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Primary Resources
Integration: Ole Miss, Little Rock and Boston Busing
Materials from the William Henry Bates Papers, 1941-1973, Salem State College Archives, North Shore Political Archives 98-02, Folder: “Legislative Files-Judiciary-Civil Rights Act (1966) Box 3-4.
The following is a list of the materials taken from the papers of Representative William Henry Bates at Salem State College. Bates was Essex County’s Representative in the United States House of Representatives from 1950-1969. The letters below reflect Essex County residents’ opinions on the Fair Housing portion of proposed Civil Rights legislation. The Fair Housing provisions of various Civil Rights bills prohibited racial discrimination in the sale or rental of all homes. Many Essex County residents saw this provision as a violation of their property rights. Homeowners that lived in two- or three-family homes were particularly outraged. The letters below span from President Johnson’s first proposal of Fair Housing legislation in1966 until 1968 when the bill was finally passed. The tone of the letters becomes much more sympathetic after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.
Please note that the letters below were chosen from a wide group of letters available at Salem State College’s archives. The Academic Director chose this group of letters to give an overview of the full-range of emotions expressed by Essex County residents and reflect the overall tone of the entire collection. These letters are available on usingessexhistory.org
Statement of Congressman Bates on Civil Rights Bill
Beverly 1968
Letter to Congressman Bates against the 1966 Civil Rights Bill
Boxford 1968
Letter to Congressman Bates in support of the Civil Rights Bill, only days after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Danvers 1968
Letter to Congressman Bates
urging him to support all Civil Rights Legislation after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Danvers 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates and return letter from his staff member, Julie McCall
Gloucester 1968
Letter to Congressman Bates commenting on the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Haverhill 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates from a member of the National Association of Real Estate Board
Haverhill 1966
Letter to Congressan Bates opposing the Civil Rights Bill and response from the Congressman
Haverhill Council of Church Women, July 1966
Letter from the Haverhill Council of Church Women in support of the Civil Rights Bill. The response from the Congressman addresses Title IV.
Haverhill Council of Church Women, July 1966
Letter from the Haverhill Council of Church Women urging the Congressman to support any legislation that would strengthen the Civil Rights Bill. Bates addresses Title IV.
Lawrence Tribune, 1966
"Dirksen Won't Compromise on Rights' Housing Selection"
Lynn 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in opposition to the Fair Housing section of the Civil Rights Bill
Marblehead 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates against Title IV of the Civil Rights Bill and return letter addressing the current situation in Congress.
Salem, 1966
In opposition to the Civil Rights Bill, on the grounds that it takes away certain freedoms.
Salem, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in opposition to the Fair Housing Act
Salem, 1966
Against Civil Rights Bill, offering that the legislation does not recognize all Americans. Response from Bates relays his intention to vote for changes in the Bill.
Salisbury, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates opposing the Civil Rights Bill. Bates responds with his views on Title IV.
South Hamilton, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in opposition to Title IV.
South Hamilton 1968
Letter urging Bates to support Civil Rights legislation.
Stokely Carmichael
Summary of a Statement by Stokely Carmichel, Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, on the Civil Rights Bill of 1966
Swampscott, 1966
Opposition to Title IV
Swampscott, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in strong opposition to Civil Rights legislation. Also included, "The Wosrst Bill to Ever be Seriously Considered in Congress in 177 Years: The 1966 Civil Rights Bill!"
Wenham, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in opposition to Title IV, arguing that the legislation will take away homeowners' rights away. Responding letter from Bates offers his opinion.
