"economic issues shall be kept to the forefront in the coming campaign." A 29 June 1931 typed letter on gubernatorial stationery signed and marked "Personal" by then-New York State Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to a future Democratic Congressman, offering a snapshot of the diligent political work that helped FDR secure the Democratic nomination for president almost exactly one year after he signed this letter.
Albany, New York: 1931. Letter. This 29 June 1931 typed letter is signed and marked “Personal” by then New York State Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to a future Democratic congressman on his gubernatorial stationery. The letter offers a snapshot of the diligent work behind the seemingly providential arc that propelled FDR to the White House and eventually saw him become America’s longest-serving president.
The letter is addressed to a “Mr. William Thom” of “Canton, Ohio”, above whose name and address FDR wrote and underlined “Personal”. FDR thanks Thom for “enclosing the clipping in regard to the vote of the Jackson Club of Canton.” FDR tells Thom “It is gratifying to learn that I have so many staunch friends in your Club and I appreciate the expression of confidence in which they voted recently. I am also delighted to see that the Club is determined that economic issues shall be kept to the forefront in the coming campaign. If we do not allow ourselves to be diverted and press home the fact that the present industrial depression is directly the result of the policies of the present administration, I feel that victory will be assured.” After the valediction, FDR signed “Franklin D. Roosevelt”. Writing and emphasizing “Personal” was just the sort of deft touch that built a sense of camaraderie and loyalty. The exhortation “economic issues shall be kept to the forefront in the coming campaign” was just the sort of message discipline that winning candidates for office needed to command.
Condition of the letter is very good, clean and complete, though age-toned to the perimeter and with three horizontal folds, ostensibly from original posting. The letter is housed in a clear, removable, archival mylar sleeve housed within a rigid, crimson cloth folder.
The recipient, William Richard Thom (1885-1960) was an Ohio lawyer and Democratic politician who would serve three, non-consecutive stints in Congress. The same election that brought Roosevelt to the White House brought Thom to Congress, where he was sworn in the same day FDR took the presidential oath of office. Thom served from 4 March 1933 – 3 January 1939. Thom lost his 1938 re-election bid, returned to Congress for his final term in the same 1944 election that won FDR an unprecedented fourth term. Unlike FDR, Thom lived out his final term, serving 3 January 1945 to 3 January 1947.
In 1921, FDR’s promising political career was abruptly derailed by an illness that resulted in lifelong paralysis of his legs. When New York Governor Al Smith became the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in June 1928, Democrats had to choose a new candidate for governor of New York. It was not FDR. Death, ill health, and failure to attract broad support sidelined various candidates. A month before the November 1928 election the Democrats still lacked a candidate. Recruited by Smith, a hesitant FDR agreed to run only just before he was formally nominated. He barely won, with less than 50% of the votes cast and little over half a percent more than his opponent.
Yet four eventful years later, national economic crisis brought FDR to the White House. FDR’s governorship coincided with the onset of the Great Depression. “More quickly than most other political leaders, he concluded that the economy would not recover on its own and ‘that there is a duty on the part of government to do something about this.’” Roosevelt and his political team labored to accumulate pledges from Democratic Party delegates throughout the country. FDR secured the Democratic presidential nomination in Chicago almost exactly a year after he signed this letter. He appeared in person to accept the nomination –the first Democratic candidate ever to do so. In his speech to the delegates, he pledged “a new deal for the American people.” After they were both sworn in on 4 March 1933 – FDR to the presidency, Thom to the House of Representatives – both men were in a position to support and implement New Deal policies.
Sources: ANB. Item #008378
Price: $1,200.00