Borah, William Edgar, 1865-1940

Senator Lodge responds to a note from President Roosevelt, urging him to vote for Senator Borah’s bill regarding the Children’s Bureau. Lodge explains he has always supported the bill and will vote for it, and he does not understand why Borah thought it necessary to apply to Roosevelt to appeal to him.

A handwritten postscript critiques the diary of Gideon Welles, former secretary of the navy for the United States. The more Lodge reads of the diary, the less he thinks of it, as it reveals the true nature of its author and the “evil influence” he had over President Johnson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-27

The Taft administration is prepared to accept Lodge’s resolution that will allow the Senate to “pass on the arbitrability of a question.” Senator Lodge is pleased with providing the Senate with this level of control even though it “makes the treaties of little value.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-10

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Senator Lodge encloses a letter from Herbert H. D. Peirce that shows Peirce’s request is much less than Lodge supposed. He supports Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to stay silent regarding his intentions towards the presidential nomination. In a handwritten postscript, Lodge discusses the likely outcome of upcoming votes in the Senate. He believes the Root resolution will carry and his own amendment will be beaten. If both are beaten, he cannot vote for the treaties because they would cause misunderstandings rather than promote peace between nations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-06

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-10

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Language

English

Monroe G. Haight shares his opinions about Mormons in Idaho with Theodore Roosevelt. He feels that many Idaho residents want their politicians to take an anti-Mormon stand, and that doing so may help some politicians into office. Haight hopes Roosevelt can take advantage of this and further the cause of good citizenship.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-01

Creator(s)

Haight, Monroe G. (Monroe Gleason), 1879-1920

Barlett Sinclair informs Theodore Roosevelt that support for Senator William Edgar Borah as William H. Taft’s vice-president is growing in the northwest. Barlett writes that Roosevelt’s endorsement of Borah would surely give a boost to his approval nationwide.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-06

Creator(s)

Sinclair, Bartlett, 1864-1932

Senator Dixon reviews recent events in the effort to pass a constitutional amendment for the direct election of United States senators. He requests that Theodore Roosevelt express his support for the amendment to the progressive Republican senators. Dixon has also been working to secure progressive support for the naming of Senator Gallinger as the Senate’s president pro tempore. He fears that the Republicans are headed for defeat in the presidential election and sees Democratic support gathering for Woodrow Wilson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-11

Creator(s)

Dixon, Joseph M. (Joseph Moore), 1867-1934

Clinton S. Scott was only recently able to forward Senator William Edgar Borah a copy of The Republican containing Theodore Roosevelt’s speech in Phoenix, Arizona. He apologizes to Frank Harper for the delay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-19

Creator(s)

Scott, Clinton S. (Clinton Sherman), 1865-1919

Stephen S. Wise knows Theodore Roosevelt will be busy on his return from his trip to the West, and so instead of asking him to speak at the fourth annual celebration held by the Free Synagogue in New York City, asks if he would be willing to send a short message to be read to the assembled crowd.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-21

Creator(s)

Wise, Stephen S. (Stephen Samuel), 1874-1949

Representative Poindexter has heard reports of rumors that Theodore Roosevelt may not be spending as much time in Spokane, Washington, as originally indicated, and asks Frank Harper for the details regarding Roosevelt’s visit. He sends Harper a tentative outline of engagements for Seattle and Spokane that have been arranged by Robert L. Rutter, and promises to send a more definite itinerary as soon as possible. Poindexter finally wishes to know what route Roosevelt will be taking between Seattle and Spokane.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-25

Creator(s)

Poindexter, Miles, 1868-1946

Lillian Shannon Caple invites Theodore Roosevelt to visit her home when he visits Spokane, Washington, soon, and offers him every hospitality. She explains how she and her husband had previously met Roosevelt, as well as some of their other political connections.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-24

Creator(s)

Caple, Lillian Shannon, 1860-1932

Frank W. Coolbaugh strongly encourages Senator Penrose to support the Borah resolution which would allow for the direct election of Senators.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-07

Creator(s)

Coolbaugh, Frank W., 1848-1914

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

President Taft has been looking into the Lorimer case and has consulted with several senators. He sees corruption in Senator Lorimer’s election and hopes to see Lorimer ousted. However, Taft cautions against speaking out regarding the case due to the “clubdom” and resentment of outside interference in the Senate. He suggests that Theodore Roosevelt withhold his article on the subject until after speeches have been made on the floor of the Senate. Original and copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-06

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

John Callan O’Laughlin found Theodore Roosevelt’s letter heartening, especially his conviction in rebuking Simeon E. Baldwin and Senator William Lorimer’s vindication as an infamy. He discusses his association in prosecuting Lorimer’s case, including which senators support him and the potential implications of allowing him to retain his seat despite obtaining it through bribery.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-22

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

William H. Taft writes to President Roosevelt that he is not sure what effect Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker’s actions will have on the Republican party, and his conciliatory attitude toward Taft is clearly motivated by a potential run for Senate. Taft feels George Barnsdale Cox and his associates are attempting to make him look bad, and he will not risk his position over it. Taft has been writing speeches and an article tackling his beliefs on tariffs. The public wants real change, and there will be less difficulty achieving it than there would have been with the last Congress. Chairman of the Republican National Committee Frank H. Hitchcock is succeeding, but those with Taft despise him and it creates difficulty. Taft has informed New York Republican State Committee treasurer George Rumsey Sheldon not to take money from trust affiliates. Taft updates Roosevelt on his health and his upcoming campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

In a telephone message, Albert J. Beveridge reported on the positions of several Senators regarding the battleship bill, and provided a list of Senators President Roosevelt should speak to about it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-20

Creator(s)

Presidential Office Staff

Attorney General Bonaparte instructs special assistants William R. Harr and Peyton Gordon to avoid naming Senator William Edgar Borah as one of the persons connected with the conspiracy to murder the former Governor of Idaho, Frank Steunenberg, in any new indictments, so as not to “awaken needless prejudice against the prosecution.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-27

Creator(s)

Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921

Attorney General Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt about several matters he did not have time to speak with him about today. First, he has “serious objections” to Senator William Edgar Borah’s suggestion of a temporary judicial appointment. Until Bonaparte knows more about the situation, he will have “grave misgivings” about Judge Frank Sigel Dietrich and Judge Edward Whitson. However, Bonaparte does believe that N. M. Ruick will not cause a scandal as long as he does not know or suspect that he will lose his position. Second, Bonaparte spoke with Alford Warriner Cooley about Roosevelt’s desire to appoint Samuel L. Williams, a black man, as district attorney in Chicago, per Booker T. Washington’s recommendation. Edwin Walter Sims, the U.S. Attorney in Chicago, reported favorably about Williams to Bonaparte, and he recommends the nomination. Finally, Timothy L. Woodruff spoke with Bonaparte about Wyoming Senator Frank W. Mondell’s draft of a bill that would amend the coal-land-laws. Bonaparte entertains “very grave doubts” about giving amnesty to large corporations that break the law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-27

Creator(s)

Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921

Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on the progress of the Idaho land fraud cases. He forwards Roosevelt his telegram to Assistant Attorney General Marsden C. Burch demanding that N. M. Ruick take no part in the case. Bonaparte updates Roosevelt on other matters and suggests the two schedule a meeting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-28

Creator(s)

Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921