Barnes, William, 1866-1930

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-24

Theodore Roosevelt objects to Senator Kenyon’s statement that the Progressives hope to usurp the Republican party power from Senator Kenyon in favor of William Barnes, Winthrop Murray Crane, and Boies Penrose. Roosevelt contends that neither Albert Baird Cummins nor Herbert S. Hadley could have won the Republican nomination over President Taft. Roosevelt also negates Cummins’s comments about Roosevelt’s hope to win the Republican nomination himself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-24

Theodore Roosevelt writes to F. A. Johnson in regard to his statements published in the North American. Roosevelt discusses the Progressive campaign and contends that running on a third party ticket is necessary in states such as New York where the Republican political machine is controlled by William Barnes, Simon Guggenheim, and Boies Penrose. Otherwise, in states like Minnesota, Roosevelt advocates campaigning from within, converting Republicans to Progressives.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-25

Theodore Roosevelt contends that support for Woodrow Wilson as the presidential candidate in order to defeat William Barnes and Charles Francis Murphy will not work. Rather, Roosevelt asserts the need for a Progressive ticket.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-17

President Roosevelt discusses the presidential campaign and the platforms of the other candidates.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-10

Theodore Roosevelt writes John C. Kelly about the organization of a Progressive party movement in Iowa and expresses his frustration with those aligned with the Republican party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-10

President Roosevelt writes to National Progressive Party Maryland elector nominee, Colonel Joseph R. Baldwin, confirming that Baldwin’s name will be printed and reminding him that he expects his vote in the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-12

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Commissioner Herbert Knox Smith that both political parties are dominated by political bosses with large interests, noting that there is no need to switch Republican Guggenheim-Penrose-Barnes for Democratic Murphy-Taggart-Sullivan. He also criticizes the Democratic platform, which exhibits no progressive vision to meet the needs of the nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-13

Theodore Roosevelt confirms with T. J. E. Yocum that he will continue to work with his current campaign staff.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-06

Theodore Roosevelt asks Hugh McIndoe to get in touch immediately with Senator Joseph M. Dixon because a telegram by William Barnes to the delegates of the Republican National Convention is likely to cause a fight.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-10

Theodore Roosevelt was reluctant to contest the selection of the temporary chairman of the Republican National Convention. However, William Barnes’s telegram has forced a challenge. Supporters of Senator La Follette would have made a challenge anyway and Roosevelt supporters would have been discouraged without it. Roosevelt was “prepared to support any good La Follette man,” such as Governor Francis E. McGovern or Senator Asle Gronna, against Senator Elihu Root.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-04

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends Roosevelt’s thanks to H. J. Burkhart. Roosevelt will consider Burkhart’s suggestion, but feels that William Barnes’s only mission is to defeat Roosevelt. Roosevelt believes it was this intention that fueled Barnes’s proposal of Justice Hughes as a compromise candidate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-27

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Paul J. Murphy for his letter. Roosevelt comments on the predicted strategy of William Barnes to switch the vote from William H. Taft to another candidate. Roosevelt promises to stand firm for a people’s candidate at the Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-07

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks Frank W. Robertson for letting Roosevelt see a letter from William Barnes. The secretary finds it amusing that Barnes presents himself as saving the United States Constitution.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-08

Theodore Roosevelt informs Garrett J. Benson that the rumors laid out in the newspaper clip Benson sent are fabrications, including the fact that Roosevelt said anything about Mr. Barnes printing bills.

Theodore Roosevelt tells William Loeb about the county election in Herkimer County, New York that would have gone in favor of his nephew, Theodore Douglas Robinson, if not for corruption, bribery, and fraud among Robinson’s opponents. Roosevelt believes if the Direct Primary Vote bill is passed, Robinson and his friends will have control of Herkimer County.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-03

Theodore Roosevelt commends Lucius B. Swift’s excellent letter to President William H. Taft. One thing he most wants to avoid is mixing in purely state affairs where he can do no good. He has been supporting the reciprocity movement. While he sympathizes with the farmers, it is not enough to oppose the movement. Roosevelt agrees with Swift about the political situation in Indiana. However, New York is slightly worse. He discusses machine politics, especially as played out in the most recent election. In theory, the people of New York want Roosevelt to be involved in state politics, but in practice, it makes him suspicious. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-08

Theodore Roosevelt informs Langdon P. Marvin that he is pleased to hear the elephant head has not been removed from Harvard Hall. Roosevelt is equally pleased to learn that Marvin voted for Henry L. Stimson for New York governor. He had heard a rumor that Marvin supported William Barnes. Roosevelt is sorry he cannot attend the Harvard Club of New York City’s dinner this year but plans to come next year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-07

Theodore Roosevelt tells William Loeb that he will continue to stand up for Canadian reciprocity, although he feels uncomfortable about several parts of the treaty. He also expresses his disgust with the current state of New York politics. Voters had the chance to get rid of both Republican boss William Barnes and Democrat boss Charles Francis Murphy, but did not. He believes that Barnes’s return to power is inevitable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-03

Theodore Roosevelt sympathizes with Patrick E. McCabe’s effort to elect a non-partisan citizen and defeat the political machine of William Barnes. However, he has decided to avoid political speeches or appearing in political contests this year, and cannot make an exception.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-25