Finding Aid for the Abolish Cross-Filing in California records
Table of Contents
Finding aid prepared by Rebecca Hirsch, 2009
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
Summary Information
- Repository
- USC Libraries Special Collections
- Creator
- Abolish Cross-Filing in California.
- Title
- Abolish Cross-Filing in California records
- Collection no.
- 0225
- Date [bulk]
- Bulk, 1950-1953
- Date [inclusive]
- 1941-1960
- Extent
- 8.5 Linear feet, 8 boxes
- Language
- English
- Abstract
- This collection contains the records of the group formed by John B. Elliott to abolish the practice of cross-filing in California (Abolish Cross-Filing in California). Cross-filing is a practice that permits candidates for political office to register in multiple parties for primary elections. If a candidate then wins nominations from multiple parties, they run with less (or no) competition in the fall election. The records present in this collection include filing vouchers, correspondence, clippings, subject files, cancelled checks, and financial information. The proposition to abolish cross-filing passed in 1952.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Abolish Cross-Filing in California records, Collection no. 225, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Historical Note
Cross-filing is the practice that allows candidates for political office to register as candidates in multiple parties in primary elections. If a candidate wins nominations from multiple parties, then they run with less (or no) competition in the fall election. Cross-filing was perceived to be an instrument of the corrupt lobbyist and political-boss controlled political system in California. John B. Elliott (1878-1967) spearheaded the movement to put a proposition on the 1952 ballot that would elminate cross-filing. Elliott, a journalist who had served as the Southern California chairman of Woodrow Wilson's and Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first presidential campaigns, was also the president of the Jameson Petroleum Company. His efforts to elimate cross-filing were successful, and the proposition on the 1952 ballot (Proposition #13) passed.
Scope and Content
This collection contains the records of the group formed by John B. Elliott to abolish the practice of cross-filing in California (Abolish Cross-Filing in California). Records include filing vouchers, correspondence, clippings, subject files, cancelled checks, and financial information. Also included are 4 printing blocks, 1 printing plate, and 10 purple paper reverse images of illustrations from the publication "Vote 'Yes' on #13," published by Abolish Cross-Filing in California.
Arrangement
The Abolish Cross-Filing in California records consist of subject files arranged by size (either letter or legal) and then in alphabetical order. Boxes 1-6 contain letter-size files; boxes 7 and 8 contain legal ones.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
USC Libraries Special Collections
2009
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for access. Consult finding aid for additional information.
Conditions Governing Use
The collection contains published articles; researchers are reminded of the copyright restrictions imposed by publishers on reusing their articles and parts of books. It is the responsibility of researchers to acquire permission from publishers when reusing such materials. The copyright to unpublished materials belongs to the heirs of the writers. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Acquisition
The Abolish Cross-Filing in California records were donated to USC by John C. Elliott in 1968.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Abolish Cross-Filing in California. -- Archives
Genre(s)
- Clippings
- Correspondence
- Financial records
- Legal instruments
- Printed ephemera
Personal Name(s)
- Elliott, John B., 1878-1967 -- Archives
Subject(s)
- Elections--California--Archival resources
- Political parties--Law and legislation--California--Archival resources
Collection Inventory
| Box | ||||
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Abolish Cross-Filing to Corruption |
1 | |||
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County Leaders on Abolish Cross-Filing to Ford, John Anson |
2 | |||
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Fox Printing Company to Legislation-Direct Definition |
3 | |||
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Legislative Bills to Petition Lists - George McLain & John Ford |
4 | |||
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Petition Idea to Source Material (Reference) |
5 | |||
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Sparkman, John to Warren, Earl (Clippings) |
6 | |||
| Box | ||||
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Documentary Film on Abolish Cross-Filing in California, by Robert Eugene Burke |
6 | |||
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Abolish Cross-Filing Clippings to Filing Vouchers & Miscellaneous (legal-size) |
7 | |||
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File Copies to Taxability of Contributions (legal-size) |
8 | |||
| Box | ||||
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Box of printing blocks and printing plate for "Vote 'Yes' on #13" |
8 | |||
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