rank-and-file German immigrant trav- was not prosecuted for his role in it. He could have continued to work for his family, but ' For immigration statistics, see, U.S., Department of he disliked the restrictions imposed upon po­ Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Historical Statistics litical activity at home, and in 1851 decided of the United States (1961), 57. Mack Walker, Ger­ many and the Emigration, 1816-1885 (Cambridge, to try instead the free atmosphere of frontier Massachusetts, 1964), 153-167, discusses motives for America.^ emigration. For discussions of the Forty-Eighters, see: The 1850's were years of heavy German im­ Eitel Wolf Dobert, Deutsche Demokraten in Amerika: migration to the United States. Almost die Achtundvierziger und ihre Schriften (Gottingen, 1958); Carl Wittke, Refugees of Revolution: The Ger­ 900,000 Germans arrived between 1850 and man Forty-Eighters in America (Philadelphia, 1952), 1857, the peak year being 1854 with 215,000. 112 (Latin farmer quote); Adolf Eduard Zucker, ed.. Most of the newcomers came for economic The Forty-Eighters: Political Refugees of the Ger­ reasons. Pflaume, however, was a political man Revolution of 1848 (New York, 1950); for their Emigre. He belonged to that group known role in Wisconsin, Wilhelm Hense-Jensen, Wisconsin's Deutsch-Amerikaner bis zum Schluss des neunzehnten as Forty-Eighters—the intellectuals and pro­ Jahrhunderts (2 vols., Milwaukee, 1900-1902), in which fessionals who had participated in the unsuc­ Pflaume is mentioned (I: 146, and II: 3); Hanni M. cessful revolution. He was not prominent Holzman, "The German Forty-Eighters and the So­ cialists in Milwaukee: A Social Psychological Study ^ E. Strassburger, Geschichte der Stadt Aschersleben of Assimilation" (master's thesis. University of Wiscon­ (Aschersleben, 1906), 429-437. sin, 1948); Joseph Schafer, "Yankee and Teuton in ^ In a manuscript written after his return to Ger­ Wisconsin," in the Wisconsin Magazine of History, many, Pflaume specifically mentioned the repressive 6: 125-145 (December, 1922), 261-279 (March, 1923), political atmosphere as his motive for emigrating. 386-402 (June, 1923), 7: 3-19 (September, 1923), 148-171 Karl Pflaume, "Das Auswandererschiff," in possession (December, 1923); and Bayrd Still, Milwaukee: The of Eberhard Pflaume. History of a City (Madison, 1948).

129 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

MANITOWOC COUNTY

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eled to America in steerage. Not so Karl wood in Chicago. Clearing and fencing an Pfaume. He could afford a ship's cabin when initial fifteen acres were done by contract he left Hamburg in August, 1851. Somehow workers, who received fifteen dollars an acre. he made his way to Manitowoc County, already Pflaume lived in a log cabin during the first the home of many German immigrants. There winter, but he built a frame house for |300 in he found a farm, and on November 1, 1851, 1852. He also had a log barn and a small he took formal possession of eighty acres for assortment of outbuildings. The setting was which he paid $235. The acreage was just a pretty one—near Lake Michigan, toward south of the city of Manitowoc, in what is which a creek flowed a few yards from the now an area of mixed suburban housing and house.* farmland on the northeast corner of Twenty- sixth Street (St. Peter's Road) and Silver Creek ' Information about Pflaume's land holdings was Road in the Town of Manitowoc. In 1853 he provided by Robert B. Brandl, Manitowoc County acquired for $207 an additional eighty acres, register of deeds. His letters and Xerox copies of docu­ in two parcels in the Town of Newton; one ments he supplied are in the Editorial Division's was across the road from his original farm, Pflaume manuscript file. In 1873, a predecessor of the Chicago and North Western Railway Company built the other about two miles away by road. He its line from Sheboygan to Manitowoc, with a right- hoped to sell downed trees on them for fire­ of-way through the parcels Pflaume acquired in 1853.

130 KEIL: A GERMAN FARMER

Despite his nearness to Manitowoc, Pflaume port of the principle of free labor and a free grew lonely living by himself. He according­ homestead. During the last stages of the cam­ ly returned to Aschersleben in early 1854 and paign, a weekly paper called Der Buschbauer was married to his fiancee Amalie Hornung, appeared, with Karl Pflaume as editor. It was twelve years younger than he and the daughter remembered in Manitowoc as an outgrowth of the local pharmacist. Back in Manitowoc of Pflaume's dissatisfaction with Roeser's edi­ that spring, the couple continued to clear and torials in the Demokrat, a dissatisfaction cultivate more land, and Karl indulged his shared by others in the community. The name scientific curiosity by beginning a tree nursery of the paper (loosely translated, "the stump and experimenting with various fruits and farmer") was appropriate, since the coun­ vegetables. ty was heavily forested and its cleared land was dotted with stumps, around which farmers were compelled to work during the initial years of settlement. The name ARMING by itself, even if en­ also betokened a state of peasantry and F;livene d by meager experiments, intellectual isolation—those very elements could not long satisfy Pflaume's intellectual which discouraged Pflaume. He explained cravings. During the long winter months, he in an editorial that he intended "to speak to wrote poems, some of which were published in the people with the language of the people," the Deutsche Monats-Hefte in New York and meaning German. He was not amiss in his in Wisconsin's Demokrat, a weekly edited and linguistic assessment. By 1870 about 28 per published by Karl Roeser in Manitowoc. Dur­ cent of Manitowoc County's residents had been ing the winter of 1856, he also began working born in Germany, accounting for nearly 57 on a book about American agriculture, which per cent of all foreign-born residents there. In was published in Germany ten years later. All the Town of Newton, where half of Pflaume's the while, he felt intellectually stifled, com­ farm was situated, the German proportion was plaining to his father in 1856 that Manitowoc even higher. In 1850, almost 60 per cent of was a semi-desert culturally.^ the population was German-born; in I860, Participation in politics and editing a politi­ the figure was 52 per cent. Most of these immi­ cal newspaper served as other escapes. As grants preferred to read German. early as the fall of 1854, Pflaume supported the Republican party, which had been or­ Pflaume recognized that Der Buschbauer ganized that summer. The climax of his local would circulate among people who were not political activity was reached during the presi­ "politically enlightened," as he put it, so he dential campaign of 1856, when he, like so intended to write about politics in a popular many German liberals, enthusiastically sup­ style and with a Republican bias. He planned ported John Charles Fremont, the Republi­ to leaven the political content with "a column can nominee. He campaigned extensively in on agriculture and business." "Perhaps," he Manitowoc County and made financial con­ wrote, "many a farmer will then read the for­ tributions which disjointed the family bud­ mer [politics] because he likes the latter. We get. He published a flyer for the county's all know how many of our fellow Germans numerous German voters, urging their .;up- recognize the importance of their own busi­ ness, whereas they are still very much in the " Pflaume mentioned the poetry publications in a dark about the common concerns of the peo­ letter to his father, March 3, 1856, and his intellectual ple. Thus I hope to be useful in both direc­ dissatisfaction in another dated March 14, 1856. His tions." agricultural treatise is titled Einleitung zur Kenntniss der Nordamerikanischen Landwirthschaft. Zundchst fiir Despite Pflaume's efforts and intentions, Auswanderer (Leipzig, 1866). Karl Roeser, with whom Fremont lost both nationally and in Manito­ Pflaume came to disagree politically, was one of the woc County (Pflaume congratulated the com­ founders of the Republican party in Wisconsin in 1854, munity for its dignified conduct during the served as a member of the Wisconsin delegation to the election), and the paper itself continued only Republican Convention in Chicago in 1860, and was appointed clerk in the Treasury Department by the until April 3, 1857. In his last issue, the Lincoln administration. Zucker, The Forty-Eighters, twenty-second, Pflaume announced that he had 331; Wittke, Refugees of Revolution, 213, 269. ceased to be editor and that the paper would

131 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 not be published "for the time being."* With cessation of Der Buschbauer, Pflaume's inter­ est in politics seems to have waned as well. There is no record that he campaigned dur­ ing the election of 1860. His feelings about Abraham Lincoln were lukewarm. Like many Forty-Eighters, he would have preferred either William H. Seward or Fremont, because in his opinion they were men of principle, char­ acter, and not compromised on the slavery issue. Failure at the polls was matched by eco­ nomic problems in the Pflaume household. He complained to his parents-in-law early in 1857 that the "damned election and news­ paper affair . . . fleeced my purse, the former by direct expenditures for treating [would-be voters to drinks] and the latter indirectly." Then came the Panic of 1857, and conditions worsened. Hired help became more expensive, and the depression forced produce prices down. Increasingly after 1857, Karl complained in his letters home about the shortage of money and about money's being used in Wisconsin as the sole measure of social status. Compared Courtesy Eberhard Pflaume to his neighbors' farms, however, Pflaume's Karl Pflaume and his wife Amalie and their three was about average. The soil in the area was surviving children, 1872. first-rate, according to surveyors' reports, but all of it was forested and had to be cleared be­ the top in ownership of oxen and pigs. Only fore farming could begin. one farmer grew more hay than Karl Pflaume, He had done creditably well with his initial who had made ten tons of it in 1859. Clearly eighty acres. By 1860, thirty-five acres were he concentrated on husbandry, not on crops cleared, and the operation was valued at $500. and processed food. He raised no wheat, and There were seventeen other farmers in the was near the bottom of the township list in township, nine of whom had farms worth production of rye, oats, and butter. He ranked more, but only four of whom had cleared sixth out of the seventeen farmers who grew more land. Pflaume owned four milk cows— potatoes. Thus, while he was not an enthusias­ the maximum number for either township in tic farmer, he was not a failure either. In which he owned land. He also was at or near comparison to his neighbors, he was simply unexceptional.'' Family life must have been a mixture of joy •The flyer, in the Pflaume collection, is titled "To and sorrow for the Pflaumes. Between their the German farmers and workers!" and concludes, "Hurray for Fremont!" Quotations are from Der marriage in 1854 and their departure for Ger­ Buschbauer, November 14, 1856. The newspaper and many in 1863, Karl and Amalie had six chil­ Pflaume are both mentioned in Ralph G. Plumb, dren, three of whom died in infancy. Back History of Manitowoc County (Manitowoc, 1904), 258, in Germany, they had three more. Of the and Louis Falge, History of Manitowoc County, Wis­ consin (Chicago, 1912), I: 219. Population figures nine, only three survived to adulthood. The are from the compendium of the 1870 census, the first notion of returning to Germany was men- census for which there are published breakdowns of the population's country of origin. Town of Newton ' Letter dated January, 1857. Agricultural statistics figures and a description of the county and township are taken from the Manitowoc County manuscript appear in Joseph Schafer, ed., Wisconsin Domesday census for I860 in the State Historical Society of Wis­ Book, Town Studies, Volume One (Madison, 1924), consin Library. Schafer, Wisconsin Domesday Book, 84-89. 84, reports soil conditions. 132 KEIL: A GERMAN FARMER tioned as early as the summer of 1856 in a they related his personal farming experiences, letter Pflaume wrote to his father. Frontier and when they reflected his qualities as a mi­ America did not seem a suitable place for a nor writer. The introduction and the second man with an education and interests like him­ chapter ("The State of Wisconsin" and "Politi­ self. "More and more," he wrote a little later, cal Life in the United States and Slavery") re­ "I realize that America is a paradise for those veal Pflaume's almost abolitionist bias, his who have been used to hard labor from early strong sense of personal and political integrity, on, for the speculators; but it is hell for the and his consequent disdain for profiteers, land so-called educated, for the romantic, the gen­ speculators, and political opportunists. There tleman of noble and refined ideas who does are some strong hints about the Forty-Eighters' not want to be, and cannot endure to be iso­ feelings of moral superiority and intellectual lated. . . . And yet, America is a great coun­ sophistication in relation to other immigrants try and a blessing to the world." This sense and to native-born Americans, but Pflaume of isolation, lack of income, and consequent truly treasured the freedom available in family problems led Karl Pflaume to begin America and even anticipated modern inter­ divesting himself of his property. In 1860, national ties when he wrote, "Our more mod­ he sold for a profit of about sixty dollars the est European freedom would have little forty acres that were two miles from his prin­ chance of lasting without the powerful sup­ cipal farm. Then, in the summer of 1863, with port of the trans-Atlantic free state." A hilari­ the Civil War in its third year and when he ous account of an election campaign in Mani­ was nearly forty-six, he sold the rest and re­ towoc County in November, 1853, points out, turned to Europe.* on a very personal level, the irrational nature of American party politics and the almost accidental outcome of such an election. A^CK in Germany, he turned to The section on agriculture deals with some B:writing . Pflaume used his ex­ of the adversities faced by Wisconsin frontier periences in Wisconsin, like those in the ex­ farmers, and it demonstrates as well Pflaume's tracts published here, as his major theme. The scientific expertness in the field. His literary manuscript from which they are taken was abilities surface in the sections about Silver finished probably around 1870. Circumstantial Creek and Lake Michigan. One Wisconsin evidence suggests that Pflaume wrote at least observer said, in fact, that his best piece was some passages while still on his farm in Mani­ "Ode to Lake Michigan," a poem on the same towoc. He addressed himself to readers in subject as this prose description. Germany, who would be quite uninformed Apart from his agricultural volume, very about Wisconsin conditions. Accordingly, he little of what Karl Pflaume wrote found its supplied basic facts about the land, climate, way into print. A romantic tale, "Virgin For­ politics, and society. Much of what he wrote est: Tales from the West," based upon his reads like a guide for prospective German im­ Wisconsin years, appeared in a German jour­ migrant farmers, and it bears some resem: nal, but there seems to have been nothing more blance to the kind of information he gave in in the American vein. For almost a century his book. Introduction to Understanding the Pflaume manuscripts remained in family North American Agriculture. Chiefly for Emi­ hands. Then, about three years ago, at an in­ grants, published in Leipzig in 1866. ternational scientific conference, Pflaume's Factual passages of the sort in his book were great-granddaughter, now a scientist in West eliminated in these selections from his unpub­ Germany, happened to meet James A. Will, a lished manuscript. Passages were included professor of veterinary science at the Univer­ when they expressed Pflaume's personal eval­ sity of Wisconsin. She gave Dr. Will a copy uation of American conditions (and, by in­ of the unpublished book manuscript based ference, other Forty-Eighters' opinions), when upon life in Wisconsin, which he then offered to the State Historical Society for considera­ tion. ' Letter to his parents-in-law, January, 1857; com­ munication from Robert B. Brandl, in the Pflaume The results of this chance encounter appear file of the Editorial Division. below—one of the only publications to have 133 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 emerged from the sixteen years Karl Pflaume vants or everybody's friends than like rulers. devoted to literary labor. He stubbornly de­ In Germany it is difficult to imagine the clined to manage the family holdings or to excitement displayed by Americans in con­ engage in other business so that he might pro­ nection with their frequent elections. Candi­ vide for himself and his family. In truth, it dates' motives are not only idealistic, but real­ cannot be said that he enjoyed success in any istic and materialistic: they are seeking paid of his careers—youthful farmer, revolutionary, offices, and the various parties make the great­ immigrant farmer, writer—but he took a great est effort through their emissaries to manipu­ deal of comfort in his children and family life. late people in order to win as many votes as Distrustful and embittered, he died at Leipzig possible. on March 21, 1879, when he was sixty-two." These elections are most critical in large cities, especially New York, New Orleans, and H.K. in the South in general, where knives and re­ volvers come into play; the rural counties of the northern states are tamest. ELECTIONEERING All those actively involved in politics—that is, who seek some office—must aid their party ISCONSIN laws and institu­ in the election; town and county politicians W;tion s much resemble those of especially must walk through fire for their other northern states, the Constitution hav­ friends, if they wish to be considered at any ing served as the model for it and other west­ time themselves; they must "electioneer," as ern states.*" There are, however, a few small it is called. deviations. All public offices are filled by There was a young German, just such a general elections, thus making public officials county politician, who participated more as directly responsible to the citizens, and inso­ a hobby than for his own gain; he proved him­ far as possible protecting the people from self a brave electioneer at all elections, despite usurpation, insolence, and oppression. But his small stature. To offset this disadvantage position and power offer such great tempta­ and present an appearance imposing as pos­ tion, that even here isolated incidents occur. sible, he bought the largest riding horse he Such scoundrels never remain at the helm for could find. Imagine now our politician rid­ long, though, for the citizens will sooner ex­ ing his horse tirelessly around the county, cuse swindle and fraud than vain arrogance, until their common effort resulted in his— insolence, and other such shenanigans. So that is, the rider's—being elected justice of most officials are mannerly, and make every the peace.** That was certainly a very favor­ attempt to be helpful in order to win and able position for him because of the honor keep friends. They seem much more like ser- "The hero in this election episode seems to have ' Hense-Jensen mentions Pflaume's work. See his been Charles A. Reuter, a German-born resident of Wisconsin's Deutsch-Amerikaner, I: 145, II: 3. The Manitowoc, and a Democrat in 1854. Reuter came romance appeared in Illustrirte Volkszeitung, II: 12, to be county treasurer, and he was a perennial office­ p. 21. The date and place of publication are not holder. Reuter was unmarried in 1860, fairly well- shown, but probably it appeared in the early 1870's. to-do, and of a clerical and legal turn of mind. " Pflaume's characterization of the state's constitu­ Further biographical information about him has not tion is slightly awry. Its framers drew upon the con­ been found. It may be that Reuter wrote about his stitutions of several states (especially New York and election antics in a letter to Pflaume at the time, since the states created earlier from the Old Northwest- Pflaume may already have been on his way to Ger­ Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan), not from the many to reunite with his fiancee and to be married. U.S. Constitution, which instructs the states but per­ U.S., Census of 1860, Manitowoc County, 60, in the mits them some latitude. See Alice E. Smith, The Library of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin; History of Wisconsin. Volume I: From Exploration James Sibree Anderson, Pioneer Courts and Lawyers to Statehood (Madison, 1973), 648-681, and Ray A. of Manitowoc County, Wis. (Manitowoc, 1922), 34, Brown, "The Making of the Wisconsin Constitution," 106; Falge, History of Manitowoc County, I: 79, 80, in Wisconsin Law Review, volume 1949: 648-694 (July), 229, 242, 249, and 352; and Wisconsin, Secretary of and volume 1952: 27-63 (January). The opening State, Election Return Statements, Manitowoc County, paragraph of this section was taken from Pflaume's 1853, 1854, 1855, in boxes 2 and 3, Series 2/3/2-15, description of Wisconsin. Archives Division, State Historical Society of Wisconsin.

