Journal article

In a draft of an article which appeared in French in the journal Revue Politique et Parlementaire, Barrett Wendell describes President Roosevelt’s character and life story in terms of the American ideal. While born into wealth and position, Roosevelt worked strenuously for the good of the country. His election to the presidency shows that American democracy is not tyrannical, and recognizes excellence wherever it is found.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-25

Cover and pages three through six from the May 21, 1904, edition of Polly Pry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-21

William Beebe discusses that a previously undescribed coloration of Yucatan jays is attributed to age, not sex.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-05

Botanist Roland M. Harper describes the Hempstead Plains of New York, which he characterizes as a “geographical curiosity.” Harper discusses the relatively treeless area’s location, as well as the species that are present there, and theories for why this type of landscape might be present there.

This copy of Harper’s pamphlet is noted as having been sent to with the complements of the author.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

An article detailing how to calculate income tax with an example calculation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-03

Excerpt from “Development of the Commerce Clause of the Constitution,” published in the February, 1907 edition of the Yale Law Journal. The quote discusses the need to interpret a constitution in terms of its practical application in the present day. While it is important to consider the framers’ intents, the writer argues that it is a fundamental principle that a constitution is “always a present rule of national life.” The language in a constitution can be applied beyond the writers’ original intent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02

Gerald Stanley Lee is a great admirer of Edgar Chambless and his ideas, and while Lee was somewhat bored by Chambless in person, Chambless’s new book, Roadtown, has slimmed and streamlined Chambless’s ideas and is a fascinating work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-21

The author discusses the organization of the state school system of Oklahoma, including Governor Lee Cruce’s support of creating a state board of education.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-11

In an article from the Transactions of the American Electrochemical Society, C. Vey Holman discusses the geographical, meteorological, and geological advantages of Maine for the development of electrochemical industries. A handwritten note from Holman directs “please see particularly pages 3, 4, & 5.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04

Edwin S. Conway, vice-president of the W. W. Kimball Co., reflects on exposures of graft and corruption that have recently happened in the United States, his view of great industrial trusts and their effect on morality, and how to improve conditions in the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-30

Charles Assheton Whately Pownall reviews the situation in Asia that led to the current war between Russia and Japan. Both powers are interested in seizing territory in China, which is hardly able to defend itself from the attacks from either side. Since being chastised earlier for trying to seize territory Japan has improved its naval strength and wishes to get revenge for the slight of Russia seizing Port Arthur, which Japan wanted for itself. Pownall muses about the relative weakness of Russia, because while it has a large army, the troops themselves are not necessarily cohesive because of all the different nationalities in the Russian Empire, and it will be difficult to reinforce the army in the Eastern part of Russia. Japan has also made treaties with various powers, giving it allies against Russia. Pownall believes that it is important that neither Russia nor Japan are able to gain a monopoly on trade with China.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03

In this journal article, George W. Crichfield proposes a plan for the completion of the Panama Canal. He begins by describing the environment of Panama and the current plans suggested by Admiral John Grimes Walker and the Isthmian Canal Commission before dissenting from these opinions due to his studies of the canal in January and February. Crichfield believes the canal should be divided into sections that are bid on by different contractors, as he does not think the Panama Canal should be in the hands of a single corporation. Based on his calculations, he recommends fifty-eight separate contracts. Crichfield also recommends that the canal is a tide-level canal rather than a lock canal. He disagrees with Brigadier General Peter C. Hains that African Americans are the best laborers for the job and instead recommends using people from the area. Crichfield encourages the government to guard against red tape and suggests the construction of the canal should be as serious as the prosecution of war: “The sooner it is finished the better.” Crichfield believes it is better to spend more and finish sooner than to spend less money but more time.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01

An article in The American Review of Reviews reflects on the current political situation in Congress, especially lamenting that both houses are controlled by powerful cliques who work in their own interests, often at the expense of legislation that would benefit the people. In particular, tariffs and appropriations for the construction of battleships are discussed. The author also speculates about the outcomes of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and the upcoming presidential campaign, as well as the necessity of a good man to run the Republican convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-21

In an article outlining issues to be discussed at the Pan-Anglican Congress, John St. Loe Strachey discusses journalism. In particular, he writes about concerns regarding yellow journalism, triviality in the press, anonymity in the press, the importance of publicity, and the importance of the news.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-31

The author offers commentary on portions of President Roosevelt’s recent message to Congress, especially those pertaining to war. The author criticizes Roosevelt’s prioritization of military strength and his desire to spend more on the military, especially when he could have led a push for armament limitation in the Hague Conference. A handwritten note to Roosevelt from Secretary of State Root reads, “Your name which it is mud. I am an angel.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01

A letter to The Glass Worker accuses President Roosevelt of acting unfairly in the murder trial of Big Bill Haywood, Charles H. Moyer, and George A. Pettibone, who stand accused of assassinating Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05

A collection of editorials by Alfred H. Holman in The Argonaut covers politics and industrial topics in the San Francisco Bay area. Mayor Eugene E. Schmitz is on trial and control of mayoral power lies in the balance. Strikes affecting streetcar and telephone service are losing steam, with employers claiming that the unions are acting in bad faith. The involvement of Rudolph Spreckels and Patrick Calhoun in the prosecution of Schmitz is examined. Holman has little faith in the industrial conciliation meeting to be held in San Francisco. Holman also makes recommendations regarding fire safety and railroad management.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-29

Willis R. Hotchkiss describes the progress of his missionary work at Lumbwa in British East Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12

Jacob Gould Schurman encourages an adherence to traditional American values in the face of growing American power.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-30

Bishop Brown, the Episcopal Bishop of Arkansas, recently gave a speech that condoned lynching. Brown’s views are not representative of the Episcopal Church or Arkansas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-05