University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Merkel, Kenneth J., 1926- .

Papers, 1964-1974.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 101

5.4 cubic ft. (5 record center cartons, and 1 archives box)

ABSTRACT: Papers of a conservative Republican legislator from Brookfield who served in the Wisconsin Assembly from 1965 through 1974. Included are correspondence and subject files on many issues with which Merkel was prominently involved including opposition to abortion, usurpation of local authority by state government, aid to private schools, taxation, anti-war demonstrations on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, and welfare costs. There are also extensive files pertaining to Merkel's efforts in behalf of fiscal conservatism on the Joint Committee on Finance as well as his work on the Assembly Select Committee on Inner City Problems and the Joint Committee to Visit State Properties. The collection also includes files on a number of initiatives supported by the John Birch Society of which Merkel was a member such as opposition to sex education in public schools and U.S. membership in the United Nations. There are small files of form letters, press releases, newsletters, speeches, and biographical material.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The collection documents Kenneth Merkel's career as a member of the Wisconsin Assembly. With the exception of a few scattered items the documentation dates entirely from the 1967-1974 period. There are only a few items concerning campaigns or electoral politics in the collection and no personal papers nor any material pertaining to his work as an engineer. the collection is organized into three categories: alphabetical subject files, a small chronological file, and a file on the Joint Committee on Finance.

The entire collection has been weeded extensively to remove publications and state agency material better preserved in the records of the creating agency. The original subject file contained many very small, unnecessarily detailed headings. Where appropriate, such files have been combined in order to achieve more efficient storage. The constituent correspondence has also been weeded to remove routine and duplice mail. The resulting collection, although much reduced in size, provides valuable documentation on the views of a conservative legislator during the turbulent 1960s and early 1970s, as well as the constituent response to his ideas and initiatives.

The bulk of the collection consists of alphabetical Subject Files. Included are correspondence from constituents, state agencies, and other legislators; memoranda; reports; minutes; and reference material. There are also incomplete genre files consisting of form letters, press releases, newsletters, and speeches. There is also a folder of biographical material and clippings. This consists of material culled from elsewhere in the collection, however, and is not the biographical scrapbook typical of most legislators' collections. Topics which are most extensively documented include abortion; usurpation of local rights and authority by state government (especially DNR); public support of education and aid to private schools via busing, tuition grants and tax credits; the University of Wisconsin and the violence which occurred on campus during the period; and welfare costs. Although only a few exchanges with the John Birch Society were located in the collection, there are files on a number of Birch-supported legislative initiatives such as opposition to sex education in public schools and United States membership in the United Nations. In addition to the separately organized Finance Committee files described below, there are two substantial files within this category on committees on which Merkel held leadership positions: the Assembly Select Committee on Inner City Problems and the Joint Committee to Visit State Properties.

The small Chronological File consists of correspondence which was intended for filing in the subject category but never included.

The Joint Committee on Finance files consist primarily of documents for the 1973-1974 session, although Merkel also served on that committee for the 1967 and 1969 sessions. The segregation of fiscal records into this file is not precise, and much documentation on taxation may also be found in the subject files. Especially valuable here are the reports and analyses on financial issues prepared for Merkel personally by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau and his handwritten notes. Because the majority of records created by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau have not been transferred to archival custody, this section has been retained virtually unweeded.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Conservative Republican state legislator and electrical engineer Kenneth John Merkel was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin, on August 9, 1926. He attended St. John's Academy and local public schools. During World War II he served in the Army Air Corps. Education for his career as an engineer began at Michigan State College, but in June 1946 he enrolled at Marquette University where he received his B.S. in 1949. From the mid-1950s to the early 1960s he did graduate work in electrical engineering first at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and later at UW-Milwaukee.

In 1964 when Merkel made his first attempt at elective office he was an engineer working for a tool-making company in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Then, as throughout his public career, he regarded politics only as an avocation. In 1959 he joined the Republican Party; in 1963 he aligned himself with the far right wing of the party by joining the John Birch Society. His decision to run for the Assembly in the following year was based on the belief that his views were inadequately represented in the Legislature.

Merkel's legislative record was characterized by advocacy of conservative causes. On many issues such as abortion, sex education, and anti-war disruptions at the University, his views differed little from the more moderate members of his party. He was, however, able to win only little support from them for the Birch-supported legislation which he introduced such as the Liberty Amendment and condemnation of the United Nations. Merkel was widely identified in the press as a member of the Birch Society and the Americans for Constitutional Action and that public association no doubt had much to do with the manner in which his efforts were received by other legislators at the beginning of his career. Merkel's style, however, was not that of the ideological crusader frequently identified with the far right, and he came to be well known among other legislators for his sense of humor and his hard work.

