Your TR Source
Governor Hadley does not believe that next week is suitable for an event in Saint Louis, Missouri featuring Theodore Roosevelt. The St. Louis Coliseum will not be available and Hadley believes that a trip closer to the Illinois and Missouri primaries would be beneficial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-19
Governor Hadley will be able to attend the meeting in New York on Friday and requests that Thomas Key Niedringhaus also be invited.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-12
Governor Hadley is opposed to Governor Stubbs’ suggestion of Theodore Roosevelt engaging in a general speaking campaign. He would like to see Roosevelt move away from campaigning on the issue of the recall of judges, and he suggests other issues that Roosevelt could campaign with, including the tariff, business regulation, direct presidential primaries, and the “question of World-Wide Peace.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-09
Governor Hadley expresses the concerns of Missouri Republican leadership over Theodore Roosevelt’s support for the recall of judges and judicial decisions. While they are in favor of the initiative and referendum, the recall of judges threatens the independence of the judiciary. Hadley interpreted Roosevelt’s recent speeches as a warning that the recall of judges could be a last resort and suggests that Roosevelt clarify his position to lessen the “popular alarm.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-03
Governor Hadley encourages Theodore Roosevelt to accept the speaking invitation from the Million Population Club of St. Louis, Missouri. He is unsure of Roosevelt’s policy concerning speech-making but describes the club as a “responsible organization.” Hadley is pleased with the campaign’s Executive Committee and requests an autographed photograph of Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-02
Governor Hadley encloses a copy of a letter he wrote to Edwin Walter Sims.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-19
Governor Hadley has read Theodore Roosevelt’s Columbus speech and generally agrees with Roosevelt’s “Charter of Democracy.” However, he is concerned about the recall of judges and encloses part of a speech he made regarding the recall of judges and judicial decisions. Hadley thought that Roosevelt’s announcement of his presidential candidacy was “entirely characteristic and effective.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-24
Governor Hadley encourages the rapid formation of an executive committee of the National Roosevelt Committee. He would like to see someone on this committee assigned to handle the campaign west of the Mississippi River and suggests Thomas K. Niedringhaus or, preferably, Walter S. Dickey. Hadley provides an update on the campaign in Missouri, which would be helped by a prompt declaration from Theodore Roosevelt of his willingness to accept the Republican presidential nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-19
Governor Hadley offers a quotation on Charles II from Macauley’s History of England as a commentary on the situation of the Republican Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-17
President Taft’s supporters have been fostering a rumor that Theodore Roosevelt has stated he would never accept the Republican nomination. Governor Hadley has heard of other underhanded political techniques being used by the Taft campaign in Missouri, and he encourages Roosevelt to declare his candidacy. He further suggests that Roosevelt put William Loeb in charge of his campaign. In Hadley’s judgment, this is Roosevelt’s greatest opportunity to serve the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-15
Mercer County, Missouri, has elected delegates for Theodore Roosevelt by a ratio of three to one.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-12
Mercer County, Missouri, has elected delegates for Theodore Roosevelt by a ratio of three to one.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-12
Governor Hadley offers his impressions after attending a meeting in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting was a success and it was concluded that a large majority of Republicans favored Theodore Roosevelt’s nomination as the Republican presidential candidate. However, President Taft’s control of party machinery and influence with federal officeholders gives him a great advantage in conventions and caucuses. This advantage could secure enough delegates to defeat Roosevelt. It was concluded that a Roosevelt campaign organization needs to be formed and that Roosevelt must publicly announce his willingness to accept the presidential nomination. Hadley advises against attending the Ohio Constitutional Convention as this will be construed as an attempt to influence the selection of delegates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-11
Governor Hadley is pleased that Theodore Roosevelt agrees that a public statement regarding his views on potentially accepting the Republican presidential nomination is needed. Supporters of President Taft are using the confusion surrounding Roosevelt’s position to spread misinformation. Only a statement from Roosevelt can clear up the confusion. Hadley will discuss at the Chicago meeting whether the statement should be made before or after Roosevelt’s address at the Ohio Constitutional Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-09
After consulting with political leaders in St. Louis, Missouri, Governor Hadley believes that Theodore Roosevelt should make a public statement regarding his views on accepting the Republican presidential nomination within ten days. Thousands of Americans have encouraged Roosevelt’s candidacy and Hadley thinks that they deserve an answer. Stories are circulating that Roosevelt will not accept the nomination and many “timid souls” hesitate to offer support until Roosevelt’s candidacy is confirmed. There will be a meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on February 10 of Roosevelt supporters and Hadley suggests that they make a statement declaring that a majority of Republican voters favor Roosevelt’s candidacy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-04
Governor Hadley will be in Chicago, Illinois next week to meet with Governor Stubbs, Governor Osborn, and others interested in Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential candidacy. In Missouri, the fight is on for delegates from the Third Congressional District, which Hadley believes is favorable to Roosevelt. However, some Roosevelt supporters are holding back for fear that Roosevelt will not agree to accept the nomination. He expects the primary in the Fifth District to favor Roosevelt. The North Dakota primary is on March 5 and Hadley encourages Roosevelt to reveal his intentions toward the nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-02
Governor Hadley encloses a letter from Governor Vessey as it is Hadley’s understanding that Vessey has not communicated directly with Theodore Roosevelt. Hadley suggests that Roosevelt’s requests for advice from his friends regarding the Republican presidential nomination are being “indefinitely enlarged” as these correspondents confidentially show their friends and so on. This is creating a semi-authoritative statement of Roosevelt’s position that may be different from Roosevelt’s intentions. The confusion is also allowing letters to circulate from Roosevelt’s former friends that Roosevelt will not accept the nomination even if it were offered.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-01
Governor Hadley believes that Theodore Roosevelt needs to shortly deliver a public statement regarding his views on potentially accepting the Republican presidential nomination. Hadley suggests that a statement would be preferable to responding to a letter from several state governors as this could appear like a “prearranged affair.” He recommends a brief statement referencing the great demand for Roosevelt to be a candidate and Roosevelt’s public duty to respond.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-30
Governor Hadley met with Frank Knox regarding whether Theodore Roosevelt should make a public statement on his willingness to accept the Republican presidential nomination if offered. In Missouri, a statement is not necessary as the party has inferred that Hadley’s support for Roosevelt means that Roosevelt will accept the nomination. Hadley and Knox have concluded that the ambiguity of Roosevelt’s position is out of place with the frank way he has dealt with political questions in the past. They also believe that a lack of direction is preventing potential leaders of the Roosevelt campaign from acting. Hadley suggests that a letter signed by several supportive governors would be a “dignified and proper method” of announcing Roosevelt’s position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-29
The situation is satisfactory in Missouri but Governor Hadley cannot leave at this time. He may be able to travel to New York late next week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-29