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Thomas B. Reed, former speaker of the house, compliments President Roosevelt on his actions since succeeding to the presidency. Reed also expresses his sympathy concerning President McKinley’s death, calling the assassination “overwhelmingly sad.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-30
“I will be as good as I can,” Congressman Reed states, presumably in response to a prior remark from Commissioner Roosevelt, though he feels it will be a loss to the world should he suppress his views. Reed contemplates howling at the constellations in frustration and jokingly threatens to head to the North Pole. He closes with a drawing of a thermometer with the initials “B.H.” (for President Benjamin Harrison) at the base, far below 0 degrees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1892-11-20
Thomas B. Reed writes, “Lodge goes to Mass. So does Randall. But both are sometimes in their places of business which is not the case with officials whom the people cannot reach.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1894-08-09
Thomas B. Reed tells Commissioner Roosevelt that he has ceased to answer the letters and telegrams of “T.” He is glad that Roosevelt likes the photograph he sent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1895-07-05
Representative Reed discusses an article in which Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt is quoted speaking highly of Reed, which Reed could not finish reading for fear he “could not live up to it,” but he has kept the article for when he is “low” in his mind and needs support. Reed praises a letter Roosevelt wrote to the “Goo Goo’s,” a nickname given to Progressive reformers who were in support of good government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1895-10-29
Representative Reed tells Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt that he has a “big fight” on his hands and whether Roosevelt is right or wrong, Reed will not hinder him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1895-12-16
Speaker of the House Reed tells Police Commissioner Roosevelt that his wife, Susan Prentice Merrill Reed, is impatient to get back to Grand Beach, Maine, where from a “happy distance” they can observe “the struggles of police commissioners and candidates for the presidency and other kinds of unfortunate beings” doing reform work that is going unrecognized.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1896-05-13
Speaker of the House Reed believes it was his duty to “go in again” and that his refusal to stand for reelection would make things unsatisfactory in his state given present conditions. Reed expresses distaste for Chairman of the Republican National Committee Marcus Hanna’s “coarse ways,” but it will not deter Reed from doing what “ought to be done.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1896-07-28
Representative Reed responds to a letter from Theodore Roosevelt regarding the speakership of the House of Representatives. Reed notes that although the speakership “never seemed much worth longing for,” it would still “seem rather a rebuff” not to have it after having been twice selected as the caucus candidate when the party was not in power.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1888-11-27
Representative Reed thanks Commissioner Roosevelt for his letter of encouragement, following the mid-term elections in which Republicans lost heavily. Reed expects “buffeting from the enemy” for a short while – probably referring to the fact that the Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1890-11-21
Maine Representative Thomas B. Reed writes: “Dear Roosevelt, I think I was perverse that night. Yours regretfully T.B.R.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1891-01-25
Thomas B. Reed has been in Italy for six weeks and wishes to catch up on political news.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1891-05-27
Thomas B. Reed congratulates Theodore and Edith Roosevelt on the birth of their daughter Ethel. He gives sarcastic commentary about the choice between James G. Blaine and Benjamin Harrison for president in the next election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1891-08-22
Thomas B. Reed responds to a newspaper report that James Blaine will not accept nomination by the Republican Party for president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1891-12-03