Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1900-12-18
Creator(s)
Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Your TR Source
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1900-12-18
Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
English
An article praising President Roosevelt as a peacemaker.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-30
Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends Theodore Roosevelt a copy of a speech given by George W. Goethals to Congress. Goethals is extremely grateful to Roosevelt, and Bishop suggests Roosevelt send him a line of acknowledgment. Goethals is pleased with the progress on the canal project. Bishop has just seen news of Canada’s rejection of reciprocity, which will worsen William Howard Taft’s prospects. Bishop believes Taft’s weak character has been revealed and both he and Woodrow Wilson will likely be replaced at the convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-23
Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends President Roosevelt two copies of the second edition of “The Canal Record,” which he says gives more space to information that interests canal employees. The paper has been well-received, but Bishop does not believe it needs to include Roosevelt’s suggestion for American news because there are already plenty of American newspapers available to canal workers. Bishop thanks Roosevelt for his telegram and mentions that he included it in “The Canal Record.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-12
Joseph Bucklin Bishop tells President Roosevelt that Colonel George W. Goethals was pleased with the excavation in August, but that the showing will not be as good in September due to holidays. Bishop updates Roosevelt on the work of the Isthmian Canal Commission, including careful examination of a report that criticizes its conduct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-09
Joseph Bucklin Bishop informs President Roosevelt of a situation in the Panama Canal Zone beyond the scope of canal construction. Bishop describes how the executive order signed on November 17 virtually abolished the office of Governor and conferred power on the General Counsel, creating a bad situation in which General Counsel Richard Reid Rogers took advantage of his new power. When Secretary of War Taft visited in March, he issued a new executive order to address this situation, conferring the majority of government power on the chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission and acted on by the governor of the Panama Canal Zone, Joseph C.S. Blackburn. Bishop states that Blackburn is doing excellent work and is well-respected, unlike Rogers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-06
Isthmian Canal Commission Secretary Bishop updates President Roosevelt on his family. Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission Colonel George W. Goethals requested Bishop’s presence on the Isthmus to have a channel of communication to Roosevelt, and Roosevelt’s recent letter pleased him. Bishop says the only major issue is the arrogant behavior of Jackson Smith, the Head of the Department of Labor, Quarters, and Subsistence on the Panama Canal Commission. Additionally, the engineer Joseph Ripley created incorrect blueprints and has been proven to be no expert on locks, but Major William L. Sibert is excellent. Bishop thinks the Republican Club of New York’s motives for disparaging Roosevelt’s canal policy are political. In response to Roosevelt’s suggestion to include local events in the new paper, Bishop explains that it may be hard to keep current, but he will try his best.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
Joseph Bucklin Bishop, secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission, reports to President Roosevelt that matters on the Isthmus are in good condition thanks to Chief Engineer and Commission Chairman George W. Goethals’s systematic military organization. Goethals is an effective leader and greatly appreciates Bishop’s help, especially in handling complaints. Bishop compliments Roosevelt’s Provincetown speech and gives an update on his family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-29
Joseph Bucklin Bishop shares with President Roosevelt that Colonel George W. Goethals, chairman and chief engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission, finds the administrative body “cumbersome and inefficient” and wants it reformed. Bishop is preparing a report on August’s work results for publication.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-19
Joseph Bucklin Bishop discusses two members of Theodore Roosevelt’s Cabinet. He does not understand how they can work simultaneously for Roosevelt’s and Ryan’s purposes. Bishop also compliments Roosevelt on the loyalty he has to his friends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Joseph Bucklin Bishop updates President Roosevelt on matters related to the railroads. Warren G. Harding believes that the president should focus on curbing railway abuses, especially rebates and private cars, stopping short of interfering with railway rates. Bishop also compliments the president on his success in the restoration of peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-14
Joseph Bucklin Bishop writes to update President Roosevelt about various projects. Bishop then inquires about a job opportunity that he feels Roosevelt could help him obtain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-07
Joseph Bucklin Bishop writes a humorous letter to President Roosevelt regarding a casual boxing match in Washington between the President and fighter Mike Donovan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-30
Joseph Bucklin Bishop writes to William Loeb to let him know that Judge Joe Laughlin declined Loeb’s dinner invitation out of respect to Mrs. Laughlin, whose mother recently passed. Bishop wants Loeb to know that Laughlin will accept an invitation if addressed only to Judge Laughlin, so Loeb ought to resend the invitation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-01
Joseph Bucklin Bishop provides an update on the New York political situation as it pertains to securing the Republican nomination for the United States Senate and for Governor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-15
Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends President Roosevelt something he is sure will be of interest to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-12
Joseph Bucklin Bishop reports to President Roosevelt that there is very little support for Seth Low for postmaster. Bishop discusses the appointment of Francis E. Leupp as Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Bishop is anxious about Roosevelt’s trip to St. Louis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-21
Joseph Bucklin Bishop writes to President Roosevelt that he has published a column supporting Roosevelt’s expected appointment of Seth Low. Bishop has also enclosed cartoons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-15
Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends President Roosevelt a report on independents’ voting patterns in the recent presidential election. Bishop is annoyed both with Republican party officials claiming their influence swung New York and with Democrats whom he found “offensive” during the campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-14
Joseph Bucklin Bishop mocks journalists who have published inaccurate information about President Roosevelt’s White House. He sends clippings of the mistakes. He also includes a short editorial that “echoes” the president’s remarks at a recent dinner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-13