•AFTER 1934
TO FRANK MURPHY • CHICAGO • WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER 1935
CLARENCE DARROW Oct. 9-th, 1935.
My Very Dear Friend:—
It was indeed a pleasant treat to receive your letter, to know that you are recovered,—even though disappointing that you could not come to see us on your way from Detroit, and to learn of the many really remarkable accomplishments to your credit in your present world! I appreciate the many things you say about my influence in your life, and whatever that may have to do with what you are able to now see as the right way, etc. but I don’t feel sure that you are not giving me too much praise; perhaps sometime I may climb up to it,—but in the Detroit case it was the first time in all my career where a judge really tried to help, and displayed a sympathetic interest in saving poor devils from the extreme forces of the law, rather than otherwise. Although I have known some humane judges, I have found very few really wanting to really help any of the victims.
I am delighted to know of your work in the Philippines. Think of a Governor taking a real interest in “the people”! I never knew but one other:—John P. Altgeld,—and eventually he gave his life in the pursuit of his splendid ideals. Most men receiving the appointment you are occupying would have spent the time seeking out the influential ones and coddling them. It is glorious that you should have so devoted yourself to improving and liberalizing that section, and once begun it will forge forward on momentum surely.
How I would enjoy going over there and visiting you and your interesting ventures and land, but I am getting along in life, and my health is not what it once was. Of course you could have received anything you had wanted in Michigan, but what you are doing is of far greater importance and value. I do not know of anyone in the state at present concerning himself very deeply in the welfare of its people.
I presume you keep a fair watch of the politics of the United States. I cannot remember any time when political affairs were at such a low ebb. One who feels as I do wonders if it will be worth while to cast a vote at the coming election. As you know, I have always been a democrat, but I am satisfied that Roosevelt is thoroughly incompetent; so far as money is concerned, he has the mind of a child; it is hard to understand how he would throw away money as he has during his management of matters. While many things in the country are in a critical condition he goes a-fishing and playing on land and see, at all kinds of distances. I heard a great deal about him while he was Governor of New York State, but somehow I doubted the stories then; now I know that he has an army of people on the payroll who have no work to do, with the country swamped in debt. The republicans are making the most possible of the situation, although they have no good timber in sight. The Supreme Court has declared almost the whole of the N.R.A. unconstitutional, but he still keeps the old crowd on the payroll, doing nothing, which was about what they did before it was declared unconstitutional. He has made some inane remarks, criticising the Supreme Court, and the republicans have seized on the opportunity to proclaim that the constitution is a sacred instrument, and that the campaign must be waged on this issue. If they win, the most reactionary bunch of high-binders and republicans will be in power, and I am inclined to think that will be worse. So far as I am concerned, I probably shall vote for Roosevelt again, although it looks now as though he will be defeated. At any rate, it will be a lively campaign, and I hope you will happen to be here, and then come here to see us in Chicago, where a never-ending warm welcome awaits you. For your own sake, and outside the point of holding an honorable position, I cannot help thinking that it will be a good idea for you to remain in The Philippines until after election, however. I shall read at leisure the documents you so kindly sent, but know in advance they are all that anyone can wish and hope for. You are busy, of course, but, any time you spare the time for a letter to me it will give me much pleasure to hear further about your activities and successes. And always come whenever possible to the fireside of your fond and faithful friends,
Clarence Darrow | and Ruby D.1—-
MS: TLS, MiU-H, Frank Murphy Papers. INSIDE ADDRESS: Hon. Frank Murphy:— | Philippine Islands:—.
TO WILLIAM MCKNIGHT • CHICAGO • WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 1936
CLARENCE DARROW April 15-th, 1936.
Young men are ambitious to get into the law game largely because it is a showy profession, and is one that lets a man enjoy the limelight; this has attracted so many that the lawyers who already are admitted to the bar go to all kinds of trouble to keep others out, making preliminaries difficult, and examinations harder than ever.
Young aspirants dream of one step up after another,—good earnings, political position, glory, etc—that the field already is overcrowded. With such competition, unless a young man is especially fitted and gifted, what chance has he? With any thought of helping his fellow man, the law is the last field he should venture into. City and County departments, and towns are overflowing with both old and new lawyers, all struggling to get ahead of each other. Psychiatry, on the other hand, is not yet quite so overcrowded, and is by far a more interesting field, but, of course requires years of study and preparation.
It is practically impossible to advise anyone about such a life-scheme as you need to choose; you will need to try to gauge your own ability and resources,—environment and circumstances of all sorts enter in to whether you will succeed; the cost of either of the above ventures would cost enough to buy a good farm, and I think the farmer has a happier time, and in many ways is a greater benefit to others,—if that interests you. As a matter of fact, it seems to me that, in this day, the choice of law as an avenue of future well being is about the poorest you can undertake; however, if you risk it, I hope you may make a “go” of it,—or, anything else you decide upon. This will not help you much, I fear, but there is no way of furnishing a recipe—or prophesy.
