Congressional Record Reprints: Ashurst Speeches/Remarks, 1916, 1922, 1930

The Henry Fountain Ashurst Papers are comprised of correspondence, printed speeches and reports, and news clippings ranging from 1910-1962. The bulk of the material concerns Ashurst's work on the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1930-1940. In order to preserve the provenance of the papers, the collection has been divided into three series: Ashurst Accession, Renoe Accession, And National Archives Materials.

The Ashurst Accession consists of photostat correspondence and reprints of speeches, remarks, articles and reports. The Correspondence Record is almost entirely composed of photostat duplicates of the original letters included in Series II (see below for a description of the content of those letters). The Miscellaneous Correspondence and Addresses are printed copies of letters and public addresses that are mostly of a personal nature. One original letter from Ashurst (1945 October 12) to President Truman is included with Truman's response (photostat).

The Congressional Record reprints include a number of Senate speeches by Ashurst. Of particular interest are those concerning the Smith-McNary Reclamation Bill (1922), the Colorado River (1938) and the military draft (1940). Ashurst's Farewell to the Senate (1940) is located here and also in Box 1, Folder 7. The Ashurst Speeches Requested by Others are Ashurst addresses that other Senators requested for inclusion in the Congressional Record. They include his address at the Mormon Pioneer Celebration at Snowflake, AZ (1952) and two speeches on the history of Arizona at the Hassayampa Club in Los Angeles (1910) and at Arizona Founder's Day at the University of Arizona (1962). A number of Ashurst's Senate speeches and remarks are included in the collection. The subjects of some of the more significant speeches are listed in the Appendix. The Congressional Reports on Indian Affairs contain information on Erosion and Overflow of the Gila River and excerpts of Ashurst remarks concerning the Hopi Snake Dance. Miscellaneous Speeches include an address at the launching of the USS Arizona (1915) and remarks offered at the Annual Convention of the State Bar of Arizona (1952) and at an Arizona Banker's Association Banquet (1953).

Up in Coconino County is a published pamphlet that includes a brief biography of Ashurst and an excerpt from his diary from 1919. Ashurst of Arizona is a compilation of a biography of Ashurst and testimonials from a number of Arizona politicians by Maurice H. Lanman.

The Renoe Accession is comprised of original letters from a number of nationally prominent political leaders and government officials including Woodrow Wilson, Alvaro Obregon (President of Mexico), Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Charles Evans Hughes (Chief Justice US Supreme Court) and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Although most of the correspondence is routine - offering congratulations and thanks for support, etc. - there are some significant items. A letter from President Wilson (1917 July 9) concerns the rationale for allowing Governor Hunt to mediate a copper strike in Arizona. Correspondence from William H. Taft (1928 May 1, 1928 December 7) concerns design and construction of an unidentified building in Washington, D.C.

The National Archives Materials are photocopies of records concerning Ashurst's work in the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1930-1940. Of particular interest is a report (1933 March 1) of an investigation of a possible monopoly of production of Boy Scout uniforms and regalia and a lack of competitive bidding. A series of letters beginning 1933 May 31 concerns alleged violations of banking laws by the Harriman National Bank of New York and delays in prosecution of the case. A letter (1935 June 5) from H.C. Mandeville (a lawyer from Elmyra, New York) concerns the constitutionality of New Deal legislation and particularly addresses the Wheeler-Rayburn Public Utilities Bill. A letter (1937 December 15) from Patrick E. Gorman, then a local union president, concerns attempts to organize employees of the Tovrea Packing Company of Phoenix. Beginning in 1934 a series of letters concerns interpretations and possible amendments to the Bankruptcy Act.

The Judicial Subcommittee Hearings are typescript minutes regarding the case against the Harriman National Bank of New York. Miscellaneous Newsclippings include obituaries of Ashurst from the New York Times and other sources.