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Charles H. Tuttle
Papers, 1926-1970
SC21262

Quantity: 27 boxes (7.0 cubic ft.)
Access: Open to research
Acquisition: Deed of Gift; Charlotte Tuttle Walkup, and others, 27 August 1996.
Processed by: Nicholas Webb, Student Assistant, State University of New York at Albany, November 2007

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Biographical Note:

Charles Henry Tuttle (1879-1971) was a prominent New York City lawyer, civic leader and public servant. After the early death of his father he grew up under the care of his mother and grandfather; he studied at Trinity School, Columbia College, and Columbia Law, earning his J.D. in 1902. From 1902 to 1927, he worked in New York City as a lawyer in private practice at the firm of Davies, Stone and Auerbach.

In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge appointed Tuttle as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. During the following three years he prosecuted a number of high-profile cases and earned a reputation as an anticorruption crusader. He won the convictions of numerous corrupt officials, including Federal Judge Francis A. Winslow, Kings County Judge W. Bernard Vause, and Albany political boss Daniel P. O'Connell, whom he sent to jail in New York City on a contempt-of-court charge. He led an investigation into price gouging by Broadway ticket agencies, prosecuted crooked bail bondsmen and the Moscahlades and Dachis Brothers arson rings, and worked to reform the Southern District's grand jury system; when the British cruise ship Vestris went down with American tourists still on board, his investigation of the case led to major reforms in international maritime safety law.

Tuttle's success as U.S. Attorney made him a viable candidate for political office. In September 1930, amid increasing speculation that the state Republican convention would nominate him to run against incumbent Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1930 gubernatorial election, he resigned his post and released a formal statement of his position on the most pressing issue of the campaign: although personally "dry," he favored the repeal of Prohibition and believed that individual states should be free to regulate alcohol as they saw fit. Following his nomination, he spent the next several weeks campaigning throughout the state. Although Tuttle had hoped to campaign on an anticorruption platform, his opposition to federal prohibition drew fierce criticism from rural temperance voters who felt that the Republican Party had sold them out; on Election Day, he lost to Roosevelt by what was then the largest plurality in New York State history. Following his defeat, Tuttle returned to private practice and joined the firm of Breed, Abbott and Morgan; he remained with the firm, for many years as senior partner and eventually as counsel emeritus, until his death in 1971.

In addition to practicing law, Tuttle devoted much time and energy to the civic and religious life of New York City. He served for over fifty years (1913-1966) on the board of trustees of City College, chaired the local Selective Service Board during World War I, and helped draft New York State's law against discriminatory hiring. A devout Episcopalian, he worked to further the causes of religious education and ecumenical unity, holding various offices in the Greater New York Federation of Churches and working with Catholic and Jewish leaders on interfaith issues.

Scope and Content Note:

These papers consist chiefly of correspondence dated 1927-1930, covering Tuttle's service as U.S. Attorney and his unsuccessful run for Governor of New York State. They contain an extensive amount of material from the years 1927, 1928 and 1930, but only a few items from 1929.

General correspondence is organized chronologically by year, then alphabetically by correspondent. (The original order of the papers has been followed regarding whether a given letter is alphabetized by the name of the institution or the name of the individual correspondent.) This correspondence includes letters sent and received by Tuttle in his official capacity as a U.S. Attorney as well as correspondence related to his various charitable activities. Official correspondence includes routine inquiries and information requests, correspondence regarding ongoing cases, letters of approbation and disapproval from members of the public, and correspondence with job seekers interested in civil service positions at the U.S. Attorney's Office. (Correspondence relating to applicants for attorney positions was maintained as a separate subject file; see below.)

In addition to the alphabetized general correspondence, numerous individual subject files regarding Tuttle's work, charitable work and social engagements have been preserved. These include an extensive correspondence documenting Tuttle's active career as a public speaker; correspondence to and from applicants seeking to join the legal staff of the U.S. Attorney's office in New York City; and correspondence relating to Tuttle's investigation of price gouging related to Broadway theater tickets, the case which first made his reputation as U.S. Attorney. (This latter series contains correspondence from several Broadway notables, including a letter from Edward Albee and several telegrams from Florenz Ziegfeld of the Ziegfeld Follies.) Also included are two folders of letters to and from Emory Buckner, Tuttle's predecessor as U.S. Attorney in the New York City office. (These may come from the "high file of papers," left for him to deal with by his departing predecessor, to which Tuttle alludes in his autobiography.)

