Your TR Source
Though their politics differ, Thomas E. Watson assures President Roosevelt that he admires Roosevelt’s independence and statesmanship. Watson accepts an invitation to visit Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-06
Thomas E. Watson urges President Roosevelt to appoint Captain John M. Barnes as Collector of Internal Revenue for Georgia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-24
Thomas E. Watson thanks President Roosevelt for the invitation to the White House, the gift of the photograph, and his friendship. Given the incomplete term of William McKinley, he urges Roosevelt to consider if it would really be breaking tradition to seek another term as president. Given the current threat to the financial policies Roosevelt has fought for, and the impending financial troubles he envisions unfolding with the lesser banks, he urges Roosevelt to hold his position and promises to support him fiercely should he run again.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-18
Thomas E. Watson informs William Loeb he is able to meet with President Roosevelt for lunch on December 9.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-25
Thomas E. Watson assures President Roosevelt he has no doubt Roosevelt will act as always, “with manliness, with promptitude, and with just as much independence as the case requires.” Concerning the financial situation, he believes the system of credit and confidence is tottering. Watson further lays out his opinions, concluding with his thoughts on issuing Treasury notes. While he wants to visit, he is currently fulfilling all the duties of his printing company. He will do his best and professes his continued support of Roosevelt. In a postscript, Watson thinks that while William Jennings Bryan is a good talker, he would not make a satisfactory executive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-14
Thomas E. Watson asks President Roosevelt to have lunch with him during the second week of December while he is in Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-19
Lawyer and newspaper editor, Thomas E. Watson, informs President Roosevelt the enclosed will be published in the next issue of The Jeffersonian. He hopes Roosevelt finds time to consider it. Events are happening as Watson predicted when he advised Roosevelt “might feel it a duty to keep your strong hands on the plow handle.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-10
An article by Thomas E. Watson rails against the efforts of national bankers to replace the the Department of the Treasury issued notes which had historically been used to combat inflation with their own bank notes. Such a practice would give private banks full control over the financial state of the country and would only increase bankers’ wealth at the expense of the economy. Should President Roosevelt allow this to happen, he would prove himself a hypocrite and incapable of living up to his promises to fight the “malefactors of wealth” in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-10
Vice presidential candidate Thomas E. Watson writes Police Commissioner Roosevelt regarding Roosevelt’s recent article in the Review of Reviews, which criticized Watson’s populist platform. Watson explains his position as tied into his advocacy for the poor, upon whom the burdens of government most often fall. He believes Roosevelt has misjudged him and asserts that if the two spent time together, Roosevelt would see that they have much in common.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1896-08-30
Thomas E. Watson gives Police Commissioner Roosevelt permission to use his previous letter as Roosevelt proposed. Roosevelt does not need to send Watson his article before it is published, as Watson is sure there would not be anything objectionable in it. Watson will unfortunately not be able to come visit Roosevelt in New York because of some important law cases.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1896-11-07
Thomas E. Watson praises Police Commissioner Roosevelt for a recent article in the Review of Reviews which gave him “good reason to congratulate myself for having written you.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-01-04