William Mailly Papers
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Abstract
William Mailly was a leading American socialist. He served as National Secretary of the Socialist Party (1903-05), and edited several socialist publications, notably the New York Evening Call (1908-09). The collection contains Mailly's journalistic writings, including literary efforts and reviews, correspondence, and other materials.
Biographical Note
In his relatively short lifetime (1871-1912), William Mailly became known as one of the leading figures in the formative period of modern American socialism. Following a common school education and a brief work experience as a coal miner, Mailly served as an editor on several labor newspapers in the South. Mailly also worked as a relentless editor and organizer for the Social Democratic Party and the Socialist Party. During the height of his involvement in various socialist activities, Mailly was the editor of the Haverhill(mass.) Social Democrat(1898), associate editor of The Workerin New York (1901, 1906-1907), and managing editor of the New York Evening Call(1908-1909). Besides his journalistic accomplishments, Mailly helped organize the Social Democratic Party in 1898, served as the National Secretary of the Socialist Party from 1903 to 1905, and was a member of the National Executive Committee of the Socialist Party from 1905 to 1906.
Arrangement
The files are grouped into 1 series.
Folders are generally arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content Note
The William Mailly Papers, 1907-1913, consist of the following 12 subject files (some containing more than one folder): articles, play reviews and theatre critiques, newspaper stories, poetry, plays, short stories, notes, miscellaneous, scrapbook, correspondence, resignation from the Ladies' Waist and Dressmakers Union, and letters of condolence to his widow, Bertha Howell Mailly. Each file has been given a microfilm frame number (i.e., XVIII:6, where the roman numeral indicates that the Mailly Papers are the 18th collection within the microfilm publication: Socialist Collections in the Tamiment Library, 1872-1956). The frame number and a citation for each file and its contents can be found in the complete reel list.
The items in the files pertaining to articles, play reviews and theatre critiques, poetry, plays, and short stories are arranged in alphabetical order according to the title of the item. The remaining subject files are arranged in chronological order.
Of special interest in this collection are the articles, play reviews, newspaper stories, and short stories which Mailly wrote for various socialist and non socialist publications. The articles (XVIII:l) and newspaper stories (XVIII:3) cover a wide range of subjects such as Australian elections, national defense, "slavery" in Alabama, Irish nationalism, strikes, drama, Socialist Party events, and theatre censorship. The numerous play reviews (XVIII:2) offer a unique insight into the realm of socialist theater criticism and the "new theater" movement of the early 20th century. Mailly's most creative literary works in this collection are located in the short stories file (XVIII:6). The relationship between socialist theory and complex human emotions is best revealed in "The Courtship of Hughey Carey", "The Cry of a Child", "The Home Coming of Katie Dublin", "Mary Cullen", and "The Price They Pay
Other items of note in the Mailly Papers include Mailly's resignation letters from the Ladies' Waist and Dressmakers Union and the letters of condolence sent to Mailly's wife, Bertha Howell Mailly, following his death. Among the correspondents writing to Mrs. Mailly were Eugene V. Debs, Morris Hillquit, Charles Edward Russell, James H. Maurer, and James Oneal.
Subjects
People
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials in this collection, which were created in 1907 to 1913, are in the public domain. Permission to publish or reproduce is not required.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date; William Mailly Papers; TAM 010; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University Libraries.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Placed on permanent deposit by Bertha Mailly, wife of William Mailly, at an unknown date. The accession number associated with this collection is 1963.008.
Custodial History
Placed on permanent deposit by Bertha Mailly, wife of William Mailly, with the Tamiment Institute Library at an unknown date. The collection was transferred to NYU in 1963 with the holdings of the Tamiment Institute Library. The accession number 1963.008 is associated with this collection.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Due to the fragile nature of the original materials, researchers must use the microfilmed version; microfilm call number is Film R-7124, Reel 66.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Materials were rehoused in new archival folders and box.
