James M. Cox Papers (MS-2)

The papers of James M. Cox contain a variety of materials covering the years 1908 1957. These materials include bills, bulletins, correspondence, newspaper clippings, Photostats (of newspapers, letters, and speeches), photographs, reports, and speeches. The collection divides naturally into three record series: speeches, subject/topical files, and correspondence.

Series I, Speeches, consists of speeches given by James M. Cox. These are contained in boxes 1 and 2 of the collection, and cover the years 1908 1916 and 1918 1946, respectively. (A few speeches are undated.) These speeches were given on various occasions and cover a variety of topics, including agriculture, the Civil War, President Andrew Jackson, President Abraham Lincoln, Support of the Payne Tariff Bill, roads, schools, taxes, and workmen's compensation. Those which may be of particular interest, include bound speeches by Cox, while Governor of Ohio, to the state's General Assembly (1913 1915), his acceptance speech as the democratic nominee for president of the United States in 1920 (July 6, 1920), a series of radio campaign speeches (1920), a speech supporting Governor Al Smith's (D.NY) bid for the presidency in 1928 (November 3, 1928), speeches in support of Franklin D. Roosevelt and various policies of his administration(s), and a speech, on the occasion of FDR's death, paying tribute to Roosevelt and also commenting on Eleanor Roosevelt. The speeches are arranged in chronological order, with undated speeches at the end. The dated speeches span from 1908 to 1946. Most of the speeches contain a slip of paper affixed on the top, over the actual speech, detailing the occasion at which the speech was given as well as the subjects covered in the speech.

Series II, Subject/Topical Files, are contained in Boxes 3 6 of the Cox Papers, and cover international and political matters: 1920 (Box 3), political matters: 1920 1947 (Box 4) and gubernatorial election: 1912 (Box 4), elections: 1912, 1914, & 1916 (Box 5) and gubernatorial and general letters (Boxes 5 6). Topics of interest, include League of Nations, the Court of International Justice, the World Monetary and Economic Conference (1933), the National Elections of 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1940, & 1946, the 1912, 1914, & 1916 gubernatorial elections, the 1913 Dayton (OH) flood, Montgomery County (OH) general materials, and correspondence and clippings concerning the Wright Brothers. Materials in Series II date from 1912 to 1947.

Series III, Correspondence, contains the majority of materials in the Cox papers. These materials, which date from 1911 to 1960, are contained in Boxes 7 43 of the collection, and cover such topics as the Florida Everglades, the Florida land speculation boom (1920's), journalism, golfing, boxing, and dog breeding. Topics which are discussed at length and maybe of particular interest, include the economy, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Market Crash (1929), the American newspaper business, labor, industry, and politics (on all levels: international, national, regional, state, and local). (A few materials post-date the death of James Cox in 1957, including items concerning the death of his widow, Margaretta, in 1960.)

The correspondence series also includes “Miscellaneous” files containing correspondence from historically unimportant or unrecognizable figures; if there was only a single instance of correspondence, but the correspondent was historically prominent, then that material was placed in a folder, alphabetically, by last name of the correspondent.

A (partial) list of nationally known correspondents includes: • Baker, Newton Diehl: Secretary of War under Woodrow Wilson: (1916 1921). • Baruch, Bernard M.: Member of New York Stock Exchange, and Economic Advisor to various presidents (notably, Franklin D. Roosevelt). • Bowers, Claude G.: Historian, Foundation Executive, Ambassador to Spain (1933 1939); Ambassador to Chile (1939 1953), Editor of Fort Wayne (IN) Journal Gazette, Editorial writer for New York World, and political columnist for New York Journal. • Daniels, Josephus: Ambassador to Mexico (1933 1942), Secretary of the Navy under Woodrow Wilson (1913 1921), consolidated the State Chronicle of North Carolina and the North Carolinian News and Observer, and editor of the News and Observer. • Farley, James A.: Organized and was President of James A. Farley and Company (became General Builders Supply Company), was associated with, and served in various positions for Coca Cola, served in various New York political positions (1912 1944), Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1932 1940), Delegate to the Democratic National Convention(s) (1924 1948), and Post Master General of the United States under Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933 1940). • Hull, Cordell: Secretary of State under Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933 1944) (resigned), and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1921 1924). • Krock, Arthur: Newspaper man from reporter to ed in chief of the Louisville (KY) Times and the Louisville (KY) Courier Journal (1907 1923), Washington correspondent (and various other positions) on the New York World, Inter Allied Press Committee, Assistant to the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1920), and decorated military officer (WW I). • Lasker, Albert Davis: Advertising expert with Lord & Thomas Advertising Agency (1898 1942), Assistant Chairman of the Republican National Committee (1918 1920). • Lippmann, Walter: Editor of the New York Republic and the New York World, special writer for the New York Herald Tribune (and various other papers), Assistant Secretary of War under Woodrow Wilson (1917), U.S. Army Military Intelligence, and received a Pulitzer Prize Citation. • Morganthau, Henry: Chairman of the Finance Commission of the Democratic National Committee, President of Central Reality Bond and Trust, Director of the Underwood Corporation, Director of Equitable Life, and Ambassador to Turkey and Mexico. • Rayburn, Samuel (Sam): Congressman (63rd 87th Congresses), Democratic Majority Leader of Congress (75th 77th Congresses), and Speaker of the House (80th of 83rd Congresses). • Roosevelt, Franklin Delano: 32nd President of the United States, (1933 1945) (4 terms), and Governor of New York State (1928 1932) (2 terms). • Tumulty, Joseph P.: Personal Secretary to Woodrow Wilson (1913 1921) • Wilson, Woodrow: 28th President of the United States (1913 1921) (2 terms), Governor of New Jersey, and President of Princeton University. • Wright, Orville and Wilbur: Inventors and Aeronauts.

The materials in the correspondence series on (Franklin and Eleanor) Roosevelt originally filed alphabetically in Box 34, have been separated from the correspondence and placed in a half sized Hollinger Box (no. 35) because of their value and frequent use as part of the Cox collection. There are two folders dealing specifically with Franklin D. Roosevelt covering the years 1921 1940 and 1941 1945 (The War Years), respectively, and one folder devoted to Eleanor Roosevelt covering the years 1945 1958. The other two folders filed under Roosevelt, Franklin D., contain newspaper clippings, photos, and Warm Springs (GA) materials.

The researcher will find that because of the breakdown into a subject/topical series and a correspondence series there is a good deal of material which is cross referenced. For example, in the subject/topical files, under International and Political Matters: 1920 (Box 4), there are materials under the heading: League of Nations. There are also materials concerning League of Nations in the correspondence series under Wilson, Woodrow. The correspondence series is filed alphabetical by the last name of the correspondent, and chronologically within each folder.