134 KEIL: A GERMAN FARMER associated with it, but now he often com­ "I had good luck in Centreville and dis­ plained of making many enemies. In every tributed 100 flyers there; in the evening I was conflict, he could deem only one party right, quite stimulated by alcohol. Next morning and had to sentence the other; people being I rode back and forth across Centreville in as they are, the former praised the little jus­ various directions, and also all around New­ tice of the peace to the skies, much as one ton Town, then in the direction of Kossuth praises children who have been good, while Town towards evening. On the way I met those found to be in the wrong—and he com­ Esslinger and Dusold, who were also election­ plained bitterly about this —angrily called eering.*^ They warned me to be careful, as him a stupid kid, which made matters even people had all been turned fanatically against worse. He could not ignore it, however un­ Kyle; they themselves had almost been beaten deserved it might be. In any case, he was one up. of the most enthusiastic party workers, or elec­ "As night approached and, half numb, I tioneers. The following is his own description reached the inn in Kossuth Town, I retired of one of his electioneering rides [in Novem­ tired and spent together with Gotzler, whom ber, 1853]: I met there and who was also electioneering for "Election intrigues appeal to something Kyle.*"* Next day I rode through the area in within us which can be satisfied only by great all directions, but it was very difficult to ac­ activity. That was the case for me, too. The complish anything. I did what I could and wretched accusations circulating about James gained many promises for Kyle. In the eve­ [L. ] Kyle shortly before the election made me ning, since it was Saturday, I rode home. so angry that I decided to throw myself into "Both sides electioneered like hell in our the election with all my might on Kyle's side. city on Sunday. I was already a little drunk I rode through the German settlements and by about 11:00 A.M. but controlled myself well spoke here and there with farmers I knew; by eating bitter almonds. Malmros and I people figured there must be another election went from bar to bar in the afternoon; they coming up, since the city gentlemen were turn­ were all packed—a superhuman effort was ing up so often in the bush. At noon I came necessary.*^ I often wished I were living in a to Centreville, paid my compliments, and said despotic state so as to be spared such bitter that the times were just plain bad, an election conflict. (Drinking cannot be avoided in elec­ was coming up, [Jesse M.] Sherwood and Kyle tioneering; in fact, the electioneer must en­ (the two bandits for the state assembly) were courage it by buying rounds.) running against one another, and I'd be very "Kyle remained in the bush, as did Sher- disappointed if Sherwood actually got elect- ed.*2 I was interested in Kyle, Gentlemen; he is a Whig, of course, but also an honorable " Charles S. Esslinger, a prominent Free Soiler and man; besides, there were many dark points Republican, was born November 1, 1809, in Bavaria, about Sherwood. came to the United States in 1839, and settled in Manitowoc in 1850. He was an active politician, pub­ lisher, lawyer, and public servant. Falge, History of " Neither Kyle nor Sherwood is well known. Both Manitowoc County, II: 6-9. George Dusold, said to be were popular men, and Kyle, who had a reputation the first German settler in Manitowoc, arriving in as a drinker and raconteur, was much quoted by the 1846 or 1847, is noted as a shoemaker and operator legal fraternity. Believed to have been a Vermonter, of a hotel and dance hall which served briefly as a Kyle died of cholera on June 19, 1854. See Anderson, county courtroom in the 1850's. Ibid., I: 42, 75, 93, Pioneer Courts, 14, 38, 79-80, 107. Sherwood was 196, 223, 224, 350, 410. evidently something of an adventurer, for in 1860 he " Probably Franz Goetzler, designer and builder of and another adult male in his household told the the first courthouse in Manitowoc. Ibid., I: 75, 393, census enumerator that they hunted gold for a living. 437. By 1870, his wife and their children, including a son " Oscar G. C. Malmros, generally known as George, born about 1863 in Colorado, were living in Appleton. was a native of Holstein and was living in Manitowoc He was a New Yorker, born about 1821. See Falge, by 1850. He worked as both a pharmacist and lawyer, History of Manitowoc County, I: 70, 71, 111, 234, 242, held local offices, took a role in an early German 249; U.S. Census, Manitowoc County population sched­ amateur play in Manitowoc, and served in the state ules for 1850, p. 64, and 1860, p. 12, and Outagamie assembly in 1851. It is said that he moved to Sheboy­ County population schedules for 1870, p. 43, all in gan. Ibid., I: 71, 84, 97, 196, 234, 353, 440; Anderson, the Library of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Pioneer Courts, 19.

135 Rahr-West Museum, Manitowoc Manitowoc, 1856, from a watercolor by G. Kirschtez. wood. The whole county was like a battle­ about winning on the part of Sherwood's peo­ field that day, with the election two days off. ple made me so angry that I made a venomous Malmros and I came to the Kallesche Bar speech against him before the assembly; Bach that Sunday evening, where we found Bach was furious. Exhausted from all the speeches, and a strong opposing party.*' A lot of gall work and irritation, we looked for Kyle, per­ developed between Bach on the one side and haps back in town by now, to get him to go Malmros and me on the other side. Bach de­ to Kalle and other bars to give speeches. Oh clared he would not accept Malmros' word nol He was sick and not allowed out of bed. in political matters even under oath; Malmros Tomorrow was the last day to accomplish any­ accused Bach of political disloyalty; there was thing. Tomorrow morning Malmros had a a big fight. Bach promised Wollmer and session as County Judge and Kyle had work Malmros each a new suit and me a pair of at County Court, too; it was called off. spurs if Kyle were elected.*^ This smugness "I went to bed late that evening and was too excited to sleep. I was already awake at 4:00 A.M., heated my room, went to see Chris­ " William Bach, a native of Saxony, came to Manito­ woc in 1847, and became involved in local politics tiansen to inform him how things were going, soon after. He started a bank, which he lost in the then went to see Malmros, who was ill, but depression of 1857, and then re-entered public service. who nevertheless promised to hurry to Meemee He died in Manitowoc in 1895. Manitowoc Nord- [Meeme] Town if at all possible; nothing Westen, July 4, 1895; Falge, History of Manitowoc County, I: 26, 79, 81, 84, 100. at all had been done there yet.*' Then I " Nicholas Wollmer, born about 1825 in Hanover, visited Kyle, who was feeling better; at 8:00 I was another Manitowoc attorney and was a partner was on my horse. Everywhere I had been on of Ezekiel Ricker. A Democrat, he served as district Saturday, Sherwood's people had been the fol­ attorney and city clerk in 1854. In 1862, during the lowing day; they had ripped up Kyle's flyers Civil War, he enlisted in the largely German Twenty- Sixth Wisconsin infantry regiment, and was promoted and passed out Sherwood's. I ripped up Sher- to sergeant major and then to lieutenant. He was wounded in the battle of Peach Tree Station on " The community of Kalle has not been identified. July 20, 1864, and died of his wounds on August 21, It is not Kiel, also in Manitowoc County, but not so 1864. .See Falge, History of Manitowoc County, I: 80, named until after 1853. Kalle may also refer simply to 97-98, 242, 378; U.S., Census of 1860, Manitowoc County, a bar or hotel. Christiansen is probably C. Chris­ 42-43; and Wisconsin, Adjutant General, Wisconsin tiansen, noted as an early German, not Scandinavian, Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 (Madison, settler in Manitowoc. He has not been further identi­ 1914). fied. Falge, History of Manitowoc County, I: 437, 440. 136 KEIL: A GERMAN FARMER wood's and passed out Kyle's again. Despite to sling at me; my horse and I shoved through the terrible rain, I organized the Kyle party and I lost a stirrup and hat. and ordered the best callers for the ballot box "In Manitowoc, Malmros, with a swollen at 9:00 A.M. They were to aid me if the op­ cheek and completely bundled up, was stand­ posing party got rough with me. Soaked with ing watching over the ballot box. Bach was rain, I reached the inn in Kossuth Town by there, too. It looked bad for our candidates evening; my horse was exhausted for we hadn't and we lost all hope. Kyle, Malmros, who was rested or eaten since noon and it had rained supposed to stay in for eight days, and I had hard. Neither the innkeeper nor his wife was all gotten bad colds pro patria, and all to no at the inn and the remains of a slaughtered avail. Oh my! Suddenly messengers arrived beef animal lay on all the tables and chairs. from various towns, bringing accurate news. I stood in the cold room, soaked to the skin, "We counted votes and we had won.^* The for a good hour with my teeth chattering. other party became still as mice. But we cele­ Finally the innkeeper and his wife came, heat­ brated and set off fireworks in the evening." ed the stove very well and made me strip to my shirt. I sat a good two hours near the stove in this primitive dress until my clothes AGRICULTURE were dry. "Next day began with a friendly welcome awaiting me everywhere and friendly promises HE expected shortage of wood, for Kyle in all the farmhouses, but Oh! then T:fo r heating as well as for building Peter Poh, Sherwood's fanatical friend, ar­ houses and erecting fences, will affect the real rived on the scene.*" He followed me from prairie farmer first; building houses of stone one farm to the other, calling me a traitor and fences of wire would still leave the out­ and a liar and threatening with raised hand. lay for firewood. It is becoming scarce in Now God help me, I thought things are start­ America. The virgin forests are being reck­ ing to develop! Peter Poh followed me to a lessly wasted, and there is no forest culture to nearby bar, too, where I had some whiskey. provide replacements. At best, a few farmers I realized I would be better off to ride home, (forest farmers) are covering their own needs since the nasty weather would certainly pre­ by leaving a small section of forest standing vent my friends from coming to my aid. I on their land, and there are some who do not arrived in Rapids at noon soaked through. even do that much. Over fifty drunk people were standing in Clearing is done in various ways; the best front of Cams' house and called out to me; is felling the trees row for row, whereby each Hurray for Sherwood!^" I didn't answer and single tree is cut in pieces, the branches burned sprang into Cams' place as fast as possible, at once, and the stumps collected in a pile drank a few cups of coffee and got back on and burned later. Finally, the land is raked my horse. As I rode into the street from his free of brush and dry leaves, which are also yard, the gang of loafers ran after me, calling: burned. Wood suitable for fencing is kept to Hurray for Sherwood! They picked up mud build the fence. The fence is not so much for protection 19 Peter Poh, a Bavarian, served on the Manitowoc from deer and other wild animals as to keep County board in 1849 and farmed in the Town of the farmer's cows and pigs in the pasture. A Manitowoc Rapids for many years. He was born fence must be 4i/2 feet high, legally, to per­ about 1814. Falge, History of Manitowoc County, mit collecting damages (which seldom occurs) I: 59, 67; U.S., Census, population schedules for Manito­ woc County, 1850, p. 47; 1860, p. 374; 1870, volume I, in case the beloved animals break through. p. 541. And if it is not fine enough at the bottom, ^ Frederick Cams was born at Halberstadt, Germany, in 1819, and came to the United States in 1848. He ^ The official returns were: Kyle, 543, and Sher­ settled at Manitowoc Rapids, where he traded furs wood, 416. Breakdowns by township were not report­ with Indians and made fur gloves, caps, and other ed to the secretary of state. Wisconsin, Secretary of garments. Eventually he moved to Manitowoc and State, Election Return Statements, Manitowoc County, held public office. He died May 21, 1896. Falge, 1854, in box 2, Series 2/3/2-15, Archives Division, State History of Manitowoc County, II: 114. Historical Society of Wisconsin.

137 /* \ 'I. »

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Courtesy Eberhard Pflaume /n a letter home, Karl Pflaume sketched his Manitowoc County farmstead, identify­ ing everything from the house (1) and pigpen (4) to the surrounding fruit trees (7), white oaks (U), and elms (15). the pigs crawl through; so wide spaces and in a row, one after the other, with bristles holes must be carefully avoided there, too. raised like criminals driven to a desperate Still they find a way! deed, backs rounded like panthers crouched At first I had a block [log] fence built and ready to attack. But it was nothing more around my land, quite good according to my than hunger. And these racing swine were standards at that time. And I had a rather further proof that hunger arouses mental pow­ nice parcel of corn that first summer and daily er. At a place where an end section of fence watched it thriving with satisfaction till finally provided support—I would not have believed it formed an abundance of ears. My dismay it had I not seen it with my own eyes!—these was all the greater when one day I noticed rowdy animals, one after the other, climbed that a lot of ears had been torn off and eaten. over the fence with the dexterity and speed I thought it must have been raccoons—even of squirrels, and fell upon my potatoes. the best fence could not keep them out. So I But also cattle, and especially oxen, traveled went out at night with gun and dogs to pro­ forbidden paths; the light-footed ones among tect the corn from raccoons, but none came. them that got to be good jumpers caused us I still found more corn bitten off next day. a lot of problems. My neighbor had a cow While still surveying the damage, I noticed famous and infamous for jumping fences. One my neighbor's big sow pick out a suitable irate farmer had knocked off one of her horns, spot in my fence, get up on some protruding and on another occasion her tail had gotten roots, stand up on her hind legs until her wrapped around a tree stump as she was escap­ front lay on top of the fence, and wiggle until ing, so it was half torn off. There was there­ she had made it over, whereupon she headed fore no problem recognizing the culprit, but directly for the forbidden cornfield. It was that did not help. As soon as she came near clear who the raccoon had been. a fence, she was over it in a minute. But that Another time, when there was a poor supply is nothing compared to dismounting fences. of acorns and beechnuts in the woods, my A fence dismounter is far worse than a fence neighbor had a large herd of young swine, so- jumper. The latter can be considered an oc­ called "runners," and they really were runners casional lone thief against which one can pro­ in every sense of the word, for they were going tect one's property with a little attention; the through a famine of sorts, had almost no bel­ former is a violent intruder, a robber cap­ lies and could run like greyhounds. It was tain, smoothing the way for a whole band of frightening to see these animals running along robbers. Just imagine such a subject: a strong, 138 KEIL; A GERMAN FARMER brave ox with his herd in the woods, sweeter, get hung up on the roots. So the farmer fol­ more luxuriant grass, wheat, rye, oats, barley, lowing it carries an axe on his shoulder to corn, or even tasty cabbage and such delicacies hack through the offending roots. Once beckoning in full ripeness, green and tempt­ such a piece of new land is well harrowed in ing, from the next clearing. The fence de­ this way at least four times, then the upper­ stroyer strides with determination to the fence, most layer of humus is probably well enough wedges a horn under a fence rail and throws broken up to produce a rich harvest. But it aside, uses the other horn on another to the land prepared in this way looks desolate; send it in the other direction, etc., until he roots ripped by the teeth of the harrow and can comfortably step over the lowest fence hacked by the axe protrude out of the black rail—nimble hopping is beneath his pride. earth; in fact the more of these the better— During his preoccupation with breaking in the better the work has been done and the the fence, the herd following him stands be­ looser the ground so the seed can spread. Be­ hind him, oxen, cows and calves staring with sides the tree stumps, there are ferns higher amazed eyes at the daring hero, all the while than a man to deal with in harrowing alluvial licking their hard, broad lips with the ends or other low-lying land in this way for the of their tongues hanging out in anticipation first time. of the coming treat. As soon as the fence This initial work is far more tedious where stormer has broken into the clearing, his whole there are lots of stones. They have to be re­ entourage follows, and pity anything edible moved or buried in big holes hollowed out on their route. It is like enemy troops march­ beneath them. Our grains thrive well in land ing through; what they do not eat they stamp prepared this way. The soil is rich and the down. Lucky if the farmer is nearby and no­ loosened layer of humus provides a sufficient­ tices the attack right away and can rise to ly soft, weed-free surface, even if there are defense with suitable means such as dogs and variations in quality, since some areas with clubs. Cultivating the soil in a new clearing is dif­ Karl Pflaume's drawing of his farm, 1855. (The ficult at first since the remaining tree stumps crude oval was scissored by someone else, later on.) get in the way of cultivating tools, and tree roots in the ground complicate the work im­ Courtesy Eberhard Pflaume mensely and are sometimes so elastic that when the plow tears them, they whip the plower's legs. The large number of remaining tree stumps make such a clearing look like a cemetery filled with gray, standing grave stones. It is almost impossible to attain a straight furrow, or for that matter any furrow at all, when plowing with so many obstacles. Results are crooked and faulty, but the farmer, hoarse from shouting at the oxen, and whipped by the roots, is happy just to get the earth turned over in as many places as possible so that the new seed can take root. Fortunately, a large part of this new land can be prepared in an easier way, namely, with the harrow. The harrow used for this purpose consists of two stout oaken beams with strong iron spikes sunken into them, heavy enough to penetrate the interwoven band of countless roots and fibers. Since it is triangular, or rather an acute angle directed towards the front, their sides glide easily off the many tree stumps. But their teeth often WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

Stumps cannot be as well cultivated as others. petition. A lot of nonsense is included, too. Then a hoe must be used. For example, at one fair I attended, produce Burned areas, where wood has been burned, and other items exhibited and awarded prizes flourish especially well in the first years due did not even originate in that particular coun­ to the ash that serves as fertilizer. But the ty. Exhibits included not only agricultural underlying layer of humus has been burned produce and livestock, but also industrial prod­ away, too, so such areas are inferior later; ucts. Many people send embroidery or other the ash loses its effect fairly soon. It is better handwork they might have at home, whether to burn as little area as possible so as not to they have made it themselves or bought it. In destroy the humus, the richest portion of the any case, it can bring a reward, and people soil. in most cases only want to show off and make an excellent impression. As a clearing matures, it more and more re­ sembles the cultivated fields and meadows of Politics plays a part in such things, as it Europe. The originally wild appearance grows does in public matters everywhere. The agri­ friendlier and the features grow more regular. cultural associations meet not as ours do from Fruit trees grow, and when the first fence time to time to hold instructional debates about important aspects of the business, but wears out it is replaced with a neater and rather they seem to exist only for the sake of better one. If it was a block fence, with some the annual fair. The great western agricul­ sections of brushwood fence here and there tural association seems to be an exception late­ (made of heaped-up brushwood), now a rail ly; it has been eagerly promoting farm inter­ fence is constructed of split rails. Many peo­ ests, though here again with true American ple choose this type to begin with, but lay the one-sided agitation.^ rails zigzag to make it faster. Later they try There are also some newsletters and even for lines as straight as possible so as to con­ a few horticultural newspapers that contribute serve space and avoid all corners that might to improved cultivation. The United States foster weeds and insects. They either fasten Patent Office sends out agricultural reports split rails between buried posts or boards are and sample seeds annually to organizations nailed to such posts, which is more practical and individuals; all American consuls in for­ and looks better than the first described primi­ eign countries are asked to watch for useful tive enclosures. However, as wood becomes and apparently important plants in their re­ scarcer, building a fence costs more, and only gions and to send seeds or slips of them to the future can tell if it will not prove better Washington so that experiments can be run to save the tremendous amount of capital tied throughout the whole United States. up in all these fences by doing away with them altogether. Necessity will eventually force drastic improvement in other respects as well, THE CREEK as yields in many of the older areas under cul­ tivation begin to decrease considerably. Ra­ tional cultivation to replace the soil-robbery HE creek, or brook, near which I engaged in up until now is necessary, so that had built my little house would be increasing harvests enrich the soil rather than called a river or at least little river in some deplete it. That will not happen until no areas of Germany. Though it had little water more wild land exists to provide rich virgin in mid-summer, there was a respectable soil as replacement for depleted land. Ameri­ amount at other times and sometimes its cans must come to appreciate fertilization, crop whole valley was flooded from one side to rotation, and remaining in one location and the other in spring. this can take quite a while yet. To be sure, Thick ice covered it for five months in win­ individual states, as well as the Union, have ter, so in order to draw water I made holes in begun some action to promote agriculture. it that had to be opened once or twice a day, Exhibitions are being held to demonstrate the best soil products and livestock to farmers, " Pflaume likely refers to the budding Granger and prizes are given to awaken a spirit of com­ movement. 140 Photo by Gary Whitbeck The Pflaume farm site as it appeared in November, 1978. The buildings stand in the original farmyard, but none of Pflaume's buildings survives. because they immediately froze over again. trees—growing there were entwined to their These holes also served as watering places for very tops with garlands of wild grape vines livestock; I opened them when oxen and (vitis labrucca) and hedge mustard; other cows wandered down to the creek. One animal clinging vines covered smaller trees, making after the other kneeled down at the hole and the dense undergrowth even less penetrable, put in its head to quench its thirst. so that often cows and oxen breaking through As long as the shore was wooded, nature pro­ that thicket emerged with a green wreath of vided crossings even in the summer when the vines wound about their horns and heads. ice had melted by throwing trees in and over However, the axe altered the scene in a few the water, connecting the two shores with years. Trees disappeared and green meadows their broad trunks and allowing people to lined the shore. The tree trunks that used to cross with dry feet. There were whole piles serve as bridges vanished and were replaced of trees, mostly dark cedars, thrown on top by real bridges, usually constructed of logs, of one another by storms at some points, creat­ and which could be driven as well as walked ing a veritable wilderness of branches beneath over. The creek no longer flowed in shade, of the darkness of which the choked brook, mur­ course, but reflected the sky filled with clouds muring and chortling, invisibly forced its way or blue with sunshine. At places where some through. At other places it flowed freely, re­ silt had collected, water plants began to cover flecting the tall trees giving it shade, the herds the ground; everywhere else the bright silver drinking on its edges, and the deer that were water flowed over clean pebbles and grainy frequently to be seen. Trunks of trees—most­ river sand. ly elms, cedars, walnut, ash, oak and wild plum It was very inviting to take a swim, either

