Spiro T. Agnew papers

Subseries 1.1: Correspondence, 1962-1966 (1.50 linear feet)

This subseries consists of correspondence received and sent by Mr. Agnew immediately preceding his election as Baltimore County Executive and during his four-year term. The bulk of the subseries is comprised of correspondence of a general nature but also included in the files are letters from well-wishers congratulating Agnew on his election, letters regarding his personal contacts in various Maryland counties, and letters of condolence upon the death of Mr. Agnew's mother in 1966. Among other subjects covered in this subseries are invitations to speak and the Chesapeake National Bank. Significant correspondents represented in the files include: J. Millard Tawes; Theodore McKeldin; Hubert Humphrey; Mr. Agnew's press secretary, George Elliot, III; Everett Dirksen; and Norbert Tiemann, the governor of Nebraska.

The files are arranged by type of correspondence and then chronologically.

Subseries 1.2: Subject Files, 1963-1968 and undated (1.50 linear feet)

The subject files are comprised of reports, correspondence, statements, and news releases on the variety of topics addressed by Mr. Agnew as Baltimore County Executive. Included is information, and in some instances Mr. Agnew's views, on air pollution, education, Friendship Airport, public programs, state colleges, taxes, water pollution, civil rights, and Maryland's 1967-1968 constitutional convention.

This subseries is arranged alphabetically by topic.

Subseries 1.3: Public Statements, 1963-1966 and undated (1.50 linear feet)

This subseries contains Mr. Agnew's public pronouncements on a number of topics in the form of news releases, statements, and speeches. Subjects covered a recivil rights, education, taxes, county government, environmental issues, open spaces legislation, and Mr. Agnew's goals for his administration. Also included are television media estimates for 1966.

The materials are arranged first by document type, then chronologically.

Subseries 1.4: Campaign Materials, 1962 and undated (0.25 linear feet)

Included in this subseries are samples of campaign literature, mailings, and political buttons used by Mr. Agnew in his campaign for the office of Baltimore County Executive. Several of the items describe the members of the Republican ticket at the county and state level and outline the Maryland state Republican platform for the 1962 election.

These items are arranged chronologically.

Subseries 1.5: Schedules, 1966 (0.25 linear feet)

This subseries consists of Mr. Agnew's appointment book and personal itineraries for 1966. Recorded are meetings and other events which he attended, interviews granted, and travel plans, among other commitments. Coverage on a day-to-day basis is most extensive for the months August through November, at the height of Mr. Agnew's gubernatorial campaign.

Arrangement is by document type, then chronologically.

Subseries 1.6: Publications about Agnew, 1953-1966 (0.25 linear feet)

Subseries 6 is comprised of newspaper clippings and issues of the journal American County Government which publicize various aspects of Agnew's public service, political campaigns, and views on issues. Also included are copies of newspaper editorials in support of Agnew.

The files are arranged by document type, then chronologically.

Subseries 2.1: Correspondence, 1966-1975 and undated (3 linear feet)

Subseries 1 consists of correspondence to and from Agnew during his time as governor of the state of Maryland. Included are thank-you notes; election congratulations; requests for photographs; comments on such issues as law and order and Vietnam; complaints about public statements made by Agnew; acknowledgements of contributions Mr. Agnew made to various charities; comments on Mr. Agnew's tenure as governor; and requests for assistance on constituent matters. Correspondents are both private citizens and political figures, among them Dr. Milton S. Eisenhower; Bob Hope; Ronald Reagan; J. Millard Tawes; Daniel Brewster; Joseph Tydings; Strom Thurmond; Rogers C. B. Morton; George White, a Baltimore lawyer; and George Elliott, III, Mr. Agnew's 1966 campaign press secretary.

Arrangement is alphabetical by subject.

Subseries 2.2: Subject Files, 1966-1968 and undated (4.5 linear feet)

The subject files in this subseries are comprised of newspaper clippings, publications, reports, and address lists on a wide variety of topics brought to Mr. Agnew's attention or acted upon during his term as governor of Maryland. Subjects covered include gubernatorial appointments; transportation; civil disorders; education; and crime and law enforcement. Also documented are Agnew's depiction in the press; economic issues; relations with Maryland Democrats and Republicans; various state agencies such as the Maryland Racing Commission and the State Roads Commission; and management of state government. Much of the correspondence in this subseries was generated or received by Mr. Agnew's administrative aide Cynthia Rosenwald.