In 1967 Merkel was appointed to the Joint Committee on Finance, a position which showcased his fiscal conservatism and his belief that state government had usurped too much power. Reappointed in 1969, he became one of the most influential members of that powerful committee. A favorite slogan of liberals during that session was proclaimed on the bumper sticker "Shame on Shabaz and Merkel, too." Merkel was not reappointed to the committee in 1971, although he served again during the 1973 session. Other committees on which he served are indicated in biennial editions of the Blue Book.

In 1974 Merkel announced that he would not seek reelection. His decision received statewide attention because it was based on the belief that the recent salary increase received by legislators was too great and that the increase threatened the independence of the citizen-legislator. Unlike many of his contemporaries who regarded serving in the Legislature as a full time occupation, Merkel had continued to work halftime as an engineer throughout his service in the Legislature.

Merkel is married and the father of five children. He is a member of the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and the Holy Name Society. His professional associations include the Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers, the Registered Professional Engineers, and the National Machine Tool Builders Electrical Standards Committee.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Merkel, Kenneth J., 1926- . Papers, 1964-1974. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 101. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. Golda Meir Library. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

Berger, David G., 1946- . Papers, 1971-1982. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 96)

Klicka, George H., 1934- . Papers, 1967-1982. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 100)

Tesmer, Louise M., 1942- . Papers, 1973-1976. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EN)

ACQUISITION: Presented by Kenneth J. Merkel of Brookfield, Wisconsin in 1974 (accession numbers M74-519, and M74-546).

