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Theodore Roosevelt informs William A. Prendergast that newspaper reports that Roosevelt antagonized Prendergast’s position on the municipal contests are false. Roosevelt agrees with Prendergast that Progressives must get the best men nominated for the New York municipal election. Roosevelt objects to a deal with Republican bosses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-25
Theodore Roosevelt does not think that Hamilton Fish II needs to reply to William R. McCredie’s letter. Roosevelt responds to Herbert Parson’s letter to Fish, in that Roosevelt never wanted personal loyalty from Parsons, but wanted him to act honestly at the Republican National Convention. Roosevelt believes that the William H. Taft delegates were wrongfully seated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-27
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with President Wheeler of the University of California. Roosevelt believes that the Progressives will have a hard time unless the Democrats “make colossal blunders.” He is uncertain of how President Woodrow Wilson will handle the situation. Roosevelt also believes that Progressives can not join the Republican Party with William Barnes, Senator Simon Guggenheim, and Senator Boies Penrose in charge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-20
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Charles Edward Merriam for his work in the campaign and responds to Merriam’s observations about the Progressive Party. While he agrees with Merriam on social and industrial justice programs, the Progressives need to make sure not to “overpaint things” and appear insincere. He thinks the process for making the Progressive Party permanent should be by working with the rank and file of parties rather than with party bosses. Finally, while he does not believe that George W. Perkins should be called the “official and technical spokesman, the philosopher and exponent of progressive principles,” Perkins’ organizing power is a key part of the Progressive Party and their campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-23
President Roosevelt shares with Nevada N. Stranahan, Collector of Customs in New York, that he feels Governor Frank Wayland Higgins is correct about suggesting John T. Mott as chairman of the New York Republican State Committee. He would have accepted several other candidates, but there would be too much opposition. Roosevelt will gladly back Mott and considers him ideal for the situation. He wants Higgins to take care of the matter immediately and asks Stranahan to contact William L. Ward and George W. Dunn.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-15
President Roosevelt asks Postmaster Willcox to speak with Senator Thomas Collier Platt and William Barnes to discuss withdrawing Representative Jacob Van Vechten Olcott from consideration for chairman of the Republican County commission in favor of Representative Herbert Parsons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-24
President Roosevelt is unsure if William Blumenthal can be transferred. He will carefully consider Senator Platt’s thoughts on Commissioner of Patents Frederick Innes Allen. While John Clay Davies is a good man, Roosevelt feels William D. Murphy is more qualified for the assistant secretary of the Treasury position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-20
President Roosevelt never heard of the naval preparatory school described in Governor Odell’s letter. Roosevelt would like an update on the state of the campaign in New York and hopes that Elihu Root will take part in the campaign when he returns.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-28
Seth Bullock cautions Theodore Roosevelt that William Barnes, through Charles Dewey Hilles, will try to fill the 1916 Republican Convention with people who are antagonistic to Roosevelt and his friends, similar to 1912. He remarks on the conditions of the convention in 1912, when Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison influenced the police force against Roosevelt, and says that current Chicago Mayor William H. Thompson is acting similarly by speaking out against Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-03-30
William Stanton comments that the recent election proves Theodore Roosevelt’s advanced statesmanship in efforts for reform. Had they been implemented, these reforms would have stopped Socialist ideas from spreading. Stanton calls Roosevelt’s attention to an incident concerning William Barnes’ control of Albany County and hopes Roosevelt will take an active and aggressive position on the Republican Party’s councils.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-10
Charles H. Betts would like Theodore Roosevelt to write a short piece for a special edition of The Lyons Republican that will be published to celebrate the paper’s 90th anniversary. He requests a piece about “American ideals,” but stresses that Roosevelt can write about whatever he chooses. In a postscript, he asks permission to print what Roosevelt told him in a letter regarding his views “relative to the ‘Court’s Decision.'”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-13
State senator Franklin D. Roosevelt discusses the current election for United States Senator from New York. Matters remain deadlocked, but he believes that ultimately William F. Sheehan will be defeated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-03
William Loeb asks Theodore Roosevelt to write to Mr. Hall in Texas about the possibility of an appeal being granted. He notes that President William H. Taft will need help on the Canadian reciprocity agreement, and worries that “selfish interests” will defeat it. Loeb provides his opinions on the current situation regarding Republican politics in New York State and notes that Henry L. Stoddard, editor of the Evening Mail, seems to have taken a liking to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-01
Willard A. Marakle asks Theodore Roosevelt to attend and speak at the Rochester News Writers’ Club’s “Roastfest,” as a personal favor and to endear him with the newspapermen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-28
William Rockhill Nelson believes that the forces opposed to Theodore Roosevelt will continually be trying to aggravate him in order to put him at a disadvantage, and tells Roosevelt that he does not need to defend himself, as the people will come to his defense. He illustrates this with an incident he remembers from New York politics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-09-07
Nelson, William Rockhill, 1841-1915
John Appleton Stewart, President of the New York State League of Republican Clubs, asks William Loeb if Secretary of War Root might be interested in replacing Senator Thomas Collier Platt. The State League supports it. Stewart discusses the electoral situation in New York, and complains that Frank H. Hitchcock, Timothy L. Woodruff, and others in the Republican state and national committees are not supporting the League or any associated clubs. Stewart points out that in the past, the League and its clubs have done good work for the party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
Representative Fassett advises Timothy L. Woodruff against naming any of New York’s “big four” delegates-at-large to the Republican National Convention himself. Governor Charles Evans Hughes is running for president, and anything short of “fair play” with Hughes will be detrimental to politics in the state. Fassett believes that Hughes should make his preference for delegates known, and advises see him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-07
New York State Republican State Committee Chairman Woodruff analyzes the primary results concerning Robert A. Sharkey of the Fifth District and George H. Roberts of the Eleventh District, which he says involved fraud. After summarizing the feelings of the state committeemen on Governor Charles Evans Hughes as the potential presidential candidate, he concludes that a resolution is unlikely to be introduced. Winning support against Hughes would be easier if President Roosevelt were the candidate, but even with the current situation in Kings County, Woodruff feels there will ultimately be cooperation until the convention. Woodruff asks that the letter be given to Roosevelt to help explain the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-26
Timothy L. Woodruff explains his desire to meet with President Roosevelt about political matters in New York. Woodruff is particularly concerned about the nomination of judges to the New York State Court of Appeals. He does not intend to discuss reapportionment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-25
William L. Ward and William Barnes are in favor of nominating Herbert Parsons for governor of New York. Ward wonders how this suggestion strikes the president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21