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Franklin K. Lane informs Theodore Roosevelt that he holds Roosevelt in high esteem, similar to Roosevelt’s high esteem of Judge Charles Fremont Amidon, who is a Democrat who can see the country as a whole. Lane hopes to visit Roosevelt, if Roosevelt will be in New York on the day Lane will be in town.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-14
Paul V. Collins gives Theodore Roosevelt the names of the men who submitted an article on reciprocity to be published in The Outlook and confirms that Roosevelt gave the men a word limit for the article. Collins writes of his experience trying to get the editor of the Saturday Evening Post to print an article contrary to the line the magazine had already taken on reciprocity and says most publications have only printed one side of the story. Collins thinks there is likely to be a “stampede” at the Republican National Convention and Roosevelt will be nominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-14
President Roosevelt has been reading the works of former President Thomas Jefferson and concludes that the Constitution is meant to adapt to the country through the decisions of the Supreme Court. As he spends more time with the wealthy, he is convinced of their “entire unfitness” for government. Despite their good intentions, Roosevelt believes that these elites are out of touch with the common people. Roosevelt has a low opinion of Jefferson’s presidency, but notes that he was popular in his time.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-21
Supreme Court Justice William H. Moody gave President Roosevelt just the information the he wanted. Roosevelt says he will adopt every suggestion Moody made except that he plans to reference Charles Fremont Amidon’s speech because “his purpose is eminently right.” He thanks Moody for writing at such length.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-11
President Roosevelt writes confidentially to Supreme Court Associate Justice Moody that he has read and enjoyed District Court Judge Charles Fremont Amidon’s address to the American Bar Association in support of the education of the courts. Roosevelt feels that John Marshall and Roger Brooke Taney differed primarily in their interpretation of the Constitution. Enclosed, Roosevelt sends a draft of his Saint Louis speech along with a letter from Alexander. If what Alexander has said is true, Roosevelt’s dislike of him may be wrong, and he asks Moody for a comment on the speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
Supreme Court Justice Moody presents President Roosevelt with some general rules of constitutional interpretation in light of his understanding of Charles Fremont Amidon’s speech. Moody mentions how interstate commerce has changed in recent years and that the courts must determine what commerce is national, what is local, and what role the nation has in it. Moody encourages Roosevelt to strike all reference to Amidon’s speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-09
Theodore Roosevelt sends his thanks to Judge Purdy for his letter and he encloses a letter from Judge Amidon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-24
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased by Judge Noyes’s letter, and he mentions that he has received similar letters from Judge Hand and Judge Amidon. Roosevelt wishes that he had Noyes’s letter in front of him when he wrote his article on the subject, because Noyes was particularly effective at conveying his position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-19
Theodore Roosevelt comments on a series of articles in the Baltimore Evening Sun. Roosevelt states that he believed that the libel suit had a chance of a verdict against him and an equal chance of a verdict in his favor or a hung jury. Roosevelt concludes that Wilson is no better than Buchanan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-29
President Roosevelt has spoken to “certain members” of the Minnesota bar and discovered that they disapprove of Senator Knute Nelson’s choice of William Edward Hale because he is too old. They would rather push David F. Simpson for the position. Roosevelt thinks that Hale should not be appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-10
President Roosevelt does not suspect Judge Bartlett of working against him. Roosevelt is concerned that New York judges interpret the law in ways that limit social and industrial reform. He has always liked Bartlett, but wonders if he believes in interpreting the Constitution so that it might help help bring justice to the common people. Roosevelt understands that many other Republicans do not agree with him, but wants to give Bartlett an idea of how he believes a judge should approach the law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-02
President Roosevelt thanks Assistant to the United States Attorney General Purdy for forwarding the letter from Judge Charles Fremont Amidon and asks to keep it. Roosevelt has sent Amidon a copy of his own Harrisburg speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-12
Justice William H. Moody presents President Roosevelt with some general rules of constitutional interpretation in light of his understanding of Charles Fremont Amidon’s speech. Moody mentions how interstate commerce has changed in recent years and that the courts must determine what is national and what is local commerce and the role that the nation has in it. Moody encourages Roosevelt to strike all reference to Amidon’s speech. This record is a typed copy of Moody’s letter to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-09