MC 1215

Inventory to the Papers of Brendan T. Byrne

By David A. D'Onofrio

July 2006

Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries

Descriptive Summary
Creator: Byrne, Brendan T., 1924-
Title: Papers
Dates: 1928-2006 (bulk 1952-1982)
Quantity: 18 cubic feet (37 manuscript boxes, 6 oversize boxes, 5 phase boxes and 1 record center carton)
Abstract: Papers reflecting all periods of Brendan T. Byrne's career. Present are press clippings, 1944-2005, from newspapers and periodicals; selected files as a lawyer with several New Jersey law firms, 1952-1986; miscellaneous files as Assistant Counsel and as Executive Secretary to New Jersey Governor Richard B. Meyner, 1956-1959; selected files as Essex County Prosecutor, 1949 and 1959-1968; personal correspondence while a superior court judge, 1970-1973; gubernatorial campaign files, 1973 and 1977, relating to both the primary and general elections; selected files as Governor of New Jersey, 1973-1982; speeches, 1956-1982; programs, 1942-2006, chiefly from events Byrne attended (often as a speaker); personal correspondence, 1944-2003, largely comprised of thank-you letters, invitations and congratulatory letters sent to Byrne, including letters from political figures and celebrities; subject files and personal miscellany, 1941-2006, including Byrne's published writings and partial documentation of his service as a navigator in the Army Air Forces, as chairman of the board of the Intercontinental Life Insurance Company and as president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners; photographs, 1928-2000, extensively documenting Byrne's life, especially his activities as a public official and his participation in charitable events; several audiovisual recordings, 1959-1974 and undated, in the form of audiotape, cine film and videotape; certificates and proclamations, 1951-2000, relating to Byrne; editorial cartoons and artwork, 1973-2002, chiefly depicting Byrne; and several plaques, 1974-2004.
Collection No.: MC 1215
Language: English
Repository: Rutgers University. Special Collections and University Archives

