C Hennings, Thomas C., Jr. (1903-1960), Papers, 1901-1960 3000 190.5 linear feet, 6 audio tapes, 5 films, 5 rolls of microfilm, 25 records, 1 oversize volume MICROFILM (Volumes only) This collection is available at The State Historical Society of Missouri. If you would like more information, please contact us at [email protected]. INTRODUCTION Personal and political papers of a Democratic congressman, 1934-1940; St. Louis circuit attorney, 1940-1941; naval officer, 1941-1944; lawyer, 1944-1950; and U.S. senator, 1950-1960. Collection focuses on senatorial years, the bulk consisting of constituent correspondence, and is arranged topically. DONOR INFORMATION The Hennings Papers were donated to the University of Missouri by Mrs. Thomas C. Hennings, Jr. on 30 October 1960 (Accession No. 3465). BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Thomas C. Hennings, Jr., was born in St. Louis on 30 June 1903. He was educated in the St. Louis public schools, received his A.B. degree from Cornell University in 1924 and his LL.B. from Washington University in 1926. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1926. Hennings was St. Louis assistant circuit attorney from 1929 to 1935, a U.S. congressman from 1934 to 1940, and St. Louis circuit attorney from 1940 to 1941. From 1941 to 1944 he was a naval officer. After the war he returned to St. Louis where he practiced law until he became U.S. Senator from 1950 to 1960. He died on 13 September 1960. SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE The Thomas C. Hennings Papers consist of his personal and political papers with the bulk focusing on his senatorial career and consisting mainly of constituent correspondence. The papers are arranged into the following twelve series: Pre-Senate; Political; Lawyers and Publications; Speeches and Press Releases; Readings File; Correspondence; Legislative Files; Service Cases; Miscellaneous; Scrapbooks; Tapes, Records, and Films; and Oversize. The Legislative Files series has been divided into the following subseries: Constituent Correspondence; Legislative Correspondence; 82nd Congress; 83rd Congress; 84th Congress; 85th Congress; 86th Congress; and Congressional Committees. More complete series descriptions can be found in the folder list. C3000 Hennings, Thomas C., Jr., Papers, 1901-1960 page 2 FOLDER LIST Pre-Senate Series f. i-xx Congressional Campaign Correspondence, 1934-1939. General campaign correspondence in reference to Hennings’ candidacy, 11th Congressional District. the correspondence consists of letters of support and endorsement, contributions, offers to assist in campaign, and letters of congratulations. f. xxi-xxiii Personal Correspondence, 1938-1940. Miscellaneous correspondence in reference to pending legislation, anti-trust cases, constitutional rights, national defense, transfer of vessels to foreign ownership, etc. There is also correspondence on Hennings’ withdrawal as a Congressional candidate (re- election, House of Representatives, 11th District) and entering election to Circuit Attorney’s Office. This consists of letters of endorsement and letters of congratulations. f. xxiv-xxvii Miscellaneous Papers, 1936-1940. These papers consist of voting abstracts, (1936 election); lists of campaign contributions, (1938 and 1940); and lists of expenditures, (1838). f. xxiv 1936. Abstract of votes. f. xxv 1938. Campaign contributions and expenditures. f. xxvi 1940. Campaign contributions. f. xxvii 1940. Campaign contributions. f. xxviii-xxxi Bills—House of Representatives, 1935-1940. These papers consist of bills that Thomas Hennings introduced or co-sponsored as a Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives, 1935-1940. The Legislation concerns neutrality, bankruptcy, relief measures, anti-lynching, Mexican Claims Commission, marijuana, Steuben Day, and the Peace Act of 1939. f. xxxii-xxxiv The National Police Gazette, Controversy, 1939. These papers concern the publication and its legal problems, which include copyrights, trademark registration, and ‘use of mails’. f. xxxv Papers on the General Mexican Claims Commission, 1939-1940. The papers consist of correspondence, speeches, and legislative bills in reference to the establishment of the General Mexican Claims Commission; the payment of awards under General Claims Convention of 1923, United States and Mexico; and the necessity of an investigation of Mexican activities and policies and the relationship of the rights of American citizens. f. 1-6 Speeches, 1936-1938 f. 1 July 13-15, 1936 on unemployment and work relief, partisan address to Young Democrats, prohibition and liquor, and crime prevention. f. 2 July 17-31, 1936 on organizations, immigration laws and employment. f. 3 August 1-October 31, 1936 on organizations, unemployment, primary campaigns, and Young Democrats Address. f. 