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Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Kent turns down President Roosevelt’s offer of the governorship of Arizona Territory and suggests Benjamin A. Fowler for the job. He also mentions that current Governor Alexander O. Brodie believes that Edmund William Wells is an excellent candidate. However, Kent lists reasons why he disagrees with this and favors Fowler instead.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-26
While Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt are welcome to stay with his mother, Justice Kent understands Theodore Roosevelt and his party are not staying overnight in Phoenix, Arizona. He asks Roosevelt to have his secretary send a travel schedule so he can plan when to join Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-25
Edward Kent invites Theodore Roosevelt to stay at his house while in Phoenix, Arizona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-09
Justice Kent of Arizona thanks President Roosevelt for being a model leader and for his friendship over the years. Kent wishes Roosevelt well in his next chapter of life.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-18
Arizona Territory Justice Kent acknowledges William Loeb’s telegram stating President Roosevelt’s agreement with Kent’s decision to deny the judgeship of the United States Court for China. Kent is aware of what an honor it was to be offered the position, and regrets that he had to decline it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-24
Justice Kent tells Secretary of State Root that he understands the importance of the work being done by the United States Court for China, and believes that it is more important than any duty he has in the United States. However, there are “grave reasons” against his accepting the position, which he outlines in a letter that he sent for Root’s consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-18
Arizona Territory Chief Justice Kent agonizes over whether he should accept the nomination to be Judge of the United States Court for China. He would hate to decline if President Roosevelt wants him to accept, but he is torn between his desire to serve the country and his personal obligation to take care of his mother, Abigail Ann Rockwood Kent. He welcomes Roosevelt’s opinion on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-18
Justice Kent tells Secretary of State Root that although he had hoped to remain in Arizona and play a role as it becomes a state, he understands that the work in China is more important and that he has a duty to accept the appointment to the Court for China in Shanghai. However, he lists several “grave reasons” that he should not accept. First, he is overseeing an important case on water use in Arizona that would need to be concluded before he left. More importantly, Kent believes that his health would suffer if he went to Shanghai. He is responsible for the care of his elderly mother, and worries that if he accepts the appointment his health would decline and he would be no longer be able to support her.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-18
Arizona Territorial Chief Justice Kent thanks President Roosevelt for his stance on separate statehood for Arizona and New Mexico. Kent is hopeful that Roosevelt can persuade Congress to pass statehood legislation in the current session. Kent also believes that Arizona, should it become a state, would likely vote for Roosevelt, Territorial Governor Joseph H. Kibbey, and other Republican legislators, in the upcoming elections.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-26
Edward Kent tells President Roosevelt that he has sent Judge Eugene A. Tucker to another district where he will be able to work with George H. Smalley as clerk “without interfering with” George B. Wilcox.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-20
The Republican territorial convention in Arizona has endorsed President Roosevelt’s administration and the delegates to the national convention will be led by Governor Brodie, who Edward Kent says is well-loved in Arizona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-09