Shall send you a picture, if you care to have it, and appreciate your complimentary attitude toward me.
Very sincerely yours, | Clarence Darrow
MS: TLS, Kevin Tierney. INSIDE ADDRESS: To Bill McKnight:— | Brookville, Pa.—.
TO PAUL DARROW • CHICAGO • TUESDAY 12 MAY 1936
CLARENCE DARROW May 12th 1936
Dear Paul
I have told Ruby that I shall arrange with you that she can keep the apartment where we live for six months after my death and that you will pay the rent. This is done so that she can dispose of the furniture, books and the things that pertain to me and my life, in the apartment.
C.S.D.
This is in case I fail to speak to you about it—
MS: ALS, MnU-L, Darrow Collection.
TO RUBY DARROW • WARREN, OHIO • TUESDAY 25 MAY 1936
May 25th
Dear R.
I am sorry I haven’t written you before but, I have been tired out every night.3 I shall be home in two or three days & will be glad to get back. Shall leave here tomorrow a.m. and stop probably over night at Canton and then go straight back. I stayed longer in Kinsman than any other place. There was a crowd every day. They all seemed to want to see me. Shall not make any long stop again until I get home.
With love | C.S.D.
MS: ALS, MnU-L, Darrow Collection. ENVELOPE ADDRESS: Mrs. Ruby Darrow | 1537—E 60th St | Chicago | Ill. POSTMARK: Warren, Ohio, 26 May 1936.
TO FRANK MURPHY • CHICAGO • MONDAY 29 MARCH 1937
CLARENCE DARROW March 29-th, ’37
My very Dear Mr. Murphy:—
Enclosed find letter from Vivian Pierce which please read carefully; then I will refrain from restating the situation. The U.S. Gov’t figures show that Capital Punishment is not the remedy. We know that Capital Punishment laws are not based on up-to-date estimates and scientific treatments. The record of Michigan speaks for itself in comparison with neighboring states inflicting capital punishment, and much of what Miss Pierce alludes to as “recent crimes” in no way applies to Michigan especially, but is a part of the hard-times prevailing everywhere, with increased difficulty of getting anywhere against terrific competition; and people will steal, commit almost any crime, lose self-respect when facing starvation and extreme self-denial of every sort; uneven distribution is responsible for much of the waywardness of youth today.
But, morons who vote,—even in Legislative bodies,—public representatives, politicians, and people in general, do not think, or really care, beyond punishing those who have not the material or mental equipment for getting along. Most cases are mental cases, at that, if understood. I have just received a report from England showing that authorities there are recognizing this and reshaping their laws accordingly. I hope you will use your power at once to prevent the barbaric reinstatement of Capital Punishment. The reactionaries surely cannot be permitted to put Michigan on the black list of civilization,—if there is any!
Ever devotedly your friend, | Clarence Darrow
MS: TLS, MiU-H, Frank Murphy Papers. INSIDE ADDRESS: Hon. Frank Murphy:— | Detroit, Michigan:—.
TO VICTOR HACKLER • CHICAGO • WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL 1937
CLARENCE DARROW April 14-th— | 1937.
To Mr. Victor Hackler—News Editor
Associated Press—Chicago—Illinois
Replying to your submitted questions, I am answering:
No. 1— | Do I wish that I had done differently?—: I am fairly well satisfied with the way I have lived and acted. |
No. 2— | What do I regard as having done the most good?—: My strong feeling of tolerance toward all things, and my constant belief that no one is responsible for his makeup and his acts; this, of course, is hostile to the unscientific belief in free will. Granted that we are burdened with many abnormal and misfit humans, who are the victims of their own conduct, nevertheless they deserve to be treated as patients in institutions instead of imprisoned and punished. |
No. 3— | What has brought me the most satisfaction?—: My efforts in behalf of unfortunates has brought me the greatest and most lasting gratification. |
No. 4— | What appears to have been my most difficult task?—: Trying my hardest to help overcome the cruelties of the world. Worst of all, the horrible punishments, tortures and injustices inflicted; like lynching, the rankest vengeance; capital punishment, which does not deter others, etc. |
No. 5— | Have I a guide to offer those entering the legal profession?—: I would like to see a crop of lawyers developed with more genuine, humane ambition to benefit the poor and unfortunate clients, rather than mainly themselves. |
No. 6— | Regarding my attitude toward religion:—I feel as I always have, that the Earth is the home, and the only home, of man, and I am convinced that whatever he is to get out of his existence he must get while he is here. |
Signed by:— | Clarence Darrow
MS: TLS, IEN, Leopold-Loeb Collection, Box 39, Folder 24.