Burton, Joseph Ralph, 1852-1923

Secretary of War Taft agrees with President Roosevelt on Senator Henry Cabot Lodge’s speech and on the negative press from the New York papers. He describes his trip thus far and makes predictions about his success based on what he has been told. In light of the gerrymandering involving Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell, Taft asks Roosevelt to help defeat an inadequate constitution in Oklahoma. Taft has asked Joseph L. Bristow to form another report on Panama, and he mentions an editor named Joseph Ralph Burton who has been attacking Roosevelt. Taft discusses the political campaigns and conflicts in the states he is passing through, in particular the political campaigns in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Denver. Taft’s mother Louise Maria Torrey Taft is recovering, and although the trip has been exhausting, Taft has a few days of rest ahead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Chester I. Long reassures President Roosevelt that Former Kansas Senator Joseph R. Burton’s attack on him has had no significant impact upon the people of Kansas. He requests that efforts to secure a delegation for William H. Taft as the Republican nominee as President begin as soon as possible, coinciding with Taft’s upcoming speech in Ottawa. He has requested Kansas Senator Charles Curtis to meet with Roosevelt to “discuss the situation fully.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-01

William Allen White, editor of the Emporia Gazette, expresses his hurt at President Roosevelt criticizing him to Kansas Representatives Philip Pitt Campbell and Charles F. Scott for supporting Senator Robert M. La Follette. Roosevelt’s criticism was based on White’s having invited La Follette to Kansas to fight the railroad interests and the senatorial candidacy of Charles Curtis. White likens the situation to that of Roosevelt working with Tammany Hall operative Patrick Divver and with Pennsylvania Senator Matthew Stanley Quay. In each case, White notes, Roosevelt was working to achieve a good end, while differing greatly with the other person on politics. White asks Roosevelt to withhold judging him for working with La Follette and to not become directly involved with the political fight in Kansas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-02

An angry President Roosevelt kicks a book as he holds a paper that reads, “Sir: You are a _____ liar. Very truly, T. Roosevelt. White House Form No. 4423.” Caption: “Selecting the adjective.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Before Albert Turner Reid was a polished illustrator in the political-cartoon field, but already possessor of an elegant flourish for a signature, he drew this imaginary portrait of President Roosevelt in a fit of pique. The perfervid Roosevelt was believable to conceive, and draw, exploding blasts of a violent temper.

President Roosevelt with his “Nobel Peace Prize” attached to his vest and his “big stick” in hand utters profanities as he grips “former Senator Burton’s speech” with a piece labeled “criticism” coming off. A dog running away from the president says, “Another member for the Ananias club.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

A surfeit of minor issues, local politics, and obscure politicians provide the context of this cartoon; nevertheless it reveals much about American political history and about President Roosevelt’s policies.

On the Senate floor, several Senators engage in a free-for-all around a signpost labeled “Rail Road Interests.” Watching the melee from the “Visitors’ Gallery” is Joseph R. Burton.

comments and context

Comments and Context

J. S. Pughe’s center-spread cartoon in Puck, 1906, is a reversal of many cartoons drawn through the years (most memorably by Joseph Ferdinand Keppler’s 1889 gallery of moneybags, “Bosses of the Senate.” Pughe’s variation was to draw the floor of the Senate ripped out, and the well reconfigured as the floor of a stock exchange.

President Roosevelt does not think he can justify refusing to accept Senator Joseph Ralph Burton’s nomination of Wilder Stevens Metcalf as Commissioner of Pensions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-14

President Roosevelt tells Marcus A. Low that he does not see how he could justify refusing to accept Senator Joseph Ralph Burton’s nomination of Wilder Stevens Metcalf for Commissioner of Pensions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-14

President Roosevelt updates Kermit Roosevelt on the family and sends another poem from Philip Roosevelt. He laments Congress’s failure to give him four new battleships and feels that “unpatriotic” Congressional leaders are prioritizing their own interests over those of the country. Roosevelt states that although he does not think the United States will go to war with Japan, naval supremacy is necessary to deter any Japanese attack or invasion of the West Coast.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-19

President Roosevelt tells William Allen White that he has only discussed the Burton affair in jest and feels honored that he was “singled out” by former Kansas Senator Joseph Ralph Burton. He was never seen the letter within by pardon clerk Peyton Gordon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-29

President Roosevelt tells Senator Lodge that Mr. Lane could not be appointed to the position Lodge was discussing, as it must go to someone from Maryland or Delaware. He as instead appointed General Felix Agnus. Roosevelt has been concerned about the conviction of Lodge’s private secretary, Robert G. Proctor. Other cases with far more evidence of wrongdoing have resulted in acquittals, and Roosevelt believes the verdict in Proctor’s case was politically motivated. He comments that the present Congress has had a better record than any other Congress he knows of, but that he is wary for a “smash” in the following sessions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-03

President Roosevelt is happy to hear from Charles S. Gleed. He explains his position regarding the appointment in Kansas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-17

President Roosevelt feels William Allen White “missed the point in the matter.” Roosevelt is more concerned about the qualifications of the candidates for pension agent in Topeka than he is about Senator Joseph Ralph Burton’s reaction to his decision. Roosevelt asks White to solicit private opinions of Eugene F. Ware and Cyrus Leland, the two candidates he is considering.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-15

President Roosevelt assures William Allen White his disagreement over Cyrus Leland’s appointment is not a reflection of his faith in White. Roosevelt responded to James Hulme Canfield’s objections to his appointments by reiterating he is not averse to a fight with Senator Burton, but wants to be certain he enters such a fight “morally justified in doing so.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-14

President Roosevelt forwards Senator Joseph Ralph Burton’s letter, in which he does not make a recommendation but gives a poor report of Judge William K. Townsend. Roosevelt feels it is important to “get the highest type of judge at all costs.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-07

President Roosevelt has heard multiple reports about Cyrus Leland and is hesitant “to fight a Senator” over what appears to be factional bickering. He asks William Allen White his opinion regarding candidates and others he could consult.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-06

William Allen White tells President Roosevelt that he will write the article he told Roosevelt about at once. He will never believe that General Leonard Wood is guilty, but he does think Wood should know what is being said about him in the press. White also explains the Kansas political situation to Roosevelt, so that Secretary of War William H. Taft will be most effective in his Kansas speeches. White sends local press clippings to help Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-16

Attorney General Knox writes: “Burton Guilty — another victory for the P.O.D.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11

Assistant Attorney General Robb informs President Roosevelt that Senator Joseph Ralph Burton was convicted on every count.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-26

Edward B. Linnen is still under suspension. As Linnen was strongly recommended for his position by Governor Richards, Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock is withholding action until the governor returns from the west. Hitchcock also awaits more information from Washington and Oregon for other investigations, and some of that information will not be available until the trials being conducted under Judge William Henry Hunt, which resume on September 5. Linnen believes some of the evidence presented in those trials will seriously compromise Senators Charles William Fulton and Joseph Ralph Burton.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-26