Your TR Source
Handwritten draft of a statement by Theodore Roosevelt declining a position on the food commission. Roosevelt feels that the position should be filled by someone with “knowledge of a very specialized kind.”
1917-08-03
President Roosevelt greets a man “hidden” inside of a barrel. The man is saying, “Hush! I’m J. P. Morgan in disguise.” Behind Roosevelt and Morgan are several men labeled “reporter,” over which there reads, “Not a word of this must be printed,” and others labeled “detective,” one of whom is calling, “Silence!” Caption: Mr. Morgan always surrounds his movements with as much secrecy as possible and his stay in Washington today was no exception to the rule.–Press dispatch.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-14
F. C. Nunemacher approves President Roosevelt’s decision to reinstate William A. Miller to his position at the Government Printing Office. Miller lost his job after being expelled from the labor union. Nunemacher supports an employee’s right to join a union but does not believe that employees should be discriminated against due to union membership or their decision not to join a union.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-22
Partial draft, with handwritten edits, of a speech President Roosevelt would deliver at the cornerstone laying for the House of Representatives Office Building. Roosevelt speaks against sensationalism and in favor of government oversight over corporations.
This speech is popularly known as “The Man with the Muck-Rake,” due to Roosevelt’s references to a character in John Bunyan’s 1678 work The Pilgrim’s Progress. Roosevelt is credited with coining the term “muckraker” to describe investigative journalists that are overly sensationalist and do not offer solutions.
Original draft, with handwritten edits, of a speech President Roosevelt would deliver at the cornerstone laying for the House of Representatives Office Building. Roosevelt speaks against sensationalism and in favor of government oversight over corporations.
This speech is popularly known as “The Man with the Muck-Rake,” due to Roosevelt’s references to a character in John Bunyan’s 1678 work The Pilgrim’s Progress. Roosevelt is credited with coining the term “muckraker” to describe investigative journalists that are overly sensationalist and do not offer solutions.
Preliminary copy of a speech President Roosevelt would deliver at the cornerstone laying for the House of Representatives Office Building. Roosevelt speaks against sensationalism and in favor of government oversight over corporations.
This speech is popularly known as “The Man with the Muck-Rake,” due to Roosevelt’s references to a character in John Bunyan’s 1678 work The Pilgrim’s Progress. Roosevelt is credited with coining the term “muckraker” to describe investigative journalists that are overly sensationalist and do not offer solutions.
Preliminary copy of a speech President Roosevelt would deliver at the cornerstone laying for the House of Representatives Office Building. Roosevelt speaks in favor of journalistic integrity, and that “to denounce mud slinging does not mean the indorsement [sic] of whitewashing.” He advocates for government oversight over corporations to ensure taxes are paid and used appropriately.
This speech is popularly known as “The Man with the Muck-Rake,” due to Roosevelt’s references to a character in John Bunyan’s 1678 work The Pilgrim’s Progress. Roosevelt is credited with coining the term “muckraker” to describe investigative journalists that are overly sensationalist and do not offer solutions.
Theodore Roosevelt agrees to meet with Mr. Dupont but wants it made clear that he will not make any agreements regarding his subsequent actions if elected president. For his attitude toward business, Roosevelt refers Dupont to his speeches and actions while president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-26
President Roosevelt defends his business policies, including: the creation of the Department of Commerce, the ending of the Anthracite Coal Strike, and bringing suit against the Northern Securities Company. Roosevelt has heard a lot of “dishonest nonsense” from wealthy men that should know that Wall Street’s troubles come from “watering of stocks” and speculation, not any action taken by the government. Roosevelt wants to do what is right for the business world and what is right for the world of labor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-13
President Roosevelt wants the postal investigation to be thorough, complete, and closed as soon as possible. He encloses documents related to a Delaware Post Office matter where a senator wants a fourth class postmistress removed because she is “personally obnoxious to the senator.” Roosevelt would rather upset a senator than make it appear that the administration is using the post office for machine politics. Henry C. Payne is facing a newspaper attack relating to his business interests colliding with Post Office interests. President Roosevelt encourages him to simply state the facts of the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-04
President Roosevelt reviews the goals of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission. Original and several drafts of the statement are included.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-23
President Roosevelt informs Edward Henry Harriman that there are several matters concerning trusts and politics that they need to discuss after Roosevelt returns from the northwestern trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-15
George B. Cortelyou tells Senator Hanna that President Roosevelt would appreciate his help influencing John Mitchell’s and Samuel Gompers’s cooperation and acceptance. Commissioner of Labor Carroll D. Wright thinks this would be helpful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-06
George B. Cortelyou writes to Elihu Root to inform him that, in light of the visit Root will be making, President Roosevelt sends letters he has been receiving from large employers of labor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-10
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased with Robert B. Wolf’s letter and would like to meet with him. He is excited that the manager of a manufacturing industry is providing leadership for the Progressive movement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-08
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary encloses the draft of a speech that Roosevelt intends to deliver at Madison Square Garden. He also encloses correspondence showing that Secretary of the Navy George von Lengerke Meyer may have a conflict of interest in the wool industry.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-26
Frank Harper defends Theodore Roosevelt against a pamphlet that gives twelve reasons why to vote against Roosevelt. He suggests that there are twelve hundred reasons why to vote against President Taft and describes a similar pamphlet in support of Governor Wilson as full of “empty generalities.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-17
As the Senate committee was unable to see him, Theodore Roosevelt offers his testimony in writing. He denies knowledge of requests for campaign funds directed at the Standard Oil Company for his presidential campaign of 1904. These requests supposedly promised lenient treatment and favors in exchange for large contributions. Roosevelt offers documentary evidence that in 1904 he instructed any money received from Standard Oil to be returned. Furthermore, according to campaign records, no funds were ever received from Standard Oil.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt believes that information provided to common citizens is poisoned by the media, that corruption is too prevalent, and that private interests can blind businessmen to the needs of the people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-04
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary suggests that Charles S. Hawkins should look to Roosevelt’s speeches to understand his stance against President Taft and his preference towards a Progressive party where people over bosses have a voice. The writer takes issue with Hawkins’s statement that Pennsylvania’s vote ought not to count due to the political boss conditions there, pointing out that since then, votes have taken place elsewhere with similar outcomes against Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-29