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A larger-than-life-sized African American man labeled “Head Waiter” stands at the entrance to the “Dining Room,” receiving a tip from a well-to-do man standing at the head of a long line of patrons of “The Um – Te – Ump Summer Hotel.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1901-06-05
President Roosevelt forwards a letter from William R. Williams to Librarian of Congress Herbert Putnam. Roosevelt believes that “there are no people who have a harder road to travel than the exceptional colored men of good education,” and asks if Putnam can help Williams.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-29
Vice President Roosevelt sends Librarian of Congress Herbert Putnam two letters of recommendation, from Franklin Matthews and from Booker T. Washington, on behalf of a Mrs. Matthews. Roosevelt believes these letters show Mrs. Matthews to be qualified, and he asks that if there are any vacancies at the Library of Congress, she be given a chance to prove her merits.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-06-05
John E. Roberts inquires from Theodore Roosevelt help in acquiring a reliable position as it has been hard to find steady work due to being a colored young man.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-19
Joseph E. Wiley brings Theodore Roosevelt’s attention to his plan to develop a cotton mill that will train and employ African Americans in Dallas, Texas. He believes the development of the textile industry run by African Americans will benefit the workers, the South, and the nation at large. He already has support from other textile estates in the north.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-12
Talcott Williams asks Theodore Roosevelt to speak at the Armstrong Association’s meeting. He discusses the Association’s history and work for the “industrial advance of the negro.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-27
Prospectus outlining the plan and financing for a new cotton mill in Dallas, Texas, the result of combining Mill City Mop and Twine Factory with Mill City Yarn Mill. It will employ African Americans, lease houses to operatives, build a school, churches, and store.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-12
Uncle Sam stands at the head of a table at a dinner party in honor of the “Bi-Centennial Celebration of the First German Settlement.” Columbia sits next to him. Around the table are a “Spaniard, Swede, German, Englishman, Russian, Chinese, Irishman” and at the far end an “Italian” hurdy-gurdy man, also a “French” chef entering on the left, carrying a large peacock on a tray, and an African American servant spilling trays of food on the Englishman and the Chinese man. In a cradle on the floor next to Columbia are two infants labeled “Malagasy” and “Corean.” Uncle Sam is offering a toast to the well-dressed German man standing at center. Puck, standing on the front side of the table, holding his lithographic pencil, offers a bouquet of flowers. Hanging from a garland on the wall in the background, beneath the heading “Germantown 1683-1883,” are portraits of Baron von “Steuben,” George “Washington,” and Marquis de “Lafayette.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1883-10-03
Graetz, F. (Friedrich), approximately 1840-approximately 1913
Benjamin F. Butler is a laborer standing next to a box of “Tools for Exhibition Purposes,” with “Butler’s Valet” next to him. At the valet’s feet are papers labeled “R. R. Stock [and] Monopolists’ fees” and behind him is a safe labeled “Bonds.” Butler is holding papers labeled “Speech.” Through a window is seen a tattered man standing next to signs that state “Grand Butler Mass Meeting” and “Please Keep Order and Don’t Crowd.” Caption: Butler (to his valet) – “Keep an eye on the valuables, while I go out and address the mass-meeting!”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1884-09-10
President Roosevelt’s determination to hire civil service workers based on merits rather than political motivation has alienated the party machine and lost him support in the South. In particular, Roosevelt’s focus on civil service reform has led to the removal of many unqualified party machine appointees, including many African American workers. These same actions, however, have won Roosevelt support elsewhere, and no one is likely to oppose him successfully for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1904.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-18
Newspaper article attacking Senator Depew for speaking favorably of Booker T. Washington’s work and the industrial education of African Americans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06
William H. Brawley has a low opinion of the Republican Party in South Carolina. He agrees with President Roosevelt regarding the Marshalship and he approves of not appointing William D. Crum to the Collectorship. Brawley expresses his belief that Crum’s standing in the community would not suggest such an appointment and that that no one would “consider him for the place if he were not a colored man.” Brawley disclaims racism and mentions fighting against the Ku Klux Klan while a solicitor in the 6th Circuit, but he also states that the efforts to improve the political rights of African Americans are “hindered rather than helped” by appointing them to jobs that “awaken resentments.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-09
Booker T. Washington asks President Roosevelt to defer appointment of Judge Roulhac as district attorney until Washington confers with James Sullivan Clarkson. He has a resolution that he will suggest to Clarkson, who will then convey it to Roosevelt. Washington spoke to Edgar S. Wilson in New Orleans, Louisiana. Wilson is in fine shape, particularly if he can have two African American men appointed as deputy revenue collectors.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-06
T. R. Campbell owns and operates a mill in North Carolina that is being boycotted because he hired African American employees and treated them well. He argues in favor of better treatment, but not social equality, for African Americans. Campbell requests funding so that he can continue his work and “make a great success for Christ and the Party.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-08-24