141 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

in the shade of a bridge or behind the green truding from the water. It made for a worth­ shield of an alder bush. Countless little fish while catch. Otters followed the fish and teased the swimmers, biting their finger tips sometimes got caught in the fish nets laid and toes, withdrawing at the slightest move­ there. Ospreys sat on trees along the shore, ment, only to immediately reappear and begin carefully watching the water or floating over the game again. Sometimes a black water it in the air. But the people busy on the shore snake, reportedly quite poisonous, slid along were the main fishermen, catching foot-and-a- a swimmer's body. It really did look danger­ half-long suckers with three- or four-pronged ous when it rose up out of the water more than spears. These fishermen usually had sacks to a foot, searching for prey with its flaming eyes put their catch in, and in their enthusiasm and darting tongue. Pity the poor frog taken they walked into the very cold water and stood by surprise as he unawares sat on one of the with raised spear, waiting for the right mo­ larger stones protruding from the water; the ment to make the kill with one confident snake's throat was broad enough—the largest throw, much like herons. Some kept dry feet of its kind—to swallow even a bullfrog in one by standing on tree trunks washed together piece just as he was. The beautiful yellow by the water here and there, watching for the and black or yellow and greenish marked land fish lurking in the shady safety of the float­ snakes went into water only to swim from one ing wood. bank to the other, though they also liked to A variety of small eel or lamprey made its hunt frogs along the creek. There were crabs way about the same time up through the creek there, too, for the most part just small ones, and back to the lake, but it was not caught. probably because their overly abundant ene­ Once in a while a pike was seen. mies caught them before they could grow larg­ Later, in summer, there were only small er; a few very large specimens living under fish in the creek, loach and shiny minnows. the largest stones proved that it was not a Then blue herons stood in the water fishing pygmy strain. There they found refuge, being for hours. Even more noticeable was the king­ so very cautious that they seldom stuck more fisher, an ice-blue bird about as big as a than the tips of their powerful pinchers out­ pigeon, that usually perched on a branch side their stone prisons. Under the very larg­ hanging over the water, dove into the water est stone sat the very largest crab; this vener­ from time to time, then returned to the branch able old warrior had only one pincher, the to swallow the squirming fish, the shining other no doubt lost in some battle, leaving sun making it look like silver in its bill; then him to pursue his knightly affairs one-handed it would let out a loud cry of triumph. beneath his armor. Occasionally a bittern could be seen or The first signs of new life became apparent heard at night, and there were other sounds, at winter's end when the ice began to soften whether from a wild four-footed animal or and at the water holes a few stray malformed a bird it was hard to tell. The turtle's dull flies crawled out of the water where their call was easy to recognize. larvae had spent the winter. As soon as the During the day snipes often flew from stone ice melted, life unfolded on a larger scale. to stone over the water or tripped gracefully First to appear on the freed water were wild over the sandy shore, resembling house maids ducks, sawbills and divers, and not only little in simple gray, but fresh, house dresses. teal ducks, but big mallards, too, fabulous On hot summer days, especially towards wood ducks and some less common species evening at certain calm places, big water such as one about as big as a goose. Later, beetles flew up out of the water with thudding from late April to late May, fish moved up sounds. from, the lake to spawn in the creek, where Raccoons spent the day hidden in hollow the eggs were hatched by the sun in the shal­ trees near the creek and scavenged the river lower, more easily warmed water. Masses of bed at night for mussels, crabs, and worms, suckers sought out especially the shallow on which they existed during the "fasting stony places for spawning, where the water period," that is, until the corn formed ears. flowed most quickly, and they sometimes lay The previously mentioned mink, an animal in four or five layers with their backs pro­ of the marten family, though an excellent 142 KEIL: A GERMAN FARMER diyer and swimmer, too, also used the creek high coast. Thus Lake Michigan does not give as scene and refuge for its pirate expeditions. the impression of a lake, but seems as endless The mink operated like the old Norman pi­ and powerful as the ocean itself. rates who plied the rivers, robbing on the So it offers the changing appearance of the shores, except that the mink were satisfied God of the Sea and holds a mirror to the sky. with the farmers' poultry in place of the hu­ In the summer its shining surface sparkles man blood preferred by the noble Vikings. blue as the sky itself and reflects the sun's The muskrat did much the same. Even the rays; at other times it shows the gray or dark snapping turtle is out for the poor fowl and blackness of the clouds and reflects the dart­ secretly snatches a goose or duck down under ing lightning of thunderstorms in its wildly the water upon occasion much like those leaping waves. Sometimes, in the hot season, thieves of young girls in fairy tales who it is covered by a thick dark fog, and looking snatched away some of the royal Egyptian into the lake from above is like peering into maidens bathing in the Nile. Despite all these an eerie steaming kettle. At still other times tricks and idiosyncracies, the creek was beauti­ there is a wall of fog far out on the lake on ful. How confidently it meandered along be­ which the coast is reflected, a Fata Morgana, tween the moist green shores, reflecting many like a dream brought forth from the soul a lovely flower and green bush, shining and by memory; this happens in cold as well as glittering in the sunshine, its whispers and warm seasons. Despite the long, cold winters, murmurs adding life to the loneliness. the lake never completely freezes, probably due to its great depth, as well as its large ex­ panse. The great depth means that ice formed LAKE MICHIGAN on the surface is counteracted by the warmer temperatures of the continually rising deeper I AY after day I heard a dull, some­ layers of water, while the large expanse of D;time s tapping sound coming surface area permits the winds free access, so through the forest from the east—at times that it is a rare exception that waves are not louder, at times softer. It was the tide of keeping the surface in motion sufficient to Lake Michigan, about a quarter of an hour's prevent a solid formation of ice. Only floating direct distance away. I sometimes had the ice occurs in winter on Lake Michigan, collect­ urge to visit the shore of the lake, so as to ing near the shore on quiet days and in pro­ free my view into the distance, usually hin­ tected areas, where the waves break it up and dered by the tall trees of the forest. the wind then drives it out to sea. There it The steep wooded coast, offering a view can be seen swimming in long white lines, over the broad plain, was about 200 feet high and a persisting east wind blows it to the with the descent to the lake unforested; the Wisconsin coast where it covers long stretches waves continually attacking its base caused and fills the inlets, preventing ships to pass the earth to steadily crumble down so it was in many places, and the tide sighs and pounds impossible for trees to put down roots; the under the burden of ice. The west wind car­ forest did not begin until the top. ries it away again and one notices the noise The lake is known to extend furthest from and flurry as the icebergs head for the middle south to north; the breadth from east to west of the huge body of water—to pay a visit to is much smaller. Still it is too wide to be able the opposite coast of Michigan, if the wind to see the Michigan coast from Wisconsin's continues.

143 REVIEWS

Adlai Stevenson and the World: The Life of Stevenson intimates to delve into his character. Adlai Stevenson. By JOHN BARTLOW MARTIN. In that respect, this volume represents an im­ (Doubleday & Company, Garden City, New provement on its predecessor. By contrast, York, 1977. Pp. 946. Illustrations, source however, Martin displays far less flair in deal­ notes, index. $15.00.) ing with the inner workings of top-level state and national politics than he did earlier. Both In this second, concluding volume of his volumes share the same glaring flaw: prolix re­ biography of Adlai Stevenson, John Bartlow counting of their subject's routine activities Martin has duplicated his earlier feat of un­ and unimportant comings and goings. At one intentionally transforming what was meant to point, in discussing the 1956 race against Presi­ be an adulatory treatment into an exercise in dent Eisenhower, Martin notes, "It would be debunking. Part of the deflationary effect is tedious to relate the progress of the campaign inescapable, since this volume treats the last in day-to-day detail." It is a shame that a dozen years of Stevenson's life, from the after­ similar perception did not occur to him soon­ math of his losing presidential race in 1952 to er, so that he might have spared his readers his death in 1965. Defeat and disappointment all the ins and outs of Stevenson's world characterized those years, as Stevenson made travels and his pursuit of the nomination dur­ his second unavailing bid for the presidency ing the preceding three years. It is likewise a in 1956 and then found himself shut out from shame that he forgot that perception so soon both a further try for the Democratic presi­ afterward, with the result that the reader has dential nomination in 1960 and the Secretary­ to slog through comparable renderings of ship of State by John F. Kennedy and Lyndon such activities from 1957 through 1960 as well Johnson. Stevenson spent the whole period as as the minutiae of the UN ambassadorship an exile from power, first in the wilds of po­ from 1961 to 1965. So much of the book en­ litical opposition through 1960 and afterward courages skimming that the intermittent sec­ as a kind of official mouthpiece during his tions which merit careful reading are easy to ambassadorship to the United Nations. In miss. neither capacity did he often see his ideas The outstanding characteristic of this vol­ implemented as policies or play a decisive ume, like its predecessor, is the way in which role in shaping the course of events. Such a it unwittingly causes Stevenson's historical career could hardly fail to diminish the man reputation to suffer devaluation. Martin ar­ who had to endure it. gues that Stevenson's greatest contribution To his credit, Martin does not try to mini­ came in his leadership of the Democratic par­ mize either the extent of Stevenson's failures ty during the Eisenhower years, when he or their impact upon him. The strongest parts served as an eloquent spokesman for fresh of this volume lie in the places where Martin departures in foreign policy, the pursuit of employs his own insights and those of other national excellence, and a generally higher 144 BOOK REVIEWS tone to politics. One can agree that those con­ peating his earlier dazzlement as a young tributions were significant for both Stevenson lawyer with the North Shore Chicago subur­ and the United States and still question not ban set. Martin also quotes an incisive re­ only the importance of his role but also the mark by Marietta Tree, Stevenson's closest ultimate value of the directions in which he friend of his last years: "That house in Bloom- worked. Stevenson seems to have offered lit­ ington explains so much. He really was a tle of substance. Rather, he usually lent his small-town boy .... Sometimes you wondered renowned eloquence to sophisticated pursuit if he really did know what was important." of the Cold War and served as the rallying- During the final year of his life, Stevenson at­ point for a band of liberal intellectuals who tended a party given by the daughter of F. spawned new ideas for policy initiatives which Scott Fitzgerald. The association had a fit­ he himself seldom heeded or understood. On ting symbolism. Fitzgerald, another product the most important domestic issue of the time, of the aspiring elites of the small-city Middle civil rights, he continued to hang back, lack­ West, had attended Princeton a few years ing, Martin concedes, "what he himself prob­ ahead of Stevenson, and he had portrayed their ably did not know he lacked: a strong emo­ common yearnings and strivings in his stories tional commitment to the civil rights cause." and novels, especially The Great Gatsby. At In short, Stevenson served the politics of the bottom, Stevenson resembled no one so much 1950's as a figurehead, and one that did not as Jay Gatsby, who had the same provincial's always point in the best directions for his romantic adulation of the rich and powerful party and his country. and made the same efforts, at once pathetic Even more damaging to Stevenson's repu­ and essentially phony, to remain among them tation is the evidence which Martin offers that though he could not be one of them. he really was the figure his detractors derided Such judgments, which I take no pleasure —an indecisive character who lacked the in­ in uttering, seem to me unavoidable after stinct for power and the will to fight Mar­ reading both volumes of Martin's biography. tin notes that the one time during this period The books are badly flawed. Both volumes when Stevenson took fire politically was when should have been cut and recast as a single- he had to battle Estes Kefauver for the 1956 volume biography of the length of one of nomination, after which he relapsed into his them. That kind of book would have served wonted aloof and unimpassioned ways. Much far better than these two sprawling, trivia- of the unhappiness of his last years stemmed cluttered volumes in portraying Adlai Steven­ from his failure to be appointed Secretary of son. Yet this biography remains an important State. On the eve of the 1960 Democratic con­ work because it conveys an incisive, though vention, as Martin recounts, Kennedy visited unintentionally damning, portrait of the man Stevenson at his home to solicit his endorse­ who attracted so much devotion from so many ment in a way that would have secured him liberal, humane, educated Americans. Steven­ almost any office he craved. But Stevenson son and his legacy require full-scale reassess­ put Kennedy off, went on to play a cat-and- ment, and Martin's biography advances that mouse game with his own supporters for the reassessment, despite its flaws and its inten­ nomination, and finally sulked when the tions to the contrary. secretaryship did not fall into his lap any­ way. Still worse was his performance as UN JOHN MILTON COOPER, JR. ambassador, during which first Kennedy and University of Wisconsin—Madison later Johnson isolated him from any real in­ fluence over foreign policy. Yet Stevenson never seems to have contemplated resigna­ tion in protest, not even when Kennedy de­ Senator Lenroot of Wisconsin: A Political ceived him during the Bay of Pigs affair and Biography, 1900-1929. By HERBERT F. MAR- evidently tried to smear him in the press after GUHES. (University of Missouri Press, Colum­ the Cuban missile crisis. Instead, he clung bia, 1977. Pp. X, 432. Notes, bibHography, in­ pathetically to the perquisites and social pres­ dex. $21.00.) tige of his ambassadorial post Those last years at the United Nations pro­ Born in Superior in 1869 of Swedish-Luth­ vide the deepest and perhaps most devastating eran parents, Irvine Luther Lenroot attended revelations of all about Stevenson. Martin public schools, studied law, and in 1897, gained astutely observes that in plunging into the admission to the Wisconsin bar. He followed whirl of New York society Stevenson was re­ the Republican inclination of his family, be- 145 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 ginning his career in politics as a member of publicans in occasionally crossing party lines the Superior Republican city committee and to support Wilsonian domestic reform meas­ then as chairman of the Douglas County com­ ures and neutrality toward the European war. mittee. At about the same time, Robert M. La Later, when German submarine warfare Follette was emerging as a major force in Re­ brought the war closer to the United States, publican politics, and he enjoyed the support Lenroot backed Wilson's insistence on Ameri­ of Lenroot and a large bloc of Scandinavian can citizens' rights on the high seas, and even­ Republicans in the Superior area. La Follette tually supported American entrance into the backers reciprocated with strong support for war. La Follette, however, continued to in­ Lenroot in his 1900 bid for the state assembly. sist on neutrality and adamantly opposed Wil­ During his first term as assemblyman, Lenroot son's war measures, again revealing the differ­ established himself as the leader of the La ence between himself and his former con­ Follette men in the northwesternmost coun­ gressional ally. ties. He served as speaker from 1903 to 1906 When Senator Paul Husting was accident­ and, throughout his three successive terms, ally killed in 1917, Lenroot won the support worked closely with La Follette to pass key of most Republicans to succeed to the va­ progressive legislation. cancy over James Thompson, the La Follette Before resigning as governor to become Uni­ candidate. After defeating his Democratic and ted States senator. La Follette persuaded Len­ Socialist opponents, Lenroot became La Fol­ root to oppose James O. Davidson for the lette's colleague in the Senate. Lenroot's most governorship. Although Lenroot lost, he important contribution during his nine-year gained recognition which helped elect him to career in the Senate was in a losing cause, as Congress in 1908. In Congress Lenroot con­ a leader of the mild reservationists who tried tinued to be a La Follette prot^g^, and he to reconcile differences between Henry Cabot played an important role in the insurgent Lodge and Wilson over American participa­ challenge to the near dictatorial power of the tion in the League of Nations. In 1920 Len­ Speaker of the House, stalwart Republican root had a near brush with the presidency "Uncle Joe" Cannon. With the formation of when he was considered for the vice-presidency the La Follette-inspired Progressive Republi­ on the Warren G. Harding ticket. Had he can League, Lenroot became a member of its agreed to the initial overtures or responded executive committee—the only Wisconsin man more quickly to a second feeler, he might designated for a leadership position. That, have been nominated and thus have succeeded however, was the beginning of the end of to the presidency upon Harding's death. his close political and personal relationship (Margulies' account of the senator's near vice- with La Follette. presidential nomination is more fully treated Lenroot had always had a high regard for in his article in the Wisconsin Magazine of Theodore Roosevelt and did not share La History [Autumn, 1977] than in the book, Follette's strong distrust of the Rough Rider. and many passages are identical.) As it was, As the 1912 Republican presidential conven­ Lenroot had to settle for re-election to the tion neared and La Follette's health broke, Senate for a full term, during most of which Lenroot tried unsuccessfully to seek an ac­ he voted with the regular Republican ma­ commodation between Roosevelt and La Fol­ jority. In 1927 he lost his bid for renomina- lette supporters. La Follette grew increasingly tion, thus ending his political career. Later, intransigent and unwilling to support Roose­ he actively supported Herbert Hoover for the velt over William Howard Taft if he himself presidency and was considered for cabinet could not win the nomination. To avoid a posts, but instead he accepted appointment public break with La Follette, Lenroot with­ as judge of the U.S. Court of Customs and drew as a delegate to the convention, allow­ Patent Appeals, on which he served until 1944. ing La Follette to replace him. The breach Herbert Margulies has performed a splen­ was never fully closed, though the two men did service in chronicling the political career continued to maintain polite relations. Len­ of Irvine Lenroot and unravelling the tangle root favored Roosevelt over Taft, but he did of intraparty squabbles, legislative maneuvers, not follow his choice into the Bull Moose par­ and state Republican politics during the Pro­ ty, preferring instead to support Republicans gressive Era. He makes a strong case for generally, but to oppose Taft for the presi­ Lenroot's political independence and personal dency. integrity. At the same time, discussing Len­ During the remainder of his years in the root's break with La Follette, he shows La House, Lenroot joined other progressive Re­ Follette as uncompromising, vindictive, para- 146 BOOK REVIEWS noid, and unrealistic. Margulies is less con­ Channel) showed women that they could make vincing, however, when he argues that Len­ solid achievements in traditionally male areas. root continued as a moderate progressive Carter writes about all of this, and more, with throughout the 1920's. Lenroot was a mod­ a good eye for the subtle meanings behind his erate Republican, but not a progressive. Here, evidence, yet with a frequently disturbing style: and occasionally at other points, the author "By the tail-finny fifties some were beginning seems more favorable to his subject than the to complain of psychic indigestion. . . ." facts warrant. It is not surprising that Americans of the Senator Lenroot of Wisconsin is a solid twenties were more complex than the too- monograph which adds an important dimen­ readily accepted stereotypes of the bohemian sion to the study of Wisconsin politics and and the businessman. After deflating such progressivism. The University of Missouri characterizations. Carter does not bring his Press is to be congratulated for publishing an­ separate episodes together to offer his own other scholarly volume on Wisconsin even if conclusions about the period as a whole. Yet its high price may discourage all but academic the historian's job is to offer generalizations libraries. It is to be hoped that Professor Mar­ about the past and in this book Carter has gulies will continue his productive research not fulfilled that task. Scholars may find here on Wisconsin progressivism. good material for their own essays or lectures, but the general reader would do well to go to NICHOLAS C. BURCKEL other histories of the decade which at least give University of Wisconsin—Parkside thematic arrangement to their anecdotes. One part of the twenties that Carter chose not to discuss was the New Humanism, a school of literary criticism and esthetic theory Another Part of the Twenties. By PAUL A. composed of figures such as Irving Babbitt and Paul Elmer More. There has been a need for CARTER. (Columbia University Press, New a book on the ideas of these men, and J. David York, 1977. Pp. xiii, 229. Sources, index. Hoeveler's The New Humanism admirably $9.95.) meets that need. The New Humanism: A Critique of Modern According to Hoeveler, Babbitt, More, and America, 1900-1940. By J. DAVID HOEVELER, their colleagues sought a set of universal JR. (University Press of Virginia, Charlottes­ standards and values by which humans could ville, 1977. Pp. ix, 207. Illustrations, notes, conduct their lives. True conservatives, they bibliography, index. $12.50.) rebelled against two intellectual developments which seemed responsible for the loss of Paul Carter's purpose in writing Another standards: Romanticism's praise of the primi­ Part of the Twenties is to show that the "jazz tive and the individual, which seemed to age" or "roaring twenties" characterizations of prompt irresponsible disregard for tradition, the 1920's do not give accurate representations and naturalism, which overstated the relation­ of common American experience and ideas ship between humans and environment in an during that decade. In a set of episodic chap­ explanation that appeared to make people ters he presents a number of examples which the victims of their animalistic impulses. The counter such generalizations about American Humanists held that human nature was dualis- life during the period. In a decade which was tic, with a higher spiritual realm and a purely supposed to have an urban bias against the physical one that contemporary thinkers em­ small town. Carter shows that Ray Bradbury, phasized too much. The higher aspect of Sinclair Lewis, and August Derleth were not human nature could provide the standards hostile toward village values. George C. Pat- capable of controlling the more animalistic ton's glorification of war stood apart from the side, a part of humans that constantly threat­ pacifism frequently attributed to the period. ened to fly into uncontrolled natural impulses Despite the well-publicized battles of the or into individualism. The Humanists felt Scopes trial, a number of people worked more that the artist's, and particularly the writer's, quietly to achieve a peace between science task was to transcend the flux of daily life to and religion. In what was supposed to be the convey the permanent values in a morally age of the flapper, many women went quietly uplifting way. As they surveyed the modern about the duties of the housewife, while Nellie world, they saw a plague of democratic ten­ Tayloe Ross (first woman governor) and Ger­ dencies, a disease which had managed to weak­ trude Ederle (first woman to swim the English en colleges and universities with elective and

