Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the Department of Justice
Subject(s): Anarchism, Anarchists, Fort, J. Franklin (John Franklin), 1852-1920, Government litigation, McBride, Andrew F., 1869-1946, Meyer, George von Lengerke, 1858-1918, Newspapers, Postal service, Press and politics, Press law, United States. Post Office Department, United States. Post Office Dept.
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President Roosevelt informs the Department of Justice that he has directed the Postmaster General George von L. Meyer to exclude the anarchist newspaper La Questione Sociale from the mail, and that it will not be admitted to the mail until a court or the Department of Justice advises that it must be admitted. Roosevelt asks if it is possible to prosecute the people who created the publication under federal law, calling them “enemies of mankind.” Roosevelt will also inform the Governor John Franklin Fort of New Jersey so that prosecution may be attempted under state law. Roosevelt says that the paper had been advocating for murder and arson, and that if such things are not illegal, then they should be.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-03-20
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
United States. Department of Justice
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
2
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the Department of Justice. [March 20, 1908]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o202046. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the Department of Justice. [20 Mar. 1908]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. November 25, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o202046.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.: , [1908, March 20]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the Department of Justice. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o202046.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. November 25, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
