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Albert P. Wright writes to President Roosevelt upon hearing that someone told Roosevelt he had a drinking problem, which Wright states he does not. Wright discusses the difficulties in the Philippines, especially in regard to conflict between Filipinos and Americans. He openly divulges his antipathy for the Filipinos on the island.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about their brother Elliott’s illness and alcoholism. Roosevelt is still concerned about getting Elliott into treatment. Anna will be traveling to Europe to see Elliott and his wife Anna.
1891-01-25
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about their brother Elliott’s illness and alcoholism. Roosevelt feels strongly that Elliott needs to enter into an asylum for treatment, and must do so very quickly. Everyone knows Elliott is “out of his head.” Elliott and his wife Anna suffer in the eyes of the public and “have no right to have children.”
1891-01-25
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna about their brother Elliott and the Katy Mann affair. Mann claims Elliott is the father of her child. Roosevelt thinks it would be best to pay a settlement to Mann instead of having to go to trial. He says Anna can show this letter to Elliott if she deems it best.
1891-06
A drunken Russian man holds a jug of vodka and wildly swings a bloody sword at a wasp representing Japan. John Bull and Uncle Sam sit in the background.
The context of this cartoon is the Russo-Japanese War, a conflict whose logic, or lack of same as with many wars, is represented by the flailing Cossack and the tiny insect. But the relative strengths of the opposing powers is not depicted accurately by cartoonist Keppler.
Russia was an “empire” in 1904 on maps, but was a nearly bankrupt expense of lands and subjected peoples whose own nationalities, cultures, traditions, languages, and religions were separating them from Czarist control.
The spirits of alcoholism, opium dens, prostitution, gambling, and street crime, as well as the figure of Death, issue from a tenement house. Caption: Not only an evil in itself, but the vice, crime and disease it breeds invade the homes of rich and poor alike.
This cartoon, effective in its simplicity, is an example of Puck‘s drift, similar to many magazines and newspapers of the day, from partisanship to social criticism. Its counterpart in literature was Naturalism, which was a focus on the uglier aspects of urban life (caused in part by unprecedented numbers of immigrants; 1900-1910 was the highest number of foreign arrivals) and what Theodore Roosevelt would call Social and Industrial Injustice.
President Roosevelt feels that it is the duty of military officers to set an example for the men under their command of temperance and clean living. In doing so, he will help soldiers avoid “the inevitable misery and disaster which follow upon intemperance and upon moral uncleanliness, and vicious living.” This draft of the speech shows a large number of handwritten edits and rearrangements of the text.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Theodore Roosevelt tells William J. Scott that the intemperance story is false.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Carroll R. Reed that the statements of Roosevelt being drunk are false and slanderous.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-13
Theodore Roosevelt tells W. J. De Mauriac that he only takes alcohol in extreme moderation and the stories about him are false.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-13
Theodore Roosevelt requests Senator Bristow’s opinion on potentially suing a newspaper from Salina, Kansas for libel in response to articles reporting that Roosevelt was drunk while campaigning in Kansas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-11
President Roosevelt answers accusations, supposedly from a Episcopal clergyman and school teacher from New York, that he is a drunkard. After fervently denying this, and providing details on his regular alcohol consumption, Roosevelt asks the letter be kept private from all except the accuser.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-25
President Roosevelt is no longer familiar with ranches in the West where Frances E. Monson could send her son to rid him of the temptation to drink. He also believes that his friends in the West would not know of any such places. Most good ranches will only take men who are already experienced with working on ranches, unless the men are willing to pay to be trained in the trade. He suggests that Anna Roosevelt Cowles write to William Emlen Roosevelt to ask which ranch John Kean Roosevelt trained at. He adds that his son Theodore Roosevelt cannot say enough good things about how Cowles has treated him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-20
President Roosevelt has received Edgar E. Clark’s letter regarding Midshipman Edward H. Connor. Roosevelt does not believe anything can be done in the matter, because Connor got drunk in Australia while “the whole fleet was on honor.” Roosevelt fears that pardoning Connor would be a “grave blow at the discipline of the navy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-21
President Roosevelt thanks David Decamp Thompson for his letter and says that while they are not always in complete agreement about temperance, they concur on the evil of drinking. The president promises to do everything he can to help eradicate this evil.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-14
President Roosevelt summarizes a variety of opinions about judicial appointee candidates in Idaho, and urgently asks Calvin Cobb for his opinion of them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-18
President Roosevelt does not recall reviewing Albert P. Wright’s letters before hearing about them from Governor-General of the Philippines Ide. He finds Ide’s statement on the matter conclusive and thanks him. It disheartens Roosevelt that Wright and other “men whom I knew as excellent soldiers have fallen victims to drunkenness.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-24
President Roosevelt has received a number of recommendations from important politicians and judges advocating for the appointment of Potter C. Sullivan as District Attorney for the Western District of Washington. Given these recommendations Roosevelt would normally do so without hesitation, but has some reservations about Sullivan’s past alcoholism. Roosevelt has decided to appoint Sullivan to the position, but warns that should Sullivan become addicted to drinking again he will have to request his resignation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-15
Based on the recommendations of a number of judges and other prominent men, President Roosevelt has appointed Harry J. Bone United States District Attorney. However, he warns Bone that if his former drinking problem resurfaces, he will be dismissed or asked to resign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-04
President Roosevelt will continue to support Jenkins, a former Rough Rider. It is well known that Jenkins has a drinking problem but he has promised not to “touch a drop of liquor” while in office. Jenkins will be removed if he begins drinking again.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-28