Beach, John K. (John Kimberly), 1855-1938

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Dudley Foulke

With a series of excerpts from relevant letters, President Roosevelt strongly refutes allegations from anonymous sources quoted by William Dudley Foulke. These sources allege that Roosevelt had planned to nominate John K. Beach to succeed William K. Townsend on the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, but then withdrew his promise to appoint Beach in favor of Walter Chadwick Noyes, in order to secure a delegation favorable to William H. Taft to the Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Dudley Foulke

President Roosevelt describes the process by which he appointed a judge in Connecticut to William Dudley Foulke. Roosevelt vehemently denies reports that he promised the appointment to John K. Beach but later appointed another man in order to get a delegation favorable to nominating William H. Taft at the Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles S. Mellen

President Roosevelt tells Charles S. Mellen in confidence that he may appoint Judge Walter Chadwick Noyes for the circuit court judge position in Connecticut, even though he has a higher opinion of lawyer John K. Beach. Judges, Roosevelt believes, especially federal judges, should be “the judge for everyone.” They should be able to sympathize with the labor faction and capitalists alike. Unfortunately the judges in New York do not understand the labor side. Roosevelt hopes to meet Noyes soon and see if he holds these qualities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Twining Hadley

President Roosevelt informs Yale University President Hadley that after consulting Commissioner of Corporations Herbert Knox Smith, he thinks it best not to appoint John K. Beach as judge of the 2nd Circuit Court. While Smith agrees with Hadley that Beach is a better candidate overall, the senators do not recommend him, and it would be in poor form to act contrary to them in this matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Knox Smith

President Roosevelt informs Commissioner of Corporations Smith of his recent visit with Charles F. Brooker, and asks Smith to arrange a meeting to go over the matter of selecting a man for the judgeship in Connecticut.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Knox Smith

President Roosevelt thanks Commissioner of Corporations Smith for his work in selecting a new judge for the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Connecticut. Roosevelt is leaning towards John K. Beach for the appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Knox Smith

President Roosevelt asks Commissioner of Corporations Smith if he can “quietly secure some backing” for John K. Beach, who Roosevelt is inclined to appoint to a judgeship in Connecticut.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he approves of Philippines Governor James Francis Smith’s action regarding the Japanese consul. Roosevelt will talk to Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte about appointing John K. Beach to the federal judgeship in Connecticut. Roosevelt approves of Beach’s knowledge of and sympathy with labor unions. After talking with William Loeb, Roosevelt has instructed Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer to follow Taft’s instructions regarding postmaster appointments in Ohio.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Taft about conditions in the South regarding Taft’s nomination to be the presidential candidate for the Republican Party. One of Roosevelt’s informants told him that the constituents in Alabama will vote for Joseph Benson Foraker if Taft is approved. Roosevelt still believes that the southern states will be in favor of Taft. On another matter, Roosevelt reports that many people want him to nominate John K. Beach over Walter Chadwick Noyes for a circuit court judge position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Knox Smith

President Roosevelt, Secretary of War William H. Taft, and others prefer Walter Chadwick Noyes over John K. Beach for the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, but Roosevelt would like to hear Commissioner of Corporations Smith’s thoughts on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

President Roosevelt is glad to hear from his sister, Anna Roosevelt Cowles, and shares that he will be influenced by Secretary of War Taft regarding the lawyers John Kimberly Beach and Walter Chadwick Noyes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Twining Hadley

The majority of people informed on the matter support the nomination of Walter Chadwick Noyes over John K. Beach for the 2nd Circuit Court. President Roosevelt is inclined to nominate Noyes, but wishes to hear from Hadley on the subject before taking action.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he will have Frank H. Hitchcock come to see him about comments he had made against Taft’s candidacy for president. Roosevelt says William Loeb has the same suspicions Taft does, but on the other hand, an enclosed clipping reports Hitchcock being attacked for appearing to promote Taft’s candidacy. Roosevelt will appoint Taft’s selection for Quartermaster General, James Buchanan Aleshire. In a lengthy postscript, Roosevelt says he is annoyed with complaints that the construction of the Panama Canal is being mismanaged, and reminds Taft to send him information about John K. Beach.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank B. Brandegee

President Roosevelt explains that his choice of nominee for a position as a circuit court judge will come down to who is the best man for the role, not only who is a good one, and assures Senator Brandgegee that it would be in Connecticut’s interest to appoint someone from New York if the New Yorker is “markedly better.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Twining Hadley

President Roosevelt asks Arthur Twining Hadley if it is possible to privately poll members of the State Bar Association of Connecticut regarding the qualifications of John K. Beach for federal judgeship. Roosevelt is leaning towards Beach for the appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Payne McLean

President Roosevelt writes Governor McLean acknowledging receipt of his letter recommending Walter Chadwick Noyes for federal judgeship. Roosevelt was thinking of nominating John K. Beach, but is impressed with McLean’s account of Noyes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Twining Hadley

President Roosevelt thanks Arthur Twining Hadley for his recommendation of John K. Beach for judicial nomination. Roosevelt likes what Hadley wrote him about John K. Beach’s views on labor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank B. Brandegee

President Roosevelt acknowledges receipt of Senator Brandegee’s letter and enclosures on behalf of Judge Noyes. Roosevelt does not know if he will keep the appointment in New York or Vermont, but he is considering John K. Beach and wonders what Noyes thinks of him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Twining Hadley

President Roosevelt looks forward to speaking with Arthur Twining Hadley regarding the upcoming judgeship. Roosevelt is interested in knowing how George D. Watrous and Charles Hopkins Clark feel about the bar and who would be the best option for a judicial appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-11

Letter from Charles Hopkins Clark to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles Hopkins Clark responds to President Roosevelt’s inquiry about the note from Yale University President Arthur Twining Hadley. Clark explains that he knows some of the men involved in the matter and that The Courant is not in any way bound to support Senator Frank B. Brandegee’s suggestion. Senators, as well as lawyers, have widely endorsed Walter C. Noyes for the position of United States Circuit Judge. Clark strongly recommends his appointment and says that if he is turned down, it could lead to trouble in Connecticut.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-04