4 July 26-December 14, 1938 to American Bar Association, Disabled Veterans, Y.M.C.A., and National Income and Debt. f. 5 Speech by Congressman Scott W. Lucas attacking leadership of the Republican party on October 25, 1936. C3000 Hennings, Thomas C., Jr., Papers, 1901-1960 page 3 f. 6 Speech by Senator Champ Clark to Missouri State Bar Association on September 28, 1935; speech of October 21, 1936 by Colonel L.C. Dyer. f. 7-9 Correspondence, 1934-1944 f. 7 General correspondence, 1934-1940 on neutrality, relief, anti-lynching, and opinions on measures pending before Congress. f. 8 Correspondence with St. Louis Argus, 1934-1936. (Paper for Negroes). f. 9 Correspondence on unpaid taxes, February 9-June 17, 1935. f. 10-19 Miscellaneous Papers, 1940s. Papers relate mainly to Hennings’ years as a Congressman and immediately thereafter. f. 11 Congressional Voting Record. f. 12 Speeches: early 1940s on Roosevelt, the war, etc. f. 13-17 General correspondence on war related matters, Ledinsky and Kanner Bill, and correspondence with Charles M. Hay. f. 20-22 Circuit Attorney’s Office, 1941-1949. Papers cover Hennings’ tenure as Circuit Attorney of St. Louis. f. 23-24 Return to private practice and Philippine opportunity. Congratulations on return to private practice in 1945 and Hennings decline of appointment as special assistant to the Attorney General for investigation of Philippine island situation. f. 25-27 Political correspondence, 1945-1948. General political correspondence for 1945 and correspondence relating to the Macedonian Political Organization, 1945- 1948. f. 28-31 Miscellaneous Papers from late 1940s. Requests for Hennings’ recommendation or endorsement, his correspondence with Congressman and newspaper clippings from the 1940s. f. 32-35 Senatorial campaign of 1950 f. 32 Speeches given in 1950. Also a biography. f. 33 Campaign details. f. 35 Record of Senator Forrest C. Donnell: 1948-1950. Political Series f. 36-71 Campaign of 1950. Lists of political contacts and correspondence with political supporters. This material is largely broken down into county or city organization. f. 41 Includes a biography of Hennings. f. 72-104 Correspondence from 1951-1956 with constituents. Broken down into city and county organization, this material reflects common constituent requests to Senator Hennings and his replies between 1951 and 1956. There are also political letters regarding 1956 election in late 1955 and 1956. Some material related to his fight against Senator Joseph McCarthy. f. 94-95 Summarize letters from St. Louis residents before 1956—demonstrates their chief concerns. f. 105-114 Correspondence from 1957-1960 with constituents. Basically Senator-constituent letters requesting typical favors, gratitude, and acknowledgement of efforts. C3000 Hennings, Thomas C., Jr., Papers, 1901-1960 page 4 The materials also make reference to several of the main issues of the day and Hennings’ work on different Congressional and international committees. f. 115-165 Campaign for the Senate in 1950 f. 115-140 Organizational efforts, financing and issues of Hennings’ campaign f. 117 Biographical information. f. 118 Statement of purposes if elected. f. 123 Outlines attacks on Hennings. f. 125 Major statements of Hennings’ beliefs. f. 132 Donnell’s major positions f. 135 Election returns f. 141-165 political correspondence for 1950-1951. Largely consists of congratulations. f. 166-178 Political correspondence, 1952-1955. Campaign itineraries and political correspondence for 1952-1955. The majority of this material deals with elections in Missouri. There is also considerable discussion of plans for 1956 national election. f. 179-194 Campaign materials for 1956. Various facets of the 1956 state elections and reference to national issues. f. 180 Biographical material on Hennings f. 185 Articles and statements written in behalf of Senator Hennings f. 187-190 Speeches made by Hennings f. 191-194 Campaign issues and memorandum. f. 195-209 Campaign speech material and other 1956 election related papers and statistics f. 210-247 Congratulatory messages, 1956-1960. Congratulations to Hennings for his victory in 1956 for reelection and his acknowledgements. Also, political correspondence for 1957 of a similar nature with endorsements, newspaper clippings, etc. Lawyers and Publications Series f. 248-290 These papers reflect Hennings’ continuing concern with legal problems related to constitutional liberties. They consist largely of his publications in this area. f. 248 Wiretapping problem. f. 249 Free flow of public information. f. 250 Equal justice. f. 252 Freedom of information. f. 254 Secrecy in Government. f. 255 Juvenile delinquency f. 256 The right to travel—passports. f. 259 “Mr. Dulles and his dream world.” f. 261 Speech to American Civil Liberties Union on civil liberties.