MCCARTHY JOSEPH: (1908-1957) American attorney, judge and politician, known as a political demagogue who instigated the mid-century "Red Scare," using his position as a lawmaker to lead reckless, unsubstantiated witch-hunts against suspected communists within the U.S. government. A scarce T.L.S., Joe McCarthy, one page, 4to, n.p., 20th October 1954, to James W. Glatis, on the printed stationery of the United States Senate, Committee on Government Operations, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. McCarthy informs his correspondent that their testimony of 19th July 1954 before the subcommittee will be printed for public distribution in the upcoming weeks, remarking ?I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the public service you have rendered by testifying before this committee in helping to expose Communist infiltration into this nation?s defense plants?. A good letter directly relating to McCarthyism and McCarthy?s investigations into alleged Communist infiltration of the American defence industry. A few very minor, light tape stains to the four edges of the letter, otherwise VG

James W. Glatis was a General Electric employee and FBI undercover agent and informant who infiltrated Communist circles in the Boston area.

The present letter dates from the final weeks of McCarthy?s prominence in the Senate and relates directly to the anti-Communist investigations that became synonymous with McCarthyism. Only weeks later, on 2nd December 1954, the Senate would formally censure McCarthy, effectively bringing an end to his period of political ascendancy.