Your TR Source
President Roosevelt encourages William H. Taft to accept a substantial campaign contribution from William Nelson Cromwell, and to have him serve on an advisory board. Roosevelt points out that Elihu Root made a large contribution to his campaign in 1904, but that did not stop him from appointing Root Secretary of State when the opportunity arose.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-07
William H. Taft seeks advice from President Roosevelt regarding an advisory committee being set up by several Republican Party operatives. Taft is concerned that accepting a large donation from William Nelson Cromwell would work against his campaign, as would Cromwell’s work with corporations, though Taft has never had a negative experience with him in that regard.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-05
Lincoln Steffens writes to President Roosevelt to discuss campaign contributions. Steffens suggests that Roosevelt urge those who do not seek any special legislation to donate to his campaign fund. He believes this would result in great loyalty to and support of Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-21
William E. Chandler expresses his complete confidence that the Republicans will be victorious and President Roosevelt will win reelection. Thanks to Alton B. Parker’s blunder in sending a telegram about the gold standard, the only thing that could cause Roosevelt to lose is the perception that he is taking too much money from magnates like J. Pierpont Morgan, Edward Henry Harriman, and Henry Clay Frick.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-10
An unnamed, anti-Roosevelt paper reports that Wall Street interests will be heavily donating to President Roosevelt’s opponent in the 1904 presidential election. The article opines that this will actually help Roosevelt, as more people would vote for him because Wall Street interests do not like him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-23