Alcohol

The author of this editorial roundly criticizes President William H. Taft and Theodore Roosevelt for sending gifts to Adolphus Busch, who recently celebrated his golden wedding anniversary. The author opines that Busch has been so influential in the ruin of many American lives through the beer his company brews that, “self-respecting American citizens, whether they are presidents, ex-presidents, or privates, should contribute nothing to his orgies.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-09

President-elect William H. Taft holds a “cabinet appointment” pitcher in one hand and a “Sec’y of Interior” martini glass in the other. He offers the glass to Walter S. Dickey, who says, “It certainly was a hard old job swinging Missouri for you!” Charles Nagel looks on in horror and says, “Well——!.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

St. Louis was very political, and still one of America’s largest metropolises; and Missouri was an influential state in political, manufacturing, and trade. Once a bastion of the Solid South — and a thorn in the side of President Abraham Lincoln for its changeable loyalties — it broke with electoral patterns and voted Republican in 1904, helping Theodore Roosevelt’s reelection.

President Roosevelt, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Jutarō Komura, and a goddess of peace raise a toast. Behind Komura is a “the dough bag” while “the big stick” is behind Roosevelt. The chair for Russian Prime Minister S. I︠U︡. Vitte is empty. “The dove” is in the center of the table while “rye” is by Roosevelt’s seat, “milk” is by the goddess’s seat, “sake” is by Komura’s seat, and “vodka” is by Vitte’s seat.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-28

The writer examines the position of the Republican party and its nominee for the presidency, William H. Taft, with regard to the prohibition of the sale of alcohol. The Republican platform reaffirms the party’s adherence to a plank that is opposed to unconstitutional laws which interfere with people’s rights. William H. Taft has written in his book Four Aspects of Civic Duty that it is foolish to enact a law which is impossible to enforce. The writer believes Taft’s reasoning is fallacious, and that the prohibitionists ought to prevail.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-13

Black ink cartoon featuring President Roosevelt pouring something from a bottle into a cup and smoking a cigarette. Roosevelt is surrounded by empty bottles and lit cigarettes on the floor.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1908-04-22

A personified full dinner pail, banged up in places and a little drunk (there is a bottle labeled “Bluff” at his feet), is leaning against a door labeled “1912” with the door frame labeled “The Presidency” and is having difficulty getting the key into the lock. Caption: “Looksh like I washn’t goin’ t’ get in thish time!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1912-09-04

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary assures Montaville Flowers that Roosevelt does not use tobacco and uses very little alcohol. The secretary writes that if people knew Roosevelt better they would be aware of his lovable nature and fine qualities. At Roosevelt’s request, the secretary has enclosed two pertinent letters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-09-10

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks Simon J. N. Foor for the letter he sent and denies rumors regarding Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-27

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs William F. Heil that Roosevelt has addressed the issue of liquor traffic often in his speeches. Contrary to what Heil writes, Roosevelt is unaware of having presented Mr. Busch with “a solid gold loving cup.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-21

President Roosevelt discusses the provisions, particularly alcohol and other drinks, that he intends to bring for his upcoming safari. Noting that Frederick Courteney Selous and Edward North Buxton disagree on whether or not Roosevelt should hire a white man to manage his caravan, Roosevelt asks for Selous’s opinion. Roosevelt is considering hiring William C. Judd for the job. If he does hire Judd, Roosevelt wants it to be made clear that he will not be doing any hunting and will only be managing the caravan and serving as guide.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-12

President Roosevelt discusses the various supplies, including food and drink, that he should bring on his safari. He tells Frederick Courteney Selous that he does not want the trip to be too luxurious, and does not want to bring very much alcohol. He also discusses the type of guns he should use and when he intends to leave for Africa. Selous’s friend Charles Sheldon recently visited Roosevelt and told about his hunting experiences in Alaska. Roosevelt has been invited to give the Romanes lecture in Oxford in 1910, and will be going to England after he leaves Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-19

Theodore Roosevelt informs Reverend Hickock that Mr. Hay mentioned to him that Abraham Lincoln drank alcohol on occasion, though not to excess. Roosevelt stresses that this information is confidential and as it is speculation and nothing will be gained from repeating it, it is best not to mention it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-01

Theodore Roosevelt assures Ben B. Lindsey that he is aware of Lindsey’s whereabouts for nearly all of March 1912. For some of the month, Lindsey was staying at Roosevelt and advising him on various matters, including an attack on him in North Dakota. Roosevelt was also in correspondence with Lindsey for much of the month.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-20

Theodore Roosevelt has undertaken a libel suit against a Michigan editor who publicly accused Roosevelt of being a “habitual drinker.” Roosevelt would like Edgar Alexander Mearns to testify to the fact that Roosevelt “practically drank nothing during our African trip.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-02-01

Theodore Roosevelt thanks James Rudolph Garfield for Garfield’s statement to his character for Roosevelt’s upcoming libel trial. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-24

Theodore Roosevelt asks for a statement from James E. Sloan to testify to Roosevelt’s sobriety to demonstrate to Roosevelt’s lawyer, James H. Pound, what Pound will have to rely on in the libel case against George A. Newett.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-17

Theodore Roosevelt asks for a statement from Albert Shaw to testify to Roosevelt’s sobriety to demonstrate to Roosevelt’s lawyer, James H. Pound, what Pound will have to rely on in the libel case against George A. Newett.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Theodore Roosevelt asks for a statement from William Emlen Roosevelt to testify to Roosevelt’s sobriety to demonstrate to Roosevelt’s lawyer, James H. Pound, what Pound will have to rely on in the libel case against George A. Newett.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-17

Theodore Roosevelt explains that his lawyer, James H. Pound, would like Chase S. Osborn to provide a statement on Osborn’s personal knowledge of Roosevelt’s sobriety and character to assess what kind of evidence Pound has to rely on in this libel trial against George A. Newett.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-17

Theodore Roosevelt explains that his lawyer, James H. Pound, would like Silas McBee to provide a statement on McBee’s personal knowledge of Roosevelt’s sobriety and character to assess what kind of evidence Pound has to rely on in this libel trial against George A. Newett.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-17