A separate series documents Tuttle's gubernatorial campaign, including internal correspondence, drafts of speeches, and numerous letters from members of the public. It includes correspondence with members of the State Republican Committee and with Republican Party officials at the county and municipal level. Letters from the public deal mainly with Tuttle's advocacy of Prohibition repeal; many correspondents, particularly in rural upstate counties, accused him of betrayal, while others congratulated him for his stand against a controversial law.
           
The papers also include Tuttle's appointment diaries from 1931 to 1970, which document his day-to-day schedule of professional, charitable and social engagements, and a selection of photographs and memorabilia (including an extensive collection of honorary awards and diplomas) from throughout his life.

Box and Folder/Volume List:

Box Folder/ Volume Description
    Correspondence 1927-1930
1 1 Correspondence – 1927 – A
1 2 Correspondence – 1927 – Ba-Bf
1 3 Correspondence – 1927 – Bg-Bz
1 4 Correspondence – 1927 – Ca-Cl
1 5 Correspondence – 1927 – Cm-Cz
1 6 Correspondence – 1927 – D
1 7 Correspondence – 1927 – E
1 8 Correspondence – 1927 – F
1 9 Correspondence – 1927 – G
1 10 Correspondence – 1927 – Ha-Hl
1 11 Correspondence – 1927 – Hm-Hz
2 1 Correspondence – 1927 – I-J
2 2 Correspondence – 1927 – K
2 3 Correspondence – 1927 – L
2 4 Correspondence – 1927 – Ma-Mf
2 5 Correspondence – 1927 – Mg-Mz
2 6 Correspondence – 1927 – N
2 7 Correspondence – 1927 – O
2 8 Correspondence – 1927 – P
2 9 Correspondence – 1927 – Q
2 10 Correspondence – 1927 – R
2 11 Correspondence – 1927 – Sa-Sr
2 12 Correspondence – 1927 – Ss-Sz
3 1 Correspondence – 1927 – T
3 2 Correspondence – 1927 – U
3 3 Correspondence – 1927 – V
3 4 Correspondence – 1927 – Wa-Wf
3 5 Correspondence – 1927 – Wg-Z
3 6 Correspondence – 1928 – A
3 7 Correspondence – 1928 – Ba-Bl
3 8 Correspondence – 1928 – Bm-Bz
3 9 Correspondence – 1928 – Ca-Cl
3 10 Correspondence – 1928 – Cm-Cz
4 1 Correspondence – 1928 – D
4 2 Correspondence – 1928 – E
4 3 Correspondence – 1928 – F-G
4 4 Correspondence – 1928 – Ha-Hl
4 5 Correspondence – 1928 – Hm-Hz
4 6 Correspondence – 1928 – I-L
4 7 Correspondence – 1928 – M
4 8 Correspondence – 1928 – N-Q
4 9 Correspondence – 1928 – R
4 10 Correspondence – 1928 – Sa-Sl
5 1 Correspondence – 1928 – Sm-Sr
5 2 Correspondence – 1928 – Ss-Sz
5 3 Correspondence – 1928 – Ta-Tf
5 4 Correspondence – 1928 – Tg-Tz
5 5 Correspondence – 1928 – U-V
5 6 Correspondence – 1928 – Wa-Wf
5 7 Correspondence – 1928 – Wg-Wz
5 8 Correspondence – 1928 – X-Z
5 9 Correspondence – 1929
5 10 Correspondence – 1930 – Aa-Al
5 11 Correspondence – 1930 – Am-Az
5 12 Correspondence – 1930 – Ba-Bc
6 1 Correspondence – 1930 – Bd-Bf
6 2 Correspondence – 1930 – Bg-Bl
6 3 Correspondence – 1930 – Bm-Bo
6 4 Correspondence – 1930 – Bp-Br
6 5 Correspondence – 1930 – Bs-Bz
6 6 Correspondence – 1930 – Ca-Cf
6 7 Correspondence – 1930 – Cg-Cl
6 8 Correspondence – 1930 – Cm-Cr
6 9 Correspondence – 1930 – Cs-Cz
6 10 Correspondence – 1930 – Da-Df
6 11 Correspondence – 1930 – Dg-Dz
7 1 Correspondence – 1930 – Ea-Ef
7 2 Correspondence – 1930 – El-Ez
7 3 Correspondence – 1930 – Fa-Ff
7 4 Correspondence – 1930 – Fg-Fl
7 5 Correspondence – 1930 – Fm-Fz
