C. Montgomery Johnson Papers, 1942-1994

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Johnson, C. Montgomery (Charles Montgomery)
Title
C. Montgomery Johnson Papers
Dates
1942-1994 (inclusive)
Quantity
33.52 cubic ft. (35 boxes)
8 sound cassettes : analog, mono.
1 sound tape reel : analog, mono. ; 3 in., 1/4-in. tape
1 videocassette ; 3/4-in.
Collection Number
(Accession No. 5146-001)
Summary
Papers of a publicist and political consultant from Washington State related to his several political activities
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Charles Montgomery Johnson—"Gummie" to friends—attended the University of Washington, where he was elected president of its Associated Students organization (A.S.U.W.) in 1946. He graduated with a master's degree in forestry in 1950. Johnson worked in public relations for the Washington Education Association and for Weyerhaeuser, a forest products company, during the 1950s and early 1960s, then directed Dan Evans's successful 1964 campaign for governor of Washington State. He served as the first full-time chairman of the Washington State Republican Central Committee from 1964 to 1971, during which time he was also an executive member of the Republican National Committee.

In 1965 Johnson participated in a purge of John Birch Society members from the state Republican Party. In a newspaper article Johnson commented on his party’s expulsion of this extremist group: "We had to make the term 'conservative' respectable again. The only way to do it was to get the far-right off the backs of conservatives. The Republican Party is not the far-right."

Johnson founded the political consulting firm C. Montgomery Johnson Associates in 1971, in partnership with his wife, Ann Quantock. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he worked as a consultant on a variety of campaigns, such as Democratic governor Dixy Lee Ray’s unsuccessful bid for reelection in 1980. His work on regional and national issues included abortion rights, limiting government expenditures, and Indian hunting and fishing rights. From 1990 to 1991, Johnson wrote a guest column for the Port Townsend Jefferson County Leader .

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The C. Montgomery Johnson Papers comprise 33.52 cubic feet of records, spanning the period 1942 to 1994, with the bulk of the material dating from 1964 to 1980.

The bulk of the correspondence in this accession has been organized in general correspondence files. Correspondence found in the fully processed portions of the accession remains in its original subgroup or series. Correspondence files that were originally found among the unprocessed sections of the materials have been collected into a single general correspondence series, found in Box One. This accession also contains a large number of speeches and writings by both Johnson and others. Included are two drafts of Johnson’s unpublished book What Shall I Tell My People About Politics? (titled What Shall I Tell My Party About Politics? in a later draft), which he described as a “real-life handbook for precinct committeemen.”

The Campaign Materials series contains two significant collections of campaign papers. First are the papers from Johnson’s work as the Chairman of the Steering, Policy, and Strategy Committees of the Campaign to Elect Dan Evans in 1963 and 1964. The major components of this series are speeches and writings, surveys, news releases, voting analyses and clippings. These files also include items relating to Evan’s subsequent re-election campaigns (1968 and 1972). The second processed campaign series is the Dixy Lee Ray Campaign material. C. Montgomery Johnson Associates worked on Ray’s unsuccessful bid for re-election as Governor of Washington in 1980. Correspondence, speeches and writings, financial records and a number of subject series make up the bulk of this material. These files also include background information on Ray’s political opponents. The Campaign Materials series also contains material on two 1984 Washington state initiative campaigns, and materials from Johnson’s work for the Yakima Indian Nation in 1977 and 1978.

The Johnson papers include many unsorted subject series, the largest of which is the Abortion series—papers pertaining to various abortion rights campaigns. This series includes material from campaigns around the nation, such as three 1988 campaigns for Colorado’s Amendment 7, Proposal A in Michigan, and Amendment 3 in Arkansas, plus Washington state campaigns such as Initiatives 471 (proposed in 1984), 479 (1986), and 120 (1991). These materials are filed in a subject series because it appears that Johnson observed but did not work on most of these campaigns. There is also a small amount of material on initiative 471 filed in the actual Campaign Materials series. The other subject series reflect research Johnson conducted during his political career. In these series, folder titles and content reflect the original filing system in place when the papers were donated to the Libraries.

The bulk of the Washington State Republican Central Committee subgroup consists of records Johnson created as the Chairman of the Central Committee from 1964 to 1971. This subgroup includes a vast amount of correspondence, several voter surveys and numerous subject series. Among the latter, the most substantial is the material on the John Birch Society. The titles and content in this subgroup reflect the original filing system that was in place when the papers were donated to the library.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

The C. Montgomery Johnson Papers were donated to the University of Washington Libraries by Melissa Johnson on May 3, 1999.

Processing Note

The papers were processed in part in 2000-2001.