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Abortion--Law and legislation--Wisconsin.
Conservatism--Wisconsin.
Legislators--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Peace movements--Wisconsin--Madison.
Public welfare--Law and legislation--Wisconsin.
Sex instruction--Law and legislation--Wisconsin.
State aid to private schools--Wisconsin.
Taxation--Law and legislation--Wisconsin.
United Nations--Public opinion.
Wisconsin--Politics and government.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 101	BOX	FOLDER
Chronological File, Correspondence, 1969-1970	4	38
Chronological File, Correspondence, 1971-1972	4	39
Chronological File, Correspondence, 1973	4	40-43
Chronological File, Correspondence, 1973	5	1
Chronological File, Correspondence, 1973-1974	5	2-4
Joint Committee on Finance, Administration, 1973	5	6
Joint Committee on Finance, Agriculture, 1971-1973	5	7
Joint Committee on Finance, Amendments, 1973-1974	5	8
Joint Committee on Finance, Budget in Brief, 1971-1973	5	5
Joint Committee on Finance, Building Commission, 1971-1974	5	9
Joint Committee on Finance, Conference Committee, 1971-1973	5	10
Joint Committee on Finance, Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations (DILHR), 1973	6	1
Joint Committee on Finance, Education, 1973-1974	6	2
Joint Committee on Finance, Education, School Aids, 1973-1974	6	3-4
Joint Committee on Finance, Educational Communications Board, 1973	6	5
Joint Committee on Finance, Executive Action Papers for Joint Finance, 1973	6	6-7
Joint Committee on Finance, Federal Aid Reductions, 1973	6	8
Joint Committee on Finance, Higher Education, 1973	6	9
Joint Committee on Finance, Historical Society, 1973	6	10
Joint Committee on Finance, Insurance, 1973	6	11
Joint Committee on Finance, Justice Department, 1971-1973	6	12
Joint Committee on Finance, Legislature, undated	6	13
Joint Committee on Finance, Local Affairs and Development, 1974	6	14
Joint Committee on Finance, Medical Schools, 1974	6	15
Joint Committee on Finance, Natural Resources, Department of, 1972-1974	6	16
Joint Committee on Finance, Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), 1973	6	17
Joint Committee on Finance, Payments to Municipalities, 1973	6	18
Joint Committee on Finance, Regulation and Licensing, Department of, 1973-1974	6	19
Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue, Department of, 1971-1974	6	20
Joint Committee on Finance, Review, General, 1974	6	21
Joint Committee on Finance, Secretary of State, 1973	6	22
Joint Committee on Finance, Securities, 1974	6	23
Joint Committee on Finance, Taxes, 1973	6	24
Joint Committee on Finance, Taxes, Shared Taxes and Property Tax Relief, 1971	6	25-26
Joint Committee on Finance, Transportation, 1973	6	27
Joint Committee on Finance, University Medical School, 1973-1974	6	32
Joint Committee on Finance, University of Wisconsin and State Universities, 1973-74	6	28-31
Joint Committee on Finance, Veterans Affairs, Department of, 1971-1974	6	33
Joint Committee on Finance, Vocational Schools, 1971-1974	6	34
Joint Committee on Finance, Welfare, 1973-1974	6	35-37
Subject Files, Abortion, 1967-1974	1	1-5
Subject Files, Adoption, 1973-1974	1	6
Subject Files, Agriculture, 1969-1972	1	7
Subject Files, Alcohol, Drunken-Driving, etc., 1967-1974	1	8
Subject Files, Amish School Attendance, 1967-1969	1	9
Subject Files, Animals, Cruelty to, 1970-1973	1	10
Subject Files, Annexation, 1967-1973	1	11
Subject Files, Appliances, Installation of, 1969	1	12
Subject Files, Asher vs. Harrington, University of Wisconsin Suit, 1970-1971	1	13
Subject Files, Assembly Republican Caucus, 1968-1974	1	14
Subject Files, Banking and Credit, 1967-1973	1	15
Subject Files, Bills Being Drafted, 1966-1969	1	17
Subject Files, Bills for Action, 1973	1	16
Subject Files, Bills Ideas, 1967-1970	1	18
Subject Files, Bills Unintroduced, 1969-1973	1	19
Subject Files, Birth Control and Family Planning, 1967-1973	1	20-23
Subject Files, Brookfield, 1973	1	24
Subject Files, Brookfield Educational Finance Data, 1964-1969	1	25
Subject Files, Budget, 1969-1973	1	26-28
Subject Files, Campaign Files, Merkel, 1966-1972	1	29
Subject Files, Capital Outlay Subcommittee of Joint Finance, 1968-1969	1	30
Subject Files, Census, 1967-1969	1	31
Subject Files, Child Care Facilities and Issues, 1969-1973	1	32
Subject Files, Chiropractors, 1969-1973	1	33
Subject Files, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, 1971-1972	1	34
Subject Files, Commitment/Mental Institutions, 1970-1971	1	35
Subject Files, Communism, 1964-1969	1	36
Subject Files, Computer Program, Statutes, 1966-1967	1	37
Subject Files, Conservation, 1967-1970	1	38
Subject Files, Constitutional Restoration, Arch Roberts, 1970-1971	1	39
Subject Files, Consumer Protection, 1969-1970	1	40
Subject Files, Cosmetology, 1966-1973	1	41
Subject Files, County Land Condemnation, 1967	1	42
Subject Files, Crime, Prisons, and Law Enforcement, 1969-1973	1	43
Subject Files, Debt, State of Wisconsin, undated	1	44
Subject Files, Decorum of Legislators, 1973	1	45
Subject Files, Divorce, 1969-1973	1	46
Subject Files, Education Committee, 1973	1	50
Subject Files, Education General, 1967	1	47-49
Subject Files, Education Review, 1972	2	2
Subject Files, Education State Aids, 1967-1972,	1	51-52
Subject Files, Education State Aids, Worksheets, 1968-1969	2	1