Biographical Chronology

Date Event
1924 Born April 1 in West Orange, New Jersey, the fourth of five children of Francis A. Byrne (1888-1973) and his spouse Genevieve (Brennan) Byrne. Francis, a long-time local politician, served as West Orange Tax Assessor, chair of the West Orange Zoning Board of Adjustment, West Orange Town Commissioner and member of the Essex County Tax Board.
1942 Graduates from West Orange High School, where he served as president of the debating club and senior class president.
Enrolls at Seton Hall University.
1943 In March, leaves Seton Hall to enlist in the Army Air Corp. His service as a B-17 navigator in the European Theater in World War II earns him the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Air Medals, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
1945 In September, is honorably discharged from military service, having attained the rank of lieutenant with the 414th Bomb Squadron of the 15th Air Force. He subsequently serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Enrolls at Princeton University under the G.I. Bill.
1949 Graduates from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs with an A.B. upon completion of the thesis Proportional Representation in Municipal Government, although his coursework is actually completed by the fall of 1948.
1950 Graduates from Harvard Law School with L.L.B. and begins clerking for Judge Joseph Weintraub.
1951 In February, passes the New Jersey bar exam.
Begins law career at the firm of McGlynn, Weintraub and Stein. Byrne would also work as an associate of Newark lawyer John W. McGeehan.
Begins serving on the West Orange Planning Board and continues as a member until January 1, 1958.
1953 On June 27 marries Jean Featherly, a school teacher from West Orange, New Jersey.
1954 Jean Byrne gives birth to son Brendan T. "Tom" Byrne, Jr. The Byrnes eventually have six more children, Susan, Nancy, Timothy, Mary Anne, Barbara and William.
1955 Is appointed Deputy Attorney General to act as special prosecutor in Passaic County, New Jersey.
In October, is appointed Assistant Counsel to (Democratic) Governor Robert B. Meyner.
1956 In June, is appointed Acting Executive Secretary to Governor Robert B. Meyner.
1959 On February 16, is appointed Deputy Attorney General to serve as prosecutor in Essex County.
In July, is appointed to full term as Essex County Prosecutor by Governor Robert B. Meyner.
1964 Is appointed to second term as Essex County Prosecutor by (Democratic) Governor Richard J. Hughes, beginning September 2. During second term as prosecutor, serves as president of the County Prosecutor's Association of New Jersey and vice president of the National District Attorneys Association.
In December, begins program of filming drunk drivers for use in prosecution.
1965 In July, helps found Intercontinental Life Insurance Company. Serves as chairman of the board until his resignation in 1970.
1967 On September 25, 200 cases, out of an original 801 regarding the July Newark riots, are brought to trial.
1968 In January, is appointed President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners by Governor Richard J. Hughes.
In February, is appointed to the Executive Commission on Ethical Standards, on which he serves until 1970.
Newspaper reports quoting a transcript of a mob wiretap lead to Byrne's reputation as the "Man who could not be bought."
1970 On December 8, is nominated for position as Superior Court Judge in Essex County by (Republican) Governor William T. Cahill.
Following the nomination, resigns all posts at the Intercontinental Life Insurance Company as well as his position as director at the Broad National Bank (Newark) and his partnership in the law firm of Teltser, Byrne and Greenberg (East Orange).
On December 30, is sworn in as Superior Court Judge.
1971 On May 2, is the keynote speaker at a community rally organized following the April 18 bombing of the West Orange Jewish Center.
In October, rules that current procedures for administering the death penalty in New Jersey are unconstitutional. (A new death penalty law would not be enacted until after Byrne's term as Governor ended in 1982.)
1972 In July, is appointed Assignment Judge for New Jersey's Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties.
New Jersey Supreme Court mandates a "thorough and efficient" education, known as the Robinson-Cahill mandate, effectively declaring the need for an income tax for adequate and equitable public school funding.
1973 On April 24, tenders resignation as Superior Court Judge and enters the Democratic Gubernatorial primary.
On June 5, defeats Ralph DeRose and Anne Klein in the Democratic primary, winning the party's nomination for Governor.
On November 6, is elected Governor of New Jersey, defeating United States Representative Charles Sandman by 721,000 votes, the largest plurality in the state's history.
1974 On January 15, is inaugurated as the 54th Governor of New Jersey.
In February, imposes mandatory "odd-even" gas rationing in response to the gas crisis, allowing filling based on the last digit of a car's license plate.
In March, the Byrne family moves into Morven, the Governor's mansion in Princeton, leaving Byrne's life-long home of West Orange.
On May 2, the General Assembly sends to Governor Byrne for his signature a measure creating the Delaware and Raritan State Park.
On May 6, signs campaign finance law providing for the public financing of gubernatorial races in the general election.
On June 3, receives honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Rutgers University, an honor accorded each incoming governor by the State University. After previously receiving an honorary degree from Seton Hall University (May 18, 1974), he receives additional honorary degrees from other New Jersey institutions, including Seton Hall University, William Paterson College, Bloomfield College and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Creates new cabinet level post of Public Advocate.
Establishes Economic Development Authority to provide businesses with low interest loans.
Begins service as ex-officio trustee at Princeton University and serves until 1982.
1975 Signs the Open Public Meetings Act, also known as the Sunshine Law.
Signs the Public Education Act, mandating statewide student proficiency standards.
1976 In May, joins other U.S. Governors on a trip to Ireland in celebration of the United States' Bicentennial.
On July 4, several schools close as per state Supreme Court mandate. As a consequence, signs New Jersey's first income tax into law later that month, after earlier incarnations had been rejected by the State Legislature beginning in July 1974. Tax reforms for this year also include the inception of the Homestead Rebate Program, offering property tax relief to homeowners.
On September 1, Meadowlands Racetrack holds its inaugural harness race.
On October 10, the New York Giants play their inaugural game at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands against the Dallas Cowboys.
In November, a state constitutional amendment passes allowing for casino gambling.
1977 By April, is being referred to in newspaper and magazine articles as "One Term Byrne," due to the unpopularity of initiatives such as the income tax.
On June 2, signs the Casino Control Act, officially legalizing casino gambling in Atlantic City.
On June 7, defeats nine opponents, including Representative James J. Florio, to win the Democratic nomination for Governor.
On November 8, defeats Republican State Senator Raymond H. Bateman by 300,000 votes, winning re-election as Governor of New Jersey.
1978 On January 17, is inaugurated as Governor of New Jersey for a second term.
On March 3, pocket vetoes a bill to reinstate the death penalty in New Jersey. Several months later, vetoes a similar bill.
In April, Byrne and his family embark on a publicly-criticized, ten-day vacation and business trip to Asia.
In October, embarks on a week-long vacation and trade mission to Israel.
1979 In February, imposes an eighteen-month building moratorium in the Pinelands by executive order, thereby compelling the legislature to act on the issue.
On June 28, signs the Pinelands Preservation Act, restricting development across nearly one-fifth of New Jersey's total area.
In July, along with other governors, attends summit at Camp David on domestic and energy policies. Photographs taken at the summit by Byrne later appear in Newsweek.
On September 1, a new penal code, which legalizes, among other things, homosexuality and social gambling, goes into effect, after nearly ten years of study and debate in the legislature.
Extends public financing of gubernatorial elections to the primaries.
Signs Public Transportation Act, forming New Jersey Transit Corporation.
1980 In the spring, hosts a twelve-week seminar at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, entitled Workshop in New Jersey Policy and Politics.
1981 In June, attends the World Trade Centers General Assembly in Moscow.
In July, the Meadowlands Arena opens, bearing the name Brendan Byrne Arena.
In September, embarks on an investment mission to Italy and France.
1982 In January, steps down as Governor of New Jersey following the completion of his second full term, and moves from Morven into a private residence in Princeton.
Joins the Roseland, New Jersey, law firm of Carella, Bain, Gilfillan and Rhodes as a partner where he represents, among others, Carvel Ice Cream. The firm later changes its name to Carella, Byrne, Bain and Gilfillan.
Becomes a director of the Elizabethtown Water Company and serves on its board until 2000.
1985 In November, is appointed Chair of the Council on New Jersey Affairs, a position he holds until 1989.
1988 On September 7, is elected to the Board of Directors of Ingersoll-Rand Co.
1989 In January, begins serving as a commissioner of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for a four-year term ending in January 1993.
1993 Obtains divorce from Jean Byrne.
1994 In August, marries public relations executive Ruth Zinn.
Becomes a director of the Mack-Cali Realty Corporation.
Brendan T. Byrne Jr. is elected New Jersey Democratic Party Chair.
1996 In January, the Brendan Byrne Arena is renamed the Continental Airlines Arena as part of a corporate sponsorship deal.
2002 On July 24, Lebanon State Forest, located in the Pinelands, is renamed Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.
Additional Information: Following his tenure as Governor, Byrne also served, or serves, on the boards of Prudential Insurance Company of America, New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, Jamesway Corporation and Chelsea Property Group, Inc. He currently lives in Short Hills, New Jersey.

