Americans--Politics and government

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Sandford Martin

Governor Roosevelt thanks Edward Sandford Martin for the book and the inscription with an extract from Martin’s son’s note about Ted. He tells him what Ted is doing at school and his “second small son’s” names for all his guinea pigs. He asks if Martin wrote the editorial on him in Harper’s Weekly because he thought it very good. Roosevelt says he has had a good time the last two years and does not expect “to go any further in politics.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1900-11-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lincoln Steffens

President Roosevelt writes journalist Lincoln Steffens that the striking down of the Santo Domingo treaty by the Democratic caucus in the Senate is a betrayal to the American people and done only to serve the interests of a small faction. Roosevelt believes they are more dangerous than politicians beholden to corporations. Roosevelt responds to allegations by Steffens that he did not do enough to get results by saying he has gotten closer to what he wanted than other politicians.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-02-06

Endorsement of Regis Henri Post

Theodore Roosevelt writes an endorsement for Regis Henri Post who is running for Assemblyman on the Progressive ticket in the second district of Suffolk County, New York. He appeals to the honest rank and file of both parties to repudiate the political bosses and elect an “absolutely independent public servant.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1913-10-04

Speech to the Progressive National Committee

In lieu of answering the thousands of letters he has received on the topic, Theodore Roosevelt addresses why he declines the nomination for President by the Progressive Party in this statement. He begins by complimenting the work of the Progressive Party from 1912 on but says the Progressive National Organization no longer offers “the means whereby we can make these convictions effective in our national life.” He feels common action should be sought out under the umbrella of the Republican Party to defeat President Woodrow Wilson.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1916

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alice Lee Roosevelt

New York State Assemblyman Theodore Roosevelt reports to his wife Alice he has caused quit a stir with his speech against the Elevated Railroad Judges. There is a real fight ahead getting the debate from the table. He wishes he could be with Alice during her “nervous fits.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1882-04-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Nicholas Longworth

Theodore Roosevelt asks his son-in-law Representative Nicholas Longworth to host a dinner and invite Henry Cabot Lodge, William Loeb, George E. Chamberlain, and King. Roosevelt does not want it to seem that he is trying to make up to “the bosses,” so he wants to see Senator Chamberlain first since he is fighting for his bill. He thanks Longworth for the criticism of his article.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-01-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Nicholas Longworth

President Roosevelt writes his son-in-law Representative Nicholas Longworth that his arguments are strong but nothing should be done until “Bill” comes back and goes over everything. Roosevelt shall ask Bill to see Longworth and go over the situation with his supporters of all shades before taking any action. He adds that Longworth can show this letter to Charlie Taft.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-04-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Fred R. Bender

Theodore Roosevelt wishes Frank R. Bender to meet with his lawyer and then with him, for the purpose of “driving [William] Barnes from politics.” Barnes was the Republican state chairman for New York and was suing Roosevelt for libel.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1914-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Prescott F. Hall

Police Commissioner Roosevelt writes Immigration Restriction League representative Prescott F. Hall that he will help any way he can but does not think he will have influence over the New York appointments. He suggests that New York Republican party “boss” Thomas Collier Platt or treasurer of the Republican National Committee Cornelius Newton Bliss might have some influence.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-12-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rosalind Richards

Theodore Roosevelt praises Rosalind Richards for her book A Northern Countryside and asks some questions about animals about which she wrote. He then includes some animal facts of his own. He adds that he agrees with her about politics and does not know why it turns fairly good citizens into crooks.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1916-12-12

Extract of speech by William H. Taft

After Theodore Roosevelt was asked to be the Republican candidate for the Presidency on February 10, 1912, President Taft made a speech at the Union League Club criticizing extremists who call themselves “Progressive.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William D. Sohier

Theodore Roosevelt informs William D. Sohier that he found his letter and enclosures very interesting. He comments on attitudes towards his politics in New York and compliments Sohier on his work in Massachusetts, especially what the Highway Commission has done concerning the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1910-12-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about recent happenings in Washington. He has been getting along well with President Cleveland and his new colleague at the Civil Service Commission, John Robert Procter. Roosevelt enjoyed his most recent White House and Cabinet calls. He and his wife Edith continue to socialize quite a bit, and they introduced the Bellamy Storers to Judge William H. Taft.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1894-01-07

French newspaper article

This French newspaper article cites several scandals that had occurred in President Roosevelt’s cabinet, and asks where in American politics is a healthy portion that can help guard the other areas of democracy. The British writer James Bryce lamented that Americans themselves agree about the corruption of their system of democracy, and notes that cities are particularly able to fall under the sway of political bosses. William Travers Jerome is noted as being a good municipal officer, and while a Democrat on the national scale wishes to avoid being tied to a party in local issues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905

Summary of letter from Russell B. Harrison

Russell B. Harrison writes primarily on Indiana politics where the Republicans had off year defeats and the Philippine-American War is damaging the Republican party image. He also thanks President Roosevelt for naming a military post in Indianapolis after his father, President Benjamin Harrison.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-30

Letter from James Wilson to Theodore Roosevelt

James Wilson writes to President Roosevelt to discuss politics in South Dakota, focusing on railroad legislation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles G. Washburn

Theodore Roosevelt writes to former Representative Charles Washburn to list his reasons for considering running for president again. He lists the concerns of social justice on one hand, but expresses unease of the LaFollettes. He believes President William Howard Taft only represented the monied interests.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-11-29

Extract of a letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Governor Roosevelt questions whether he has the right temperament for a life in politics, listing everyone he has made unhappy with his decisions.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1900-04-30

True Americanism

President Roosevelt writes about his beliefs concerning how every American should become involved in politics, joining the party of their choice or creating an organization that reflects their beliefs. Roosevelt then discusses the nature of political compromise. Item is possibly an excerpt from a speech.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

Unknown

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that Ted’s eye is improving and Ted is back at Harvard. Roosevelt discusses Archie and Quentin playing, getting along with Edith, and the egg-rolling on Easter Monday. Roosevelt says he is busy with the disaster in San Francisco and is also focused on the Panama Canal issue and getting the rate bill passed.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-04-22