Arrangement: chronological by year, then alphabetical by subject.

Chiefly correspondence between Jonas and his constituents pertaining to legislation being considered by Congress. There is some correspondence with persons outside of Jonas's district, including federal officials, residents of other North Carolina districts, and non-North Carolinians.

The arrangement of this subseries was established by the Congressman's staff. In most cases, original file titles have been retained. However, there are large gaps in the correspondence for the years 1954, 1955, and 1958.Unfortunately this material was either lost or discarded before the papers arrived at the Southern Historical Collection. During processing, correspondence pertaining to issues not of particular interest to Jonas or his district were discarded. Much of the remaining correspondence was sampled extensively during processing; because Jonas received hundreds of similar letters relating to a particular bill, in many cases only a representative sample of the correspondence was retained.

The majority of correspondents expressed support or opposition to particular legislation. Jonas usually responded by discussing the issue, explaining his position, and thanking the correspondent for writing. His response is usually attached to the constituent's letter.

This material reflects Jonas's interest in a balanced budget, opposition to government spending, and opposition to high taxes. Also documented is his district's response to the furor over civil rights in the late 1950s and 1960s, particularly in public education. Also reflected is a regional interest in agriculture, mica mining, and highway programs.

Arrangement: chronological.

Bills, correspondence, clippings, notes, and reports relating to bills introduced or co-sponsored by Jonas. Also included is some material related to specific committees on which Jonas served, particularly the Appropriations Committee, and a summary of all bills introduced by Jonas.

Arrangement: alphabetical by subject or audience.

Chiefly speeches by Charles Raper Jonas during his tenure in Congress. Some background material for speeches on the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Republican Party is also included. The bulk of the speeches are drafts, many of which are edited in Jonas's hand. Speeches with a focused topic are filed under the subject. However, speeches directed toward particular audiences are filed under the audience. Jonas's addresses to particular audiences tended to be very general "get to know the Congressman" speeches. Many of his speeches dealt with his opposition to government spending and national debt. There are many speeches given on Lincoln Day (filed under Republican Party) and a number of speeches given on the anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.

Arrangement: chronological.

Press releases from the office of Charles Raper Jonas. Also included is an undated (circa 1969-1971) list of newspapers, radio stations, and television stations in the 9th district. There is also an undated memo from a staff member making suggestions for improving Jonas's media strategy.

Arrangement: chronological.

Drafts and copies of Charles Raper Jonas's weekly "Report from Washington" newsletter, published in newspapers in his district, informing his constituents of his activities in Washington. The typescript drafts are edited in Jonas's hand. For clippings of the "Report from Washington" see the scrapbooks in Series 7. Jonas apparently discontinued the "Report from Washington" in the late 1950s.

Arrangement: chronological.

Clippings from newsletters and newspapers that mention Charles Raper Jonas. Two pre-congressional clippings document some of Jonas's activities prior to 1953. Congressional material consists chiefly of clippings from newsletters. The bulk of the clippings in this series date from 1973 to 1984, after Jonas retired from Congress. Clippings documenting the Congressional period are found in Series 7, Scrapbooks.

Arrangement: chronological.

Drafts of Jonas's reports on the radio, with some correspondence relating to these reports. They are very similar to the "Reports from Washington" found in Subseries 4.2. The bulk of the radio speeches date from the 1950s, particularly 1953-1957. The radio speech dated 1967 is Jonas's response to an editorial read on WSPA in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Arrangement: chronological.

Chiefly bound issues of the Congressional Record containing remarks made by Jonas in Congress. There are some loose reprints filed at the end of the subseries.

Arrangement: chronological.

Correspondence and other material relating to Jonas's Congressional campaigns, to the Republican Party in North Carolina, and to other political matters of concern to Jonas. Included are letters of support, correspondence with campaign workers and Republican figures, financial records, brochures, and campaign statements. Clippings and duplicate items were discarded from this subseries, and letters of support and congratulations were sampled.

Arrangement: chronological.

Jonas's voting record in Congress, as documented by Congress and by the Republican Party. Every year from 1953 to 1970 is represented. Material also appears comparing Jonas's record with that of Representative Paul Kitchin, 1957-1962. Published items have been discarded except for congressional and Republican voting records.

Material in these papers prior to Jonas's 1952 election to Congress consists chiefly of the following: 1929 letters of congratulations; correspondence with U.S. attorneys for western North Carolina, 1932-1936; Jonas and Jonas (law firm of Lincoln County) records; and material relating to speeches by Jonas concerning federal assistance for servicemen and veterans, 1941-1946. Material for 1947-1948 relates to the appointment of a U.S. district judge for the western district of North Carolina and to Thomas E. Dewey's bid for the presidency, especially his prospects in North Carolina. Family material includes genealogical information and two letters, 1806, chiefly concerning land.

Correspondence with family, friends, constituents, and local, state, and national business and political leaders. These are letters that chiefly reflect Jonas's personal contacts with presidents, Charlotte business people, representatives, state leaders, and others rather than dealing with specific legislative or political issues. Included are routine social notes from various North Carolina leaders in both parties--Reverend Billy Graham, Presidents Eisenhower through Nixon, and future Presidents Ford, Reagan, and Bush. See also Subseries 6.4 for correspondence and other material of Charles Raper Jonas Junior (1941-1981).

Certificates, financial and medical records, invitations, programs, and other personal items. A number of invitations and programs appear reflecting the functions in Washington and his district which Jonas attended. Certificates include commendations from various organizations, especially such conservative groups as Americans for Constitutional Action. Also included is a file of biographical material about Jonas.

Correspondence and other material of Charles Raper Jonas's son, Charles Raper Jonas Junior (1941-1981). The material from 1955 to 1963 consists primarily of school records from St. Albans School and letters to the younger Jonas at St. Albans and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The material from the early 1970s concerns Jonas Junior's political activities (chairman of the Nixon campaign in North Carolina, delegate to the Republican convention, possible candidacy for Congress). The later material is mostly correspondence about the location of roads during the years when Charles Raper Jonas Junior, served on the North Carolina Board of Transportation. The final folder contains letters of condolence, including a photocopy of one from Richard Nixon.