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Scope and Content Note

The personal papers of Brendan T. Byrne, comprising approximately 18 cubic feet of documentation, span from 1928 to 2006, the bulk of which covers from 1952 until 1982. The papers document, at least in part, nearly every period of Byrne's adult life, including his college and postgraduate educations, his service in the military, his law career, his service on various corporate boards and his service in government as gubernatorial secretary, prosecutor, public utility commissioner, judge and governor.

The papers vary in physical format. Among the paper document types present are campaign literature, financial documents and disclosures, magazines, personal and official correspondence and memoranda, legal documents, position papers, press clippings and press releases, programs, reports, schedules, speeches and notes and writings in the form of draft and published articles. Also included with the more traditional formats are editorial cartoons and other types of artwork, oversize certificates and proclamations, plaques, and reels of audio tape and motion pictures, as well as photographs.

The Brendan Byrne papers are organized into sixteen series falling into two basic categories: series based on Byrne's office or occupation and series based on file type or format.

The series that are based upon occupation generally follow a sequential order. FILES AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO GOVERNOR MEYNER, 1956-1959, offers partial documentation for Byrne's role as Assistant Counsel to Governor Robert B. Meyner, and then as the governor's Executive Secretary, a position that required Byrne to take cabinet minutes, keep the governor's schedule and appear on the governor's behalf. FILES AS ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR, 1959-1968, while containing one court transcript, is comprised largely of memoranda, focusing on individual investigations and points of law, and correspondence, which is generally of a more personal nature. CORRESPONDENCE WHILE A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE, 1970-1973, is a small series, primarily consisting of letters congratulating Byrne on his appointment as judge and RSVPs for the swearing-in ceremony. FILES AS GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY, 1973-1982, consists of numerous document types, including correspondence, memoranda, bills, financial documents, polling results, schedules and legal documents. Items of interest include documents relating to the Sports and Exposition Authority and the battle to secure a National Hockey League franchise for the Meadowlands. Also noteworthy is the relative lack of documentation on such hot-button issues of the Byrne governorship as the income tax and the Pinelands. CAMPAIGN FILES, 1973 and 1977, consisting of four sub-series, is one of two occupation-based series to span multiple time periods, covering both the primary and general elections of Byrne's two gubernatorial campaigns. The series consists largely of Byrne's position papers and schedules, as well as campaign literature for Byrne and several of his opponents. FILES AS A NEW JERSEY LAWYER, 1952-1986, also spans multiple time periods in Byrne's career, sometimes overlapping with certain of Byrne's public offices, including his terms as executive secretary, prosecutor and public utility commissioner. The series offers limited documentation of Byrne's service with three law firms: McGlynn, Weintraub & Stein prior to 1954, Teltser, Byrne and Greenberg of East Orange in the 1960s until 1968, and Carella, Byrne, Bain & Gilfillan of Roseland after leaving the statehouse in 1982.

The series that are based on file type or physical format tend to span Byrne's entire career. The largest series in the collection, PHOTOGRAPHS, 1928-2000, is broken into eleven sub-series by event type, such as work functions, dinners, charity events, etc. While consisting mostly of publicity stills, the series also contains portraits and personal photographs of Byrne, as well as images of Byrne at sporting events and with various celebrities. PRESS CLIPPINGS, 1944-2005, is broken into two sub-series, one for newspapers and one for magazines. The clippings, covering a wide range of topics, help detail events and topics that are underrepresented elsewhere in the collection, such as the Newark riot trials in July and September-October of 1967, nullification of New Jersey's death penalty in October of 1971, and the opening of the first Atlantic City Casino in 1978. SUBJECT FILES AND PERSONAL MISCELLANY, 1941-2006, also sheds light on topics not represented in other series, such as Byrne's military service, his education, his leadership role with Intercontinental Life Insurance Company and his tenure as public utility commissioner. This series also highlights underrepresented topics from Byrne's tenure as governor, including the protection of the Pinelands, through material from later years. SPEECHES, 1956-1982, while spanning nearly thirty years, most directly complements the files on Byrne's years as prosecutor and his two gubernatorial campaigns. PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1944-2003, consists mainly of invitations and congratulatory and thank-you letters received by Byrne, with occasional responses. EVENT PROGRAMS, 1942-2006, mostly for events at which Byrne was guest of honor, host or speaker, illustrates Byrne's involvement in professional associations, such as the National District Attorneys' Association, as well as non-professional organizations, such as the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. EDITORIAL CARTOONS AND ARTWORK, 1973-2002, features political cartoons, mostly by the hand of Bil Canfield, as well as portraits of Byrne. CERTIFICATES AND PROCLAMATIONS, 1951-2000, and PLAQUES, 1974-2004, together contain items awarded to Byrne, including athletic and military awards, diplomas and honorary degrees and certificates of appointment to some of the various offices he held. AUDIOVISUAL RECORDINGS, 1960-1974, consists of home-recorded, reel-to-reel audio tapes and motion picture reels of network news programs featuring or focusing on Byrne.

The strength of the Byrne papers, rather than their depth in any one area, is their breadth in representing aspects of Byrne's activities and New Jersey events in many areas. One drawback to such breadth is a conspicuous lack of certain types of papers. Not included in any abundance are outgoing letters, and there are no wartime letters written by Byrne. Not surprisingly, case materials from Byrne's career in the legal system as a private attorney and prosecutor are, with minor exceptions, not represented here. Also lacking is a set of his judicial opinions. Finally, the relative lack of documentation from Byrne's terms as governor is the result of a New Jersey state law requiring that the official records of the governor be held at the State Archives in Trenton.