7 6 Correspondence – 1930 – Ga-Gl
7 7 Correspondence – 1930 – Gm-Gz
7 8 Correspondence – 1930 – Ha-Hf
7 9 Correspondence – 1930 – Hg-Hz
7 10 Correspondence – 1930 – I
7 11 Correspondence – 1930 – J
8 1 Correspondence – 1930 – Ka-Kl
8 2 Correspondence – 1930 – Km-Kz
8 3 Correspondence – 1930 – L
8 4 Correspondence – 1930 – Ma-Mf
8 5 Correspondence – 1930 – Mg-Mz
8 6 Correspondence – 1930 – N
8 7 Correspondence – 1930 – O
8 8 Correspondence – 1930 – Pa-Pf
8 9 Correspondence – 1930 – Pg-Pz
8 10 Correspondence – 1930 – Q
8 11 Correspondence – 1930 – Ra-Rf
9 1 Correspondence – 1930 – Rg-Rl
9 2 Correspondence – 1930 – Rm-Rz
9 3 Correspondence – 1930 – Sa-Sf
9 4 Correspondence – 1930 – Sg-Sr
9 5 Correspondence – 1930 – Ss-Sz
9 6 Correspondence – 1930 – T
9 7 Correspondence – 1930 – U
9 8 Correspondence – 1930 – V
9 9 Correspondence – 1930 – Wa-Wc
10 1 Correspondence – 1930 – Wd-Wf
10 2 Correspondence – 1930 – Wg-Wl
10 3 Correspondence – 1930 – Wm-Wz
10 4 Correspondence – 1930 – X-Z
10 5 Correspondence – 1930 – Unidentified
    Correspondence 1927-1930 – Subject Files
10 6 Correspondence – Attorney General John G. Sargent – 1928
10 7 Correspondence – City College of New York – 1927
10 8 Correspondence – City College of New York – 1928
10 9 Correspondence – Dr. S. Parkes Cadman's Radio Committee – 1928-1929
10 10 Correspondence – First Anniversary Celebration of Appointment as U.S. Attorney (25 April 1928)
10 11 Correspondence – Greater New York Federation of Churches – January 1927-June 1927
10 12 Correspondence – Greater New York Federation of Churches – July 1927-December 1927
10 13 Correspondence – Greater New York Federation of Churches – 1928
10 14 Correspondence – Insurance Policies – 1929
10 15 Correspondence – International Association of Daily Vacation Bible Schools – 1928
10 16 Correspondence – International Association of Daily Vacation Bible Schools – 1929
11 1 Correspondence – Job Applicants (1927-1930) – A
11 2 Correspondence – Job Applicants (1927-1930) – B
11 3 Correspondence – Job Applicants (1927-1930) – C-F
11 4 Correspondence – Job Applicants (1927-1930) – G-J
11 5 Correspondence – Job Applicants (1927-1930) – K-O
11 6 Correspondence – Job Applicants (1927-1930) – P-R
11 7 Correspondence – Job Applicants (1927-1930) – S
11 8 Correspondence – Job Applicants (1927-1930) – T-Z
11 9 Correspondence – Kane Lodge Ritual Committee – 1929
11 10 Correspondence – Lake George Cottage – 1927-1928
11 11 Correspondence – Letters of Congratulation on Appointment as U.S. Attorney (March-May 1927) – A-F
11 12 Correspondence – Letters of Congratulation on Appointment as U.S. Attorney (March-May 1927) – G-L
12 1 Correspondence – Letters of Congratulation on Appointment as U.S. Attorney (March-May 1927) – M-R
12 2 Correspondence – Letters of Congratulation on Appointment as U.S. Attorney (March-May 1927) – S-Z
12 3 Correspondence – Mortgage Investments – 1926-1928
12 4 Correspondence – Mortgage Investments – 1929
12 5 Correspondence – New Year's Greetings – 1930
12 6 Correspondence – Receipted Bills – 1927-1928
12 7 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – March-April 1927
12 8 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – May 1927
12 9 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – June 1927
