The Reach of Corporate PaternalismContext:For many mining companies in the Keweenaw, paternalism reached into government. The following letters between Quincy’s president, William R. Todd, and his general manager, Charles (Chas.) Lawton, reveal how involved they were in local matters.
Quincy in Local Politics
Chas. Lawton to William R. Todd, May 30, 1917, Quincy Mining Company Collection, MS-001, box 336, folder 19, Michigan Tech Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections, Houghton, MI. Page 1 May 30, 1917.
W. R. Todd, President, Quincy Mining Company, New York City. Dear Sir: Re: County Poor. There has always been more or less bickering and contention throughout the county in the care of the county’s poor. The cost has been high, and the misappropriation of funds seems to have been at times extreme, so much so that several years ago, you will recall, I took a considerable interest in the matter and was chairman of the committee that built the present County Infirmary and also the present Anti-Tuberculosis Sanatorium, both of which have fully met the conditions for which they were constructed, together with the expected reduction in costs to the County. About that time, there was also an extensive revision in the method of handling the records of the county indigent persons; and, together with Mr. Fred Coggin, who was at the time superintendent of the Copper Range Stamp Mills, we got up and installed a new card system and records for keeping track of all matters appertaining to the Poor Commissioner’s offices. Recently the question has been agitated, of removing the old detention hospital that is located on Quincy ground back of Franklin, to near the present site of the other county buildings, so that the cost of maintenance of the detention hospital may be lessened by utilizing the officers that reside at the County Poor Farm. I am rather inclined to favor the move -- and especially to get the old small pox hospital off from the Quincy ground. For about a year now, there had been considerable agitation in the Poor Commissioner’s offices, due to alleged favoritism, and also neglect; so much so that the supervisors appointed various committees to look into the several matters, until more recently they have appointed a committee of “laymen” outside of politics, consisting of Mr. Thielman, whom you know, of Armstrong & Thielman Lumber Company, Hancock, Dr. L. L. Hubbard, and one Mr. Stall, Poor Commissioner, of (continued on page 2) Quincy in Local Politics, page 2
Chas. Lawton to William R. Todd, May 30, 1917, Quincy Mining Company Collection, MS-001, box 336, folder 19, Michigan Tech Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections, Houghton, MI. Page 2 (continued from page 1)
Houghton. This committee was appointed to look into the whole question of our county indigents, with special reference to medical care and attendance. They have had a great many meetings and consultations with the various citizens of the county, which has resulted in a unanimous appeal to our Dr. Fischer to serve as director in the organization to evolve plans and put them into operation, subject to the recommendations of the special committee and the will of the Board of Supervisors. Dr. Fischer is not over-enthusiastic over it; but has referred the matter to me for decision. I have advised him that he did not have the time to take the work up, and he is content. However, the committee headed by Dr. Hubbard is still stirring the matter up, and the latter had written me a long letter under date of the 29th instant, regarding the matter, which I herewith enclose to you for your perusal and advice. Dr. Fischer thinks possible he may be able to take care of the whole matter as a side issue to his present work. If this is so to a reasonable degree, I am willing to allow him to go ahead. Think possible I could then influence the matter to a more or less degree, so as to help save the county some considerable expense and taxes in the future years; but first I must have your pleasure in the matter. Advise me fully your views in the matter. Yours very truly, Gen’l Mg’r. Quincy in Local Politics, reply letter
William R. Todd to Chas. Lawton, June 4, 1917, Quincy Mining Company Collection, MS-001, box 336, folder 19, Michigan Tech Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections, Houghton, MI. Quincy Mining Company,
32 Broadway, New York,June 4th, 1917. Mr. Chas. L. Lawton, Genl. Mgr., Hancock, Mich. Dear Sir: Yours of the 30th ultimo received having reference to the care of the county poor. We certainly approve of removing the old Detention Hospital that is located on the Quincy ground back of Franklin and also to get the old Smallpox Hospital off the Quincy grounds, but we cannot approve of permitting Dr. Fischer to serve as a director in the organization, for the simple reason that we think his duties at the Quincy Mine require all his thought and attention. You know we are much interested in the Medical Department of the Quincy Mine and want it kept up to the very highest state of efficiency so that our employees may have good attention and proper care as needed, and we prefer that Dr. Fischer have no outside duties to take him away, the work at the mine being too important to neglect. Yours very truly, W. R. Todd President. Stop and Reflect:Pay attention to how involved Quincy and other companies were with different parts of life.
Historian's Perspective:These letters reveal a balancing act companies performed. While they wanted paternalistic influence over workers and other residents, they did not want to be responsible for all parts of life.Quincy may have originally supplied land for the county hospitals simply because no one else was able to. (That is only a guess which a historian would need to research further to learn about how Quincy approached paternalism and their relationship with workers.) Either way, the fact that the committee on the healthcare of the poor decided to appeal to Dr. Fischer indicates that the county was used to turning to Quincy for assistance. At the same time, Lawton described the benefits of having Dr. Fischer head the committee: [insert quote about “I could more or less influence matters”] Lawton’s attitude was similar to Todd’s when it came to trusting other people to do things right. He assumed that the company getting involved would guarantee the county ran well. Again, the point is not whether Lawton’s actions were good or bad, but how he saw himself as more knowledgeable and capable because of his managerial position in the company. The skills he used as a manager in cost-saving and project management applied to the government as well. In the end, Todd’s reply of concern over their doctors spending time on outside work came to shut down Dr. Fischer’s involvement. Note the clarity of company hierarchy here. Dr. Fischer knew immediately that he did not want to head the new committee, but instead of making that decision, he appealed to Lawton. Lawton knew the daily workings of the company in the Keweenaw, but he still appealed to Todd. More Documents to Explore
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Last updated: March 14, 2025