Among the correspondents represented throughout the collection by a total of three or more letters are Secretary of Agriculture Philip Alampi, Archibald S. Alexander, Princeton University President William G. Bowen, Governor William T. Cahill, President Jimmy Carter, Governor Richard J. Hughes, Ethel Kennedy, Governor Robert B. Meyner, Vice President Walter F. Mondale, George M. Steinbrenner III, Harold R. Teltser, White House Chief of Staff Jack Watson, and Justice Joseph Weintraub.

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Arrangement Note

Most of the arrangement of the Byrne papers was necessarily imposed during processing, as a limited amount of like materials were found together. As a result, most of the folder headings were also supplied during processing, with only a few representing headings used by Byrne himself.

Several items exhibiting mold growth underwent a remediation process and were returned to the collection. Any mold stains encountered in the collection are merely the remnants of the remediation process. Several other items exhibiting extensive and severely damaging mold growth, deemed of little artifactual value, were replaced by photocopies on acid-free paper.

While all newspaper clippings have been replaced by photocopies on acid-free paper, several items of campaign literature printed on newsprint have been retained in their original format. However, a duplicate copy of said items has been made for general use, denoted on the folders and in the container list by the annotation "Patron Copy."

Three publications, originally housed within the collection, have been separated from it, with all relevant passages from said publications photocopied and retained as part of the collection. These items include: 1) The Tribune of West Orange, New Jersey, Vol. 2, Number 35 (June 6, 1975) which has been transferred to the uncataloged periodicals in the Sinclair New Jersey Collection at Special Collections and University Archives, with a relevant photocopy retained in PRESS CLIPPINGS/Newspapers, 1953-1958; 2) On and Off The Record by Patricia Sherlock (Bergen Record Corporation, 1995), a copy of which is already housed in the Sinclair New Jersey Collection (call number PN4899.H323S54), with relevant passages retained in SUBJECT FILES AND PERSONAL MISCELLANY, Mentions [of Byrne] in Books - Miscellaneous, 1995 and undated; and 3) Faces 1973, a catalog of sketched portraits by A. Domanski (Intelman Books, 1974), which has been transferred to Rutgers University's Art Library, with a photocopy of a Byrne portrait retained in EDITORIAL CARTOONS AND ARTWORK/Artwork, Portraits - Artists D-K.

One additional item, a hand made photograph album, presented to Governor Byrne on March 18, 1975, and inscribed "with appreciation, from the Byelorussian-American Association in New Jersey on the 57th Anniversary of Proclamation of Independence of Byelorussia," has been transferred to the Museum Objects Collection at Special Collections and University Archives.

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Related Collections

The Brendan T. Byrne Collection, housed at Seton Hall University's Msgr. William Noe Field Archives and Special Collections Center, consists of approximately forty-five cubic feet of Byrne's personal papers. The collection, while containing small amounts of photographs, ephemera and records pertaining to the Democratic National Committee, focuses mainly on the 1973 and 1977 campaigns. Seton Hall's campaign files, while analogous in many ways, such as document types, to Rutgers' holdings, are more voluminous and contain more research files on Byrne's opponents, as well as more evidence of the day-to-day operations of a campaign through papers such as expenditure files and earnings records.

Governor Brendan T. Byrne (served 1974-1982) - Counsel's Office, one of two large Byrne-related collections held by the State Archives in Trenton, is subdivided into forty-seven series by creator, i.e., individual counsel. A limited number of series also exist based on format, such as files relating to bills, minutes, executive orders and financial disclosures.

Governor Brendan T. Byrne (served 1974-1982) - General Filings and Non-Counsel Staff, the other of two Byrne collections at the State Archives in Trenton, is subdivided in a manner similar to its counterpart, with forty-five series, mostly organized by assistant. Also present are series for photographs, "miscellaneous files," "subject files" and "general files." These latter series, arranged first by department and thereafter by topic or by person, include correspondence and memoranda, proclamations, resolutions and reports. Also included are files based on format, such as proclamations and bills. Files on individual people, such as cabinet members and other statewide officials, consist mostly of correspondence and memoranda.

Special Collections and University Archives' Museum Objects Collection houses two pens used by Byrne to sign legislation during his tenure as governor. The first, Lot 60A, was used to sign a provision of the state income tax that allows an exemption for dependants attending college. The second, Lot 60B, created the Division of Women within the state's Department of Community Affairs. These pens were acquired separately, and not with Byrne's papers.

Special Collections and University Archives' New Jersey Political Broadsides is a chronological collection of broadsides and campaign literature for various New Jersey political candidates. Broadsides related to Byrne and his opponents, which were acquired separately from the Byrne papers, can be found in the files for 1973 and 1977.

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Restrictions

No restrictions.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Brendan T. Byrne. Papers. MC 1215. Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries.

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Container List

This section provides descriptions of the materials found within each series. Each series description is followed by a container list, which gives the titles of the folders and their locations in the numbered boxes that comprise this collection.