These materials are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Subseries 2.3: Public Statements, 1966-1969 and undated (7.50 linear feet)

This subseries consists of Mr. Agnew's public pronouncements on a broad spectrum of topics in the form of statements, news releases, speeches, newsletter correspondence, and transcripts of news conferences. Also included are indices to statements and speeches and biographical information distributed for Governor Agnew. Among the significant subjects covered are gubernatorial appointments; the 1967 tugboat strike; bill signings; taxes; civil disturbances; education; health care; labor relations; economic issues; deaths of public officials; and Agnew's bid for the vice presidency. Also addressed are the 1967-1968 Maryland constitutional convention; law and order; state agencies and commissions; Agnew's visits to various Maryland counties; transportation; gubernatorial proclamations; and funding for special studies and projects. Featured prominently in these files is the work of Governor Agnew's press secretary, Herb Thompson, and his speechwriter, Cynthia Rosenwald.

This subseries is arranged by document type and then chronologically.

Subseries 2.4: Campaign Materials, 1955-1966 and undated (4.50 linear feet)

Subseries 4 consists of materials documenting Mr. Agnew's 1966 campaign for governor of Maryland. Included are research files; newspaper clippings; reports; speeches; press releases; endorsements; itineraries; correspondence; campaign advertising; questionnaires; sample ballots; and position papers. Information on primary elections, marketing, and campaign strategy, structure, and activities may be found in the files, as are official positions on a variety of campaign issues. The bulk of the subseries consists of research materials on a wide variety of subjects, among them individual politicians and political parties, both allies and opponents; various regions of the state of Maryland; health; labor; transportation; civil rights; law and order; local and state government; and economic issues. Among the correspondents in the subseries are Louis Cahn and the Goodman Agency, regarding campaign advertising, and Ronald Reagan, who sends Agnew his congratulations and expressions of support.

These files are arranged by document type, then chronologically.

Subseries 2.5: Schedules, 1967-1968 (0.25 linear feet)

Included in this subseries are the appointment book maintained for Governor Agnew for the 1967 and his daily schedules for 1967 and 1968. Recorded are meetings, press conferences, interviews, social engagements, travel plans, and speeches, among other events.

Arrangement is by document type, then chronologically.

Subseries 2.6: Publications about Agnew as Governor, 1967-1975 (1.50 linear feet)

Subseries 6 consists of the galley proofs for Addresses and State Papers of Spiro T. Agnew, Governor of Maryland, 1967-1969 by Franklin L. Burdette (1975), Mr. Agnew's official biography as governor, newspaper clippings, reports, and issues of the Republican National Committee's "Answer Desk Bulletin". The files present the official version of Mr. Agnew's service as governor but also reflect negative views of his political persona in the clippings of newspaper articles that accuse him of conflicts of interest. Included as well are statements of Republican views on various political opponents and issues of the late 1960s.

These publications are arranged alphabetically by title.

Subseries 3.1: General Correspondence, 1968-1973 (69.00 linear feet)

This subseries consists of correspondence received and sent by Mr. Agnew during his tenure as Vice President of the United States. The bulk of the subseries is comprised of correspondence relating to his duties as Vice President and President of the United States Senate. It also includes letters from well-wishers, letters from constituents regarding political issues, requests for assistance in Social Security and other claims, and invitations to speak. Significant correspondents represented in the files include: members of the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, especially Republicans; Frank Sinatra; Bob Hope; and Arnold Palmer.

The files are arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Only a box-level listing is available.

Subseries 3.2: Chron Files, 1968-1973 (10.50 linear feet)

This subseries consists of chronological files of general, congressional, and executive correspondence as well as chronological files maintained by the Vice President Agnew's administrative assistant, Walter Mote, and his military assistant, General John M. Dunn. The general and congressional correspondence was handled by various members of Agnew's staff, while the executive correspondence was prepared for the vice president's signature. Included in the files are numerous thank-you letters to supporters or senders of gifts and letters of congratulations to citizens who have achieved various milestones in their lives. Also in the files are replies to individuals seeking help from the vice president on personal issues of concern.

Chronological correspondence files dating from January 1971 to October 1973 and the chronological files for Congress and the Military Assistant to the Vice President are closed for a period of seventy-five (75) years from the date of the creation of the material.

These files are arranged by type of correspondence, then chronologically.