12 10 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – July 1927
12 11 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – August 1927
12 12 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – September 1927
12 13 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – October 1927
13 1 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – November 1927
13 2 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – December 1927
13 3 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – January 1928
13 4 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – February-August 1928
13 5 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – September 1928
13 6 Correspondence – Social and Speaking Engagements – October 1928
13 7 Correspondence – St. Luke's Church – 1927-1928
13 8 Correspondence – Broadway Ticket Agency Price Gouging Investigations – 1927 – A-F
13 9 Correspondence – Broadway Ticket Agency Price Gouging Investigations – 1927 – G-L
13 10 Correspondence – Broadway Ticket Agency Price Gouging Investigations – 1927 – M-Z
14 1 Correspondence – Broadway Ticket Agency Price Gouging Investigations – 1927 – Anonymous and Unsigned
14 2 Correspondence – Broadway Ticket Agency Price Gouging Investigations – 1927 – Mailing Lists and Miscellaneous
14 3 Correspondence – Broadway Ticket Agency Price Gouging Investigations – 1928 – A-L
14 4 Correspondence – Broadway Ticket Agency Price Gouging Investigations – 1928 – M-Z
14 5 Emory R. Buckner – Correspondence – 1925
14 6 Emory R. Buckner – Correspondence – 1926-1927
    1930 Gubernatorial Campaign
15 1 Campaign Correspondence Aa-Al
15 2 Campaign Correspondence Am-Az
15 3 Campaign Correspondence Ba-Bl
15 4 Campaign Correspondence Bm-Bz
15 5 Campaign Correspondence Ca-Cl
15 6 Campaign Correspondence Cm-Cz
15 7 Campaign Correspondence Da-Dl
15 8 Campaign Correspondence Dm-Dz
15 9 Campaign Correspondence E
16 1 Campaign Correspondence F
16 2 Campaign Correspondence Ga-Gl
16 3 Campaign Correspondence Gm-Gz
16 4 Campaign Correspondence Ha-Hl
16 5 Campaign Correspondence Hm-Hz
16 6 Campaign Correspondence I
16 7 Campaign Correspondence J
16 8 Campaign Correspondence K
16 9 Campaign Correspondence La-Le
16 10 Campaign Correspondence Lf-Lz
17 1 Campaign Correspondence Ma-Mc
17 2 Campaign Correspondence Md-Ml
17 3 Campaign Correspondence Mm-Mz
17 4 Campaign Correspondence N
17 5 Campaign Correspondence O
17 6 Campaign Correspondence Pa-Pl
17 7 Campaign Correspondence Pm-Pz
17 8 Campaign Correspondence Ra-Rl
17 9 Campaign Correspondence Rm-Rz
17 10 Campaign Correspondence Sa-Sc
17 11 Campaign Correspondence Sd-Si
17 12 Campaign Correspondence Sj-Sz
17 13 Campaign Correspondence T
17 14 Campaign Correspondence U
17 15 Campaign Correspondence V
18 1 Campaign Correspondence Wa-We
18 2 Campaign Correspondence Wf-Wl
18 3 Campaign Correspondence Wm-Wz
18 4 Campaign Correspondence XYZ
18 5 Campaign Correspondence Anonymous and Unsigned
18 6 Campaign Correspondence – "Information" [on various scandals] subject file
18 7 Speeches – October 7, 1930 – October 13, 1930
18 8 Speeches – October 13, 1930 – October 17, 1930
18 9 Charles. H. Tuttle Greater New York Committee – Correspondence, Notes and Minutes
18 10 Real Estate Tuttle-for-Governor Committee – Correspondence
