Business and politics

President Roosevelt tries to place as many of his fingers on the switchboard: “arbitration,” “spelling,” “nature fakirs,” “national resources,” “railroads,” “GOP,” “foreign relations,” “Navy,” “Army,” “Taft,” and “business.” His left foot is has just hit the “our colonies” bell and his right foot is on the “legislation” lever. Roosevelt says, “I said no!” A handwritten addition reads, “Keep up the good work! You are doing all right.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Many cartoonists drew many cartoons during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency and lifetime about his “strenuous life” — but, they drew more about his catholicity of interests, his fervid activities, his range and mastery of different subjects, his remarkable memory, grasp of issues, and foresight in determining how to act. All manner of observers marveled at Roosevelt’s mature hyperactivity, whether in intellectual pursuits, politics, or leisure; and cartoonists always had a ready-made topic awaiting them on slow days in the newsroom.

Draft of an editorial describing a meeting between Frederick Morgan Davenport, a professor at Hamilton College, and Secretary of War William H. Taft. Davenport compares the current political and economic climate with that in 1812, with the patriotic and commercial interests at cross-purposes. The author trusts that the popular interests will prevail over the commercial ones, and goes on to relay Davenport’s thoughts on the election chances of both Taft and New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-13

Edward M. Shepard made a speech in support of the local democratic ticket in Brooklyn, New York, in which he denounced President Roosevelt for making speeches that create fear about future business conditions and sow discontent between the classes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-04

President Roosevelt goes over the events in the controversy at the Government Printing Office. He is pleased that the situation with Wall Street has improved. Roosevelt is annoyed over the public outcry that emerged when no special commendation was offered to General Nelson Appleton Miles upon his retirement. Such a commendation would have been unprecedented and Roosevelt continues to have a very low opinion of Miles.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-09-03

Due to poor negotiations with the British and Canadians, President Roosevelt intends to announce that the United States will claim and occupy all disputed territory. However, Roosevelt will speak mildly and make no threats. Roosevelt is pleased with the improving conditions in the business world and will be reviewing the naval squadron tomorrow.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1906-08-16

There is a movement to make General Nelson Appleton Miles the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and then the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate. As commander, Miles could create problems for the Republican Party by making “demands on the Pension Office and posing as the friend of the soldier.” President Roosevelt considers Miles a self-interested liar and traitor. The financial situation is “ugly” and Roosevelt blames the panic on “speculative watering of stocks on a giant scale.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-08-06

Sheet music for “Strenuous times,” an instrumental march. The cover depicts an armed Uncle Sam rounding up various commercial and industrial trusts such as oil, cattle, and railroads. The trusts are represented as large men in top hats.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1906

Sheet music for “Standard Oil,” a song about John D. Rockefeller and his history with Standard Oil. One verse mentions President Roosevelt and his efforts to break up the company. Cover is red, white, and black with a can of oil, a sign “J.D.R.,” and Uncle Sam. At the top of the cover, the sheet music is “dedicated to Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis.”

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1907

William Boyce Thompson, a wealthy financier, founder of the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research at Yonkers, and first president of the Roosevelt Memorial Association, actively began supporting Theodore Roosevelt for the 1920 Republican presidential nomination just before Roosevelt’s death in January 1919. He appears here with friends, posing in front of an unidentified monument and walking through a city park; the woman standing beside him may be his wife, Gertrude Hickman Thompson.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1920

Reprint of an editorial that attempts to reconcile George W. Perkins’s reputation as a financier and big businessman with his support of the Progressive Party.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1912

William Randolph Hearst argues in favor of a “proper tariff for protection” and does not approve of Woodrow Wilson’s negative opinion on American businessmen.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1912

George W. Perkins argues that large corporations are necessary to a modern economy and should be regulated by strengthening the powers of the Department of Commerce and Labor.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1911-12-04

Text of the speech “Pass Prosperity Around” by Albert J. Beveridge, Temporary Chairman of the Progressive National Convention, which lays out progressive principles and goals.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1912

President Roosevelt agrees with John Campbell Greenway and references his letter about “undesirable citizens” and recent speech in Provincetown, Massachusetts. He is committed to fighting against “red flag gentry” and “unscrupulous swindlers of great wealth.” In a handwritten note, Roosevelt thanks Greenway for his interest in Ted Roosevelt and Ted’s upcoming visit to see Greenway.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1907-08-23

Theodore Roosevelt thanks John Greenway for a letter sent from Mr. Congdon and expresses how he was touched by it. Roosevelt reflects at length on his involvement in recent political events, the Taft administration, and his general political philosophies and goals.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1910-12-10

Round celluloid pin with sepia tone portraits of President McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt in the middle of a dinner pail with the slogan “A Full Dinner Bucket Sound Money-Good Markets.” On the handle is printed “Prosperity” and a mug on top of the pail has the slogan “Employment for Labor.” Entire design is set on a dark brown background.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1900

President Roosevelt encloses $25 as a donation for the Porcellian Club gate. Although fond of both George W. Perkins and Robert Bacon, Roosevelt believes they are wrong about the trust question and knows that William McKinley had been uneasy over the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-04

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Guy Emerson on the importance of industrial preparedness. Justice Charles Evans Hughes has not taken a position on either military or industrial preparedness. Roosevelt wants the military preparedness of General Leonard Wood, the business efficiency of Mr. Du Pont, the labor recognition of Samuel Gompers, and the farmers to be represented as they are by Charles Simon Barrett (head of the Farmers Union).

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-16

Theodore Roosevelt accepts an invitation to lunch with the Illinois State Bar Association with the stipulations that there will not be any reporters or requests for a speech. Roosevelt asks Nathan William MacChesney to invite a few businessmen to the luncheon to visit with John C. Shaffer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-12

President Roosevelt cautions his audience for being too eager to destroy trusts. He does not wish to hamper prosperity, but he believes that the evil in trusts must be lawfully removed. He hopes that Congress will have greater power to legislate large corporations. Just like the men who fought in the American Civil War did not have a formula on how to win, but instead faced the battles and did not give up, so do Americans today need to courageously fight against the evils in civil life.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-02