147 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 vocational courses so that they no longer pre­ lynching, disfranchisement, segregation, and served inherited cultural attributes. blatant discrimination in such areas as edu­ The New Humanists' position was a call for cation, employment, and law enforcement." action, but they failed to make themselves Some of them worked to improve race rela­ heard by the general public or even among the tions through organizations such as the Com­ literary circles they particularly addressed. mission on Interracial Cooperation, the As­ Hoeveler notes this failure, but does not pur­ sociation of Southern Women for the Pre­ sue it with the detailed analysis it deserves. vention of Lynching, the Southern Conference He shares the Humanists' admiration for cul­ for Human Welfare, and the Southern Re­ tural cohesiveness and unity, their belief that gional Council. But Sosna correctly points out the university should be the guardian of the that these organizations constituted only a past, and their disregard for the leveling ten­ small part of the story. Southern liberals- dencies in American culture; these sympathies few and far between—were individual islands may have prevented Hoeveler from pursuing of tolerance in a sea of hate, with little or no this aspect of his analysis. But The New interchange among the various members of Humanism is a very satisfying and sophisti­ the group. cated piece of intellectual history. Where Car­ By non-Southern standards. Southern white ter's book is loosely arranged, broadly cast, and liberals must be labeled "moderate." While probably unnecessary, Hoeveler's is tightly promoting social justice, they opposed social argued, narrowly delineated, and very useful. equality. They despised lynching, but they opposed attempts to pass federal anti-lynching DAVID P. PEELER laws. While they favored better race relations, University of Wisconsin-Madison some of them considered the NAACP an or­ ganization which did more harm than good. While they wanted the New Deal to improve the plight of the Southern black, they feared that if they took too pro-black a stance they In Search of the Silent South: Southern Lib­ might jeopardize programs beneficial to erals and the Race Issue. By MORTON SOSNA. blacks. Although they favored higher educa­ (Columbia University Press, New York, 1977. tion for blacks, they denied them admission to Pp. xvi, 275. Notes, bibliography, index. their universities because the presence of $11.95.) blacks on previously all-white campuses might stir up the race issue. While arguing for im­ The "silent" South of this volume existed proved black education, they opposed public from about 1920 until 1954. "Silence" de­ school integration. They favored separate picted the stand most Southern white liberals but equal public facilities. When blacks de­ took in regard to race relations in the South. sired to weaken or destroy racial segregation So silent were these white liberals that many during World War II, Southern liberals ar­ observers have assumed that they did not exist. gued that the time was not right and blacks Sosna's volume rescues this small minority should temporarily put aside their desire for from obscurity, analyzing some of its mem­ racial advancement in order to devote full bers' attitudes, actions, and organizations. time to winning the war. At the same time Among the Southern white liberals were they favored change, they opposed black mili­ newspapermen (Virginius Dabney and Ralph tancy. McGill), novelists (George Washington Cable As time passed and racial change began to and Lillian Smith), academics (Will Alexander, occur, Southern liberal organizations were Howard Odum, Frank Graham), and federal torn asunder over both goals and methods. employees (Aubrey Williams). Conspicuously Under such circumstances is the term "liberal" absent from the list are church leaders, al­ an appropriate designation? I think so. We though an evangelical conscience permeated must remember that these whites had their the liberal ranks. Although these people did roots in the South and they understood well not always agree with each other, generally the conditions under which they lived. Also, they "perceived that there was a serious mal­ by Southern standards they were indeed lib­ adjustment of race relations in the South, . . . eral. recognized that the existing system resulted How important was this silent minority? in grave injustices for blacks, and . . . either To say it was not very effective is not to say actively endorsed or engaged in programs to it was unimportant. These liberals did the aid Southern blacks in their fight against best they could at a time when racial bitter- 148 BOOK REVIEWS ness, violence, and hatred were strong. They emphasize the role of the immigrant woman constituted a small glow of light in a very in ensuring her family's survival. They point large and very dark cavern. Even though ra­ out that many married women who had to cial conditions improved more rapidly when work to supplement the inadequate wages of large numbers of blacks began to work to their husbands gravitated to jobs that inter­ bring about social change, the groundwork fered only marginally with the fulfillment of laid by the moderate Southern liberals must their traditional duties as wives and mothers. not be discounted. Polish women in Pennsylvania, Golab notes, A sequel to this book needs to be written. took on industrial work, such as carding hooks What role have Southern liberals played on and eyes, that could be done at home; or they the changing racial scene since 1954? Was worked early morning or nighttime hours as conservative hatred of liberals greater or less domestics and cleaning women. And, accord­ during this more recent period of rapid social ing to Groneman, in New York City, many change? Did changing conditions after 1954 Irish wives, in addition to those officially encourage or discourage the silent South to identified as boardinghouse keepers in the speak out? What stance did the Southern census, earned a few dollars by feeding and liberal assume during the violent decade of lodging one or two strangers. the 1960's? What attitude did he or she take Taking a fresh look at the problem of immi­ toward radical blacks and their actions? Sosna gration and social mobility, Bruce Laurie, has the credentials to search further for a more Theodore Hershberg, and George Alter warn recent white liberal South. historians against the temptation to apply to investigations of the nineteenth-century occu­ MONROE BILLINGTON pational hierarchies developed by sociologists New Mexico State University for the study of twentieth-century stratifica­ tion. Immigrant workers may have been less impressed than modern observers by the rigors of factory life and the attractions of self- employment The authors found, moreover, Immigrants in Industrial America, 1850-1920. that in Philadelphia between 1850 and 1880 Edited by RICHARD L. EHRLICH. (University the producer industries grew faster and be­ Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1977. Pp. came more prosperous than the consumer in­ xiv, 218. Tables, graphs, notes, index. $12.50.) dustries and the handicrafts. As a result the social and economic gap separating unskilled Immigrants in Industrial America, 1850- immigrants like the Irish, who took lowly 1920 makes generally available ten essays orig­ but well-paying factory jobs, from skilled im­ inally presented at a conference sponsored by migrants like the Germans, who were em­ the Balch Institute and the Eleutherian Mills- ployed in declining trades, may have been Hagley Foundation in November, 1973. The much smaller than historians have believed. articles touch on a variety of issues, often from Clyde Griffen's study of late-nineteenth-cen­ a revisionist perspective. Four contributors- tury Poughkeepsie, confirms Laurie, Hersh­ Caroline Golab, Carol Groneman, Tamara berg, and Alter's thesis that the factory was an Hareven, and Virginia Yans-McLaughlin— avenue of mobility for some immigrants and contradict the popular theory that family life suggests that over time it brought the off­ collapsed under the pressures of migration and spring of the various ethnic groups to positions industrial employment. of social equality with one another. Yans-McLaughlin attributes the concentra­ In agreement with recent scholarship, the tion of Italians in the fields and canneries of authors of these essays call attention to the the Buffalo region to their desire to work in continuity between the immigrants' experience family units, with women protected from the at home and in the United States and to the supposedly corrupting influences of broader persistence of cultural values different from society and with the Old World practice of those of the host society. Golab and Yans- child labor preserved. Hareven argues from McLaughlin argue that the Poles and the the vitality of the French-Canadian family in Italians were frequent migrants within Europe, the textile town of Manchester, New Hamp­ and Hareven shows that many French-Cana­ shire. The family, she states, was "the labor dian immigrants had worked in the textile recruiter, the organizer of migration routes, mills of Quebec. Lawrence Glasco points out and the housing agent," and in some ways that in the mid-nineteenth-century, German it served as a surrogate labor union. The four and Irish residents of Buffalo increased the

149 ,K''*^'" '"^mj.

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WHi (X3) 34507 Crew of Schmidt & Glade's Brewery, Chicago, ca. 1870. size of their families as they prospered while the newcomers. Yans-McLaughlin and Hare­ native Americans decreased theirs. But these ven suggest that the cannery operators of historians are also aware that the immigrants western New York and the mill owners of sometimes adapted or changed their habits to New Hampshire maximized the efficiency of meet new conditions. Michael Gordon shows their labor forces by accepting the family ar­ how the Irish practice of ostracizing persons rangements of their Italian and French work­ who flouted community norms was broadened ers. Douglas V. Shaw convincingly argues that in the more anonymous setting of late-nine­ the passage of the Jersey City charter of 1871, teenth-century New York City to encompass which severely restricted the municipality's the economic boycott of disfavored employers. autonomy, was the nativist response to the David Montgomery reports that peasant work­ emergence of political leaders from the ranks ers replaced their custom of working furiously of the Irish skilled workers and small proprie­ when the boss was present with the craftsmen's tors in the community. And Montgomery at­ ethic of refusing to toil under close supervi­ tributes the popularity after World War I of sion. The contributors, moreover, are con­ corporate welfare programs, professional per­ scious that the persistence of family and work sonnel practices, and scientific management values was not uniformly beneficial. Hareven to industry's desire to draw immigrants away comments that the French-Canadian exper­ from unions and to break them of work atti­ ience fostered child labor and the freezing of tudes that impeded productivity. sex roles, and Griffen argues, along with Lau­ Immigrants in Industrial America is a use­ rie, Hershberg, and Alter, that the Germans' ful but disjointed collection. The volume preference for craft employment eventually might have been richer had the editor con­ hurt them economically. tributed an introduction and had the con­ Though the authors approach their sub­ tributors use a few moments of the four years jects from the immigrants' perspective, the between the conference and publication to essays also discuss the efforts of the host so­ highlight the similarities and address the in­ ciety to acculturate, manipulate, and control consistencies between their own essays and 150 BOOK REVIEWS those of the other participants. The articles and maintain a vigorous identity for periods are especially attuned to the historical inter­ that often spanned several decades. ests of the 1970's—the family, the culture of The majority of recent research has been labor, and social mobility. As a result, they directed toward the role that Finnish immi­ seem time-bound, and, as John Modell cor­ grants played in the formation of temperance, rectly notes in his epilogue to the book, their consumers' co-operative, labor and various ra­ approach is very piecemeal. Readers will not dical organizations during the early twentieth find a new synthesis explaining the immigrant century. Many Finnish immigrants, of course, experience in these essays, but they may nev­ did not question the philosophy and practices ertheless discover some of the raw materials of the corporate-industrial system they found for one. in major employment areas such as the Lake Superior mining district; other Finns, how­ THOMAS J. ARCHDEACON ever, not only questioned the regimen they University of Wisconsin-Madison encountered, but also formed or joined or­ ganizations which sought to forge new ar­ rangements between worker and employer, consumer and producer. These activities, which found Finns engaged in movements For the Common Good: Finnish Immigrants ranging from the middle to the far left of the and the Radical Response to Industrial Ameri­ American political spectrum, were, for rea­ ca. Edited by MICHAEL G. KARNI and DOUGLAS sons that go beyond this review, a source of J. OLLILA, JR. (Tyomies Society, Superior, bitterness or at least embarrassment to many Wisconsin, 1977. Pp. 235. Illustrations, notes. of the more politically conservative Finns. $6.95.) Indeed, it was not until the late 1960's that the rising tide of ethnic consciousness exper­ During 1974 a conference, "The Finnish ienced throughout the nation created a proper Experience in the Western Great Lakes Re­ climate for the objective review of all Finnish gion: New Perspectives," was held at the Uni­ endeavors in America. It is more than ironic versity of Minnesota, Duluth. This assembly, that the surviving members of the Finnish with some sixteen scholars from the United radical community, who formerly had been the States and Canada presenting papers to an subject of vilification and ostracism, now audience of several hundred persons, was found themselves courted by academicians, re­ termed by one participant the first time that porters, filmmakers, students and other per­ Finnish-Americans, given their diversity of sons interested in this nation's immigrant backgrounds and political inclinations, had history. spoken "with each other rather than at one For the Common Good, as its subtitle im­ another." The conference and proceedings plies, deals with several personalities, organi­ (published in 1975) have provided the ground­ zations, events and issues responsible for shap­ work for a subsequent outpouring of books, ing the Finnish radical reaction to American dissertations, articles, and even a journal (Fin­ industrial society. The book contains an in­ nish-Americana) which focus upon the socio­ troduction by M. Passi and seven articles; six economic conditions, organizational and cul­ of these are written by Finnish-Americans tural life, settlement patterns, and experiences and one by a Finn. The first contribution, by of Finns in the United States and Canada. A. W. Hoglund (who possesses a University While the amount of published informa­ of Wisconsin Ph.D.), portrays the ways in tion devoted to immigrants from the other which antagonisms between the Finnish State Nordic countries still exceeds that which is Church and the country's peasants were trans­ available about the Finns, the ongoing re­ ferred to a New World context. The article search of a small but active group of scholars, may very well be the most controversial one many of them third-generation Finnish-Ameri­ in the entire collection, for it counters the cans, has begun to fill this void. Perhaps a "establishment" view of Finnish-American his­ person surveying this expanding array of pub­ toriography. Whereas most interpretations of lications might ask whether there is anything Finnish ecclesiastical activities in America here for someone other than the most pro­ have stressed the ameliorative position of the nounced Finnophile. The answer is yes, if Church in addressing the immigrants' spirit­ for no other reason than the Finns clearly il­ ual, social, economic, and cultural needs, Hog­ lustrate the extent to which immigrant and lund argues that because of the anticlerical ethnic groups in this country could develop views held by large numbers of Finns, socialist

151 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 ideas found a fertile ground in which to ger­ Canth, a nineteenth-century Finnish author minate and flourish. The article is provoca­ and playwright, and concludes that even tive, and again illustrates Hoglund's special though the feminist gains advocated by these forte in organizing and synthesizing a large Finnish-Americans were adopted rather grad­ number of primary and secondary reference ually, most have now been realized. materials. Since Finnish-American historiography is The articles by M. Karni and A. Puotinen still between infancy and adolescence, the ma­ deal respectively with Finnish activities in jority of current research seeks to illuminate Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range and Michi­ specific themes and periods rather than at­ gan's Copper Country. Both authors have tempting to provide general overviews or draw written extensively on these subjects, and sweeping conclusions. The authors whose con­ their articles provide additional information tributions appear in For the Common Good on two major events firmly imbedded in have successfully mined some of the richest Finnish-American history: the 1907 strike on research materials that are available for schol­ the Mesabi and the Copper Country strike of arly interpretation. Much more, however, re­ 1913. In his article, D. Ollila provides the mains to be done. One hopes that subsequent first in-depth analysis of a most interesting publications will give the reader an oppor­ cultural institution: the Finnish Work Peo­ tunity to compare radical and conservative ple's College in Duluth. As Ollila points out, viewpoints within the pages of the same book, when Finnish immigrants arrived in America and also provide insights into the rather their "thirst for education was nearly an ob­ unique cultural traditions of America's Fin­ session." Religious and socialist groups or­ nish community (vernacular architecture, lit­ ganized educational activities in virtually erature, music, folklore, and so forth). When every Finnish community, and the American such a balance occurs, Finnish-American his­ offshoot of the Finnish State Church sponsored toriography will have reached the early stages a college and seminary (Suomi) at Hancock, of maturity. Michigan. A lay-oriented church body also was organized by immigrants to counter the ARNOLD R. ALANEN perceived clerical authoritarianism of the University of Wisconsin-Madison established Finnish church; this group created a relatively liberal "folk school" which later became the Work People's College when its direction was assumed by Finnish IWW mem­ bers. The story of the school's metamorphosis The Master Architects: Building the United is a fascinating one, mirroring many of the States Foreign Service, 1890-1913. By RICH­ controversies and conflicts that beset Ameri­ ARD HUME WERKING. (The University Press ca's Finnish community for some forty years. of Kentucky, Lexington, 1977. Pp. xiii, 330. The three remaining articles have diverse Illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. themes which touch upon journalism, femi­ $18.75.) nism, and the Finnish Civil War. Finnish- language newspapers, as related by P. G. Hum- In 1890 the United States foreign service— masti, served to maintain the viability of sev­ the consular service, the diplomatic service, eral radical groups since the printed word, and the State Department—was a spoils-ridden, offered on a daily or weekly basis, brought the un-American, disorganized collection of ama­ geographically dispersed members together teurs. Consuls were untrained, unsupervised, and provided a sounding board for the discus­ and frequently corrupt. Salaries were low or sion of relevant ideas and issues. In his article, nonexistent, with fees ranging from very little A. Kostiainen assesses the impact that the up to $60,000 annually (at Liverpool). While 1918 Civil War in Finland had upon Finnish- the less lucrative offices went begging and American socialists; and he states that the were usually filled by foreigners, who often war served as one wedge in splitting the larger supplemented their incomes by misusing their organization into moderate and militant ideo­ offices, the more profitable posts were filled logical camps. The article by H. J. Karvonen by spoils methods. There was no system of is especially interesting since it provides pro­ promotions, and party changes in Washing­ files of several women who participated in the ton caused consulates to suffer from a rapid Finnish-American working-class movement. turnover of incumbents. Though Presidents Karvonen traces many of the feminist ideas appointed consuls. Congressmen and Senators debated by Finnish-Americans to Minna dominated the process and staffed the consular

152 BOOK REVIEWS service with their supporters. Senators also To achieve their goals, the State Depart­ played a large role in naming ministers abroad, ment reformers needed the support of both and the spoils system constantly replaced ex­ the Executive and Congress. To make Con­ perienced diplomats with inexperienced ones. gress enact reform relinquishing congressional Virtually all Americans saw the necessity for influence over the foreign service, these bu­ a consular service to facilitate foreign trade, reaucrats attempted to arouse businessmen but many considered the diplomatic service to press for a professionalized foreign service. an ornamental, ceremonial, and useless waste. Attesting that business prosperity was at Placed under civil service rules by the Pendle­ stake, these reformers argued that the do­ ton Act, the State Department's Washington mestic market would not be able to absorb office was not plagued by the spoils system, all the products of American factories, that but it was hampered by faulty, inefficient or­ manufacturers had to develop larger overseas ganization. It used an archaic filing system, markets for growing surpluses, and that an viewed the world alphabetically (Chile and expert, efficient foreign service—particularly China side by side) rather than geographically, the consular service—would be crucial in de­ neglected to communicate developments sys­ veloping larger markets. Gigantic corpora­ tematically to consuls and diplomats, and tions had overseas representatives, but reform­ failed to staff departmental posts with ex­ ers pointed out that smaller manufacturers perienced field officers. All three divisions —important congressional constituents—de­ needed reform, but Congress—which had a pended on consuls to find overseas markets. stake in the status quo—would have to legis­ The business community, however, was less late and fund any substantial change. enthusiastic about these ideas than the re­ Despite the difficulty in moving Congress, formers, who were forced to depend on their a handful of young, ambitious, and deter­ own tenacity and ingenuity to overhaul the mined bureaucrats overhauled the foreign ser­ foreign service. Indeed, to achieve their goals. vice. It took them a quarter of a century. State Department reformers even resorted to They included Gaillard Hunt, a State Depart­ subterfuge and the payoff. In 1909 they con­ ment clerk; Frederic Emory, chief of the de­ vinced Congress that the Payne-Aldrich tariff partment's Bureau of Statistics; Wilbur Carr, required negotiations to foster foreign trade, Consular Bureau head; and Assistant Secre­ received a $100,000 lump sum appropriation tary of State Huntington Wilson. In addition. for that purpose, and shamelessly used it to Secretary of State Elihu Root strongly sup­ reorganize the State Department, despite the ported reform. Werking states the goals, as­ fact that Congress had repeatedly refused to sesses the motives, analyzes the strategies and finance reorganization. To secure this need­ tactics, and delineates the accomplishments of ed appropriation, the department purchased these "master architects." They worked to pro­ the crucial support of Senator Eugene Hale, fessionalize and systematize the foreign service chairman of the appropriations committee, by by eliminating the spoils system. In place of appointing his lackluster son third assistant political appointments and frequent removals, secretary of state. they suggested that foreign service officers be Meticulously researched and clearly writ­ appointed from among those who passed a ten, Werking's volume abounds with insights. rigorous examination, planned an exacting It emphasizes that the foreign service in effect inspection system to supervise work in the shaped itself, with relatively anonymous mid­ field, and urged that the proficient be pro­ dle-level bureaucrats working to control their moted to more responsible positions, includ­ environment rather than merely responding ing staff posts in Washington. To end the to it. Werking illustrates the strength and isolation of field officers, from one another resiliency of a bureaucracy, such as the State and from Washington, these reformers sug­ Department, by describing its long struggle gested regular, frequent communications on with the Department of Commerce and La­ foreign relations developments. They insisted bor over which department should promote on reorganizing the department's filing sys­ foreign trade. (At stake were both an ancient tem and approaching the world geographically departmental function and an important talk­ by developing area specialists within the de­ ing-point for congressional appropriations.) partment. The motives of these bureaucratic The section on dollar diplomacy is particular­ reformers were mixed. They were both pa­ ly perceptive, since Werking sees its "height­ triotic and ambitious; their reforms strength­ ened rhetoric" as partly a rationale for re­ ened the State Department while advancing organizing the foreign service. Perhaps Werk­ their own careers. ing's most important contribution is his clear

