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Otto Gresham corrects a statement made in a prior letter to President Roosevelt. Gresham himself opined that the confession of the Chicago and Alton Railroad and its attorneys would embarrass Standard Oil if the case were reversed. He did not mean to imply that the statement was made by John S. Miller, the attorney for Standard Oil.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-06
Attorney Otto Gresham sends President Roosevelt a letter from Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Gresham shares his views, as well as the views of various local lawyers and judges, on Landis’s actions and the proceedings of the Standard Oil case. Gresham also summarizes the conversations he had with Landis regarding the potential reversal of the case and the imposition of the fine. After discussing the history of law in Britain, Gresham concludes that the people support Roosevelt in his actions to control the corporations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-04
Otto Gresham recounts for President Roosevelt his conversation with Seizaburo Shimizu, the Japanese consul in Chicago. Shimizu was concerned that the major papers in Chicago, especially the Tribune, might “lash the community into anger” against Japan because Eleanor Medill Patterson, daughter of a Tribune editor, had married a Russian nobleman. Gresham assured Shimizu that most Americans look poorly on foreign noblemen who marry American women and do not view such marriages as grounds for alliance. Gresham also mentions that Lord Curzon said the Japanese would try to take the Philippines from the United States. Shimizu, on the contrary, was shocked to hear this because he believes Japan wants the United States to keep the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-26
Otto Gresham tells President Roosevelt of his dinner with Judge Humphrey during the beef trial. Gresham’s mother is “indignant” at the judge’s decision and Gresham did not expect it either. Still, he believes Humphrey to be “absolutely honest.” Despite the outcome of this case, Gresham encourages Roosevelt to pursue other similar indictments. He concludes that most lawyers agree with Humphrey because lawyers are “prone to agree with the court,” but if another judge were to rule differently, they would “jump the fence.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-27
Otto Gresham writes in support of the rate question. Gresham believes nine out of ten members of the Law Club are also in support.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-25
Otto Gresham asks that President Roosevelt, in his letter of acceptance, not address Alton B. Parker’s promise not to accept the presidency if he were to be re-elected to a second term. Gresham also thinks that the President will carry Indiana in the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-30
Otto Gresham informs President Roosevelt that he has advised the Indianapolis financier Volney T. Malott to call on Roosevelt the next time he travels east. Gresham mentions that Volney declined Senator Albert Beveridge’s offer to chair the Indiana State Finance committee and resigned from the executive committee of the American Bankers Association. Gresham adds that Volney is opposed to “asset currency” and holds Roosevelt and Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw in high regard. He ends by assuring Roosevelt that “certain Democrats” have said that the people are with Roosevelt and that he will not be defeated in the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-05
Otto Gresham discusses support for Theodore Roosevelt’s re-election in Indiana.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-27
Otto Gresham encloses a page from the Indianapolis News containing an advertisement concerning William R. Hearst.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-08
Otto Gresham writes that he saw the noted journalist “Marse” Henry Watterson at the Chicago Club. Watterson predicts that President Roosevelt will be reelected. Gresham also discusses chairmanship of the Indiana committee and mentions the loyalty of Volney T. Malott to Roosevelt. He also writes that Delavan Smith, publisher of The Indianapolis News, believes that James F. Hanly might be elected governor of Indiana.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-08
Otto Gresham relays Abraham Lincoln’s opinion on the Dred Scott Case in which he stated his respect for the Supreme Court, but his refusal to stand by the case. The document states that the judicial decision radicalized Lincoln on the issue of slavery, and that he and Wendell Phillips welcomed succession. He connects the transportation interests of the country to the slave power, stating that the best advocates of efficient government have always been those with regard for the rights of property.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-25
Otto Gresham encloses a clipping from the Indianapolis Journal and discusses politics in Indiana.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-30
Otto Gresham tells all of the Illinois candidates to “declare” for Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-28
Otto Gresham writes to President Roosevelt expressing his support for Roosevelt in the upcoming election. Gresham writes that some members of the Grand Army of the Republic and Loyal Legion disagreed with the decision to not let the Colombians put down the Panamanian rebellion, but otherwise support Roosevelt completely. Gresham also writes about discussing possible nominees for presidential candidates with Senator Platt, whose ideas turned out to be incorrect.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-04
Otto Gresham encloses clippings from the Chicago Chronicle and relays that the newspaper is owned by John R. Walsh, president of the Chicago National Bank. Gresham discusses the electoral vote in Illinois, Indiana, and the northwest United States. Gresham believes the Illinois delegation will be for Grover Cleveland and General James B. Weaver, but will be contended by citizens in favor of Mayor Carter H. Harrison. Gresham notes his recent luncheon with James H. Eckels.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-31
Otto Gresham heard a large number of speeches at the farewell dinner for Judge John H. Baker and assures the President that he should be satisfied with the appointment of Albert B. Anderson as a U.S. District Judge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-10
Otto Gresham reports that public sentiment in Chicago supports President Roosevelt’s efforts to settle the Anthracite Coal Strike.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-02
Otto Gresham reports that Robert Metzger is for President Roosevelt. He also discusses a judgeship and an ill cousin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-23
Otto Gresham has spoken with Robert Metzger who believes that his delegates can be convinced to support President Roosevelt. However, Metzger refused to provide his opinion on the district judgeship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-06
Otto Gresham discusses several people’s degree of support for President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-14