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Parker H. Sercombe responds to Theodore Roosevelt’s article “Murder is Murder.” He reminds Roosevelt that in the context of class war, the working class has a right to fight back.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-06
Sercombe, Parker H. (Parker Holmes), 1860-1944
Parker H. Sercombe directs Senator Owen that a careful review of his proposal for a Department for Race Preservation shows that it circumvents the attacks against the Department of Health. He argues that those who oppose the Department of Health object to it on the grounds of being a “medical trust.” He argues that if future legislation is to be approved, it must organize educative, not regulative, institutions. Sercombe lists the proposed responsibilities of the commissioner of health, demonstrating why physicians should assist the commissioner, not lead the department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-19
Parker H. Sercombe believes Theodore Roosevelt will be interested in the lectures on “Human Conservation” outlined in some enclosed documents. Sercombe believes that “babies and children are the most important of all our natural resources” and that parents and teachers should be taught how to instruct them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-07
Parker H. Sercombe has been asked to send Theodore Roosevelt a copy of his brief essay “Mr. Edison’s Maimed Mind,” which he encloses, as it is thought it may be of interest or use to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-22
Parker H. Sercombe sends Theodore Roosevelt his “treatment” of the Edison-Gibbons affair and would appreciate any comments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-20
Parker H. Sercombe believes that the enclosed letter to Cardinal James Gibbons, which is a demonstration in applied sociology, will interest Theodore Roosevelt. Sercombe is concentrating his work on “human conservation” and will lecture on it anywhere that Roosevelt refers him to.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-11
Parker H. Sercombe argues that the Senate should be abolished as an aristocratic body that does not promote scientific thinking has no place in a democracy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-31
Parker H. Sercombe discusses the question of “maimed minds” as raised by Cardinal James Gibbons in his comments on Thomas A. Edison’s focus on mechanical pursuits and the resulting atrophy of religious sense. Sercombe argues that qualities of the mind, like those of the body, develop and diminish through use and disuse. Therefore, “normal minds” are the product of brains trained to exercise “in the realities of life” from childhood. Such minds become maimed when wide theological divergence, fairy stories, and fiction confuse the growing mind and interfere with normal thought, thereby disabling judgment. Sercombe, therefore, asks if normal minds can accept theological dogma since the theological mind is “invariably maimed.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-20
Parker H. Sercombe discusses the question of “maimed minds” as raised by Cardinal James Gibbons in his comments on Thomas A. Edison’s focus on mechanical pursuits and the resulting atrophy of religious sense. Sercombe argues that qualities of the mind, like those of the body, develop and diminish through use and disuse. Therefore, “normal minds” are the product of brains trained to exercise “in the realities of life” from childhood. Such minds become maimed when wide theological divergence, fairy stories, and fiction confuse the growing mind and interfere with normal thought, thereby disabling judgment. Sercombe, therefore, asks if normal minds can accept theological dogma since the theological mind is “invariably maimed.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-21