PRESS CLIPPINGS, 1944-2005 (2.4 cubic feet.)
Arrangement: See also Boxes 42 and 48. Organized into two sub-series by format; bulk arranged thereunder chronologically by clipping or magazine date.
Summary: Newspapers: Photocopies of newspaper clippings primarily documenting Byrne's career as prosecutor, governor and private practice lawyer. Key events represented by the clippings include, but are not limited to, the "Tony Boy" Boiardo case (November-December 1960), Essex County's drunk driver filming program (December 1964), the Newark riot trials (July, September-October 1967), nullification of New Jersey's death penalty (October 1971), Byrne's election victories and inaugurals, and the dedication of Brendan T. Byrne State Forest (July 2002). Scattered among the clippings are simple notes of transmittal for specific clippings. Featured publications include the New York Times, Newark Evening News, Newark Star-Ledger, Trenton Times, and The Trentonian.
Scattered throughout the series are clippings not related directly to Byrne, but focus on topics such as the deaths of Clifford Case (March 1982), Maria Jeritza (July 1982) and Joseph Merlino (October 1998). Also represented are the accomplishments of Byrne's family members, including features on Francis A. Byrne (November 1970), Brendan T. Byrne Jr. (December 18, 1994 and January 18, 1995), and Barbara Byrne (March 5, 1995).
Clippings at the end of this series are grouped by topic, as originally found, and arranged chronologically by topic/event date. Topics include Byrne's term in 1955 as a prosecutor in Passaic County (formerly bound scrapbook), Byrne's appointment as Essex County Prosecutor in 1959 (formerly bound scrapbook), the Newark corruption cases focusing on the Addonizio administration in 1968-1969, the 1977 election, Byrne's second inaugural (1978), Byrne's 1978 trip to Asia, the opening of the first Atlantic City Casino (1978), and the 1979 Papal visit.
One scrapbook, originally created as part of an elementary school project, chronicles both the gubernatorial campaign and the East Orange mayoral campaign of 1973. In addition to news clippings, the scrapbook, which remains bound, also contains trace amounts of campaign literature and campaign buttons.
Magazines: Magazine and newsletter articles chiefly documenting Byrne's public service career, especially his tenures as prosecutor and governor. The articles were prompted by various events, most prominently the gubernatorial campaigns of 1973 and 1977 and Byrne's exit from office. The articles exist both in clipped form (some photocopied for preservation concerns) and in the original context of full magazine issues, with the level of focus on Byrne ranging in scale from entire articles to brief mentions and image captions. Featured publications range from organizational newsletters, such as the New Jersey Republican and the New Jersey Food Council Express Line to regional magazines such as New Jersey Business and New Jersey Monthly, to national publications such as Newsweek. Also featured are several Princeton University alumni publications.
Key articles and interviews include "The Candidates" ( New Jersey Business, October 1973), "NJB Interviews: Governor Brendan T. Byrne," by James T. Prior ( New Jersey Business, March 1975), "The Tragicomedy of Brendan Byrne," by Robert Sam Anson ( New Jersey Monthly, April 1977), "NJB Interviews: Governor Brendan T. Byrne," by James T. Prior ( New Jersey Business, March 1978), "A Visit with New Jersey's 'Born-Again' Governor," by William McCleery ( Princeton Alumni Weekly, June 26, 1978), "Governor Brendan Byrne of New Jersey Talks to Linda Pentz" ( Tennis Week, December 10, 1981: removed to oversize), "Was Brendan Byrne Too Good for New Jersey?" by Dale Mezzacappa ( Today: The Inquirer Magazine, January 17, 1982), "Brendan Byrne on Brendan Byrne," by Jeffrey Kanige ( New Jersey Reporter, June 1988), and "To Life a Nation's Spirit," featuring photographs by Brendan Byrne ( Newsweek, July 23, 1979). Also notable is "New Jersey Proudly Presents Meadowlands Brendan Byrne Arena" ( New York Times, Advertising Supplement, 1981), inscribed by Jimmy Carter.
Among the magazines are issues of two parody pieces, The Bee-Feeder's Gazette (February 11, 1960 and October 31, 1981) and The Post Mortem (May 9, 1973 and May 10, 1978).
Newspapers
Box Folder
1 1 1944
2 1953-1958
3 1959
4 1950s undated
5 1960
6 January-July 1961
7 September-December 1961 and 1961 undated
8 1962
9 January-June 1963
10 1953-1958
11 July-December 1963 and 1963 undated
12 January-May 1965
13 June-December 1965 and 1965 undated
14 1966
15 January-July 1967
16 August-December 1967 and 1967 undated
Box Folder
2 1 January-June 1968
2 July-December 1968 and 1968 undated
3 1969
4 1960s undated
5 1970
6 1971
7 1972
8 January-August 1973
9 September-November 1973
10 January-March 1974
11 May 1-2, 1974
12 May 3-31, 1974
13 June-July 1974
14 August 1974
15 September-December 1974
16 1975
17 1976
Box Folder
3 1 March-April 1977
2 May-July 1977
3 August-October 1977
4 November-December 1977 and 1977 undated
5 January-February 1978
6 May-December 1978 and 1978 undated
7 January-July 1979
8 August-December 1979
9 1970s undated
10 1980
11 1981
12 1982
13 1983
14 1984
15 1985
16 1986
17 1987
18 1988
19 1989
20 1980s undated
21 1990
22 1991
23 1992
24 1993
25 1994
26 1995
27 1996
28 1997
29 1998
30 1999
31 1990s undated
32 2000
33 2001
34 2002
35 2003
36 2005
37 undated
38 Passaic County Prosecutorial Scrapbook, 1955
39 Essex County Prosecutorial Appointment Scrapbook, 1959
Box Folder
4 1 Cronin Conspiracy Case, September 20, 1968-October 10, 1968
2 Newark Corruption Cases, May 26-July 27, 1968
3 Newark Corruption Cases, August 22-October 22, 1968