18 11 Tuttle for Governor Business Men's Committee – Correspondence and Miscellaneous Documents
18 12 Clarke Brothers Depositor's Committee – Letter of Endorsement and Drafts
18 13 Commonweal Oct. 29, 1930 [includes Tuttle campaign article]
18 14 Statement of Charles H. Tuttle to the Mass Meeting in Madison Square Garden Assembled for the Defense of the Palestine Mandate, 2 November 1930
18 15 29 October 1930 – Address to Wall Street Tuttle Club luncheon
18 16 Itineraries
18 17 Notes, Typescripts and Miscellaneous
18 18 Pamphlets, Memorabilia and Stationery
    Appointment Diaries, 1931-1970
19 1 Appointment Diary, 1931
19 2 Appointment Diary, 1932
19 3 Appointment Diary, 1933
19 4 Appointment Diary, 1934
19 5 Appointment Diary, 1935
19 6 Appointment Diary, 1936
19 7 Appointment Diary, 1937
19 8 Appointment Diary, 1938
20 1 Appointment Diary, 1939
20 2 Appointment Diary, 1940
20 3 Appointment Diary, 1941
20 4 Appointment Diary, 1942
20 5 Appointment Diary, 1943
20 6 Appointment Diary, 1944
20 7 Appointment Diary, 1945
20 8 Appointment Diary, 1946
21 1 Appointment Diary, 1947
21 2 Appointment Diary, 1948
21 3 Appointment Diary, 1949
21 4 Appointment Diary, 1950
21 5 Appointment Diary, 1951
21 6 Appointment Diary, 1952
21 7 Appointment Diary, 1953
22 1 Appointment Diary, 1954
22 2 Appointment Diary, 1955
22 3 Appointment Diary, 1956
22 4 Appointment Diary, 1957
22 5 Appointment Diary, 1958
22 6 Appointment Diary, 1959
23 1 Appointment Diary, 1960
23 2 Appointment Diary, 1961
23 3 Appointment Diary, 1962
23 4 Appointment Diary, 1963
23 5 Appointment Diary, 1964
23 6 Appointment Diary, 1965
23 7 Appointment Diary, 1966
24 1 Appointment Diary, 1967
24 2 Appointment Diary, 1968
24 3 Appointment Diary, 1969
24 4 Appointment Diary, 1970
    Memorabilia, Photographs and Miscellaneous
25 1 Addresses to Brotherhood-In-Action – 1962, 1966
25 2 Address to the Republican County Advisory Committee, 16 March 1925 [Pamphlet Reprint]
25 3 Columbia University Commencement Programs – 1899, 1902
25 4 Family Letters – 1965, 1968
25 5 Golden Rule Foundation – 1930 Annual Board Meeting Reports and Docket
25 6 Golden Rule Foundation – 1930 Annual Report
25 7 Helene Tuttle – Family Correspondence 1930-1943
25 8 Helene Tuttle – On Our Way Rejoicing – Reviews
25 9 The Incinerator (Civilian Conservation Corps Camp 204  Newsletter) – August 193[?]
25 10 In Re: Untermeyer – Notes
25 11 Lake George Festival Programs – 1929, 1935
25 12 "Law, Liberty and License" [Pamphlet Reprint of 13 March 1928 Speech]
25 13 Miscellaneous Event Programs; Seating List for Unspecified Event
25 14 "Mr. Tuttle's Year" [Editorial], The Sun 13 July 1928 – Reprinted Clippings
25 15 Newspaper Clippings re: Gubernatorial Campaign, Whitney Case
25 16 The Orthodox Observer 15 November 1945
25 17 Roosevelt House League – 1947-1949 – Correspondence and Drafts
25 18 Roosevelt House League – 1947-1949 – Invitations and Programs, Miscellaneous Notes and Documents
25 19 Testimonial Dinner to the Right Rev. William T. Manning, D.D. – Program
25 20 U.S. v. Clarke Bros. – Indictments
25 21 U.S. v. Clarke Bros. – Information and Complaints
25 22 U.S. v. Clarke Bros. – Grand Jury Statement
25 23 "With Apologies to Lewis Carroll – Composed by 'Old Father Tuttle' and Read by Him at the Tuttle Boys' 86th Birthday Annual Banquet" [poem]