153 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 delineation of the 1890 to 1913 relations be­ can dominance with emphasis on individual tween the foreign service and America's pow­ governors who saw their role as an administra­ erful industrialists. Rather than do their bid­ tive one, primarily managerial as they related ding, the foreign service used its conception to the social and economic issues of the day. of indtistrial needs to achieve its reorganiza­ The exception of course was Altgeld, who is tion and serve its own interests. Werking, positively portrayed as a social reformer. has made a valuable contribution to both Reiser's broadly conceived discussion of Il­ diplomatic and bureaucratic history. linois agriculture ("More Machines, Fewer Men") treats farm life, farm population ARI HOOGENBOOM changes, tenure, production, mechanization, Brooklyn College of the City University farmer movements, marketing, credit, efforts of New York of the state to solve disease and pest problems, and agricultural education—the area in which Keiser feels the State of Illinois made its great­ est contribution to its farmers. Generalizing, Keiser characterizes the period positively from an economic standpoint—for even when crops Building for the Centuries: Illinois, 1865 to failed, rising land values increased the far­ 1898. By JOHN H. KEISER. (University of mer's wealth. Yet he has not fully reconciled Illinois Press, Urbana, 1977. Pp. xvi, 386. that view with the idea that Illinois farmers Notes, bibliography, maps, tables, index. suffered from falling farm commodity prices, $12.50.) a more traditional idea found in his chapter on agriculture. One of three volumes commissioned by the Reiser's chapter on transportation deals with Illinois Sesquicentennial Commission and railroads, waterways, and roads. Here he dis­ sponsored by the Illinois State Historical So­ cusses the social impact of the extensive rail­ ciety, John Reiser's Building for the Centuries road construction of the late nineteenth cen­ is a most welcome and useful addition to Illi­ tury, traces the story of local, state, and federal nois history. Compared to the Bogart and aid to construction, and the growth of the Matthews volume in the Centennial History movement to regulate rates. While the of Illinois published in 1920, which covers amount of goods and numbers of passengers the years 1870-1893, the Keiser study is in­ carried on the state's north-south waterways finitely more comprehensive and meaty, for declined in the late nineteenth century, lake the author has the advantage of greater per­ traffic in lumber, iron ore, and passengers spective, and also the advantage of incorporat­ grew in importance. Keiser concludes that ing the considerable amount of research on most groups in Illinois felt that economic late-nineteenth-century Illinois done by schol­ benefits from good roads did not justify rescu­ ars since 1920. Keiser presents a factually rich, ing travelers from "the awesome prairie mud," traditional, liberal-oriented history. (An ad­ an attitude that changed with the advent of mirer of John Peter Altgeld, he has borrowed the automobile. from Altgeld's words in selecting the title for "Industry: From Chimneys to Smokestacks" the volume.) stresses the rise of Chicago as a major national In the initial chapter, Keiser tackles the railroad and industrial center suggesting that most difficult task of giving the reader the fla­ a wealth of natural resources and govern­ vor of what people, life, and thought were mental policies for the improvement of the like in the many different areas of Illinois at currency and banking structure played vital the close of the Civil War decade. Next comes roles in Chicago's growth. While the author a discussion of governmental structure, stress­ devotes space to describing the many individ­ ing how it changed between 1865 and 1898 ual businesses that were part of Chicago's from "one based on serving the limited needs growth, he also deals with down-state busi­ of a rural and agricultural society to one which ness, manufacturing, and coal mining; and faced the problems of an urban and industrial with the growth of sentiment for the regula­ state." The needs created by economic change, tion of business. he concludes, were met with "halfway meas­ As Illinois made the transition from an ag­ ures" which at best laid the foundations for ricultural to a predominantly industrial state, modern state government. A chapter entitled the problems of industrial labor became dra­ "Politics of Men and Machines" depicts the matically apparent. In a chapter very sym­ period of conservative, big business. Republi­ pathetic to labor's efforts to organize, Keiser

154 BOOK REVIEWS

cites the strike record and suggests the com­ cago Press, Chicago, 1977. Pp. xi, 251. Notes, plex of internal and external reasons that bibliography, maps, tables, graphs, index. made for very slow union growth. Only one- $17.50.) tenth of the Illinois labor force was unionized at the end of the century. Here the reader During the early 1900's, scholarly consensus finds the familiar episodes of the 1870's, the reflected the view (expressed most influen- the Haymarket Affair, the Pullman Strike, tially by Solon J. Buck and John D. Hicks) and the less well-known history of labor prob­ that late-nineteenth-century midwestern poli­ lems in the Illinois coal mining industry. tics could best be understood as a product While the Illinois legislature did try to satisfy of agrarian unrest and insurgent third-party some of labor's grievances, an anti-detective movements. Challenging that explanation, law, the Sweatshop Act, mine inspection legis­ more recent researchers (including Paul lation, and a child labor law were largely inef­ Kleppner and Richard J. Jensen) have argued fective. Government was overwhelmingly pro- that such behavior was reflective more of business and not very helpful to labor. ethno-religious cleavages within the electorate A separate chapter on "Chicago: The Ulti­ than of economic or other externally based mate City" addresses the subjects of popula­ phenomena. In this latest work, Melvyn Ham­ tion growth, the great fire, efforts to provide marberg neither accepts nor rejects fully eith­ public services, tax problems, politics, social er of tliese schools of thought Rather, through leadersliip, the Hull House Experiment, and the examination of new data-bases and the the Columbian Exposition. The book con­ application of sophisticated (and highly cludes with a treatment of the cultural dimen­ quantitative) analytical techniques, he has sions of life in late-ninteenth-century Illinois achieved a perspective which is at once more and a summary statement of the enormous complex and of greater explanatory value change in the state's economic life, 1865-1898. than those of his numerous predecessors. While Reiser's study is basically a richly de­ The Indiana Voter begins with a short, but tailed and careful summary of the work of inclusive, historiographic survey, in which many scholars, he has filled in the chinks with earlier interpretations are reviewed. Hammar­ work primarily in state-printed documents and berg next turns his attention more specifically added the glue of analysis and interpretation. to Indiana, and presents persuasive statistical The work is more descriptive than analytical. evidence as to its "typicality" or appropriate­ Keiser for example did not try to interpret ness as a microcosm of the Midwest. He then the political role of Illinois' many immigrants. narrows his focus even further, to the nine This reviewer wishes that he had utilized central Indiana counties which form the set­ some of the newer research on such matters, ting for his study. They were not chosen ran­ like Richard Jensen's The Winning of the domly (though he shows, once again, that they Midwest, Social and Political Conflict, 1888- were not radically distinct from statewide 1896 and John M. Allswang, A House For All norms), but rather because, for each of them, a Peoples: Ethnic Politics in Chicago, 1890— People's Guide was available—a privately com­ 1936. Allan H. Spear's Black Chicago: The piled catalog of information (age, place of Making of a Negro Ghetto, 1890-1920 would birth, residence, occupation, religious affilia­ also have added valuable dimensions to his tion, and partisan attachment) on thousands of treatment of Chicago. Nevertheless, historians individuals residing in the area in 1874. will welcome Reiser's highly useful study, and These Guides (whose contents the author in reading it will ponder the directions for compares to those of modern surveys), and ap­ future research on late-nineteenth-century Il­ propriate sections of the 1870 manuscript cen­ linois history. Possibly one fruitful avenue sus (which provides information on wealth will be a historical assessment of the environ­ and literacy, as well as the first four variables mental price paid for industrialization and a above), comprise the core data-base for Ham- commercial-mechanized agriculture. marberg's analysis. From these sources, using a rigorous, informed, and carefully explained MARGARET BEATTIE BOGUE sampling design which linked the two, he ar­ University of Wisconsin-Madison rives at a sample of 1,216 voters from the nine counties, weighted to reflect aggregate- level social, economic, and political composi­ The Indiana Voter: The Historical Dynamics tion. By employing such detailed data on in­ of Party Allegiance During the 1870's. By dividuals, Hammarberg can avoid the "eco­ MELVYN HAMMARBERG. (University of Chi­ logical fallacy" which flawed the work of his

155 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 predecessors, who relied upon statistics for them for historical validity), this author is counties or states, and he constructs a rich aware of what might be termed the "chrono­ and multi-faceted portrait of post-Civil War logical fallacy" and carefully examines them rural midwestern society. Finally, by exam­ to ascertain their reliability as explanators of ining these data in conjunction with county- past behavior. Understanding the execution level election figures (and projections of the of this work, however, does require some fa­ normal vote), he comes to new conclusions miliarity with the operations and terminology as to the causes of both political stability and of quantitative analysis on the part of the (less frequent) volatility during the 1870's. reader, since only the more novel and complex Among the more impressive of Hammar- techniques are explained within the text berg's findings are these: Voter turnout was (The notes and bibliography, though, contain consistently high (generally 90-(- per cent) and much information, cite ample sources for elu­ rarely deviated significantly from the predict­ cidation, and are, in themselves, helpful and able normal vote (closely balanced between informative methodological resources.) Nov­ parties, with a slight but constant GOP ad­ ices will find the three appendices (one of vantage). Partisan affiliation was determined which is written by four Hammarberg stu­ by a complex interrelationship of economic, dents) especially difficult, but more knowl­ occupational, residential, and ethno-religious edgeable social scientists will find them factors, and was held most strongly by well-to- among the most valuable and useful sections do town dwellers, holding denominational af­ of the book. filiations, who were of Northern or Indiana Indeed, it may be that, in this realm of origin; these men were overwhelmingly Re­ theory-building and methodology, Hammar­ publican. In general, those with denomina­ berg has made his greatest contribution. For, tional affiliations were more likely to be par­ while his substantive findings are by no means tisans than those who identified with no insignificant, Hammarberg's study undoubt­ church; Hammarberg finds some evidence of edly will come to serve as a conceptual and the "pietist-ritualist (Republican-Democrat­ research design model for future students of ic)" continuum posited by Kleppner and Jen­ the subject. With it, Hammarberg has estab­ sen, but argues that the opportunities church­ lished himself as a major scholar in his field; es offered for interpersonal contact were more The Indiana Voter should exert a powerful important than any intrinsic theological char­ and beneficent influence upon political his­ acteristics they had. Most significantly, he toriography for quite some time to come. demonstrates that farmers, as a group, were committed strongly to neither party—due MARGARET S. THOMPSON largely to their isolated and less heterogen­ Knox College eous environment which made the flow of or­ ganizational and political cues more difficult than for town residents. Agrarian electoral response was, consequently, potentially more The Man Who Would Be Perfect: John volatile (as in the event of economic crises, Humphrey Noyes and the Utopian Impulse. such as the Depression of 1873) and more By ROBERT DAVID THOMAS. (University of amenable to support of third parties such as Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, 1977. Pp. the Greenbackers, since farmers were less con­ xii, 199. Notes, bibliography, index. $12.95.) strained along rigid, traditional partisan lines. Thus, with these findings, Hammarberg shows "A twentieth-century person who has to that there were elements of truth in both the confront highly threatening personal and so­ economic and ethno-religious interpretations, cial tensions might readily seek some sort of but that neither appreciated the subtleties and psychoanalytic experience, no matter what the full range of determinants which influ­ the school or technique," Robert Thomas enced midwestern politics in the late nine­ writes. "In the nineteenth century people teenth century. turned to religion, or to a religious person, Throughout this work, Hammarberg in­ for help." This book is a psychoanalytically troduces diverse theoretical and methodologi­ oriented biography of one such tension-ridden cal constructs which he proceeds to apply to nineteenth-century man, the foimder of the his data. Many are adapted from recent politi­ Oneida Community, John Humphrey Noyes. cal science and sociological research, but, un­ Aware that many readers are bothered by like too many historians (who borrow such jargon from someone else's discipline, the techniques and hypotheses without testing author has mercifully relegated most of his 156 BOOK REVIEWS technical discussion to the footnotes, which been severely challenged in recent historiog­ draw not only on conventional historical raphy, is uncritically accepted as a description sources—newspapers, reminiscences, diaries, of Noyes's boyhood social milieu. Again, we and the like—but also on theoretical articles are reminded that Noyes graduated from Dart­ in journals such as the International Journal mouth at a time when "paradox and conflict of Psychoanalysis and from books having titles had become 'pervasive qualities of existence like Depression and Human Existence, The in New England colleges.'" But the ante­ Obsessive Personality: Origins, Dynamics, and bellum years were not the only time in Ameri­ Therapy, and The Unconscious Today. The can history when getting through school re­ result, from a literary standpoint, is curious. quired immersion in an atmosphere of para­ The body of the text narrates the struggles dox and conflict, as anyone who has recently of a tormented, Dostoevski-like character in survived a Ph.D. program can attest. We are search of his soul; the notes, running like a further told that the 1830's and 1840's in ground-bass under the text on the lower part America were a peculiarly stressful period; of the page where notes are supposed to be, but of what era in America can this not be explain the action above them with examples said? drawn from the clinic or the couch. The effect One puts the book down with a sense of is somewhat that of a skilled stage magician frustration, having learned a great deal about who, violating the canons of his guild, ex­ the personal hangups of an individual (who plains as he goes along how all the tricks are must indeed have been extraordinarily diffi­ done. (The magician's explanation, however, cult to deal with), but feeling no closer at the would be considerably more illuminating.) end to the mystery of Noyes and Oneida than Noyes has been studied from a psychoanalyt­ before. Finally, in a time when intellectual ic angle before. Ernest R. Sandeen, in "John history is somewhat in eclipse and ideas are Humphrey Noyes as the New Adam" (Church remorselessly derived from something else, History, XL [March, 1971], 82-90), argued it would be refreshing to have John Hum­ that Noyes's rebellion against the society of phrey Noyes's theological and cultural-politi­ his day, "although honest was generated by cal ideas about Victorian bourgeois family, unresolved psychological conflict and marred property, and societal relationships taken at by fatal ambiguities." Thomas has undertak­ face value and discussed on their own terms. en to spell out those ambiguities. Unlike San­ deen, 'Thomas concludes that Noyes did, even­ PAUL A. CARTER tually, succeed after a fashion in "getting it University of Arizona all together," but that Noyes's communal ex­ periment, although therapeutically helpful to a few individual, similarly situated souls, was too far out of phase with the entrepreneurial values of the America of his day to have had much influence "as a model for the general population." Sandeen, on the contrary, main­ Joseph Smith: The First Mormon. By DONNA tains that the comparative success of the Onei­ HILL. (Doubleday & Company, Garden City, da Community (measured against other, shor­ New York, 1977. Pp. xviii, 527. Illustrations, ter-lived American communes) came precisely notes, bibliography, appendix, index. $12.50.) because Noyes's ideas were congenial to some basic American themes of that period. "The "I, like Paul, have been in perils. ... I search for innocence and perfection," San­ should be like a fish out of water, if I were deen sums up, "can be seen ... as a national out of persecutors." So spoke the Mormon neurosis as well as a private one." leader Joseph Smith in May, 1844, when Both writers are aware of the dangers of re- threatened by a band of disgruntled follow­ ductionism in an inquiry of this sort, though ers at Nauvoo, Illinois. A month later, a mob Thomas does not credit Sandeen, as he should, killed him. with the same kind of caution. The book Even then, other perils lay in store as biog­ strives to root Noyes's trauma-ridden biogra­ raphers and historians reconstructed the events phy in the culture of his day. But its analysis of Smith's life. Generations of Mormon writ­ of that culture is at times distressingly vague, ers have enshrined him as a modern prophet; in sharp contrast to its crisp detailing of the critics have continued to present him in an personal psychological material. For example, unfavorable light. In the latter category is the "burned-over district" concept, which has Fawn Brodie, whose No Man Knows My His-

157 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, I978-I979

tory (1945) maintained that Smith was psycho­ interpretive focus. There are not enough logically abnormal. This philosopher, town signpasts along the way to guide the reader planner, entrepreneur, candidate for the presi­ through the narrative to firm judgments. Like dency, and founder of a religion as well as a earlier Smith biographers, Hill relates that large and thriving communitarian society de­ stories of buried treasure were common in serves better. New England and that mystics claimed to Donna Hill, herself a Mormon, has attempt­ possess "peepstones" which gave them super­ ed to objectively explore the many dimensions human powers to unearth it. Just how this of Smith's multi-faceted career. She devotes lore shaped Smith's sensitivity to spiritualistic a third of the book to his youth in New En­ phenomena is still unclear. We are merely gland, his visions, his discovery and trans­ told that "Joseph's revelations were indebted lation of sacred golden plates, and the found­ to inspiration, however that may be defined, ing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day in religious terms, or in those of spontaneity Saints in New York in 1830. Her treatment and intensity of feeling." of the authorship of The Book of Mormon It is evident that Smith possessed extra­ avoids the usual polemical stalemates by ordinary charisma. One would like to know stressing the manuscript's richness as a his­ more of the intellectual mainsprings which torical document. Whether Smith in fact was formed the core of his unique genius. There a messenger of the Lord is left to the reader is a need for rigorous analysis of the tenets of to decide. Hill rises above a "we" vs. "they" Mormonism as they unfolded in Smith's con­ dichotomy as she explains why the curiosity of sciousness to constitute, as it were, a reorder­ neighboring settlers turned to suspicion, hos­ ing of the cosmos. For example, we learn that tility, and violence as Smith and his converts Smith gave some forty-nine revelations be­ moved on to Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Dis­ tween 1831 and 1833. What was their organic cussions of polygamy and the church's policy relationship as part of a nascent philosophical toward blacks demonstrate an openness to system? What was their significance to Mor­ heated issues. Her account is all the more monism as a new social order? A more criti­ significant because she made extensive use of cal examination of Smith's ideas could only materials in the LDS Church archives former­ enhance our appreciation of him as an inno­ ly inaccessible to researchers. Now, at last, an vative theologian. abundance of information about Smith's life Moreover, the book has an uneven quality. is available between two covers. In some instances the author expands the Hill succeeds in revealing Smith's admir­ boundaries of her subject to display a fine able qualities as well as his less heroic ones. sensitivity to the personalities of Smith's con­ Here was a man who wrote fond letters to temporaries. Emma Smith, Martin Harris, his wife Emma when he was secretly married John C. Bennett, Illinois governor Thomas to several other women; who claimed to re­ Ford, and others who knew the prophet step ceive a revelation from God instructing the forward as distinct figures in their own right, Saints to build and finance a hotel at Nauvoo, and from these portraits comes a sense of Mor­ complete with a permanent suite for the Smith mon history as a microcosm of nineteenth-cen­ family; who tolerated insubordination in some tury American life. On the one hand is the individuals but excommunicated others with faith which enabled the first Mormons to lightning speed; who could wield a pistol and realize elements of a fantastic design for a outwrestle anyone who stopped him on his new Zion; on the other, suffering and intense way to Sunday meeting. If the contradictions persecution. Sometimes tliese people were in­ of Smith's personality are not ultimately re­ nocent victims of forces which they could solved, they at least become apparent. neither understand nor control; at other times In her prologue Hill suggests that the key they caused the troubles that befell them. But to understanding Smith lies in recognizing his Hill is no stylist and it is often difficult to capacity for introspection. According to Hill, determine the basic thrust of her arguments Smith never doubted his calling as God's chos­ and conclusions. The full implications of the en agent but nonetheless often questioned his story get lost in the march from one short, own worthiness and "did deeply probe his own fact-filled paragraph to the next. acts and motives." The scarcity of holograph Hill's failure to develop a closely reasoned writings is overcome by other documentation synthesis of Smith's complex motives—be they showing that despite his flamboyancy Smith divine, subliminal, political, or spontaneous- was a rather lonely and humble man. makes it doubtful that this book will be the In general, however, the book lacks a clear last word for long. But Hill's work represents 158 BOOK REVIEWS a significant beginning toward an open-mind­ Although fully alive to Jackson's weak­ ed, well-researched study of Smith and early nesses, Remini is sympathetic in his treat­ Mormonism that is long overdue. ment. The figure he portrays is one with in­ credible willpower, fundamental integrity, GAIL FARR CASTERLINE and absolute loyalty to friends and country. Chicago Historical Society He was highhanded in dealing with the strong but often tender with the weak. His preju­ dices—against Spaniards, Indians, blacks, and British—were sliared by most Americans of Andrew Jackson and the Course of American his day. And he could be prudent as well as Empire, 1767-1821. By ROBERT V. REMINI. rash. After the British were defeated in the (Harper & Row, New York, 1977. Pp. xix, 502. final battle of New Orleans, Jackson's sub­ Illustrations, notes, maps, index. $15.00.) ordinates suggested a counterattack to elimi­ nate the enemy altogether; but Jackson de­ Forty years have elapsed since the publica­ clined to risk his ill-trained force in the open tion of the last major treatment of the life of field. During the wildest episode of his career Andrew Jackson, the Pulitzer prize-winning —the invasion of Spanish Florida in 1818—he two-volume biography by Marquis James. calmly kept the Monroe administration in­ Robert Remini's work, the first of a projected formed of his daily plans and movements. Re­ two volumes, is a timely revision that preserves ceiving nothing but encouragement, he had the standard of excellence set by James. Re- every reason to suppose that he was the autho­ mini matches James in narrative power, while rized agent of presidential policy. providing a more balanced view of The Hero. Remini also points out that a good portion Marquis James's account, for all its dramatic of Jackson's success, especially during the War quality, produced a one-dimensional portrait of 1812, was simple luck. He just happened to of Jackson—heroic, patriotic, and almost al­ be in the right place at the right time. In ways in the right. More recent accounts, focus­ battle he was only an ordinary tactician. At ing on the "age of Jackson," have added im­ New Orleans, for instance, he failed to see mensely to our knowledge of the times, but the importance of the west bank of the river not of the man. and nearly suffered disaster. Yet the loyalty Remini seeks a blend of both. He treats he commanded among his troops, his drive, the Jacksonian era in more detail than earlier courage, and decisiveness revealed "true in­ biographers while delving at length into Jack­ stincts of command." Like all heroes, he had son's own motivation and personality. The the capacity to improve on fortune. result is a judicious portrait of an extremely Remini is not content with providing us complex man. Jackson was temperamental, with a more balanced assessment of Andrew violent, often imprudent, occasionally dicta­ Jackson. His principal thesis is that Jackson, torial, and sometimes suspiciously irrational. more than any other man, influenced the His "police state" rule of New Orleans at the course of American expansion in the early dec­ end of the War of 1812 and his high-handed ades of the nineteenth century. He argues, for administration of the Florida Territory in instance, that the victory at New Orleans, to­ 1821 (which included jailing the former Span­ gether with the seizure of huge chunks of ish governor) seemed to justify the title that land in the Southwest from Indians and Span­ Madrid authorities conferred on him, "Na­ ish, deflected the expansionist impulse away poleon of the woods." from British Canada. Florida, "Texas, and A hot temper was his chief personality trait. even Cuba (all coveted by Jackson) became the In his violent, rakish youth it often landed principal targets of American imperialism. him on the dueling ground. In later years he From documents which Remini himself dis­ deliberately used rage to bully others. Remini covered in Spanish archives, he is able to estab­ goes far to explain Jackson's temperament in lish a clear connection between Spain's wil- terms of his traumatic youth—the early loss of lingnesss to yield Florida in 1819 and her fear his father, the abuse to which he was subjected that Jackson might snatch Texas and Cuba. as a British prisoner of war, a near-fatal bout The thesis is well-argued, if not altogether with smallpox, and finally the death of his convincing. American expansionism has al­ mother, who left his bedside in order to care ways had a certain inevitable quality. Its for other prisoners of war. But this is as far agents—whether Jackson or Fremont, Benton as the author can or ought to go. Wisely he or Polk—seem to be mere creatures of time and leaves psychohistory to others. circumstance. Moreover, Remini at times be-