Separated Materials

39 issues of The Sportsman were transferred to the Pacific Northwest Collection in the division.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Consultant PapersReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
General Correspondence
1971-1984, n.d.
2-3
Speeches & Writings
1946, 1950-1994, n.d.
2-3
Speeches & Writings: What Shall I Tell My People About Politics?
n.d.
Subject Series
Box
4-8
Abortion
ca. 1982-1992
4-8
Action for Washington
ca. 1971
4-8
Bare vs. Gorton (Public Disclosure Lawsuit / Initiative 276)
1973-1974, n.d.
4-8
Boardsmanship and Communications
ca. 1971-1978
4-8
Common Cause
n.d.
4-8
Democratic Service Bureau
ca. 1979-1992
4-8
Domestic Violence Program
ca. 1981-1983
8-9
Effective Citizen Information
ca. 1978-1981
8-9
Gardner, Booth
ca. 1976, 1979
8-9
"Get the Hell Out of Political Polling"
ca. 1980
8-9
Gorton, Slade
ca. 1967-1969
8-9
Governor's Race
ca. 1979
8-9
Harvard Institute of Politics
ca. 1969-1977
8-9
Headquarters Security
n.d.
8-9
"How the System Really Works"
ca. 1978-1986
9
Indian Rights
ca. 1984-1990
10
Institute of Politics
ca. 1966-1970
10
Johnson, C. Montgomery Polling
ca. 1979-1984
10
Keep Washington Green
1949
10
"Leadership"
ca. 1955-1987
10
Media List
ca. 1980
10
Moral Majority
ca. 1980
10
National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year
1977
10
National Indian Lutheran Board
1985, n.d.
10
People for the American Way
1986-1987, n.d.
10
People (Who Make Politics)
1964-1969, n.d.
10
Political Effectiveness: CMJA Brochure Masters
1970-1985
10
Politics
Box
10
"Behavioral"
1967-1968
10
Cities & Schools
1968-1969, n.d.
10
International
n.d.
10
"Principles, Ideology"
1967
10
Miscellaneous
ca. 1958-1969
10
Polls
Box
10
Governor
ca. 1979-1980
10
Need For
1979
10
Opinion Surveys
ca. 1966-1969
10
President
ca. 1975-1980
10
Reporting, Pollsters
ca. 1975-1980
10
Senator
1980
10
Miscellaneous
1974-1980, n.d.
10
Population
ca. 1961-1969
10
Presidential Preference Primary
ca. 1969-1988
10
Press
Box
11
Censorship
ca. 1961-1968
11
Freedom, Right to Know, Free Speech
ca. 1963-1969
11
Managed News
ca. 1961-1969
11
Media Influence
ca. 1966-1969
11
Monopoly, Competition
1962-1969, n.d.
11
Property (Territorial Imperative)
1966
11
Redistricting
Box
11
1965: Slade's Legislature
1965
11
Congress
ca. 1951-1958
11
Miscellaneous
n.d.
11
Regulation, Governmental
1964, n.d.
11
Religion
Box
11
Ecumenicalism
n.d.
11
General
ca. 1962-1969
11
Governmental Aid, Exemptions
n.d.
11
Religious Freedom
ca. 1964-1969
11
"Separation"
ca. 1962-1967
11
Religion, Rightists, Politics and U.S. Constitution
ca. 1981-1987
11
Republican Call
1968-1969
11
Right to Privacy Issue
ca. 1973-1976
11
Right to Work
ca. 1962-1973
11
Ripon Society
ca. 1967-1969
11
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
1975, 1980
11
Unitarians
ca. 1953-1958
11
Washington Education Association
1950-1956
11
Watergate
ca. 1973
11
Weyerhaeuser
ca. 1956-1962
Campaign Materials
Box
11-12
Amendment 2: Limitation of Government Expenditures
ca. 1977-1978
11-12
Dan Evans Campaign
Box
11-12
Biographical Features
n.d.
11-12
General Correspondence
1956, 1961-1972, n.d.
11-12
Minutes & Agenda
1964, 1972, n.d.
12
Speeches & Writings
1956-1973, n.d.
31
Speeches & Writings (audiocassettes)
1972
12
Reports
1964
13
Financial Records
1963-1964, 1972, n.d.
13
Subject Series
Box
13
Central Finance Committee
n.d.
13
Dan Evans Committee
1964, n.d.
13
Dan Evans Policy Committee
n.d.
13
Educators for Evans Committee
n.d.
13
Engineers Committee
n.d.
13
Liquor Control
1957-1964, n.d.
Surveys
Box
13
"An Opinion Survey of the Washington Voters"
Jan. 7-20, 1964
13
"An Opinion Survey of the Washington Voters"
May 25-June 6, 1964
13
"Survey of Washington Voters"
Sept. 28-Oct. 7, 1964
13
"Survey of Washington Voters"
1964
13
"A Political Climate Survey: Washington"
June 17-July 6, 1968
13
"A Political Climate Survey: Washington"
Sept. 23-Oct. 3, 1968
13
"A Political Climate Survey: Washington"
Mar. 16-Apr. 15, 1970
13
Miscellaneous Surveys
1968, 1972, n.d.
Box
13
Court Papers
1942, 1964
13
Resolutions
n.d.
13
Manuals
1967
13
Legislation
1957-1963, n.d.
13
Schedules
1963-1964, 1972, n.d.
13
Lists