26 1 Photograph – Arthur Knight retirement dinner – 29 September 1969
26 2 Photograph – Arthur Knight retirement dinner – 29 September 1969
26 3 Photograph – Arthur Knight retirement dinner – 29 September 1969
26 4 Photograph – Arthur Knight retirement dinner – 29 September 1969
26 5 Photograph – Arthur Knight retirement dinner – 29 September 1969
26 6 Photograph – Candid snapshot and accompanying letter – 14 June 1965
26 7 Photograph – CCNY Trustees swearing in with Mayor Wagner – 16 May 1957
26 8 Photograph – CCNY Trustees swearing in with Mayor Wagner – 16 May 1957
26 9 Photograph – CCNY Trustees swearing in with Mayor Wagner – 16 May 1957
26 10 Photograph – CCNY Trustees swearing in with Mayor Wagner – 16 May 1957
26 11 Photograph – CCNY Trustees swearing in with Mayor Wagner – 16 May 1957
26 12 Photograph – CCNY Trustees swearing in with Mayor Wagner – 16 May 1957
26 13 Photograph – CCNY Trustees swearing in with Mayor Wagner – 16 May 1957 – Mayor Wagner with children
26 14 Photograph – Farewell Party at Davies, Auerbach and Cornell – 1927
26 15 Photograph – Governor Harriman signing Lake George anti-pollution bill – 23 April 1957
26 16 Photograph – Mounted formal portrait, undated
26 17 Photograph – "Mr. Anthony DiCapua and Friends"
26 18 Photograph – Police Academy Commencement, 12 June 1957
26 19 Photograph – Tuttle receiving citation from American Legion, undated
26 20 Photograph – Tuttle delivering address at CCNY [late 1950s?]
26 21 Photograph – Tuttle receiving plaque at CCNY [late 1950s?]
26 22 Photograph – Unidentified Address
26 23 Photograph – Unidentified Group Photograph
26 24 Photograph – Unidentified Group Portrait
26 25 Photograph – Unidentified Group Portrait
26 26 Photograph – Unidentified Group Portrait
26 27 Correspondence regarding unidentified photographs
26 28 Handwritten autograph book from CCNY staff – 14 February 1922
26 29 Handwritten autograph book from CCNY faculty – 19 June 1923
26 30 Columbia College Yearbook – 1899
27 1 Mounted newspaper clippings
27 2 Certificate of Enrollment – Federal Communications Commission – 13 February 1946
27 3 Mounted formal portrait, undated
27 4 Flyer – "Our Thanksgiving" – 17 September 1926
27 5 Amoco News 1935
27 6 Congressional Certificate of Merit – Selective Service Medal
27 7 Photograph – Dinner for William C. Breed – 4 January 1936
27 8 American Arbitration Association – Certificate of Membership - 10 October 1941
27 9 Photograph – Testimonial Dinner to John P. O'Brien – 8 April 1937
27 10 Photograph – Tuttle Boys Anniversary Dinner – 27 April 1950
27 11 Photograph – Columbia Law Class of 1902 – 40th Reunion
27 12 Photograph – Columbia Law Class of 1902 – 35th Reunion
27 13 American Arbitration Association – Certificate of Membership – 5 May 1955
27 14 Selective Service Board – Certificate of Appointment – 1940
27 15 NYC Board of Higher Education – Certificate of Membership – 16 May 1957
27 16 New York State Constitution Commission – Certificate of Membership – 4 February 1959
27 17 Awards and Membership Certificates
27 18 NYC Board of Higher Education – Certificate of Membership – 21 July 1948
27 19 Pen and ink caricature, undated
EL 1 Blueprint and related correspondence, 1930
Last Updated: February 17, 2022