159 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 comes too breathless in describing the results Calvinism exhibited "a toughness, a sternness, of Jackson's deeds, as if the end always justi­ an intellectual rigor which our society then fies the means. He is sometimes inclined to and since has been accustomed to identify gloss over the bribery, lies, bullying, and sim­ with 'masculinity' in some not totally inaccu­ ple fraud that attended the birth of the Ameri­ rate if circular sense." Characteristically, can empire. Douglas offers an interpretation: Calvinism Even so, this is a fine piece of work. Jack­ is more "masculine" than Unitarianism; but son's life is an absorbing adventure tale. she offers it in such ambiguous terms that it Scholar and layman alike will find this book sounds as if she is prepared to argue against a rewarding experience. her own position. (I tlo not mean to suggest here that masculine and feminine are words Douglas is deliberately confusing but rather NORMAN RISJORD that the words themselves so entirely elude University of Wisconsin-Madison precise definition that it is a mistake to use Feminization in the title of the book.) Douglas opens the book with an extended analysis of Little Eva, the heroine of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Little Eva is the ideal senti­ mental heroine. She touches her readers, as The Feminization of American Culture. By she does her family, not by doing anything at ANN DOUGLAS. (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, all. Her triumph and her power derive from 1977. Pp. X, 403. Notes, appendices, index. what she is: a pious child in the process of $15.00.) dying. Harriet Beecher Stowe and her readers celebrate Little Eva's death as a wonderfully affecting scene. As Douglas explains it, like Ann Douglas has written an analysis of Sen- Little Eva, women and ministers expected timentalism and Victorianism in New England to work their wills by influence, by careful and the United States based on her thesis evocation of desired emotions in others. It is that there existed in pre-Civil War New En­ this element of passivity in sentimentalism gland an alliance between some middle-class that leads Douglas to her identification of her women and some ministers. Emerging Ameri­ 1840's New England ministers and women as can capitalism excluded both women and min­ forerunners of today's television audience. isters from positions of power and respect, While I do not fault her logic, as a student and offered them instead specialized spheres of eighteenth-century sources of sentimental­ devoted to the preservation of values. Doug­ ism, I am occasionally appalled at her willing­ las recounts efforts by women and ministers ness to telescope one hundred thirty years of to make the most of their culturally imposed American history. impotence. As in any alliance based on shared Douglas provides her readers with some exclusion, the women and ministers often background in American religious history but competed with each other as much as they co­ in terms which are scarcely satisfactory. She operated. Shut out from the golden temples reports that there were established churches of Capital, they squabbled among themselves in all the New England colonies before the over access to such powers as had been rele­ Revolution. In fact, only Connecticut en­ gated to them; guardianship of hearth and joyed a legally established church. She ex­ home, a closer walk with God, and, as Doug­ plains that disestablishment was a symbol, not las demonstrates, cultural leadership in the a genuine cause—a statement which cannot importation and dissemination of sentimen­ stand up to the evidence of the struggles of tal and later Victorian values into American dissenters throughout the colonies to win re­ culture, chiefly by means of the increasingly ligious freedom. She further informs us that popular magazine literature. "roughly between 1740 and 1820 the rigor ex­ "Feminization" is an unsatisfactory name hibited by the Edwardsean ministers seemed for the process Douglas describes, if only be­ representative of the wider culture or at least cause she is herself so ambivalent about the welcomed by it." However fascinating Jona­ meaning of the word feminine. In the text than Edwards and his followers such as Samuel Douglas repeatedly remarks on the extent to Hopkins have been to intellectual historians which women and ministers were exchang­ like Ms. Douglas and her mentors Perry Miller ing roles: women becoming masculine, men and Alan Heimert, it is impossible to argue feminine. She argues early in her study that that they were "welcomed" even in their own

160 BOOK REVIEWS congregations, much less in the "wider cul­ The U.S. Navy: An Illustrated History. By ture." NATHAN MILLER. (American Heritage Pub­ In later sections of the study, Douglas dis­ lishing Co., New York, and the United States cusses in depth some of the New England Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1977. Pp. writers whose works somehow transcended the 416. Maps, illustrations, notes, index. $34.95.) limitations of Sentimentalism and Victorian­ ism. She draws a powerful and fascinating This popular history of the United States portrait of Margaret Fuller. Her discussion of Navy from the first sailing of the Alfred in Herman Melville suffers from her habitual 1776 to the recapture of the Mayaguez in 1975 indecisiveness about her own terminology. is an exemplar of the coffee-table book. It is She divides Melville's novels into two cate­ large, handsomely designed, and lavishly illus­ gories—Marxist and Freudian or class-con­ trated in both color and black-and-white. Its scious and psychological—and goes on to^ ex­ text is lively and well-written—what one has plain: "My distinction between Melville's come to expect from professional writers work­ 'Marxist' and Treudian' work is of course im­ ing with American Heritage editors—and an precise, since all the works show the influence astonishing amount of information is con­ of both kinds of thinking." Later in her dis­ veyed in the illustrations and accompanying cussion of Melville, she reports that in Red- captions. Miller writes smoothly and knowl- burn he temporarily blurs the distinction be­ edgeably of the origins and development of tween "Marxist" and "Freudian" material. the American navy and naval strategy, of the It is difficult to imagine how Melville man­ inventors and thinkers who contributed so aged to blur an already imprecise distinction. much (often in the face of bitter opposition) The Feminization of American Culture is to American mastery of the seas, of famous an ambitious attempt to make sense of a fasci­ and less-well-known battles and heroes, and nating and complex era in American cultural of the life of the American sailor, both officers history. Unfortunately, Douglas' enthusiasm and men. In short: a fine book for the aging for broad generalizations, while breathtaking ex-seaman who recalls with something ap­ in its scope, allows details and specifics to proaching fondness those days in Halsey's elude her. In many ways hers is a frustrating fleet, or the reader with a generalized inter­ book. It is to be hoped that its imperfections est in the American past who wants to know will inspire other historians to tackle the same a bit more about John Paul Jones or the evo­ period and expand on the picture Douglas has lution of ships, weaponry, tactics, and strategy. drawn.

LINDA HOWARD NEWMAN PAUL H. HASS University of Wisconsin—Madison State Historical Society of Wisconsin

BOOK REVIEWS Carter, Another Part of the Twenties, reviewed by Margulies, Senator Lenroot of Wisconsin: A Po­ David P. Peeler 147 litical Biography, 1900-1929, reviewed by Nicho­ Douglas, The Feminization of American Culture, las C. Burckel 145 reviewed by Linda Howard Newman 160 Martin, Adlai Stevenson and the World: The Life Ehrlich, ed.. Immigrants in Industrial America, of Adlai Stevenson, reviewed by John Milton 1850-1920, reviewed by Thomas J. Archdeacon .. 149 Cooper, Jr 144 Hammarberg, The Indiana Voter: The Historical Miller, The U.S. Navy: An Illustrated History, re­ Dynamics of Party Allegiance During the 1870's, viewed by Paul H. Hass 161 reviewed by Margaret S. Thompson 155 Remini, Andrew Jackson and the Course of Ameri­ Hill, Joseph Smith: The First Mormon, reviewed can Empire, 1767-1821, reviewed by Norman by Gail Farr Casterline 157 Risjord 159 Hoeveler, The New Humanism: A Critique of Sosna, In Search of the Silent South: Southern Modern America, 1900-1940, reviewed by David Liberals and the Race Issue, reviewed by Monroe P. Peeler 147 Billington 148 Karni and Ollila, eds.. For the Common Good: Thomas, The Man Who Would Be Perfect: John Finnish Immigrants and the Radical Response Humphrey Noyes and the Utopian Impulse, re­ to Industrial America, reviewed by Arnold R. viewed by Paul A. Carter 156 Alanen 151 Werking, The Master Architects: Building the Keiser, Building for the Centuries: Illinois, 1865 United States Foreign Service, 1890-1913, re­ to 1898, reviewed by Margaret Beattie Bogue 154 viewed by Ari Hoogenboom 152

161 Bock, Sadie Padley. Stagecoach to Jet in Three Generations. (New York, New York, cl978. Pp. 49. S4.95. Available from Van­ Wisconsin History tage Press, 516 West 34th Street, New York, Checklist New York 10001.) Story of a Lodi family. Recently published and currently avail­ Carrington, Mary. A History of the Town of able Wisconsiana added to the Society's Libra­ Mount Pleasant: a Summary of the Devel­ ry are listed below. The compilers, Gerald R. Eggleston, Acquisitions Librarian, and Su­ opment of the Township from its Creation san Dorst, Order Librarian, are interested in in 1842 to 1976. (Mount Pleasant?, Wis­ obtaining information about (or copies of) consin, cl976. Pp. [31]. Illus. No price items that are not widely advertised, such as listed. Available from Hattie E. La Mack, publications of local historical societies, family Racine (jounty Historical Society, 4310 histories and genealogies, privately printed Washington Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin works, and histories of churches, institutions, 53405.) Cover title is Racine County . . . or organizations. Authors and publishers wish­ Wisconsin Town of Mount Pleasant, 1842- ing to reach a wider audience and also to perform a valuable bibliographic service are 1976. urged to inform the compilers of their pub­ lications, including the following information: A Checklist of La Crosse Hotels and Motels, author, title, location and name of publisher, 1840's-]967. (La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1978. price, pagination, and address of supplier. [20] leaves. Available from Edwin Hill, Write Susan Dorst, .Acquisitions Section. Director, Area Research Center, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Ahrenholz, Mardell. The Kennan Story. La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601.) (Kennan?, Wisconsin, 1976. Pp. 61. Illus. $3.00. Available from the author, Route 1, Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. History of Trem­ Box 45A, Kennan, Wisconsin 54537.) Cov­ pealeau County, Wisconsin. (Evansville, er title is Reflections of Kennan, Wis. Indiana, Unigraphic, Inc., 1978. Pp. xv, 922, 112. Illus. $23.00. Available from Trem­ Baird, James S. Hoard's Dairyman Dairy Col­ pealeau County Historical Society, Box 444, lectibles: a Pictorial Guide to Collecting Galesville, Wisconsin 54630.) Reprint of and Identifying Items Related to Dairying. the 1917 edition, with the addition of a (Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, W.D. Hoard & name index. Sons Co., cl978. Pp. 48. Illus. $2.00 plus S .50 postage and handling. Available from Derrick, Beatrice Durand. Great Scott!: a His­ Hoard's Dairyman, 28 Milwaukee Avenue, tory of Northern Wisconsin's Earlier Days. West, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538.) (Webster, Wisconsin, 1977. Pp. 144, [3]. illus. $9.36. Available from the author, Barronnett Bombers and Cloverleaf 4-H Clubs. Webster, Wisconsin 54893.) Reprint of a A Journey Through Barronett. (Shell Lake, 1965 publication with the addition of a Wisconsin, White Birch Printing, cl978. Pp. three-page appendix. 115. Illus. S4.25. Available from Cumber­ land Public Library, Cumberland, Wiscon­ Ehlert, Edward. Courts and the Legal Profes­ sin 54829.) sion in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, from about 1820 to the Present. (Manitowoc, Betow, Ruth. The Gollnow Family of Wis- Wisconsin, 1978. Manitowoc County His­ consin, 1865-1978: a Family History. (Tus- torical Society, Occupational Monograph tin, California, 1978. Pp. 53. Illus. $7.50. 36, 1978 Series. Pp. [12]. 51.00. Available Available from the author, 13241 Woodland from the Newsletter, 1115 North 18th Street Drive, Tustin, California 92680.) Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220.)

Bittner, Bernadette Durben. Durben Descen­ Garvaglia, Carolyn. Early Days in Niagara dants from Leimbach, Rhine Province, Prus­ Part 2: Celebrating our Nation's Bicenten­ sia and Other Related Families. (Reeds- nial Anniversary. (Niagara?, Wisconsin, burg? Wisconsin, 1978. Pp. 135. Illus. 1978. Pp. 110. Illus. No price listed. Avail­ $6.00. Available from the author, 600 North able from the author. Star Route, Box 553, Pine Street, Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959.) Niagara, Wisconsin 54151.) 162 WISCONSIN HISTORY CHECKLIST

Groves, Theodore Francis. Farm ir Family in price listed. Available from Jacobsen Manu­ Southern Wisconsin. (Novato?, California, facturing Company, 1721 Packard Avenue, cl978. Pp. 249. Illus. $5.95. Available from Racine, Wisconsin 53403.) the author, 20 Washington Street Novato, California 94947.) The author's early life Kraus, Enid Baysinger. Journal, 1902-1920. in Lodi and a brief history of his family. (Brown Deer?, Wisconsin, 1978? Pp. 16, [10]. Illus. $10.00. Available from the Gruenwald, Myron E. Being the Genealogical author, 8067 North 51st Street Brown Deer, History of Mark Eugene Gruenwald, June Wisconsin 53223.) The author's early years 18, 1953, and Gayle Jeannine Gruenwald, in Nebraska and Menomonie. October 30, 1954. (Oshkosh?, Wisconsin, cl978. Pp. [84]. No price listed. Available Kreyer, Virginia. Index to Bryant's Memoirs from the author, 1260 Westhaven Drive, of La Crosse County, 1907. (La Crosse, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901.) Wisconsin, 1978. Seventy-five leaves. No price listed. Available from Edwin Hill, Henke, Patricia, and Wise, Steve H. "Sights Director, Area Research Center, Murphy and Sounds of the Valley": a History of Library, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Fall Creek. (Fall Creek, Wisconsin, cl978. La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601.) Pp. 138. Illus. No price listed. Available from the State Bank of Fall Creek, Box Loerke, Jean Penn. Waukesha Limestone: 429, Fall Creek, Wisconsin 54742.) the Qitarries, the Kilns and the Buildings. (Waukesha, Wisconsin, cl978. Pp. 64. Illus. Hotel Pfister Souvenir. (Milwaukee, Wiscon­ $3.50. Available from Waukesha County sin, 1978. Pp. [6]. Illus. No price listed. Museum, 101 West Main Street, Waukesha, Available from the Pfister Hotels & Tower, Wisconsin 53186.) 424 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.) Lyndon Station Historical Album. (Lyndon Station, Wisconsin, 1978. Pp. 200. Illus. Index to History of Dane County, Wisconsin: $6.00. Available from Lyndon Station Area Biographical and Genealogical. (Monroe?, Development, Box 334, Lyndon Station, Wisconsin, 1978. Pp. 53. No price Hsted. Wisconsin 53944.) Available from Wisconsin State Genealogi­ cal Society, Inc., Mrs. John M. Irvin, Trea­ surer, 2109 20th Avenue, Monroe, Wiscon­ Mondloch, Bernadette. St. Patrick's Church, sin 53566.) Index, revised by Mrs. Dora Adell, Wisconsin, 1853-1978. (Adell?, Wis­ Miller Osterheld, to the book published consin, 1978. Pp. 104. Illus. $1.50. Avail­ in 1906 by the Western Historical Associa­ able from the author, 411 Bates Road, Adell, tion. Wisconsin 53001.)

Index to Memoirs of Waukesha County, Wis­ Nelson, Carolyn. La Crosse Architects: a consin. (Milwaukee?, Wisconsin, Wiscon­ Checklist of Architects in the City of La sin State Genealogical Society, Inc., 1978. Crosse from 1853 to 1973. (La Crosse, Wis­ Pp. 33. $4.50. Available from Mrs. John R. consin, 1977. Five leaves. No price listed. Miller, 465 Charles Lane, Madison, Wis­ Available from Edwin Hill, Director, Area consin 53711.) Index by Mrs. Arthur J. Research Center, Murplty Library, Univer­ Disch to the 1907 volume edited by Theron sity of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wis­ W. Haight consin 54601.)

It's a Small, Small, Small, Small, Small World!: Palmer, Virginia A. An Invitation to Visit 1978 Surname Index and Membership List. Wisconsin's Historic Homes. (Madison, (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1978. Third Edi­ Wisconsin, cl978. Pp. 46. Illus. $2.50 plus tion. Pp. 62, [9]. $2.00 plus $ .75 postage $ .50 postage and handling. Available from and handling. Available from Milwaukee the Department of Liberal Studies-History, County Genealogical Society, Inc., 916 East University of Wisconsin-Extension, 731 Lyon Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.) Lowell Hall, 610 Langdon Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706.) History of over sixty Jacobsen, Oscar T. The Jacobsen Story. (Ra­ homes, thirty-nine of which are included cine, Wisconsin, 1977. Pp. [68]. Illus. No in the National Register of Historic Places.

163 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

Pierre, Joseph J., and Pierre, Mary A. Histori­ namwood?, Wisconsin, 1978. Pp. [199]. Il­ cal and Genealogical Information on our lus. No price listed. Available from the Belgian Ancestors. (Green Bay?, Wisconsin, author, Birnamwood, Wisconsin 54414.) 1976. Second Edition. Pp. 46. Illus. $6.00. Cover title is Old Settler's Index; Town of Available from Joseph Pierre, 302 East Plover, Marathon County, Wisconsin from Longview Avenue, Green Bay, Wisconsin 1877 to 1935. 54301.) Wilson, Victoria. Wisconsin Genealogical Prentice Centennial Album, 1878-1978. (Pren­ Addresses. (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1978. tice?, Wisconsin, 1978. Pp. 295. Illus. $8.00. Pp. 48. $3.50. Available from WIS-GEN, Available from Prentice Lions Club, c/o 4747 North 30th, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Henry Lind, Treasurer, Prentice, Wisconsin 53209.) Lists addresses for historical socie­ ties, genealogical societies, museums, and 54556.) Area Research Centers.