4 Newark Corruption Cases, January 9-June 2, 1969
5 Newark Corruption Cases, June 3-September 18, 1969
6 New Jersey Democratic State Committee: 1977 Gubernatorial Election Selected Newspaper Articles, 1977
7-8 Governor Brendan Byrne Inauguration, January 1978 Volume 1
9-10 Governor Brendan Byrne Inauguration, January 1978 Volume 2
11 Asian Business Trip/Vacation, April 1978
12 Atlantic City Casino Openings, May 25-30, 1978
13 Papal Visit, October 2-3, 1979
14 Gubernatorial Retrospective Packet, 1982 (Copy 1)
15 Gubernatorial Retrospective Packet, 1982 (Copy 2)
Magazines
Box Folder
4 16 1956
17 1960
18 1961
19 1962
20 1964
21 1965
22 1967
23 1969
24 1971
25 1973
26 1974
27 1975
28 1976
Box Folder
5 1 1977
2 March 1978
3 May-June 1978
4 September-October 1978
5 1979
6 January 1980
7 March-November 1980
8 1981
9 1982
10 1984
11 1985
12 1986
13 1988
14 1989
15 1991
16 1992
17 1995
18 1997
19 1998
20 2000
21 2002
22 2003
23 undated
FILES AS A NEW JERSEY LAWYER, 1952-1986 (.2 cubic feet.)
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by document type.
Summary: Miscellaneous documentation of Byrne's career as a lawyer in the private sector, relating both to cases and to investments made by Byrne and his partners, the bulk of which spans from 1952 to 1958. The documents date from Byrne's time as an associate with McGlynn, Weintraub & Stein prior to 1954, Byrne's private practice in Newark while serving as Governor Robert B. Meyner's secretary in the latter half of the 1950s, and his times as partner in Teltser, Byrne and Greenberg of East Orange in the 1960s and in Carella, Byrne, Bain & Gilfillan of Roseland after leaving office in 1982.
Among the documents in this series is a ledger recording legal fees, listed by case, collected by Byrne from 1952 to 1958. On the last page of the ledger is a letter from 1953 regarding the deposit of two checks.
The correspondence relating to legal cases includes a letter to Governor Robert B. Meyner in 1954 regarding possible clemency for a death row inmate. Also among the correspondence are three letters from eventual Byrne law partner Harold R. Teltser (1957). Several letters are between correspondents other than Byrne, including one letter of reference for Harold R. Teltser (1958). The correspondence on investments relates mainly to investments made by Harold R. Teltser, Brendan T. Byrne and Marin L. Greenberg, but also includes a letter regarding an investment by Connie Francis in Sandford Enterprises, a real estate venture in which the members of Byrne's firm also held an interest (1968).
Box Folder
5 24 Case File: Zoubek Real Estate (Correspondence), 1952
25-27 Case File: Zoubek Real Estate (Pleading), 1952
28 Correspondence: Cases, Etc., 1954 and 1956-1958
Box Folder
6 1 Correspondence: Investments, Etc., 1967-1970 and 1976-1978
2 Financial Documents: Equity Positions of Partners [c. 1986]
3 Financial Documents: Ledger, 1952-1958
4 Financial Documents: Miscellaneous, 1954 and 1965
5 Financial Documents: Register of Partner Expenses, 1966
6 Memoranda: Miscellaneous, 1965 and undated
7 Opinions: Bankers National Life Insurance Company, undated
8 Statement upon the Death of Judge Anthony Giuliano, [February 5, 1970]
FILES AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO GOVERNOR MEYNER, 1956-1959 (.2 cubic feet.)
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by folder heading.
Summary: Partial documentation of Byrne's activities first as Assistant Counsel and then as Executive Secretary to Governor Robert B. Meyner. The documents reflect several job functions, including taking notes and minutes for cabinet meetings, keeping the Governor's schedule and testifying on behalf of the Governor. Included in the series are handwritten notes, letters, memoranda, itineraries, press releases, scripts and testimony.
Cabinet meeting records consist primarily of Byrne's handwritten minutes and notes, and also include type written agendas.
Among the documents in the series is a copy of Byrne's statement before the Subcommittee on Rivers and Harbors of the Public Works Committee of the House of Representatives, on behalf of Governor Meyner, July 12, 1956.
Press releases, while hailing from the Governor's office in general, either make mention of Byrne or are reprints of statements by Byrne. The film and TV scripts, which includes the schedule for a 1957 telethon, feature appearances by Byrne, in addition to those by Governor Meyner.
Box Folder
6 9 Biography [of Byrne], undated
10 Cabinet Meetings: Notes and Agendas, 1956
11 Cabinet Meetings: Notes and Agendas, 1957
12 Cabinet Meetings: Notes and Agendas, 1958
13 Cabinet Meetings: Notes and Agendas, 1959
14 Correspondence, 1957-1958
15 Film and TV Scripts, 1957
16 Governors Conference: Notes, 1958
17 Governors' Conference on Civil Rights: Schedule, 1959
18 Governor's Staff and Cabinet Roster, 1957
19 Itinerary for Governor Robert B. Meyner, August 1958
20 Memoranda (Sent and Received), 1956-1957
21 Notes (Handwritten), undated
22 Press Releases (Governor's Office), 1956-1958
23 Statement and Testimony on Behalf of Governor Meyner, 1956
FILES AS ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR, 1949 and 1959-1968 (1.5 cubic feet.)
Arrangement: See also Box 42. Arranged alphabetically by document type.
Summary: Partial documentation of Byrne's tenure first as Deputy Attorney General in charge of Essex County, and then as duly appointed Prosecutor for Essex County. The documents pertain to both general office practice and functions, as well as specific investigations and cases, such as the investigation of the New Jersey Bureau of Securities and the State of New Jersey v. LaPierre, Bisignano and Russo, as well as some of Byrne's personal activities. Included in the series are incoming and outgoing letters, memoranda, press releases, publications, court opinions, grand jury presentments, hand written notes, a legal brief and four volumes of a case transcript.
