Your TR Source
President Roosevelt thanks Richard Watson Gilder for his comments in the Century and agrees with Gilder’s opinion of Charles J. Bonaparte. Roosevelt expresses his wish to have Bonaparte associated with his administration before the end of his term.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-02
President Roosevelt apologizes to Benjamin Ide Wheeler for forgetting his promise to Franklin K. Lane. Roosevelt explains that when he made the promise, he had not appointed anyone from California to an important position, but since then, had appointed a member of his cabinet and a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission, both from California. Roosevelt had then dismissed his concern about recognition for California from his mind, but acknowledges Lane’s grievance and will do his best to rectify the error. Roosevelt cautions that while he hopes to enlarge the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission, he will need to be sure that Lane has the ability and fairness required to hold the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-02
President Roosevelt is reluctant to send any of his cabinet members to speak, but will do so for Timothy L. Woodruff, as he is “entitled” to ask. Roosevelt says he will send Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw or Attorney General William H. Moody, but is unable to send Secretary of State John Hay or Secretary of War William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-14
President Roosevelt is glad to have received Alice Lee’s letter. He cannot make promises about the tariff she mentions since he must consider the feelings of his associates on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-19
President Roosevelt congratulates Senator Lodge on the platform and comments that the convention “went off well.” Roosevelt was surprised at the outbreak of feeling against Secretary of Commerce and Labor and Chairman of the Republican National Committee Cortelyou. There is “little active part” that Roosevelt can take in the campaign, except for his speech and letter of acceptance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-25
President Roosevelt passes on the contents of a telegram that he received from Governor George C. Pardee to Representative Metcalf about his promotion to Secretary of Commerce and Labor in Roosevelt’s Cabinet and Metcalf’s congressional district committee’s movements to replace him. Roosevelt hopes that Metcalf can spend the night at the White House upon his arrival.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-26
President Roosevelt implores Cornelius Newton Bliss to accept the chairmanship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-06
President Roosevelt would like Senator Foraker to get a rider on a pending bill that would give the President the authority to select the department that supervises the nation’s island possessions. Roosevelt believes that it would be advantageous to have their administration under the War Department, and Secretary of War Taft agrees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-30
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of the Treasury Shaw he should be “genuinely pleased” with the letter from North Dakota. Roosevelt believes it speaks well of Shaw and himself. The president says, “I congratulate you,” and adds in a handwritten addition, “& myself.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-31
President Roosevelt was astonished at Lucius William Nieman’s letter and believes him to be misinformed. Postmaster General Payne’s health has greatly improved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-04
William H. Taft has replaced Elihu Root as Secretary of War. President Roosevelt will miss Root and is concerned that Taft is too much like him to provide good advice. Roosevelt believes that Ted Roosevelt can succeed in civilian life and would be sorry to see him enter the military. However, the army is “well and good” if Ted is convinced of that path. They can discuss the matter over Easter break.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-06
President Roosevelt agrees with Owen Wister’s thoughts. Roosevelt is grateful to the American people even though he has had a great deal of work as president. Roosevelt notes his cabinet has been a huge support to him and is glad he owed the election to “Abraham Lincoln’s ‘plain people.'” The president expresses his frustration with certain journalists and newspapers who criticize Roosevelt about having too close of a connection with “the wicked” but who ignored Alton B. Parker’s “hand-in-glove intimacy” with James J. Hill, William F. Sheehan, and Thomas Taggart. Roosevelt acknowledges he has made mistakes, but many of the criticisms leveled at him are due to ignorance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-19
President Roosevelt thanks B. S. Grosscup and will see if he can proceed along the lines suggested by Grosscup. It is a delicate matter to override a Cabinet member when they have taken a strong stand.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-12
Following an exhibition of drunkenness at an official banquet by Naval Paymaster George M. Lukesh, Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte has not dismissed the man, but rather endorsed the recommendation of the court-martial putting him to the bottom of the list of paymasters. The author of the article explains that this is because, while Bonaparte has the ability to punish, neither he nor President Roosevelt have the power to impose a more severe sentence. The author also believes when an officer disgraces the Navy in such a way, there should be a method for imposing stronger punishments against them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-15
President Roosevelt suggests that the people being presented be met by members of the Cabinet and the presentation occur after dinner since there is so many of them. Roosevelt also invites Nicholas M. Butler to stay at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-08
President Roosevelt is relieved that William H. Taft will be on hand in January to help advocate for the Philippines and acclimate himself to being a Cabinet member. If Winthrop is accepted as Judge, Roosevelt would like the next vacancy filled by James C. Jenkins.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-13
President Roosevelt quotes a flattering letter from Governor General of the Philippines William H. Taft regarding Secretary of War Root and his handling of the War Department. Roosevelt also provides instructions for the promotion of several officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-17
The War Department would like General Oliver, the incoming Assistant Secretary of War, to familiarize himself with the work of the department before Secretary of War Elihu Root travels to Europe as a member of the Alaskan Boundary Tribunal. President Roosevelt asks Oliver when he can start.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-09
Secretary of State Hay is an immense help to President Roosevelt and also a “perpetual delight and comfort.” Roosevelt considers Hay a great Secretary of State. He instructs him to ignore the press articles about their relations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-11
No Cabinet member will be available in November to speak at the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce dinner. However, President Roosevelt is interested in having Attorney General Knox speak with the Chamber of Commerce early next week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-07