1964, n.d.
13
Photographs
n.d.
13
Newsletters
1964-1972, n.d.
13
News Releases
1963-1964, 1972, n.d.
13
Voting Analysis
Box
13
"Washington 62"
1962
13
"1966 History of General Elections and 1968 Statistical Projections by County"
1966, 1968
13
"1968 Precinct Priority List #1"
1968
13
"Summary of 1968 Election by Counties: State of Washington"
1968
14
Notes
n.d.
14
Clippings
1951, 1956-1972, n.d.
14
Ephemera
1963-1965, 1972, n.d.
box:oversize
34
Ephemera
1972, n.d.
Box
14
Miscellany
n.d.
14
Dixy Lee Ray Campaign
Box
14
Biographical Features
1979
14
Organizational Features
1977, 1980, n.d.
14-15
General Correspondence
1917, 1942, 1969-1970, 1976-1980, n.d.
14-15
Minutes & Agenda
1979-1980
15
Speeches & Writings
1975-1980
31
Speeches & Writings (audiocassettes)
1980
15
Reports
1976, 1978-1980
15
Court Papers
1980
15
Legal Documents
1978, 1980
15
Executive Orders
1980
15-16
Financial Records
1979-1980
15-16
Summaries
1975
15-16
Workshops: Workshop Rally
1980
15-16
Legislation
1973, 1980, n.d.
15-16
Notices & Announcements
1980, n.d.
15-16
Invitations
n.d.
16
Lists
1979-1980, n.d.
box:oversize
32-33
Polls
1980, n.d.
Box
16
Voting Analysis
1980, n.d.
16
Schedules
1980, n.d.
16
Subject Series
Box
16
Accomplishments in the Ray Administration
1980
16
Brochures
1980
16
Dixy Bandwagon
1979-1980
16
Executive Committee
1980, n.d.
16
Gambling
1976-1980, n.d.
16
Geibel Advertising
1980, n.d.
16
Labor for Dixy
1980, n.d.
16
Senior Citizens for Dixy
1979-1980, n.d.
16
Statistical Services Incorporated
1980, n.d.
16
Steering Committee
1980, n.d.
16
Strategy Group
1980, n.d.
16
Veterans
1980
16
Viva Dixy Re-election Committee
n.d.
16
Washington Research Council
1980, n.d.
16-17
Washscam
1979-1980, n.d.
16-17
Watanabe, Taul
1980
16-17
Young Democrats
1980, n.d.
16-17
Opposition Files
Box
16-17
Bagnariol, John
1979-1980
16-17
Berentson, Duane
1979-1980, n.d.
16-17
Chapman, Bruce
1979-1980, n.d.
16-17
McDermott, Jim
1979-1980, n.d.
17
Spellman, John
1979-1980, n.d.
17
Walgren, Gordon
1980, n.d.
17
Conferences & Conventions: Democratic State Convention
1980, n.d.
31
Videocassette Recording: Campaign Advertisements
n.d.
31
Audiocassette Recording: Campaign Advertisements
1980
31
Reel to Reel Tape Recording: Campaign Advertisements
1980
17
News Releases
1975, 1979-1980
17
Newsletters
1978-1980
17
Photographs
n.d.
17
Notes
n.d.
17-19
Clippings
ca. 1979-1980, n.d.
19
Ephemera
1976, 1979-1980, n.d.
box:oversize
34-35
Ephemera
1980, n.d.
Box
19
Miscellany
ca. 1980, n.d.
19-20
Initiative #456: Indian Fishing & Hunting Rights
ca. 1984
19-20
Initiative #471: State-funded Abortion
ca. 1984
19-20
Senate Joint Resolution #110: Limit Annual Legislative Sessions
ca. 1979
20-21
Yakima Indian Nation
ca. 1977-1978
Box
20-21
Campaign Kits
n.d.
20-21
Conferences & Conventions
Box
20-21
North Kitsap School District #400: School Communications Workshop
Aug. 22, 1972
21
O.A.S.A. Seminar
Apr. 1973
22
Political Effectiveness Seminar
n.d.
22
School Public Relations Workshop
Mar. 13, 1972
22
School Public Relations Workshop: ISD #114
Oct. 24, 1972
22
Strategies in the New Politics Conference: Communications vs. Manipulation
Dec. 4-6, 1970
22
Workshop Materials
n.d.
22
Surveys
Box
22
1978 Congressional Post Election Survey
Feb. 1979
22
"A Telephone Survey of Residents' Attitude Toward Coos Bay School District Conducted For Coos Bay School District"
n.d.
22
"Ballot Measure Number One: An Election Day Opinion Survey"
1977
22
"Community Education Survey"
n.d.
22
"Community Survey: Josephine Community School District"
Feb. 1985
22
"Harris Survey"
n.d.
22
"School, Teachers, and the ISEA: An Opinion Survey of Residents of the State of Iowa"
Sept. 5-20, 1969
22
"Survey of Community Attitudes Concerning Grants Pass School District and Josephine County School District"
Dec. 1987
22
"Survey of Community Attitudes Concerning School District 509-J"
Oct. 1986
22
"Vancouver Public Schools: Community Survey"
Apr. 27, 1972
22
Washington State Comparable Worth Study
Sept. 1974
22
Miscellaneous
n.d.
23
Proposals
n.d.
23
Questionnaires
n.d.
23
Notes
n.d.
23
Newsletters: The Fishermen's News
1957-1958
23-24
Clippings
n.d.
24-25
Ephemera
n.d.
24-25
Miscellany
n.d.

