Kent, William, 1864-1928

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-11-18

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Language

English

William Kent informs Theodore Roosevelt that President William H. Taft is unfit for office, citing his veto of the Arizona statehood bill, poor treatment of honorable men, and weak leadership. Kent urges Roosevelt not to support Taft’s reelection, warns against endorsing an unworthy candidate, and calls for Republican Party reform to end special privilege legislation and protective tariffs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-13

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

William Kent received Theodore Roosevelt’s letter but was not able to answer as he was not in town at the time. He hopes he and his mother will be able to visit Roosevelt soon, but is not sure when he will find the time. He also plans on supporting the political goals of Senator La Follette. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-22

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

William Kent sends Theodore Roosevelt some “desultory remarks” that both amused and offended certain members of the United States Congress. Kent urges Roosevelt that they should begin to organize Robert M. La Follette’s run for presidency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-11

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

William Kent regrets that he will not be able to show Theodore Roosevelt the area north of the bay himself while Roosevelt is in California, but he nevertheless invites Roosevelt to visit his house and drive into the woods while he is away. Kent strongly desires Francis J. Heney to be appointed as a United States Senator. He believes the senior senator, Senator George Clement Perkins, will not last long, and that Heney would be an ideal candidate to replace him. Kent suggests that if Roosevelt feels himself able to, that he write to California Governor Hiram Johnson to suggest this to him. The difficulties Heney has experienced following his work in the Oregon Land Fraud trial cause Kent a great deal of regret, and he would like to help him if possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-24

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

Representative Kent wants to take Theodore Roosevelt, Governor Hiram Johnson, Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt, and Francis J. Heney on an outing up the mountains during his visit to California. He warns Roosevelt about the “grafting bunch.” Kent discusses “the great things” Johnson has done for California as governor. While Heney has been brave since his loss (his wife, Rebecca W. Heney, died January 26, 1911), Kent believes time with Roosevelt will bolster him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-20

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

William Kent asks Theodore Roosevelt to spend some time with him during his upcoming trip to California. He would like to take Roosevelt and Francis J. Heney riding. Kent adds that “the Tahoe matter” “is “thoroughly stirred up in California,” and that President William H. Taft’s putting the deal through will be a show of bad faith and go against his conservation statements.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-10

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

Representative Kent sends Theodore Roosevelt the proposed contract concerning Lake Tahoe, which he considers scandalous. Regretfully, he and his wife, Elizabeth Thatcher Kent, cannot visit Roosevelt at Sagamore Hill due to illness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-17

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

William Kent discusses his beliefs on the Japanese racial issue in California and sends President Roosevelt an editorial from California Weekly. Kent compares what is happening on the Hawaiian islands to California and is glad that California is not being settled as rapidly as other parts of the country. Kent believes that in matters of Japanese immigrants “distance will best sanctify our traditional friendship for each other.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-29

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

William Kent writes about the “Illinois situation.” He predicts that Richard Yates will be defeated if renominated as the Republican nominee for governor of Illinois. Kent also comments on the likely outcome for Illinois politicians Frank O. Lowden, Charles S. Deneen, William Lorimer, and Martin B. Madden.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-23

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

William Kent thanks President Roosevelt for his message of appreciation and hopes Roosevelt knows Kent will “attempt to save more of the precious and vanishing glories of nature.” Kent appreciates Roosevelt’s suggestion to change the name of the park but cannot accept it. Kent tells Roosevelt that he has five “good husky boys” who will carry on the family name, and if they cannot keep it alive, he is willing to let it be forgotten. Kent sends Roosevelt several photographs of Muir Woods.

Collection

Muir Woods National Monument

Creation Date

1908-01-30

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928