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University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library

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1150 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113, USA
bentley.ref@umich.edu

Neil Staebler papers, 1944-1992

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Summary

Creator:
Staebler, Neil, 1905-
Abstract:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, businessman and attorney, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee, U. S. Congressman-at-large, 1963-1964, gubernatorial candidate in 1964, member of the U. S. Federal Election Commission, 1975-1978. Chronological, congressional and topical files relating to political and personal activities; include political files detailing state election campaigns 1948-1964, particularly the campaigns of G. Mennen Williams and John B. Swainson; also photographs and transcript of oral interview, 1979.
Extent:
319.5 linear feet
2 oversize volumes
12.4 GB (online)
Language:
English
Call Number:
85817 Aa 2 AC
Authors:
Finding aid created by Michigan Historical Collections staff

Background

Scope and Content:

Neil Staebler first began donating his files to the Michigan Historical Collections of the University of Michigan in 1961 following his eleven year tenure as chairman of the Democratic Party State Central Committee. Periodically thereafter and continuing into the 1970s, Staebler continued to add to his collection with Congressional papers (1963-1964), campaign files when he ran for governor in 1964, topical records created from his years of service with the Democratic National Committee (see attached vita), and records from his term as commissioner on the Federal Election Commission (1975-1978).

This collection comprised of twelve series documents Staebler's career and the course of Democratic politics since World War II. Since Staebler was principally an organizer of campaigns, a behind-the-scenes manager who preferred to handle the details of an election rather than to step into the candidate's spotlight himself, the collection concerns all phases of a successful campaign not just the posturings of the party's candidates. There is, for example, much information relating to the day-to-day operations of the party, i.e. fund-raising activities, the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner, the formulation of the party's platform and related resolutions at the Spring and Fall conventions, and the activities of party-related special interest organizations.

Biographical / Historical:

During the post-war period in Michigan politics, the state Democratic Party experienced a renaissance in voter acceptability. Roughly corresponding to the six term administration of Governor G. Mennen Williams (1949-1961) and in. part attributable to his extraordinary popularity, the Democratic Party underwent an about face and became a model of sorts for other state party organizations.

The successful architect of the party's victorious campaigns in this period was Ann Arbor businessman - politician Neil Staebler. As chairman of the Democratic state central committee, Staebler together with a group of dedicated and energetic aides spear-headed the party's transformation. Staebler believed that for the party to be successful it had first to formulate and espouse a liberal program geared in part to the state's large work force. Secondly, Staebler argued that for the party to succeed at the polls it needed to organize strong precinct level organizations capable of eliciting grass-roots support for the party's program and turning out the vote on election day. With this formula, Staebler helped the Democratic Party to capture the governor's office for seven straight terms and to elect Democratic senators, Patrick McNamara and Philip A. Hart.

With two major exceptions, Staebler shunned elective office. These two campaigns, however, account for some of the more interesting portions of the collection. In 1962, Staebler was elected congressman-at-large, an office which was something of an anomaly because the state's two political parties had been unable to incorporate the additional Congressional seat which Michigan received as a result of the 1960 census without fighting over the necessary redistricting. In 1963 or 1964 Staebler made the decision to become a one-term Congressman, seeking instead to run for governor against the incumbent George Romney. From all outward appearance, Staebler had a better than even chance of victory. The national ticket of Johnson and Humphrey appeared destined for a landslide victory, and Staebler could not help but benefit from their coattails. Unfortunately for the candidate, his opponent George Romney, was a strong campaigner and a popular governor, and he won reelection easily. Following his defeat, Staebler returned to the routines of party work. He continued to be a member of the Democratic National Committee; he was a member of the Democratic National Finance Council, and the National Democratic Charter Commission; and he was appointed to the Federal Election Commission in the 1970s.

Acquisition Information:
Neil Staebler (Donor no. 2417 ) began donating his files to the library in 1961.
Processing information:

Boxes 280 and 299 were eliminated during reprocessing.

In preparing digital material for long-term preservation and access, the Bentley Historical Library adheres to professional best practices and standards to ensure that content will retain its authenticity and integrity. For more information on procedures for the ingest and processing of digital materials, please see Bentley Historical Library Digital Processing Note. Access to digital material may be provided either as a direct link to an individual file or as a downloadable package of files bundled in a zip file.

Arrangement:
Summary Contents List
  1. Chronological files, 1949-1970 -- Boxes 1-16
  2. People files -- Boxes 16-46, 272-278, 284-298, 300, 315-318
  3. Congressional files -- Boxes 47-66
    • Congressman-elect correspondence -- Box 47
    • Subject files -- Boxes 47-51
    • Government departments and agencies -- Boxes 52-56
    • Legislative files -- Boxes 57-63
    • Topical Files -- Box 64
    • Miscellaneous -- Boxes 64-65
    • House Committee on Science and Astronautics -- Box 66
  4. Campaign files -- Boxes 67-115
    • Non-Staebler campaigns, 1948-1974 -- Boxes 67-78, 82, 103 (part), 104
    • Neil Staebler: Congressman-at-large campaign, 1962 -- Boxes 79-81
    • Neil Staebler: Gubernatorial campaign, 1964 -- Boxes 83-103 (part)
    • Candidates files, 1948-1973 -- Boxes 105-115
  5. Political files -- Boxes 116-221, 313-314, 319
    • Forms (copies of party mailings) -- Boxes 116-122
    • Conventions -- Boxes 123-135
    • Campaign Directories and related materials -- Boxes 135-136
    • Campaign Platforms and Convention Resolutions -- Boxes 136-137
    • Democratic State Central Committee -- Boxes 138-175, 309-310
    • Democratic National Committee -- Boxes 176-190, 311-312
    • Michigan Governors/Senators files -- Boxes 191-196
    • Calendar-Invitations -- Boxes 197-206
    • Federal Agencies and Departments -- Boxes 207-209
    • Miscellaneous -- Boxes 210-221, 313-314, 319
  6. Federal Election Commission files -- Boxes 222-240, 306-308
  7. Issues files -- Boxes 241-258, 301-305
  8. American Veterans Committee -- Boxes 259-260
  9. Speeches and Articles -- Boxes 261-262, 320
  10. Ann Arbor Citizens Council -- Boxes 263-266, 322
  11. Personal and Miscellaneous -- Boxes 267-271, 281-283, 321
  12. Visual Materials -- Box 279
Accruals:

No further additions to the records are expected.

Physical Location:
Portions located in offsite storage; prior notification required for access.
Rules or Conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Contents

Using These Materials

Info for Visitors

How to Request

Ordering Reproductions

Download PDF Finding Aid
RESTRICTIONS:

The collection is open to research.

The collection contains audio tapes from which digital copies have been made. Source tapes are for staff use only. Audio files are only available in the Bentley Historical Library reading room on designated Bentley Library computers.

USE & PERMISSIONS:

Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to the Regents of the University of Michigan but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[item], folder, box, Neil Staebler papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan

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Collection

Neil Staebler papers, 1944-1992
Call Number 85817 Aa 2 AC
Total components 597
Items available online Online 5
Last indexed 2023-12-08