Subject Files, Elections, undated	2	3
Subject Files, Elm Grove, 1973	2	5
Subject Files, Elmbrook Republican Club, 1973	2	4
Subject Files, Eminent Domain, 1969	2	6
Subject Files, Energy Crisis, 1973-1974	2	7
Subject Files, Engineers, 1967-1970	2	8
Subject Files, Equal Rights, 1973	2	9
Subject Files, Form Letters, 1969, undated	2	10
Subject Files, Form Letters, Incoming Correspondence, 1969	2	11
Subject Files, Gambling, Lotteries, 1967-1973	2	12
Subject Files, Genocide Treaty, 1973	2	13
Subject Files, Gun Control, 1973	2	14
Subject Files, Handsaw Flowage, 1971-1972	2	15
Subject Files, Health and Social Services, Department of, 1969-1974	2	16
Subject Files, Highway Safety, 1969-1970	2	17
Subject Files, Highways, 1967-1974	2	18
Subject Files, Home and Family Council, 1968-1970	2	19
Subject Files, Homestead Tax Relief, 1973	2	20
Subject Files, Housing, Open, 1965-1967	2	21
Subject Files, Industry, Labor and Human Relations, Department of, 1969-1973	2	22
Subject Files, Inner City Parolees Program, 1968	2	23
Subject Files, Inner City Problems, Assembly Select Committee on, Minutes, 1969	2	24
Subject Files, Inner City Problems, Assembly Select Committee on, Reference Material, 1969	2	25-26
Subject Files, Insurance, 1969-1974	2	27-29
Subject Files, Invitations, 1971-1973	2	30-31
Subject Files, Judiciary, 1969-1972	2	32
Subject Files, Kettle Moraine Shooting Range, 1968	2	33
Subject Files, Labor and Employment Issues, 1969-1974	2	34-35
Subject Files, Liberty Amendment, 1969	2	36
Subject Files, Local Affairs, Department of, undated	2	37
Subject Files, Marquette Medical School, 1968	2	38
Subject Files, Martineau Case, 1973	2	39
Subject Files, Medical College of Wisconsin, 1973-1974	2	40
Subject Files, Medicine, 1969-1974	2	41
Subject Files, Mental Health, 1965, undated	2	42
Subject Files, Merkel Biographical File and Quotes, 1969-1973	2	43
Subject Files, Motor Vehicles, Division of, 1969-1973	2	44
Subject Files, Municipalities, 1973-1974	2	45
Subject Files, Natural Resources, 1971-1974	2	46-47
Subject Files, Newsletter, Material, 1971	2	48
Subject Files, Nurses, 1965-1969	2	49
Subject Files, Nursing Homes, 1972-1973	2	50
Subject Files, Obscenity, 1969	3	1
Subject Files, Optometry, 1968-1970	3	2
Subject Files, Outdoor Resources Action Plan, 1969	2	51
Subject Files, Pesticides, 1972-1973	3	3
Subject Files, Politics and Government, 1969-1970	3	4
Subject Files, Pollution, 1969-1973	3	5-6
Subject Files, Population, undated	3	7
Subject Files, Press Releases, 1967-1972	3	8
Subject Files, Probate Laws, 1967-1974	3	9
Subject Files, Property, Private, 1966-1967	3	10
Subject Files, Property, Taxes, 1973-1974	3	11
Subject Files, Public Expenditure Survey of Wisconsin, 1969-1972	3	12
Subject Files, Public Welfare, 1969-1974	3	13-14
Subject Files, Real Estate, 1969-1974	3	15
Subject Files, Reapportionment, 1965-1969	3	16
Subject Files, Regulation and Licensing, 1969	3	17
Subject Files, Requests, 1969	3	18-19
Subject Files, Retirement, 1967-1972	3	20-21
Subject Files, Revolution, 1968-1969	3	22
Subject Files, Right-to-Work, 1964-1972	3	23
Subject Files, Salaries, Various Public Employees, 1967-1972	3	24
Subject Files, Schools, Private Busing, 1967-1970	3	28
Subject Files, Schools, Private Tax Credit, 1973-1974	3	29
Subject Files, Schools, Private Tuition Grants, 1969-1970	3	30-31
Subject Files, Schools, Tax Aids to, Via Lucey Bill, 1973-1974	3	32
Subject Files, Sex Education in Public Schools, 1969	3	25-27
Subject Files, Snowmobiles, 1973-1974	3	33
Subject Files, Social Workers and Psychologists, 1973	3	34
Subject Files, Speeches, 1968-1969, undated	3	35
Subject Files, State Building Commission, 1967	3	36
Subject Files, State Patrol, 1974	3	37
Subject Files, State Properties, Joint Committee to Visit, 1968-1972	3	38-39
Subject Files, State Properties, Joint Committee to Visit, 1971-1974	4	1-3
Subject Files, Tarr Task Force, 1967-1969	4	4-5
Subject Files, Tarr Tax Bill, 1971	4	6
Subject Files, Taxation, General, 1969-1972	4	7-8
Subject Files, Taxation, Sales, 1969	4	9
Subject Files, Taxation, Shared, 1969, undated	4	10
Subject Files, Telephone Company Rates, 1971	4	11
Subject Files, Tourism and Recreation, 1971	4	12
Subject Files, Trading Stamps, 1979	4	13
Subject Files, Transportation, 1968-1974	4	14-16
Subject Files, Trimester, 1965	4	17
Subject Files, Unemployment Compensation, 1967-1972	4	18-19
Subject Files, United Nations, Resolution on Relation to U.S. Constitution, 1971-1972	4	20
Subject Files, University, Northeastern University, Green Bay Campus, 1967	4	22
Subject Files, University, State Universities, Miscellaneous, 1969-1973	4	21
Subject Files, University, Tuition, 1966-1967	4	23
Subject Files, University, UW-Madison, 1968-1974	4	24-26
Subject Files, University, UW-Milwaukee, 1969-1974	4	27
Subject Files, University, UW-Waukesha, 1973-1974	4	28
Subject Files, Utilities Tax Redistribution, 1970	4	29
Subject Files, Venereal Disease, 1972	4	30
Subject Files, Veterans and Military Affairs, Department of, 1967-1974	4	31
Subject Files, Vietnam War, 1971-1972	4	32
Subject Files, Vocational Education, 1970-1974	4	33
Subject Files, Voting Age, 1969	4	34
Subject Files, War/Peace, 1970	4	35
Subject Files, Waukesha County, 1973-1974	4	36
Subject Files, Zoning, State Control of Local, 1973	4	37