The general correspondence in this series consists largely of invitations, thank-you letters and congratulatory letters both sent and received, as well as condolence letters sent by Byrne. Several letters also pertain to activities of the prosecutor's office, such as Attorney General Arthur J. Sills' letter of December 12, 1966 regarding the legalization of lotteries in New York. Notable correspondents include Representative Hugh J. Addonizio (1 letter: 1960), Rutgers Law School Dean Willard Heckel (1 letter: 1967), Governor Richard J. Hughes (2 letters: 1966 and 1968), Governor Robert B. Meyner (2 letters: 1960 and 1966), Judge Alexander P. Waugh (4 letters: 1962-1963, 1965), and Justice Joseph Weintraub (3 letters: 1963, 1965 and 1966). Correspondence between August 22 and September 8, 1966 pertains to an accident sustained by Byrne and consists largely of Get Well cards with Byrne's attached response. One letter, addressed to Assistant Prosecutor Riccardelli, is from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover (1966).
Memoranda listed in this series under Points of Law pertain to several legal subjects including conspiracy to commit a crime in another jurisdiction, civil powers of a county prosecutor relative to the those of the Attorney General, double jeopardy and contempt conviction, effect of defamatory matter contained in judicial pleadings, instructions to a grand jury regarding returning indictments, juror qualifications and jury panels, municipal control and regulation of street excavation, necessity of proper foundation testimony to introduction of results of chemical analysis of narcotics, possible crimes that may have occurred in a stipulated fact situation, powers at the disposal of the prosecutor in abating a public nuisance of air pollution, prejudicial effect of newspaper coverage and remarks of police officers on the state's case, recent contrivance or recent fabrication and the right of the state to detain material witnesses.
Items listed as reference materials include publications, journal articles and analyses of Supreme Court decisions, all of which were prepared by third parties.
Box Folder
6 24 Agenda Items and Notes: [Association of Chiefs of Police], 1964
25 Blank Forms, 1967 and undated
26 Chart of Blood Alcohol Levels: New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, [early to mid 1960s]
27 Correspondence, 1959
28 Correspondence, January-February 1960
29 Correspondence, March-April 1960
30 Correspondence, May-August 1960
31 Correspondence, September-October 1960
32 Correspondence, November-December 1960
Box Folder
7 1 Correspondence, 1962-1964
2 Correspondence, 1965
3 Correspondence, January-March 1966
4 Correspondence, August 22-24, 1966
5 Correspondence, August 25-30, 1966
6 Correspondence, September 2-8, 1966
7-8 Correspondence, September 8, 1966
9 Correspondence, September 23-December 1966
10 Correspondence, 1967
11 Correspondence, 1968
12 Correspondence, undated
13 Correspondence: Assistant Prosecutor Riccardelli, 1966 and undated
14 Correspondence: Deputy Attorney General for Essex County Appointment, February 13, 1959
15 Correspondence: Letter from Judge Gaulkin to Judge Crane re: State v. Cavana, January 10, 1962
16 Correspondence: Letter to Judge Weintraub re: Judge Del Mauro, undated
17 Correspondence: National District Attorneys' Association, 1968 and undated
18 Correspondence: Resignation Letter, December 20, 1967
19 Financial Documents and Vouchers, 1960 and 1965-1967
20 Forms for Use in Legal Proceedings by Prosecutors (Unbound Reproduction) (A-D), undated
21 Forms for Use in Legal Proceedings by Prosecutors (Unbound Reproduction) (E-N), undated
22 Forms for Use in Legal Proceedings by Prosecutors (Unbound Reproduction) (O-R), undated
23 Forms for Use in Legal Proceedings by Prosecutors (Unbound Reproduction) (S-Z), undated
24 Grand Jury Lists, 1958-1960, 1962, 1964 and 1967
25 Grand Jury Oath, undated
26 Grand Jury Presentments (Printed and Typed), 1964-[1965]
Box Folder
8 1 Guidelines for Interrogating a Witness, undated
2 List of Essex County and Municipal Officials, 1966
3 Membership List: Grand Jury Association of Essex County, 1962
4 Membership Roster and By-Laws: Association of Chiefs of Police, undated
5 Memoranda: Annual Activity Report from Chief of Detectives, January 30,1967
6 Memoranda: Annulment Case, September 21, 1960
7 Memoranda: Common Law Conspiracy (Court Memorandum), March 1, 1949
8 Memoranda: Emergency Assignments, (Week of July 17, 1967),
9 Memoranda: Investigation of an Alleged Breaking, Entering andLarceny in Irvington, March 7, 1961
10 Memoranda: Investigation of Millburn Police Department, June 29, 1959
11 Memoranda: Investigation of New Jersey Bureau of Securities, October 14, 1963
12 Memoranda: Investigation of New Jersey Bureau of Securities, October 16, 1963
13 Memoranda: Investigation of Reported Mob Meeting, June 25, 1959
14 Memoranda: Lenny Bruce Recording, May 6, 1966
15 Memoranda: Points of Law, 1962-1963, 1965 and undated
16 Memoranda: Prosecutor's Office Practices Regarding the Grand Jury, February 11, 1966
17 Memoranda: Psychiatric and Psychological Examinations, 1961 and 1965
18 Memoranda: State v. Russo, 1961 and undated
19-20 Memoranda: Survey of Essex County Prosecutor's Office, July 20, 1966
21 Memoranda: Use of Confessions in Criminal Trials, undated
22 Newsletter: Essex County Prosecutor's Office (The Enforcer), 1962, 1964 and 1967
23 Notes and Lists (Handwritten), 1962-1963, 1965 and undated
24 Phone Directory and Roster, 1964, 1967 and undated
