Comparison of Sohmer Papers to State Series

State Series Selected

SECRETARY OF STATE

• S1015 Campaign Reports, 1908-1968
• S1030 Election Papers, 1920-1969
• S92 Proclamations, 1904-1969

GOVERNOR

• S1041 General File, 1890-1980
• S76 Invitations, 1965-1972

Boxes from Sohmer Papers [MSA SC 4804] Selected

Box 3: Materials relating to Agnew as Governor, 1966-1968 (appears to be Sohmer's files while Agnew's Appointment Office)

• Memos to Agnew RE: vacancies, use of mansion of reception, appointments, etc.
• Materials relating to Agnew's gubernatorial campaign 1965-1966
• Letters to Agnew from constituents on various matters and cc: of letters from Agnew
• Materials relating to Republican Governor's Association
• Materials relating to Maryland Republican State Convention, June 1968
• 1966 Campaign book

Box 4: Appears to be Sohmer's files while Agnew's Campaign Manager and initial period as Appointment Officer

• Campaign report, Oct. 1966 (governor)
• Some materials relating to transition period
• Position papers and other materials which give insight behind the scenes in campaign

Box 6: Appears to be Sohmer's files as Agnew's Appointment Officer with some campaign material and a few items relating to Agnew's term as Vice President

• Includes memos and correspondence, including scattered notes from Agnew, relating to appointments, including the Censor Board and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Some memos and correspondence illustrate the behind the scenes maneuvering for appointments
• Memos to the Governor, 1968, outlining responsibilities, relationships, and authority of the Appointments Officer and outlining office procedures
• Draft[?] statement relating to riots
• Copy of Proclamation and Executive Order, May 18, 1968, recending the "state of public emergency and crisis existed in the City of Salisbury and the County of Wicomico"
• News release directing department heads to allow time off to State employees to attend memorial services for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Thank you notes and acknowledgment letters to various constituents
• "Negro Appointments"
• Recommendations and resumes for appointments
• News releases relating to appointments
• "Log Record Book" Agnew Bipartisan Committee
• Materials relating to Republican Campaign Management Seminar
• Congratulatory letters, telegrams and responses, election of Agnew as Governor
• Correspondence RE: National Governor's Conference
• Press Conference, Nov. 8, 1967, Statement concerning 2-party system in Baltimore City
• Campaign memorabilia
• Notes on staff meetings, phone calls, etc.
• Recommendations for personnel action and changes in Vice President's Senate Office, including "History and Projection of the Senate Office of the Vice President."

Box 8: Materials from period prior to gubernatorial general election and beginning of administration

• Acknowledgement of invitations, thankyou notes, and miscellaneous correspondence. Includes letter from Carl Lee Frederick, Jr. [Republican Candidate, House of Delegatechallenging Agnew's apparent change in stance on open housing "According to the local Washington papers, you were quoted as saying that if a great majority of the members of the Maryland Legislature passed a bill prohibiting discrimination in the sale or rental of a person's private residence, you would not veto such a bill…."; letter, Robert Wallick to Agnew outlining legislation relating to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, noting that "(1) Rapid Transit in the Washington Area is no longer a political issue worthy of attention. It will remain dormant for several months while WMATA organizes and plans. (2) The new Governor will become embroiled next year in the financing problems of WMATA."
• Materials re: National Governor's Conference, 1967
• Letters to the editor, Baltimore Sun and letters which may or may not have been printed
• Remarks by Agnew on Fiscal Reform, delivered informally before the AA County Commissioners and guests on a visit to Cumberland, April 27, 1967
• "Green Bag Appointments" from newspaper clippings
• Materials relating to expenses of Agnew for Governor campaign
• Response to letters sent "Revitalization of Republican Party in Baltimore City"
• Memos outlining standard operating procedures in Governor's Office, 1968
• Statement papers and biographical information compiled for gubernatorial campaign
• Correspondence of Joseph Sachs, Assistant Campaign Manager

Selection Methodology

I eliminated GOVERNOR (Reports and Investigations) 1866-1970 [S1044] from the review since the inventory indicated that the only box from the Agnew administration related to the State Auditor. I also eliminated GOVERNOR (Legislation File) 1906-1976 [S1040] because there were over 30 boxes for the Agnew administration and the inventory descriptions indicated that most dealt with specific legislation. I also eliminated Box 9 of the Sohmer collection since the materials related to the gubernatorial campaign.

The Governor's series included (Appointment Authorization) and (Appointments), but neither series covered the Agnew Administration.

Results of Comparison