Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928 | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-23

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-12

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-09

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-06

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-03

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-29

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-19

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-16

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-14

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928