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Theodore Roosevelt writes about the Progressive movement and the choices he made regarding the direction and future of the movement. He also discusses his disagreements with those who wish to take the Progressive movement in a different direction. Roosevelt mentions the libel suit brought by William Barnes.
1914-07-29
President Roosevelt assures Francis J. Hendricks he does not intend to force the renomination of New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, and appreciates Hendricks’ oppositions. It is not Roosevelt’s job to be the Republican party’s boss or compel friends to do something they do not wish to do. In his judgment, “it will be a bad thing to nominate Mr. Hughes, it will be a worse thing not to nominate him.” Nonetheless, he assures Hendricks he will support him whatever his decision may be.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-28
Understanding it to be a vent to an irritation and not a serious question, President Roosevelt responds to Representative Parsons concerning his supposed opposition “to having the Republicans of New York County express their wishes in this matter on primary day.” The matter in question is the nomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-27
President Roosevelt assures Representative Fassett that he does not want to force the nomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes. There will be heavy loss regardless of whether Hughes is or is not nominated. Roosevelt believes the loss will be heavier if Hughes is not nominated, but will support whoever the convention chooses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-27
Roosevelt despairs of the issues surrounding renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes, discussing with Lyman Abbott “how the theory that a man in public office should not try to do anything but fulfill the duties of his public office breaks down in practice.” Roosevelt does not want to dictate that Hughes be renominated, but believes he should be and has told Republican party leaders his views.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-21
Garrett J. Benson alerts Theodore Roosevelt to a conference happening in Albany, New York among members of the New York State Republican Committee. Benson will keep Roosevelt informed about what goes on because he does not believe anyone attending is a friend to Roosevelt and it is best to be on guard.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-12
Timothy L. Woodruff says that it will not be necessary for him to communicate with William Loeb en route to Washington, D.C., because he can learn everything that is required from William Barnes. He hopes that Loeb will be able to help Jack Smith and discusses implications of particular candidates winning in New York. Woodruff believes that they have a good chance of accomplishing excellent political results if there is a feud between Democrats in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-18
New York Lieutenant Governor Woodruff asks William Loeb if he has met with William Barnes, since neither Barnes nor Loeb has mentioned it to him and he is confused about what plans Loeb referred to in a previous letter. Woodruff saw Barnes in Albany at the Republican Headquarters and Barnes advised that it would be better if someone other than Woodruff would oppose the resolution of endorsement, most likely referring to the proposed legislative resolution endorsing New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes for president in the upcoming election. Woodruff says he has also spoken with Herbert Parsons about the plans for the resolution. Woodruff promises to carry out President Roosevelt’s wishes, he just needs to know what they are.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-13
Timothy L. Woodruff acknowledges receipt of a letter from William Barnes and tells William Loeb that he will not speak on President Roosevelt’s behalf unless directed. Woodruff believes that at least 30 of the 38 members of the committee will support not adopting a resolution of endorsement for any presidential candidate. He includes a draft of what he would say to forego endorsement and asks for Loeb’s critique.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-06
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about Edith’s surgery, and she will soon return home. Roosevelt also details his trial for the libel suit brought against him by William Barnes, Jr.
1915-05-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about the libel suit brought against him by William Barnes. He wishes it were a criminal instead of civil suit because he would much prefer to go to jail than to take back what he said. Roosevelt has been staying with Horace S. Wilkinson, whom he describes at length, during the trial. Edith is at Sagamore Hill recovering from her surgery.
1915-05-08
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle that he was declared not guilty in the libel suit brought against him by William Barnes. He says he will not involve himself in politics anymore. Edith and Archie bought him a horse but it was too hard to handle and he fell and broke two ribs. Roosevelt tells Kermit to add dates to his letters and says he is enclosing some letters he wants Kermit to read. Roosevelt adds that if he were president, the country would be at war with Germany. President Wilson is handling the situation terribly.
1915-05-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his upcoming trip to Louisiana. He says he will write a book with chapters on his travels to the Andes, Patagonia, Brazil, and Arizona. Roosevelt says his latest book Through the Brazilian Wilderness is getting recognition but he is unhappy that Scribner’s changed the title. He is sending Kermit South of Panama by Edward Alsworth Ross and looks forward to hearing Kermit’s thoughts on it. Roosevelt also gives his opinions on the War in Europe and President Wilson.
1915-05-31
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about his visit to see Archie at Harvard and the clubs and places they visited. The Progressive Party has essentially disappeared and Roosevelt truly believes President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan are the worst men to ever manage foreign affairs. Roosevelt adds that he received letters from the King of the Belgians, Albert I, and the King of Norway, Haakon VII, and that Ethel is out of the hospital.
1915-01-16
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit, looking back over his political career, including the reasons he broke with the Republican Party and worked with the Progressive Party. Roosevelt is ready to fight the libel suit brought against him by William Barnes, owner and publisher of the Albany-Union newspaper. Roosevelt is upset that Scribner’s changed the title of his recent book Through the Brazilian Wilderness. Roosevelt went with Ted to give a speech at the City Bank.
1915-01-27
John A. Hennessy writes to Henry L. Stoddard to make plans to visit a mutual friend. Hennessy discusses the current attitude towards Theodore Roosevelt in the press and proposes political strategies to defeat William Barnes and Charles Francis Murphy in the elections. Hennessy maintains that criticism of the national government needs to be left out of their campaign platform. Though Roosevelt has excellent judgment, he is “out of touch with public sentiment” and his criticism of President Wilson will not help them defeat Barnes and Murphy.
1914-07-06
Theodore Roosevelt informs Henry L. Stoddard that he will not run for Governor. Roosevelt has a responsibility to the national Progressive Party and cannot separate himself from national issues. He mentions John A. Hennessy as a candidate for Governor on a third party ticket.
1914-07-08
New York Republican state committee chairman William Barnes had no comment on Theodore Roosevelt’s article in The Outlook attacking the administration of President William H. Taft on its trust policy.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1911-11-18
Theodore Roosevelt regrets that he cannot attend the mass convention and moose barbeque in Michigan to which Harold G. High invited him. Roosevelt expresses confidence that Michigan, which saw the foundation of the Republican Party, will support the Progressive Party, which is now doing the work of Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt compares Lincoln’s departure from the Whig Party to his own departure from the Republican Party, which he sees as dragged down by bosses like Senator Guggenheim, Boies Penrose, and William Barnes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-13
Theodore Roosevelt responds to Bradley Gilman’s letter and discusses the topics of marriage, divorce, and African Americans as voters and legislative representatives. Roosevelt argues the need for federal government to control marriage, divorce, and polygamy. Roosevelt asserts the need to incorporate African American representatives for the Progressive movement from states like New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, or Indiana at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. He writes of the inequality faced by African Americans, particularly in the South, and their absence from legislative bodies in Southern states. In his argument, Roosevelt references Booker T. Washington and writes of the Republican Party’s use of uneducated African American representation as a corrupt tactic that won the candidacy for William H. Taft with William Barnes and Simon Guggenheim.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-24