Republican Party (Wash.) Central CommitteeReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
24-25
Organizational Features
1967-1969, n.d.
24-25
Outgoing Letters
1968-1971
25-26
General Correspondence
1965-1975, n.d.
25-26
Intraorganizational Correspondence
1965-1971, n.d.
25-26
Minutes & Agenda
1964-1970, n.d.
25-26
Speeches & Writings
1964-1977, n.d.
25-26
Financial Records
1966-1971
25-26
Reports
1965-1970
25-26
Legal Documents
1969
25-26
Contracts
n.d.
25-26
Legislation
1951, n.d.
25-26
Court Papers
1969-1970
25-26
Resolutions
1965, 1969-1970, n.d.
26
Amendments
n.d.
26
Conferences & Conventions
Box
26
1968 Republican State Convention
1968
26
1970 Republican State Convention
1970, n.d.
26
Workshops
1969, 1980, n.d.
26
Campaign Files: Insurance Commissioner
1968, n.d.
26
Subject Series
Box
26
Campaign Advisory Committee 1966
1965-1966, n.d.
26
Campaign Advisory Committee 1968
1967, n.d.
26
Candidate Advisory Committee 1968
1966-1968, n.d.
26
Census 1970
1969-1970, n.d.
26-27
Elections
1958-1970, n.d.
26-27
Jefferson County Republican Central Committee
1965, 1968
26-27
John Birch Society
Box
26-27
Organizational Features
1962, 1966
26-27
General Correspondence
1965-1968, n.d.
26-27
Minutes & Agenda
1965-1966
26-27
Speeches & Writings
1962-1968, n.d.
26-27
Resolutions
1965-1966, n.d.
26-27
News Releases
1965-1966
26-27
Newsletters
1966, n.d.
26-27
Notes
n.d.
26-27
Clippings
1965-1967, n.d.
26-27
Ephemera
1965-1967, n.d.
26-27
Miscellany
n.d.
26-27
John Birch Society: Impact on Counties
1961-1968, n.d.
26-27
John Birch Society: State and Local Activities
1965-1968, n.d.
26-27
Legislative Effectiveness
1980
26-27
National Education Association
1974-1975, n.d.
26-27
Republican Candidate School
1978, n.d.
26-27
Senior Citizens
1960-1969
26-27
Snohomish County
1963-1968, n.d.
26-27
Snohomish County GOP Boosters
1968
26-27
Sportsmen
1957-1964, n.d.
26-27
Tax Reform
1969, n.d.
26-27
Veterans
1963-1969, n.d.
26-27
Washington Federation of Republican Women
1969-1970
26-27
Welfare
1962-1969
26-27
Women
Box
26-27
Employment
1963-1969, n.d.
27
League of Women Voters
1962-1969, n.d.
28
"Move the World"
1957-1969, n.d.
28
Politics
1955-1969, n.d.
28
Status of
1963-1969, n.d.
28
Their "Role"
1963-1968, n.d.
28
Young Republican Study Task Force: Chairman's National Survey
Box
28
College Republican Chairman
1969, n.d.
28
Governors
1969, n.d.
28
Legislative Leaders
1969, n.d.
28
Republican National Committee
1969, n.d.
28
State Chairman
1969, n.d.
28
Study Task Force
1969, n.d.
28
Young Republican Chairman
1969, n.d.
28
Miscellaneous
1969, n.d.
28
Youth
Box
28
College Students
1963-1969, n.d.
28
General
1961-1969, n.d.
28
Politics
1966-1969, n.d.
28
Riots, Disruptions
1962-1969, n.d.
28
Surveys
Box
28
"An Opinion Survey of the Washington Voters"
May 25-June 6, 1964
28
"Political Climate Survey: State of Washington"
July-Aug., 1965
28
"An Opinion Survey: Legislative District #4—Washington"
Sept. 23-24, 1966
28
"Political Climate Survey: State of Washington"
June 1-15, 1967
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: Legislative District #5—Washington"
July 5-6, 1968
29
"Volume II: State of Washington—Race for U.S. Senate, Race for Attorney General—Legislative Districts #5, #10, #12, #16, #17, #19, and #40"
June 17-July 6, 1968
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: U.S. Senate Race—Washington"
Sept. 23-Oct. 3, 1968
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: Sixth Congressional District—Washington"
Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 1968
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: Legislative District #26—Washington"
Sept. 27-30, 1968
29
"Voter Opinion Survey Fifth Congressional District—Washington"
Sept. 27-Oct. 3, 1968
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: Third Congressional District—Washington"
Sept. 27-Oct. 10, 1968
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: Legislative District #25—Washington"
Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 1968
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: Legislative District #5—Washington"
Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 1968
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: Legislative District #4—Washington"
Oct. 1-3, 1968
29
"Political Climate Survey: State of Washington"
July 7-23, 1969
29
"Volume I: State of Washington—First, Third, Fourth, and Sixth Congressional Districts"
Mar. 16-May 4, 1970
29
"A Political Climate Survey: Washington"
Mar. 16-Apr. 15, 1970
29
"Business Climate Survey: State of Washington"
Mar. 16-Apr. 15, 1970
29
"Volume III: State of Washington—Legislative Districts #12, #13, #16A, #22, #40, and #49"
Mar. 19-May 4, 1970
29
"Business Climate Survey: Washington"
July 7-23, 1970
29
"An Opinion Survey: Washington—King County Charter Amendment"
July 8-18, 1970
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: First, Sixth, and Seventh Congressional Districts—Washington"
July 1970
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: Legislative Districts #25, #26, #31, #32, and #45—Washington"
July 1970
29
"Voter Opinion Survey: Legislative Districts #26, #31, #32, #38, and #45—Washington"
Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 1970
29
"Business Climate Survey: Washington"
Sept. 25-Oct. 2, 1970
29
"1970 Snohomish County Voters Survey"
1970
29
Polls
1970, 1977, n.d.
29
Miscellany
1970, 1973, n.d.
29
Questionnaires
1968, n.d.
29
Proposals
1969, 1975
29
Programs
1985-1986
29
Campaign Materials
1974-1976, n.d.
30
News Releases
1965-1975, n.d.
30
Schedules
1967-1970, n.d.
30
Directory
1970
30
Summaries
1968, 1972
30
Rosters & Lists
1966-1975, n.d.
30
Notices & Announcements
1967-1970, n.d.
30
Maps
1971
30
Awards
1968, n.d.
30
Newsletters
Box
30
Republican Report
1965-1970
30
Miscellaneous
1967-1970
30
Notes
n.d.
30
Clippings
1963-1970, 1975, n.d.
30
Ephemera
1962-1970, n.d.
30
Miscellany
n.d.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Abortion--Political aspects--United States
  • Abortion--Political aspects--Washington (State)
  • Indians of North America--Northwest, Pacific--Fishing--Law and legislation
  • Political campaigns--Washington (State)
  • Political consultants--Washington (State)--Archives
  • Pro-choice movement--United States
  • Pro-choice movement--Washington (State)
  • Public opinion polls--Washington (State)

Personal Names

  • Evans, Daniel J., 1925-
  • Johnson, C. Montgomery (Charles Montgomery)--Archives
  • Ray, Dixy Lee

Corporate Names

  • John Birch Society
  • Planned Parenthood Federation of America
  • Republican Party (Wash.). Central Committee
  • Young Republican National Federation (U.S.)

Geographical Names

  • Washington (State)--Politics and government--1951-

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings
  • Newsletters

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Republican Party (Wash.). Central Committee (creator)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)