Redi-Reference: Townships in Wisconsin Wisconsin. University. Wisconsin Heritage Counties. (West Allis, Wisconsin, 1978. Area Program. The Heritage Areas of Pp. 12. No price listed. Available from Broiun County. (Madison, Wisconsin, 1977. Janlen Enterprises, 2236 South 77th Street, Pp. 84. Illus. No price listed. Available West Allis, Wisconsin 53219.) A listing of from Wisconsin Heritage Area Program, townships in Wisconsin. Department of Landscape Architecture-Ex­ tension, University of Wisconsin, 25 Agricul­ Reetz, Elaine. Deciphered as Neshkoro. tural Hall, Madison, Wisconsin 53706.) (Neshkoro, Wisconsin, Olympian Press, C1978. Pp.108. Illus. $4.11. Available from Wisconsin. University. Wisconsin Heritage Central Wisconsin Olympian, Box 686. Area Program. The Heritage Areas of Iron Wautoma, Wisconsin 54982.) History of County. (Madison, Wisconsin, 1977. Pp. the Marquette County community. 76. Illus. No price listed. Available from Wisconsin Heritage Area Program, Depart­ ment of Landscape Architecture-Extension, Rockwell, Houser F. Our Rockwell Family University of Wisconsin, 25 Agricultural and Allied Families of Thomas Benedict, Hall, Madison, Wisconsin 53706.) The above John Moses, Arthur Bostwick, George Par­ two items are historical and natural re­ tridge. (Mondovi?, 1978. Pp. 144, [7]. source studies of each county. Illus. $17.95. Available from Mary C. Tan­ ner, Librarian, Mondovi Public Library, Yarns of Wisconsin. Edited by Sue McCoy, 146 West Hudson Street, Mondovi, Wiscon­ Jill Dean, and Maggie Dewey. (Madison, sin 54755.) Wisconsin, cl978. Pp. 224. Illus. $6.95. Available from Wisconsin Trails/Tamarack Schmitt, E. A. Old Settler's Index of Marathon Press, Box 5650, Madison, Wisconsin County, Wisconsin from 1877 to 1935. (Bir- 53705.) Fifty-five "tales of another era."

164 bers and officers, and bound bulletins, 1948- 1956, 1959-1962, reporting on social, cultural, Accessions and philanthropic activities of the congrega­ tion and the center; loaned for copying by Services for microfilming, Xeroxing, and the center. photostating all but certain restricted items in its manuscript collections are provided by the Records, 1904-1916, 1972, of the Bethel Society. For details write Dr. Josephine L. African Methodist Episcopal Church, Beloit, Harper, Manuscripts Curator. including board meeting minutes, reports of quarterly conference meetings, stewards' and Manuscript Accessions trustees' reports, and a ninetieth anniversary pamphlet which includes a short history of Microfilm. Records, ca. 1946-1974, of Amal­ the church and pictures of the church build­ gamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen ing, its members, and various affiliated asso­ of North America, Local P-1 (formerly Local 1 ciations; loaned for copying by the church. of the United Packinghouse Workers), the Ministerial books, 1883-1954, written in local which represented employees of the John Norwegian and English, recording baptisms, Morrell Company's Ottumwa, Iowa, plant, confirmations, marriages, deaths, and com­ including bulletins, correspondence and sub­ municants at the Blanchardville Evangelical ject files, financial records, grievance files, Lutheran Church, also including a list of minute books, and transcripts and tapes of oral parish members and their families and a sum­ history interviews; presented by the Amalga­ mary of worship services and other church ac­ mated Meat Cutters, Chicago, Illinois; origi­ tivities; loaned for copying by the Blanchard­ nals now at the State Historical Society of ville Lutheran Church. Iowa. Diary, 1862-1879, of Alfred Bohag, bugler Copies of church records, 1854-1976, micro­ for the Wisconsin 2nd Cavalry, Company E, filmed by the American Lutheran Church Ar­ during the Civil War, with entries describing chives, Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, his company's movements, particularly in Mis­ including baptism, marriage, and death rec­ souri in the fall of 1864, and Bohag's travels ords, and other records of several Wisconsin and jobs held throughout the Midwest after and Iowa churches; purchased by the Karr- the war; loaned for copying by Andy Bohage, mann Library, University of Wisconsin-Platte- Madison. ville. Papers, 1931-ca. 1966, of Milton Bracker Records (1889-1924), 1967, of the Arctic (1909-1964) and Virginia Lee Warren, a hus- Springs Creamery, Galesville, a corporation band-and-wife reporting team for the New which functioned like a co-operative, includ­ York Times, consisting almost entirely of news- ing articles of incorporation and bylaws, min­ clippings of the couple's by-lined articles on utes, scattered annual reports and correspond­ World War II and postwar Europe, Latin ence, and documents concerning the creamery's America, and internal United States events, 1967 merger with Hiawatha Dairies Coopera­ plus other articles, poetry, and some biographi­ tive; loaned for copying by John Docken, cal material; presented by Mrs. Milton Brack­ Galesville. er, New York, New York. Selected items, 1861-1935, from the papers Account book, 1862-1876, of Jean Brunei, of William Bartlett at the Eau Claire Public prominent Wisconsin pioneer and owner of Library, illustrating log marks used by Chip­ an inn serving the Chippewa Valley, contain­ pewa Valley lumbermen in the late nineteenth ing a record of lodging and purchases made and early twentieth centuries. by lumbermen, fur traders, army personnel, Papers, 1944-1974, of reporter Alex Benson and other travelers at the inn located at Brunei (1928-1974), including biographical material, Falls (now Cornell), Wisconsin, in French; letters to his family written during his World loaned for copying t)y Mary Jean Hauser via War II military service, other correspondence, Greg Hauser, Tony. articles for New York City newspapers, and A family collection, 1844-1918, 1961, in­ other documents; loaned for copying by Mrs. cluding (1) papers of lawyer and U.S. Senator Hannah Benson, New York, New York. Matthew Hale Carpenter (1824-1881) consist­ Records of the Beth Israel Center, Madison, ing of letters written to his benefactor, Paul and its predecessor. Congregation Agudas Dillingham of Vermont, while Carpenter was Achim, including a Congregation record book a cadet at West Point, speeches, mementoes, in Yiddish, 1908-1920, containing minutes, fi­ condolence letters, and other correspondence; nancial records, and fragmentary lists of mem­ (2) additional papers of his son, Paul Dilling-

165 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 ham Carpenter (1867-1932), Milwaukee, deal­ sity of Wisconsin-Platteville from the Presby­ ing with his Roman Catholic religious convic­ terian Seminary, University of Dubuque. tions and his political career as a county judge; Record book, 1847-1852, of the German and (3) other papers of the family consisting Evangelical Church, Dubuque, Iowa, includ­ of a genealogy chart, a diary kept by a Wash­ ing a constitution and lists of pastors, mem­ ington debutante in the 1870's which contains bers (with notations dating to 1861), baptisms, much information on fashions and Reconstruc­ marriages, funerals, and confirmations; pur­ tion era social life, and other documentation; chased by the University of Wisconsin-Platte­ loaned for copying by Mrs. Carl Bruce, Me- ville from the Presbyterian Seminary, Univer­ quon. sity of Dubuque. Records, 1829-1973, of Christ Episcopal Diary of a voyage and visit to Palestine made Church, Green Bay, including historical essays by Aaron Goldin and his wife Belle, Kau- on the church, photographs, memorabilia, cor­ kauna, in 1925; original diary, in Yiddish, is respondence, minutes and resolutions, reports, on microfilm, an English translation made in financial records, records of church women's 1975 by Rabbi Dov Edelstein is on paper; organizations, the Sunday School, and the presented by Arnold Rusky, Madison. Young People's Society, and records of related institutions: the Oneida Mission, Wisconsin Undated scrapbook kept by Henry T. Gor- University at Green Bay (an Indian mission rell (1911?-1958), United Press correspondent school), 1836-1838, the Cadle Home and Hos­ and editor-publisher of Veterans Report pital, Kemper Mission, St. James Parish, St. (1946-1958), containing articles by and about Mary's Mission, and St. Anne's Mission; loaned jhim written during World War II when he for copying by the church. covered European military operations, photo­ graphs, and reader correspondence; presented "Here They Sleep," Volume 1, 1975, a type­ by Beatrice Gorrell, Arlington, Virginia. written list of cemetery inscriptions from ninety-one Richland County cemeteries, com­ Records, 1873-1973, of Grace Presbyterian piled by Herbert A. Dieter for the Wisconsin Church, Green Bay, including minutes, pro­ State Old Cemeteries Society; loaned for copy­ grams, financial records, registers of baptisms, ing by Phyllis Gillingham Hansen, Richland marriages, and deaths, and other records; Center. loaned for copying by the church. Records, 1925-1969, of Elo Grange, #666, Minutes, 1927-1972, of meetings of the board Winnebago County, including minutes, finan­ of directors, various committees and divisions, cial records, and a scrapbook which provide and the annual meeting of the Greater Beloit information on co-operative sales of binder Association of Commerce, known as the Be­ twine, community events held in Elo Hall, loit Commercial Club until 1960; loaned for other community social activities, and other copying by the association. matters; also included are histories of Elo and Papers, 1848-1868, of Edwin Hillyer and his Utica, written in 1964; loaned for copying by family, Waupun, and of the family of Charles Mabel Kossell, Omro. Ford, also of Waupun, who married Hillyer's Records, 1937-1974, of Equity Cooperative oldest daughter, Edna, including letters home Livestock Sales Association, a capital stock from Hillyer while he prospected for gold in co-operative formed to buy and sell livestock California in 1849, served in the Wisconsin for its member associations, including articles Legislature in 1853, and served in the Civil of incorporation and by-laws as revised in War in Company K, Tenth Regiment Wiscon­ 1965, audit reports, minutes, and financial sin Volunteer Infantry, letters to the Hillyer reports, correspondence, articles of incorpora­ family from Ford who succeeded Hillyer as tion, and by-laws from forty-one affiliated lo­ captain of Company K, and letters between cal co-operatives; loaned for copying by the other members of the Ford family; loaned for association, Baraboo. copying by Fred Ford, Waupun. Record book, 1871-1876, of the First Ger­ Lists of names and birth and death dates man Presbyterian Church, Dubuque, Iowa, in­ copied in the 1970's by Alva Spargo and sev­ cluding minutes, and lists of pastors, 1836- eral others from gravestones in many Iowa 1899, members, baptisms, 1846-1863, mar­ County cemeteries; loaned for copying by Alva riages, and funerals; purchased by the Univer­ Spargo, Mineral Point.

166 Sustaining Members 1977-1978

Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Jones Dairy Farms, Inc., Fort Atkinson Milwaukee Kearney & Trecker Corporation, Milwaukee American Family Mutual Insurance Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Koltes, Madison Company, Madison Mr. Ted Leyhe, Oshkosh Appleton Mills Foundation, Appleton Mr. and Mrs. Charles McCallum, Hubertus Applied Power Industries, Milwaukee The Marine Foundation, Incorporated, Mr. Norman Bassett, Madison Milwaukee Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Bolz, Madison Oscar Mayer & Company, Madison Mr. B. J. Brellenthin, Lake Geneva Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee Frank G. Brotz Family Foundation, Inc., Modine Manufacturing Company, Racine Sheboygan Nasco Industries, Incorporated, Fort Atkinson Bucyrus-Erie Foundation, Incorporated, NCR Appleton Paper Div., Appleton South Milwaukee NMC Projects, Inc., Stoughton Mr. Reed Coleman, Madison Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Connor Foundation, Wausau Consolidated's Civic Foundation, Milwaukee Incorporated, Wisconsin Rapids Parker Pen Company, Janesville Mr. and Mrs. E. David Cronon, Madison Rahr Foundation, Manitowoc Mrs. Michael J. Cudahy, Milwaukee Red Arrow Sales Corporation, Madison Mrs. Jane J. Cullen, Janesville Mr. and Mrs. Arville Schaleben, Milwaukee Carl and Elisabeth Eberbach Foundation, Inc., Schlitz Foundation, Incorporated, Milwaukee Milwaukee Schweiger Industries, Inc., Jefferson Employers Insurance of Wausau, Wausau Sentry Insurance Company, Stevens Point Evinrude Motors, Milwaukee Mrs. S. F. Shattuck, Neenah Evjue Foundation, Inc., Madison Mrs. I. D. Sinaiko, Beverly Hills, California First National Bank of Appleton, Appleton Mrs. Donald C. Slichter, Milwaukee First Wisconsin Foundation, Incorporated, Mr. Oliver C. Smith, Menasha Corporation Milwaukee Foundation, Neenah Mrs. Robert E. Friend, Hartland Mrs. William H. L. Smythe, Milwaukee Mr. Edward Fromm, Hamburg Howard B. Stark Company, Pewaukee The Gardner Foundation, Milwaukee Twin Disc, Incorporated, Racine Mr. Joseph Carton, Madison The Vollrath Company, Sheboygan Mr. and Mrs. John C. Geilfuss, Milwaukee Webcrafters Foundation, Incorporated, General Telephone Company of Wisconsin, Madison Sun Prairie West Bend Company, West Bend Goodman Brothers, Inc., Madison Western Publishing Company, Incorporated, Mr. John T. Harrington, Milwaukee Racine The Heil Company, Milwaukee Mr. Robert C. Zimmerman, Madison Highsmith Company, Incorporated, Fort Atkinson Wisconsin Credit Union League Services Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Hoard, Jr., Corporation, Milwaukee Fort Atkinson Wisconsn Electric Power Company, Mr. Wayne J. Hood, Key Largo, Florida Milwaukee International Harvester Company, Chicago The Wisconsin Life Insurance Company, Jackson County Bank, Black River Falls Madison Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cole Jones, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison Fort Atkinson Wisconsin Telephone Company, Milwaukee

167 Proceedings of the One Hundred and Thirty-Second Annual Business Meeting of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Director's Report 1977-1978

INCE again I face the task of com­ co-ordination and supervision of Society pro­ 0 pressing into a few minutes my grams, and better utilization of Society staff report on the results of a year's effort by an and resources. able and dedicated staff, a growing number One of the most encouraging developments of volunteers, and the temporary employees of the past year was the reception the Gover­ provided by federal job-training programs. nor and the Legislature gave our request tor On the whole it has been a productive year additional operating funds in the 1978 budget in every aspect of the Society's endeavors. It review bill. Five positions at Old World Wis­ has also been in many respects a year of tran­ consin which had previously been paid for sition, planning, and reorganization. It is out of gift funds and site revenues were trans­ appropriate, I think, to mention some of the ferred to tax-supported funding. Another se­ administrative matters before speaking of the curity guard and additional funds for other more substantive achievements of the various Old World Wisconsin operating expenses were operating divisions. also approved. Because these were one-time The consolidation of the former museum allotments, we must still secure permanent and historic sites divisions into a new Mu­ funding of the positions in the 1979-1981 seums Division was officially approved by the budget. Governor, as required by statute, and Thur- The 1978 budget review bill also provided man Fox has made steady progress in the additional tax-supported funding for salaries integration of staff and functions of the new in the publications program. This corrected division. Further progress is anticipated when the critical situation created by the 1975-1977 the new assistant director of the division ar­ biennial budget, when three publications po­ rives, and other museum vacancies are filled. sitions were transferred from tax-supported Divisional status was also approved for his­ funds to revenue funds, which, as predicted toric preservation, which includes the state by the Society administration, were insufficient markers program formerly in the sites divi­ to support the additional burden. The gener­ sion. As head of the Historic Preservation ous support of Mrs. Robert Friend, a former Division, Jeffrey Dean has successfully or­ Curator of the Society, was instrumental in ganized the staff to implement the added re­ sustaining the publications program through sponsibilities assigned the Society in this area this very difficult period. by the 1977-1979 biennial budget and a host In addition to the assistance for Old World of federal regulations stemming from the Na­ Wisconsin and the publications program, the tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966. 1978 budget review bill provided much need­ In addition to these major changes in the ed supplementary funding for the historic Society's administrative structure, we have preservation program and to meet higher stu­ moved the office of local history from the dent wages and security patrol costs result­ Museums Division into the Society's central ing from increases in federal minimum-wage administrative structure under the Assistant standards. Director. We have also moved the publica­ I think it would be appropriate for Cura­ tions office, whicli is responsible for Wiscon­ tors and members of the Society to express sin Then ir Now, the Wisconsin Calendar, appreciation for this assistance to Acting Gov­ and miscellaneous publications such as sites ernor Martin Schreiber and their legislators, brochures, into the Editorial Division. All particularly those on the Joint Committee on these changes, as well as some others less Finance, as well as to Mrs. Friend. noticeable, have been made to achieve better The Society staff has always been enterpris-

168 PROCEEDINGS, 1977-1978 ing and inventive in the quest for grants to Clausing barn for use as the visitor center support or improve existing programs, or to will delay the opening of the restaurant at extend our long record of innovation. In Old World Wisconsin at least until July, but 1978 we received four major grants, totaling otherwise this year's construction is proceed­ $425,500, and a number of smaller ones. ing on schedule. The Rankinen house and Recognizing the very serious space prob­ stable opened midway in the 1977 season, and lems the Society would face in the near fu­ the Turck/Schottler house opened with the ture, the long range planning committee of 1978 season. In addition the public can watch the Board of Curators in 1977 began an ex­ construction progress on the Schulz half-tim­ tensive analysis of the Society's long range ber house and several barns which started this program and facilities needs. The grant of year. $50,000 from the National Endowment for Except for two projects delayed until addi­ the Humanities will enable us to make a much tional research can be completed, the plan more extensive and penetrating internal analy­ adopted by the Board of Curators in 1970 for sis of the Society than we had contemplated. capital development at the other historic sites In addition, it will enable us to survey public has been completed or surpassed. The open­ attitudes and expectations with regard to the ing of the 1890 furniture store and under­ Society's programs and services. taker's parlor completed Stonefield Village. The Society also received a challenge grant The long-awaited Villa Louis visitor center of $300,000 from the National Endowment for is open to the public, although the parking the Humanities for construction at Old World lot has been delayed. The permanent exhibit Wisconsin. The grant extends over three on the fur trade in the Astor fur warehouse years, and in order to receive the full amount was opened with appropriate ceremony on the Society must obtain $900,000 in matching June 9. funds. Thus far, we are better than half way Improved interpretation has been a major through the first year and have raised only emphasis in the Museums Division this year. $100,000 of the $300,000 needed for the match. In the Madison museum, thirty-nine volun­ Clearly, we must intensify our efforts to take teer docents recruited and trained by Sam full advantage of the opportunity before us. Wegner contributed over 700 hours leading Progress at Old World Wisconsin has been museum tours. By the end of April, 1978, very encouraging on the whole. During the museum attendance totaled 55,000, nearly a first complete operating season in 1977, 47,600 50 per cent increase over the previous year. people visited the museum. An additional All guides at the sites are clothed in authentic 4,300 took advantage of the excellent cross costumes, and new audio-visual visitor orien­ country ski trail on the site during eight win­ tation presentations have been completed at ter weekends—a bonus for us both in public Villa Louis, Stonefield, and Wade House. The interest and income. Attendance for May, multi-media presentation at Wade House, 1978, was 29 per cent above that in May, 197"/, funded by a gift from the Kohler Foundation, and we hope this very positive trend will con­ will be premiered as soon as the auditorium tinue. space in the visitor center is finished, which John Harbour and the Old World Wiscon­ is expected before the close of the season. Two sin staff worked intensively during the winter new guides to the Wade House Historical Site months to revise the master plan and construc­ were published during the year. One is direct­ tion schedule and to bring the operations ed primarily to school groups; the other is a more closely into line with the resources avail­ more extensive treatment of the history of the able. As a result, we anticipate completion of Wade House, the plank road, and the Wesley the basic core of the museum by 1983, pro­ W. Jung collection of horse-drawn vehicles. vided that we obtain the $900,000 required The governor and several legislators have to secure the full $300,000 of the NEH chal­ expressed concern over the high admissions lenge grant; that the state funds provided prices at the sites, and this matter will receive in the 1978 budget review are made perma­ special attention by the State Budget Office nent in the 1979-1981 biennial budget and during the preparation of the 1979-1981 bud­ some additional permanent maintenance per­ get. Nearly all the historic sites in neighbor­ sonnel are also provided to replace the tem­ ing states are free of any admission charge, porary, CETA personnel currently employed, and the highest fee of those that do charge is and that museum attendance and income meet $1.50 for adults. The admission charges of the projected levels. $1.00 to $3.00 ($4.00 at Circus World Mu­ Delay in the construction of the octagonal seum) at Wisconsin's sites must be at least

