A brief letter from Representative L. Mendel Rivers requesting the opportunity to appear in opposition to the Celler Civil Rights Bill when it reaches the House Rules Committee.
A transcript of a four-page speech given by Representative August E. Johansen before the House of Representatives concerning his opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Johansen argues that there is an over reliance on the federal government to solve civil rights problems and a real fear that the zeal for improving civil rights issues will get out of hand.
A letter from a Florida resident to Representative Syd Herlong, Jr. expressing his vehement opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Copies of the letter were sent to many other congressmen and senators including Representative L. Mendel Rivers.
A six-page letter from members of Congress opposed to the civil rights bill. The congressmen specifically cite extraordinary powers given to the attorney general, the removal of the right of trial by jury in contempt cases, and the superseding of state courts by federal courts for civil rights cases. Representative Rivers is a signatory of the letter.
A postcard from a South Carolina constituent condemning Representative Rivers' stand against the civil rights bill. The constituent reminds Rivers that he will remember him when he runs for reelection.
Correspondence concerning a request for a hearing by representatives from South Carolina before the House Committee on the Judiciary concerning civil rights.
A release from the United States Department of Justice making public the text of identical letters written to Senators Thomas H. Kuchel and Clifford P. Case and Representative Kenneth B. Keating by Attorney General Herbert Brownell, Jr., in response to their request for his comments on the proposed "jury trial" amendment to the civil rights legislation pending in Congress. Included is the text of the letter.
A letter from a Tennessee constituent to Representative Emanuel Celler praising Representative Rivers and condemning Celler's stand on public school integration. The constituent especially emphasizes the influence of Celler's religion as a Jew. This copy of the letter was sent to L. Mendel Rivers with a handwritten note of support for Rivers.
A letter notifying Representative Rivers of the passage of a resolution, by the Olanta Citizens Council, commending Rivers' stand on segregation and civil rights.
A letter from a South Carolina constituent heartily thanking Representative Rivers for his stand before the House Judiciary Committee concerning civil rights legislation.
A letter from a New York City resident condemning South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond for his use of the filibuster to oppose the civil rights bill. Representative L. Mendel Rivers also received a copy of the letter.
A release containing a statement made by President G. E. Leighty of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers concerning pending civil rights legislation. The president stated that he was in favor of the civil rights bill.
Correspondence concerning a suggestion by a South Carolina constituent to attack the civil rights bill by utilizing the recent Supreme Court decisions.
A letter from the Governor of South Carolina containing copies of telegrams from the Governor to the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and the Speaker of the House requesting that a representative from South Carolina be given a chance to be heard concerning civil rights legislation pending before the House Judiciary Committee.
A brief letter from Representative James Roosevelt to Representative L. Mendel Rivers requesting his signature on Discharge Petition No. 1 on H. R. 6127 for the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
A letter from a South Carolina native, living in Michigan, to the Democratic Leader of the Senate, Lyndon B. Johnson, concerning the privilege of filibustering in the Senate on the matter of civil rights for black people and fears concerning overspending by the United States government. Copies of the letter were sent to a number of southern Senators and Representatives including L. Mendel Rivers.
A letter from a South Carolina constituent voicing his strong opposition to the proposed civil rights bill. The constituent declared that Senator Lyndon B. Johnson and Representative Sam Rayburn were no friends of the South.
A letter from a South Carolina constituent thanking Representative Rivers for his stand against civil rights legislation and voicing the opinion that there is a need to reduce the Government budget, especially concerning foreign policy spending.
A three-page letter from a South Carolina constituent protesting civil rights legislation and the power of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The constituent especially believes that the NAACP and left-wing organizations are all tied in with the Communists.
Correspondence concerning a letter from Representative L. Mendel Rivers expressing appreciation for Senator O'Mahoney's fairness despite favoring civil rights legislation. Rivers wrote the Senator in response to an editorial from the Charleston News and Courier titled "Senator O'Mahoney Understands Threat to Liberty in 'Civil Rights' Bill." The article is not present.
A letter from a South Carolina constituent greatly troubled by the passage of civil rights legislation in the House and especially concerned about the recent rulings of the United States Supreme Court.
A letter from a Charleston, South Carolina, constituent expressing opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and thanking Representative Rivers for his support.
A letter from a Texas resident protesting the Eisenhower Doctrine and the Civil Rights Act of 1957 on the grounds of a violation of Constitutional American principles.
Correspondence between a Charleston constituent and Representative Rivers concerning a Right-to-Work amendment supported by Rivers. The constituent is strongly opposed to Right-to-Work legislation and compared Rivers' support for this legislation with support for civil rights legislation to combat segregation.
A transcript of testimony given by Illinois Representative Noah M. Mason before the House Judiciary Committee entitled "Civil Rights Vs. States' Rights and God-Given Human Rights." Representative Mason argues that the provisions of the civil rights bill encroach upon states’ rights and "God-given human rights."
A letter from the Mayor and Council Members of Elloree, South Carolina, commending Representative L. Mendel Rivers for his stand against the civil rights bill.
A letter from a South Carolina constituent thanking Representative Rivers for his stand against the civil rights bill and for his efforts to personally assist the constituent with his GI eligibility and leave from the Charleston Naval Shipyard.
A letter from the Commission on Civil Rights containing a copy of the transcript of the National Conference of Public School Officials, held by the Commission on Civil Rights in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 5 and 6, 1959. The transcript is not present in the file.
Representative Rivers addresses the Speaker of the House, condemns the report by the Civil Rights Commission, and argues that the creation and continued existence of the Civil Rights Commission is a danger to the very survival of America as a free nation.
A document examining the law of contempt in Southern states opposed to the civil rights bill. The document argues that according to the local laws of these states, cases of contempt without the intervention of a jury is perfectly legal and violates no constitutional provision. This is in direct contrast to the arguments of Southern senators and congressmen opposed to the civil rights bill.
