Bailey, Joseph W. (Joseph Weldon), 1863-1929

President Roosevelt shows Uncle Sam a “quilting bee in aid of the suffering public.” Rhode Island Senator Nelson W. Aldrich, Pennsylvania Senator Philander C. Knox, Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, Wisconsin Senator John C. Spooner, Iowa Senator William B. Allison, and Texas Senator Joseph W. Bailey sit at a table stitching amendments on a “rate bill” quilt. Spanish Treaty Claims Commissioner William E. Chandler looks through a window and holds a paper that reads, “I’m no liar.” There is a portrait of George Washington on the wall.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-15

Creator(s)

Rogers, W. A. (William Allen), 1854-1931

Publication Date

2022-10-06

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Benjamin R. Tillman, Joseph W. Bailey, and William E. Chandler appear as war veterans playing musical instruments and marching. Tillman carries a banner labeled “The Original Rate Bill” and Bailey’s drum is labeled “The White House Post No. 23.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1906-05-30

Several men, identified as “Hill, Jones, Olney, Clark, Bailey, Shepard, Watterson, [and] Lamont,” carry planks of lumber which are identified as Democratic policies from previous election platforms and proposed new planks. As they construct the new “Democratic Platform,” Puck points to a plank they have forgotten, “Tariff Reform,” which sits on a platform in the background on the right. In the background on the left stands William Jennings “Bryan” holding a “Free Silver” plank of rotten wood. Caption: Puck — You are neglecting the only plank you ever did win with, – and the only one you ever can win with!

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902-04-16

Theodore Roosevelt agrees about the colliers and hopes that his statement was on point. He thought that Coe Isaac Crawford gave a powerful speech in the William Lorimer case. The zebra skin has been sent and Roosevelt is attempting to locate the missing book.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt praises the characters in William Allen White’s book Stratagems and Spoils, and compares them to some contemporary politicians. Roosevelt has been disgusted by some recent speeches by William Jennings Bryan, who he characterizes as a demagogue. He reflects that on any issue, it is impossible to not have some allies whose reasoning on the issue is completely different, using Upton Sinclair as an example. While Roosevelt holds Sinclair in contempt, he recognizes that he also can provide good service in helping Roosevelt effect change in the meat-packing industry. Roosevelt similarly comments on several senators in relation to the railroad rate bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt assures Representative Wiley that his conduct was entirely proper and explains the provenance of the memorandum.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Attorney General Moody sends President Roosevelt the account he requested of the conference Moody had with Senators Benjamin R. Tillman and Joseph W. Bailey. Moody recounts the circumstances leading to the conference, and the discussions he had with Roosevelt prior to the conference regarding an amendment to the Hepburn bill and the ability of Congress to limit the ability of courts to issue interlocutory injunctions. Moody told the two senators Roosevelt’s thoughts on the matter and found them to be largely in agreement, leading to the creation of a draft amendment. This amendment had some difficulty in the Senate, and Moody told Tillman and Bailey that it may be difficult for an amendment that the executive branch had a hand in crafting to pass, and suggested that they collaborate with Senator William B. Allison on the creation of a new amendment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-14

Creator(s)

Moody, William H. (William Henry), 1853-1917

President Roosevelt sends Senator Lodge a history of the Chandler-Bailey-Tillman matter regarding the passage of the Hepburn Act.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes to Senator Allison about the Hepburn bill and the proposed amendments to it. He still approves of Allison’s amendment and would like it to be passed in conjunction with the Long amendment, although he objects to the passage of any broad amendments altering the character of the bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes to Senator Nelson because the actions of Senator Eugene Hale, likely on behalf of Senator Nelson W. Aldrich, referring to Senator Joseph W. Bailey’s amendment have changed the situation enough to warrant a reevaluation of the amendments. Roosevelt was worried at first about the constitutionality of Bailey’s amendment, but feels that if it is put in as a separate clause so that it does not risk the entire bill, it may be all right. He suspects that several ‘railway Senators’ have supported Bailey’s amendment because they believe it will be struck down by the courts and thereby stop the entire legislation. He reiterates that he is fine with Bailey’s amendment, but hopes that Nelson or Senator William B. Allison will be able to insist on separate votes, splitting the amendment into two.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt responds to E. P. Bacon’s letter about Senator John C. Spooner’s proposed amendment to the railroad rate bill. The amendment would be an effective deterrent against railroads making motions for a stay simply to cause delay. However, Roosevelt believes that the courts will not grant excessive stays. The bill can be passed without the amendment, which could be passed as a separate law in the future if necessary. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt takes issue with some criticisms that Lincoln Steffens has made of his efforts to get Congress to ratify the Santo Domingo treaty. He points out that several Democrats are opposing the treaty merely to be obstructionist, rather than because of an honest difference of opinion. In contrast, Roosevelt believes that there is more room for honest differences in opinion in the railroad rate bill. Steffens’s idea that Roosevelt should refuse to make any concessions and to let the voters decide who is correct in the next election is flawed. Roosevelt cites evidence of voters supporting men who are on two sides of the same issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt complains to Lyman Abbott about a number of matters that are being affected by partisanship. In particular, he is upset about partisan opposition to two of his nominations: Franklin K. Lane to the Interstate Commerce Commission and Joseph Bucklin Bishop as Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission. He is also frustrated that Democratic Senators are blocking the ratification of the Santo Domingo treaty “on mere partisan grounds,” and would normally favor the treaty if he were not a Republican president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Robert H. Bruce thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the letter, which he will keep confidential. The Texas Democrats are split, and he agrees that the state should be Republican. Bruce joined the Republican party because its views are in accord with his. He has “learned to let the wine cup severely alone.” As a result, he feels better and has not given up on realizing his opportunities. Bruce hopes to see Roosevelt during his upcoming trip back East.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-13

Creator(s)

Bruce, Robert H. (Robert Halsey), 1867-1938

S. M. Barrett is pleased by attempts in Oklahoma to enact educational reform and remove political influence from its schools. He sends Theodore Roosevelt an editorial he is free to quote from on the matter. Barrett also informs Roosevelt that he will be publishing a book on Native Americans soon, and plans to send Roosevelt a copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-11

Creator(s)

Barrett, S. M. (Stephen Melvil), 1865-

John Callan O’Laughlin writes Theodore Roosevelt about a number of matters currently at issue in the Senate. Among them are the investigation of Senator William Lorimer, the likelihood of the Canadian reciprocity legislation passing, and a vote on the direct election of Senators. O’Laughlin also notes that the organization of the Progressive League will be against President William H. Taft’s interests, and he notes that the administration does not seem to be doing anything to prepare for the upcoming presidential campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-04

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

Jacob A. Riis expresses amusement at President Roosevelt’s response to his request. Riis expects to have a good time lecturing on Roosevelt and thinks his audience will enjoy the lecture, too.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-27

Creator(s)

Riis, Jacob A. (Jacob August), 1849-1914

William Emlen Roosevelt has received President Roosevelt’s letter, with Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw’s enclosure. Emlen believes that in the President’s position he would sign the bill also, but feels it will prevent them getting the bill right in the next session. He believes that the bill needs more work and it is “discouraging to see legislation by people who are ignorant of the results of what they do.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, William Emlen, 1857-1930

Representative Wiley explains how a personal conversation was inadvertently relayed to Senator Joseph W. Bailey, who then made comments to the press. He regrets that he played a part in the matter making it to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-17

Creator(s)

Wiley, Ariosto A. (Ariosto Appling), 1848-1908