Letter from Charles E. Townsend to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): African Americans--Segregation, Interstate commerce--Law and legislation, Moody, William H. (William Henry), 1853-1917, Racism--Public opinion, Railroads--Freight--Rates--Law and legislation, Southern States, United States. Interstate Commerce Commission, Williams, John Sharp, 1854-1932
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Senator Townsend of Michigan relays his correspondence with Representative John Sharp Williams of Mississippi to President Roosevelt regarding a pending railroad bill. Williams asserts that railroad companies are spreading propaganda in the South, suggesting that a strengthened Interstate Commerce Commission will nullify Jim Crow segregation in coach accommodations. Townsend offers counterpoints to these concerns, and suggests saying nothing about race in order to protect the bill. Addressing Roosevelt directly, he describes his draft of the railroad bill and discloses having sent a copy to Attorney General William H. Moody. Townsend also encloses a letter from Williams, which wishes Roosevelt to see.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1905-11-03
Creator(s)
Townsend, Charles E. (Charles Elroy), 1856-1924
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
4
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 Charles E. Townsend to Theodore Roosevelt. [November 3, 1905]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o51720. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Townsend, Charles E. (Charles Elroy), 1856-1924. Letter from Charles E. Townsend to Theodore Roosevelt. [3 Nov. 1905]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o51720.
APA:
Townsend, Charles E. (Charles Elroy), 1856-1924., [1905, November 3]. Letter from Charles E. Townsend to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o51720.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
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 Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
