Letter from Pearl Wight to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Cohen, Walter L., 1860-1930, Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924, Louisiana, New, Harry S. (Harry Stewart), 1858-1937, Presidents--Nomination, Race relations, Republican National Convention, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, Williams, Francis Bennett, 1849-1929
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Pearl Wight updates President Roosevelt on the Republican National Convention, specifically regarding the seating of the Louisiana delegation. There is a concern among committee members that if Wight’s delegation is seated, it could affect the vote in the border states as it will appear to be a “lily-white” delegation, and could push the nomination away from Secretary of War William H. Taft. It has been proposed that both Louisiana delegations be seated with a half-vote. Wight tells Roosevelt that the feeling among the delegation is to reject the half-vote and return to Louisiana, but they will stay and help nominate Taft if the vote appears to be close. He asks Roosevelt to send him a telegram in reply to let him know if this is acceptable.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-06-09
Creator(s)
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
3
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 Pearl Wight to Theodore Roosevelt. [June 9, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o58702. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Wight, Pearl, 1844-1920. Letter from Pearl Wight to Theodore Roosevelt. [9 Jun. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 16, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o58702.
APA:
Wight, Pearl, 1844-1920., [1908, June 9]. Letter from Pearl Wight to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o58702.
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 16, 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.
