I. Dictation, 1944-1970

Extent:
35 box(es) (17.5 linear feet)
Scope and content:

The Dictation Series is composed of letters and memoranda entirely or partially dictated by Senator Russell. The series is an integration of the copies for the Winder and Washington offices. Thus, in many instances duplication occurs, but often only one copy has been preserved. The letters have been arranged by topic and then in reverse chronological order.

Most of the dictated correspondence or memos contain Russell's views on upcoming legislation, political appointments, support of or opposition to bills and amendments as well as his positions on such issues as defense, the Vietnam war, agriculture issues, the investigation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and civil rights and other national issues. Senator Russell rarely expressed his opinions regarding local and state politics in writing or in any public forum.

Dictation copies were, as a rule, filed much more broadly than any other division of correspondence. As a result, letters concerning an agriculture bill, a farmer involved in a case of some sort, an action of the Agriculture Department or a problem of a general nature involved with agriculture might all appear in a file folder labeled "Farm." One should research similar subdivisions under different subseries in the Dictation Series. When Russell personally dictated any portion of a letter or added a postscript, two extra copies on onionskin paper (one for the Winder office and one for the Washington office) were made and filed by subject (Dictation Series), separate from the yellow and pink copies.

The initials of composer and typist of each letter is located on the bottom left of the front page of the letter. If someone other than the composer typed the letter, the composer's initials were on the left, followed by full colon and typist initials. From 1969 to 1971 there are pink copies furnished by the Senate Appropriations Committee staff. On these copies Senator Russell's initials will always appear followed by the composer, the Senator did not compose these letters.

The left top of the first page has a subject title under which the yellow copy is filed and the top right has a name heading under which the pink copy is filed. Two check marks beneath the signature mean Senator Russell read the letter but that it was signed by automatic pen. One check mark indicates that the Senator read and signed the letter and no check mark indicates that the Senator did not read the letter. Letters marked Personal or Personal and Confidential meant that correspondents were not to release them, also the staff were not to use views expressed as models for other letters. When letters were rewritten by the Senator the section was blocked off by brackets and all handwritten additions were also made on the copies. Some staff members were authorized to send out communications in the Senator's name without his seeing them and his signature would be forged or signed by automatic pen. The following staff members were authorized to approve out-going mail: Leeman Anderson (1933-1936, 1942-1969); Joe Wattson (1937-1941), Babs Raesly (1965-1971); Bill Jordan (1965-1968); Charles Campbell (1969-1971); Proctor Jones (1968-1971); Marge Warren (1965-1969).

Contents

Access and use restrictions

Parent restrictions:
Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed for 75 years from the date of creation. Additional files are restricted throughout the collection, as noted in the container listing.
Parent terms of access:
Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.