25 Press Release: Drunken Drivers, December 17, 1964
26 Press Release: Court Standards for Investigations and Trials, June 22, 1965
27 Press Release: Ethics Committee Topic for Essex County Bar, November 8, 1965
28 Press Release (Governor): Nominee for Attorney General, Etc., January 16, 1962
29 Reference Materials: Opinions (Unpublished), 1960-1962
30 Reference Materials: Printed and Mimeographed, 1960, and 1962-1964
31 Reference Materials: Printed and Mimeographed, 1965, 1968 and undated
32 Resumes, [1964] and undated
33 Sales Literature for Erotic Films (Items Sent to an Essex County Address), 1964
34 Telephone Message Slips, 1964 and undated
35-37 Transcript of State v. LaPierre, Bisignano and Russo: Volume I, 1961
Box Folder
9 1-2 Transcript of State v. LaPierre, Bisignano and Russo: Volume I, 1961
3-7 Transcript of State v. LaPierre, Bisignano and Russo: Volume II, 1961
8-12 Transcript of State v. LaPierre, Bisignano and Russo: Volume III, 1961
13-14 Transcript of State v. LaPierre, Bisignano and Russo: Volume VI, 1961
Box Folder
10 1-3 Transcript of State v. LaPierre, Bisignano and Russo: Volume VI, 1961
CORRESPONDENCE WHILE A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE, 1970-1973 (.1 cubic ft)
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by date of letter received.
Summary: Letters, numbering sixty-six, received by Byrne following his nomination as and during his tenure as a Superior Court judge, primarily of a personal nature. The correspondence conveys congratulations and responses to invitations to Byrne's swearing in, as well as information about administrative matters, such as the assignment of a court attendant for Judge Byrne (January 5, 1971). Included among the letters are several telegrams, as well as enclosures, such as Byrne's official oath of office (January 6, 1971). Included with some letters, especially those congratulatory in nature, are responses from Byrne.
Included with the correspondence is a court order assigning Judge Byrne to the Law Division of the Superior Court for Essex County, dated December 15, 1970. Also included as an attachment to an undated note is a legal agreement for the case Broderson v. Williams.
Among the correspondents are Governor William T. Cahill (1 letter: 1970 appointment letter), Governor Richard J. Hughes (1 letter: 1970, to Pierre P. Garven), politician Wynona Lipman (2 letters: 1971), and Representative Peter W. Rodino, Jr. (1 letter: 1970). Also among the correspondence is a copy of Byrne's resignation letter from 1973.
Box Folder
10 4 September 28-December 28, 1970
5 December 29-31, 1970
6 1971
7 1973
8 undated
CAMPAIGN FILES, 1973 and 1977 (1.2 cubic feet.)
Arrangement: Grouped chronologically by election period into four sub-series; thereunder arranged by document type.
Summary: Documentation of Byrne's gubernatorial campaign activities in the primary and general elections of 1973 and 1977. The documents relate to both specific events in the campaigns as well as general issues, such as government corruption and the state income tax. Included in the documents are briefing cards, correspondence and memoranda, campaign literature, financial disclosures, position papers, press releases, schedules and speeches.
1973 Primary Election: Among the documents in this sub-series is a letter offering advice from former governor Richard Hughes, as well as congratulatory correspondence from Archibald Alexander, Secretary of Agriculture Philip Alampi and Senator Edward Kennedy. Among the other documents present are oversize newsprint campaign mailers and oversize primary ballots.
1973 General Election: Among the documents in this sub-series are letters from Helen Meyner, Rutgers President Edward Bloustein and David Wilentz. Also among the documents are position papers which, while largely undated, were assembled for use as notes for an interview with the Star Ledger in October of 1973. Also included among the documents are several bumper stickers and campaign buttons for both Byrne and Charles Sandman.
1977 Primary Election: Among the documents in this sub-series is a memorandum between Jim Florio and Paul Lutzker regarding Byrne's election prospects. Also included are oversize newsprint campaign mailers.
1977 General Election: among the documents in this sub-series is correspondence from Vice-President Walter Mondale from August 1977, as well as an admission ticket and other documentation for a campaign fundraiser featuring President Jimmy Carter on September 10, 1977. Also included are oversize newsprint campaign mailers.
1973 Primary Election
Box Folder
10 9 Briefing Cards and Notes for Campaign Events, May 7-18, 1973
10 Briefing Cards and Notes for Campaign Events, May 22-24, 1973
11 Briefing Cards and Notes for Campaign Events, May 25-30, 1973
12 Briefing Cards and Notes for Campaign Events, May 31-June 2, 1973
13 Briefing Cards and Notes for Campaign Events, undated
14 Campaign Literature (Brendan Byrne), undated
15 Campaign Literature (Ralph DeRose), undated
16 Correspondence, February 1-June 1, 1973
17 Correspondence (Congratulatory), June 1973
18 Endorsements, May 1973
19 Financial Disclosure, May 1973
20 Memoranda, May 1973 and undated
21 Position Papers and Press Releases, May 1973 and undated
22 Schedules, May 7-22, 1973
23 Schedules, May 23-29, 1973
24 Schedules, May 30-June 4, 1973
25 Schedules (Comprehensive), May-June 1973
Box Folder
11 1 Staff List, undated
1973 General Election
Box Folder
11 2 Campaign Literature (Brendan Byrne), undated
3 Campaign Literature (Brendan Byrne and Charles Sandman Campaign Buttons), undated
4 Campaign Literature (Charles Sandman), October 1973 and undated
5 Campaign Literature (Charles Sandman–Bumper Stickers), undated
6 Correspondence, June-October 1973 and undated
7