169 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979 partially responsible for the decline in atten­ The Field Services Division continued to dance experienced at Pendarvis, Stonefield, make significant additions to the Society's re­ Villa Louis, and Wade House in 1977. Doubt­ search resources in all the fields in which we less the very poor weather in July and August collect manuscript materials. The papers of also contributed to the problem. Milwaukee industrialist William Grede, as For the library this has been the year of well as the records of several companies and the computer. A grant obtained through the business organizations, will provide important Department of Public Instruction funded in­ documentation of Wisconsin business and Wis­ stallation and operation of a computer termi­ consin conservatism, both areas in which the nal linked to the data base of the Ohio College Society's coverage needs improvement Field Library Center in Columbus, Ohio. The ter­ Services also acquired important materials on minal will speed up the cataloging of current the Highlander Research and Education On- acquisitions, and the reclassification of the ter, the Textile Workers Union of America, existing collection to the Library of Congress and several organizations active in the peace system. It will also make it possible for the movement. library to participate in future computer pro­ The Archives Division received a grant of grams, such as interlibrary loan, as they be­ $53,000 from the National Historical Publica­ come available to this national network. tions and Records Commission to make a pilot The library staff mounted a series of small survey of municipal records and prepare a exhibits in the reading room. One of them manual to assist local officials in the manage­ displayed copies of the rare July 4, 1863, wall­ ment, preservation, and disposal of municipal paper issue of the Vicksburg, Mississippi, records. Another grant of $22,000 from the Daily Citizen, and differentiated authentic National Endowment for the Humanities will and facsimile copies of this famous paper. support a study of the role of photography in Several individuals who arrived with their the life of rural and ethnic communities, and personal copies were disappointed to learn an exhibition portraying the life of an im­ that they had only sentimental value. migrant farm family through six generations The library staff has responded valiantly to from 1851 to 1978. the raging public interest in genealogy. One The excellence of the Society's publications hundred forty individuals enrolled in a con­ received additional national recognition this ference on genealogy for librarians conducted year. The Forest History Society selected by Jim Danky and Jim Hansen, assisted by Charles Twining's study of Orrin H. Ingram Joanne Hohler and Alike Fox of the Archives and the Empire Lumber Company as "the Division and Jack Holzhueter of the Editorial finest book published in the field of forest Division. A small army of CETA employes and conservation history during the years 1975 and volunteers worked industriously at the and 1976." Marilyn Grant's improvements in long-range project of indexing the 1905 Wis­ Wisconsin Then 6- Noiv have elicited favor­ consin state census, completing Dane and able comments from readers, and Jack Holz­ Florence counties. Fifteen other counties are hueter has become something of a celebrity in various stages of completion. The Utah with audiences of the state radio network for Genealogical Society has agreed to microfilm his intriguing glimpses into little-known cor­ all the indexes as they are completed, a con­ ners of Wisconsin history on WHA's morn­ tribution to the Society which will ultimately ing news show. amount to an estimated $11,000. This year's excellent reviews of Volume II Further evidence of the sustained public in the History of Wisconsin series have been interest in family and local history was mani­ a source of justifiable pride to the Research fested by the affiliation of ten more local his­ Division. Recognition of the excellence of torical societies and museums, bringing the the division's oral history program came in statewide total to 156 with an aggregate mem­ the form of an invitation to Dale Treleven bership of more than 28,000. "The nine re­ to give a paper on our innovative tape ab­ gional conventions of the Wisconsin Council stracting and indexing system at the meeting for Local History were attended by represen­ of the national Oral History Association. tatives from 81 per cent of the affiliates, for The Historic Preservation Division added a total of nearly 1,200 delegates. The Reuben 6,687 sites to the inventory of sites and struc­ Gold Thwaites Trophy, recognizing sustained tures of architectural, archeological and his­ excellence of program, was awarded to the toric interest in tlie state, and submitted fifty- Hawks Inn Historical Society, Delafield, in six nominations to the National Register of 1977. Historic Places. The Society received an an- 170 PROCEEDINGS, 1977-1978 nual program grant of $538,000 for historic 1981 budget request—a request based on ur­ preservation from the U.S. Department of In­ gent needs of the Society to maintain existing terior. Seventy-five per cent of this will be programs and responsibilities. It addresses passed on to other individuals and organiza­ such fundamental issues as the quality of in­ tions in the state as matching subgrants for terpretation and the cost of admission at the local historical and archeological surveys, historic sites and Old World Wisconsin, as and acquisition and restoration of historic well as the conservation and proper adminis­ properties. The largest, and probably the best tration of the research collections which are publicized of these subgrants was that of the foundation of everything we do. Third, $100,000 to Wisconsin Heritages, Inc., for ac­ we must complete the long-range planning quisition of the Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee. which will affect the nature and quality of I shall conclude this report on achievements the Society's collections and services for the of the year past with a brief view of the chal­ next decade and more. lenges in the year ahead. I believe 1978-1979 The staff is prepared—yes, eager—to con­ will be a pivotal year in the Society's history front these challenges. We shall need unpre­ —a year in which we must move aggressively cedented assistance from Curators, members, and effectively forward on three crucial mat­ ters: First, we must obtain the remaining and friends of the Society to do so successfully. $800,000 necessary to meet the NEH Chal­ I invite your wholehearted dedication and lenge Grant and thereby assure completion of energetic participation. the basic structure of Old World Wisconsin. Second, we must obtain favorable action by RICHARD A. ERNEY the Governor and the legislature on our 1979- Director

Digest of Board Action

At Madison, August 22, 1977 Gillett, John Kahlert, Elmer Kiessling, Wa- tertown, Elva Lessard, Fifield, Mrs. Etta • Accepted the recommendation of the Selec­ Barfknecht, Lake Mills, and Jean Beyer, tion Committee and appointed Richard A. Appleton; Erney director of the Society. Approved rate changes and sites budgets for 1978; Approved a Certificate of Commendation for Mrs. Dorothy Schroeder; At Madison, October 15, 1977 Approved the requests for affiliation for the St. Francis Historical Society, the Bark Riv­ • Accepted the treasurer's report; er Woods Historical Society, the New Lon­ • Approved the requests totaling $206,000 for don Heritage Historical Society, and the the 1978 budget review bill; Clear Lake Area Historical Society; • Approved the re-election of Thomas H. Bar- Approved the application for affiliation of land, Eau Claire, and Milo K. Swanton, the Fox Lake Historical Society; Madison, to the board of directors of the Approved the continuation of affiliation of Wisconsin History Foundation for a three- the High Cliff Historical Society and the year term ending December 31, 1980; Haese Memorial Village Historical Society; • Approved the recommendations of the Approved the termination of affiliation of Awards Committee that the following the Greater Sinissippi Historical Society in awards be presented at the convention of February, 1978; the Wisconsin Council for Local History: Approved the operating budget for Fiscal Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy to the 1979 for Old World Wisconsin and the Hawks Inn Historical Society; Certificates ticket structure on which the budget is of Commendation to the New Holstein His­ based; torical Society, the Winneconne Historical Approved Historic Sites Foundation expen­ Society, and the Brodhead Historical So­ ditures of $4,717 from the capital improve­ ciety; Local History Awards of Merit to ments fund for projects at the Circus World George A. Corrigan, Lulubelle Chapman Museum.

171 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

At Milwaukee, February 18, 1978 • Approved modifications of the Old World Wi-sconsin master plan; • Accepted gifts and grants for calendar year, • Approved the sale of beer and wine in the January 1—December 31, 1977; food facility at Old World Wisconsin. • Approved renomination of Donald C. Slich­ ter, Milwaukee, to the Wisconsin History Foundation for a three-year term commenc­ ing January 1, 1978; At Green Bay, June 22-23, 1978 • Approved the following Historic Preserva­ tion and Markers Committee recommenda­ • Approved the minutes of the February 18, tions for Official Markers: Seils-Sterling 1978, Board of Curators meeting; Circus, Mariner's Park, Manitowoc, Carl • Approved in principle the budget decision Friman Farm Site, New Munster, Kemper packages for the 1979-1981 biennium; Hall, Kenosha, and St. John's Military • Approved the so-called operable nucleus Academy, Delafield; concept for phasing construction of Old • Approved continuation of affiliation for the World Wisconsin; Hales Corners Historical Society; • Approved affiliation of the Omro Historical • Approved affiliation for the Burlington His­ Society, the Norway Historical Society, and torical Society, waiving the four-year pro­ the Gordon Historical Society; bation period; • Rescinded its action in approving the ter­ • Accepted the report of the Ad Hoc Commit­ mination of affiliation of the Greater Sinis­ tee on Investment Policy; sippi Historical Society and returned it to • Voted its deep concern over the high en­ its prior status; trance fees at the Society's historic sites and • Approved continued affiliation of the Great­ museums, which fees are among the highest er Sinissippi Historical Society; in the nation; • Approved a change in the articles of incor­ • Approved continuation of sending compli­ poration for the Wisconsin State Genealogi­ mentary passes and published materials to cal Society, showing the name and address legislative representatives for the purpose of of the State Historical Society as the princi­ furthering their knowledge of Society facili­ pal office; ties, programs and activities.

Hesseltine Award Winner

The thirteenth annual William Best Hesseltine Award for the best article to be published in the Wisconsin Magazine of His­ tory during 1977-1978 has been given to Donald E. Pienkos, whose winning article, 'Tolitics, Religion, and Change in Polish Milwaukee, 1900-1930," appeared in the Spring, 1978, issue of the Magazine. Pienkos is an associate professor of political science in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Established in memory of the past president of the State Histori­ cal Society of Wisconsin and distinguished University of Wis­ consin professor, the William Best Hesseltine Award consists of $100. There is no deadline for submissions, and manuscripts may relate to the history of Wisconsin and the Middle West or to themes of larger national interest.

172 PROCEEDINGS, 1977-1978

Minutes of the Annual Meeting

I HE annual business meeting was held at Mrs. Linda Karger Kohler, Kohler the Holiday Inn Downtown, Green Bay, Newell G. Meyer, Milwaukee on June 24, 1978, with President William For election for a term ending in 1980: Huffman presiding. About ninety members and guests were present. William C. Kidd, Racine Mr. F. Harwood Orbison presented the treasurer's report, which was accepted and There being no further nominations from ordered filed. Mr. Huffman commended Rich­ the floor, it was voted that all nominees be ard A. Erney, director of the Society, for his elected. Mr. Murphy also announced that leadership during the past year; reported the certificates of appreciation will be sent to the selection of Donald W. Wilson as associate retiring members of the Board of Curators: director of the Society; noted the progress of Reed Coleman, Madison; Robert A. Gehrke, the Old World Wisconsin Fund Drive; and an­ Ripon; Lloyd Hornbostel, Jr., Beloit; the Rev. nounced that the Society's long-range plan F. Paul Prucha, S.J., Milwaukee; and J. Ward should be ready for the next annual meeting. Rector, Milwaukee. Mr. Erney delivered his annual report, which Awards of merit were announced for one is to be printed in the winter issue of the organization and the authors or editors of Wisconsin Magazine of History. five books; Kemper Center, Inc., Kenosha; Mr. Robert B. L. Murphy, chairman of the editor Jill Dean and authors Jerry Apps and Nominating Committee, presented the follow­ Allen Strang, Barns of Wisconsin; Michael ing slates of nominees for election to the Karni and Douglas Ollila, Jr., editors, For the Board of Curators: Common Good: Finnish Immigrants and the Radical Response to Industrial America; How­ For re-election for a term ending in 1981: ard R. Klueter and James J. Lorence, Woodlot and Ballot Box: Marathon County in the John Anderson, Cable Twentieth Century; Robert W. Wells, Day­ E. David Cronon, Madison light in the Swamp; and Nicholas Burckel, John C. Geilfuss, Milwaukee editor, Racine: Growth and Change in a Mrs. Richard L. Hartzell, Grantsburg Wisconsin County. Mrs. William E. Hayes, De Pere On the motion of Mr. Milo K. Swanton, sec­ Robert H. Irrmann, Beloit onded by Mr. Murphy, the meeting was ad­ John R. Pike, Madison journed. Clifford D. Swanson, Stevens Point Respectfully submitted, For election for a term ending in 1981: John T. Harrington, Milwaukee RICHARD A. ERNEY Mrs. Jean M. Helliesen, La Crosse Secretary

173 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1978-1979

Wisconsin History Foundation Historic Sites Foundation

STABLISHED in 1954 as a private, non­ N 1960 the Historic Sites Foundation was E profit corporation, the Wisconsin History I established as a private, nonprofit corpo­ Foundation has the sole purpose of assisting ration for the sole purpose of assisting the the State Historical Society in whatever ways State Historical Society's historic sites pro­ are mutually agreed upon by the Foundation's gram. Its current function is to serve as the Board and the Society's Board of Curators. management corporation, for the Society, of This assistance has covered a wide range of the Circus World Museum in Baraboo. The activities for which no public or unbudgeted Foundation's Board includes members of the private funds were available, including re­ Society's Board of Curators, as well as dis­ search projects, television programs, publica­ tinguished citizens with an interest in circus tions, professional education of staff, and history and in the Society itself. Its sources building construction at our historic sites. of income are Circus World Museum admis­ The Board of the Foundation includes mem­ sions, gifts, and grants. Gifts to the Founda­ bers of the Society's Board of Curators as tion are tax-deductible. well as other distinguished citizens interested in history and in the objectives of the Society. Officers The Foundation's chief source of income is gifts and grants. Donations to the Foundation CLARK WILKINSON, President are tax-deductible. DONALD H. DOOLEY, Vice-President RICHARD A. ERNEY, Executive Vice-President Officers MRS. WILLIAM H. L. SMYTHE, Secretary- Treasurer ROBERT B. L. MURPHY, President MILO K. SWANTON, Assistant Secretary E. E. HOMSTAD, Vice-President JOHN C. GEILFUSS, Treasurer RICHARD A. ERNEY, Secretary and Board of Directors Assistant Treasurer Term Expires 1979

Board of Directors MRS. JOHN FRIEND Term. Expires 1980 Hartland MRS. RICHARD L. HARTZELL THOMAS H. BARLAND Eau Claire Grantsburg E. E. HOMSTAD ROTH S. SCHLECK Madison Black River Falls MILO K. SWANTON HAROLD D. HULTERSTRUM Madison Baraboo MRS. WILLIAM H. L. SMYTHE Milwaukee Term Expires 1979 CLIFFORD D. SWANSON JOHN C. GEILFUSS Stevens Point Milwaukee E. E. HOMSTAD Term Expires 1980 Black River Falls W. PHARIS HORTON DONALD H. DOOLEY Madison Milwaukee KENNETH W. HAAGENSEN Term Expires 1978 Oconomowoc MRS. EDWARD C. JONES WALTER A. FRAUTSCHI Madison Fort Atkinson MRS. RAYMOND J. KOLTES MRS. HENRY HARNISCHFEGER Madison Hartland MILO K. SWANTON ROBERT B. L. MURPHY Madison Madison CLARK WILKINSON F. HARWOOD ORBISON Baraboo Appleton

Ex Officio Ex Officio WiLLiA.M HUFFMAN RICHARD A. ERNEY Wisconsin Rapids Madison President, State Historical Director, State Historical Society of Wisconsin Society of Wisconsin 174 PROCEEDINGS, 1977-1978

SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT, JULY I, 1977 TO JUNE 30, 1978*

Public Funds Tax monies appropriated by the legislature through statutes 20.245—101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and 111. Balance Legislative Balance 7/1/77 Appropriation Expenditures Lapsed 6/30/78 $64,846.19 $3,008,310.13 $2,969,924.01 $22,531.51 $80,700.80

Revolving Funds (20.245-132. Endowment) Endowment funds given to the State Historical Society by individuals and estates. The prin­ cipal and capital gains are invested; the interest and dividends can be spent in most cases only for the specific purposes for which the bequest was made. Capital Principal Gains Income Accounts Balance Balance 7/1/77 Receipts Expenditures 6/30/78 $1,054,985.22 $54,445.03 M23,457.57 $81,243.59 $70,128.33 $134,572.83

Revolving Funds (20.245-132. Gifts and Donations) Donations, grants, and bequests to the State Historical Society from individuals, estates, foun­ dations, and institutions. Most of these funds can be used only for the specific projects for which they were given. Balance Balance 7/1/77 Receipts Expenditures 6/30/78 $62,781.77 $375,496.93 $250,959.44 1187,319.26

Revolving Funds (20.245—131. General Operations Receipts) Income earned by the State Historical Society, primarily from sales of publications, admis­ sions and sales at historic sites, membership fees, and sales of photostats and microfilms. Balance Balance 7/1/77 Receipts Expenditures 6/30/78 $21,749.53 $972,363.17 $969,151.09 $24,961.61

Revolving Appropriations (20.245—141. Federal Aid) Funds granted to the State Historical Society by various federal agencies, primarily for spe­ cific research, surveys, publications, and historic restorations. Balance Balance 7/1/77 Receipts Expenditures 6/30/78 $-5,767.59 $895,793.91 $794,374.98 $95,651.34

*A detailed financial statement is available upon request. 175 Contributors

HARTMUT KEIL was born in the town of Brack- STEVEN D. ZINK was born in 1954 in southern wede in northern Germany in 1942. While Indiana. He received his bachelor's degree still a student in secondary school, he attend­ from Indiana State University in 1974 and ed St Paul's School in Concord, New Hamp­ his M.A. in history from the University of shire (1958-1959), on an exchange program of Wisconsin-Madison in December, 1975. He the American Field Service. After studying at is currently a graduate and research assistant the universities of Freiburg and Munich, he in Louisiana State University, where he has received his Ph.D. in American Studies at the completed coursework for the Ph.D. in his­ latter university. In 1975-1976, he stayed at tory and plans to finish requirements for a the University of Wisconsin in Madison on a graduate degree in Library and Information research scholarship granted by the American Science in 1979. He has written an article for Council of Learned Societies. Keil has pub­ the Journal of Southern Studies, has a forth­ lished articles on McCarthyism and on Ameri­ coming article in the Indiana Magazine of can immigration and labor history in both History, and recently co-authored an article German and American journals; at present he on the post-1957 United States Supreme Court. is finishing a study on German socialist immi­ He lives with his wife Lois in Baton Rouge, gration to the United States, editing the cor­ Louisiana. respondence of a leading German-American socialist in conjunction with the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, and preparing a research project on German im­ migrant workers in Chicago. He is married to a high school teacher, has three children, and since 1969 has been "wiss. Assistent" (as­ sistant professor) in the University of Munich.

176 THE BOARD OF CURATORS

LEE S. DREYFUS, Governor of the State EDWIN YOUNG, President of the University VEL PHILLIPS, Secretary of State MRS. WADE MOSBY, President of CHARLES P. SMITH, State Treasurer the Auxiliary

JOHN ANDERSON, Cable WILLIAM KIDD, Racine THOMAS H. BARLAND, Eau Claire MRS. HERBERT V. KOHLER, JR., Kohler E. DAVID CRONON, Madison MRS. RAYMOND J. KOLTES, Madison JOHN T. HARRINGTON, Milwaukee CHARLES R. MC CAELUM, Hubertus MRS. R. L. HARTZELL, Grantsburg HOWARD W. MEAD, Madison

PAUL E. HASSETT, Madison NEWELL MEYER, Milwaukee ROBERT B. L. MURPHY, Madison MRS. WILLIAM E. HAYES, De Pere FREDERICK I. OLSON, Wauwatosa MRS. R. GOERES HAYSSEN, EAU CLAIRE F. HARWOOD ORBISON, Appleton NATHAN S. HEFFERNAN, Madison JOHN R. PIKE, Madison MRS. JEAN M. HELLIESEN, La Crosse DR. LOUIS C. SMITH, Cassville MRS. FANNIE HICKLIN, Madison MRS. WILLIAM H. L. S.MYTHE, Milwaukee E. E. HOMSTAD, Black River Falls WILLIAM F. STARK, Nashotah WILLIAM HUFFMAN, Wisconsin Rapids CLIFFORD D. SWANSON, Stevens Point MRS. PETER D. HUMLEKER, JR., Fond du Lac MILO K. SWANTON, Madison ROBERT H. IRRMANN, BELOIT CEDRIC A. VIG, Rhinelander MRS. EDWARD C. JONES, Fort Atkinson CLARK WILKINSON, Baraboo

The Women's Auxiliary MRS. WADE MOSBY, Milwaukee, President MRS. JAMES NOYES, Madison, Treasurer MRS. DONALD R. KORST, Madison, Vice-President MRS. L. PRENTICE EAGER, JR., Evansville, Ex Officio MRS. JOHN C. WILSON, JR., Milwaukee, Secretary

Fellows VERNON CARSTENSEN MERLE CURTI ALICE E. SMITH THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SHALL promote a wider appreciation of the American heritage with particular emphasis on the collection, advancement and dissemination of knowledge of the history of Wisconsin and of the West. —Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 44

WHi (D487) 2152 Philip F. La Follette was governor and Glenn Frank presided over the University of Wisconsin when Melvin E. Diemer made this photograph of the Capitol from ttie crest of Bascom Hill in 1930.

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