0402201
H. Styles Bridges
Deloris Bridges
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Bridges sends thanks for remembrance of his wife during her illness
H. Styles Bridges, 1898-1961. Governor of New Hampshire; United States Senator. Typed Note Signed, Styles Bridges, no date, no place, one page, 4" x 6", on a card imprinted with Bridges' photograph and a drawing of the United States Capitol dome. Accompanied by a Typed Letter Signed by Deloris Bridges, his wife, one page, 5" x 7", July 24 [no year], 233 Eastman Street, Concord, New Hampshire.
Senator Bridges thanks Arthur Clarendon Smith for concern during his wife's illness: "We appreciated hearing from you when Mrs. Bridges was so ill. You were very thoughtful." His wife similarly thanks Smith for support during Bridges' own illness. In part: “He is recuperating most successfully from a complete and thorough case of exhaustion. People like Styles have to work so hard to keep the country in good shape when there are so many forces working against us. You will understand what I mean. He will be back soon to put his hand to the wheel again, and from what I read in the newspapers, it is high time."
Bridges was one of the most influential politicians in New Hampshire history. He was elected governor of New Hampshire in 1934. Two years later, he was elected to the United States Senate. For the next 25 years, until his death in 1961, Bridges was an increasingly important part of the Washington Republican establishment. He sought, but did not receive, the 1940 Republican vice presidential nomination. By the 1950's, however, Bridges' Senate seniority brought him to power as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Bridges served as a member of the 1961 Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies attending to the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.
This correspondence is interesting because Arthur Clarendon Smith, the recipient, was a staunch Democrat, the president of the Washington, D.C., Democratic Club in the 1950's and 1960's. These items are part of a collection of correspondence that Smith kept in a book.
The items are generally in fine condition overall. Both items have tape stains across the corners from prior mounting. Smith has written "File" on Bridges’ card and "Wife Senator Bridges" on his wife’s letter. The letter has light toning and one normal mailing fold.
Unframed.
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