Cannon, Joseph Gurney, 1836-1926

His brand

President Roosevelt brands a Republican elephant with his initials “T.R.” underneath a crown. The elephant is chained to the ground and wears “pension order” and “postal fraud” covers on its front legs. Chair of the Republican National Committee, New York Governor Benjamin B. Odell, New York Senator Thomas Collier Platt, Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon, and Massachusetts Senator Henry Cabot Lodge all watch from behind a fence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-17

Republican defeat at home

The author of the article analyzes Republican losses and the Democratic victory in Indiana following the 1908 election, where James E. Watson was defeated in his Senate race. This defeat is attributed to a number of things such as the local temperance movement and Governor J. Frank Hanly’s determination to call an ill-advised special session of the legislature. However, more broadly the author points to a lack of unity within the party, poor organization on the part of the Republican party, and a resistance to machine rule.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-07

They confer on tariff

President Roosevelt, Secretary of War William H. Taft, Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon, and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge met to discuss the Senate’s refusal to report the Philippine tariff bill. Taft believes that the fight for lower tariff rates has just begun, but Lodge does not think that the bill’s prospects are good.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-05

Theodore Roosevelt, thrice welcome

This newspaper article discusses President Roosevelt’s visit to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri and expresses appreciation for the Roosevelt’s aid to the exposition. The writer also mentions the increased positive feelings toward the president, particularly mentioning Roosevelt’s decision to not to seek an additional term. The article also discusses the “race problem,” which Roosevelt is trying to address. If Roosevelt intends to follow through on not seeking an additional term, the writer believes the president will retire with the “keenest regret in the hearts of an appreciative people.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-26

Bonaparte sorry trust magnates escape prison

Newspaper clipping on the subject of the the ongoing investigations into the “Trust Magnates” containing Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte’s official statements about the ability of the law to be used to prosecute those leading the trusts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-19

“Stand pat” the cry

The tariff slogan of the Republican Party for the coming Congressional campaign will be “stand pat,” as decided by several members of the Republican Congressional Committee and approved by President Roosevelt. While no attendees gave quotes of the proceedings of the luncheon at Roosevelt’s home, all expressed satisfaction with the conference, and confidence that the Republican party can stand on its record. Republican campaign headquarters are to be opened in New York shortly. The article additionally reports on Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon’s travel plans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-23

The progress of the world

An article in The American Review of Reviews reflects on the current political situation in Congress, especially lamenting that both houses are controlled by powerful cliques who work in their own interests, often at the expense of legislation that would benefit the people. In particular, tariffs and appropriations for the construction of battleships are discussed. The author also speculates about the outcomes of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and the upcoming presidential campaign, as well as the necessity of a good man to run the Republican convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-21

We of the west

Newspapers in New York are publishing information about President Roosevelt that was not fit to print, which irks the writer of this article because the people of the West love Roosevelt. Although Roosevelt did the best he could to deal with the financial crisis, the writer does acknowledge that it has negatively impacted New York City in ways that the people of Kansas City could not fathom.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-06

Receipt for registered mail sent by William Loeb

Receipt for registered mail sent from William Loeb to Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-09

Return receipt card to William Loeb

Postal service return receipt card for mail from Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon to William Loeb.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-11

The growth of Taft

This newspaper article suggests the movement to elect Secretary of War William H. Taft is growing not because Taft is a popular politician but because it is believed that he will help Congressional and state tickets go Republican. The article ends with a discourse about putting faith in God and knowing the right outcome will occur.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-13

American affairs

In an article for the National Review, A. Maurice Low analyzes the possibility that Germany would come to the protection of the Atlantic Coast while the Great White Fleet travels to the Pacific and highlights the recent developments in the relationship between Germany and the United States. He argues that Roosevelt should seek another term of office, and that William Jennings Bryan has nothing to offer the American people, while deriding the failure of the Democratic Party at large. Finally, quoting financial representatives from several banking houses, Low explains that the fall of securities prices is a natural course correction. As an example of the bright future of American growth, he describes the construction of Gary, Indiana, a city built for the manufacturing of steel.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10

The call for Roosevelt

An article in the Glasgow Herald written in support of President Roosevelt seeking a third term in office. The author assesses the potential for several possible nominees in the event Roosevelt does not seek nomination and concludes that Secretary of War William H. Taft (the article inaccurately refers to him as the Secretary of State) is the most viable alternate candidate. Still, the author is confident that Roosevelt will be chosen as the Republican nominee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09

Roosevelt their choice above all

This newspaper article reports that Representative Nehemiah D. Sperry addressed members of the New Haven Young Men’s Republican Club and asked the crowd’s opinion on presidential candidates. Secretary of War William H. Taft received a normal amount of applause, while many other names received less. New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes was well-received, but President Roosevelt received the most enthusiasm.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-08

Crane defies big stick in war with Roosevelt and Lodge

Massachusetts Senator Winthrop Murray Crane is opposed to Massachusetts Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and President Roosevelt in supporting William H. Taft in the upcoming presidential election. Crane has threatened to resign his seat rather than be forced on the matter. Details of Crane’s objections and state of mind are discussed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-18

Biggest boom of all

An examination of contenders for the 1908 Republican presidential nominee, including a number of “favorite sons” and President Roosevelt, who has said he will not run again. However, popular opinion is strong for a “second elected term,” and Roosevelt does not have the right to select who will be president – only the people, who want him to carry on his unfinished work, can decide.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-13

Roosevelt the issue

Clipping from The New York World stating that President Theodore Roosevelt will be the issue of the next Presidential campaign. The article cites Roosevelt’s many supporters and the Republican Party’s determination not to go back to the silver standard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907

Taft boom seems about to collapse

Secretary of War William H. Taft seemed to be the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president, but his candidacy is losing support. Even thought President Roosevelt supports him, and he is personally popular with the public, he is a poor campaigner and is losing ground in several states to other politicians, including Roosevelt himself, whom some support for a second elected term.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-21

Safe and sane–1908

Proof for a newspaper article that describes political activities the year before the national party conventions, when many politicians are already active in the presidential race. Both Democrats and Republicans are already trying to shape public opinion toward conservative platforms and “safe and sane” candidates. Republicans in New York are trying to kill support for William Jennings Bryan in the South. Others are actively against a third term for President Roosevelt. Despite this activity, however, Bryan and Roosevelt remain popular, and no other political candidacy has gained much headway. The press and Senator Jonathan Bourne are advocating for another term for Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George von Lengerke Meyer

Theodore Roosevelt believes the revolutionary movement has spent its force in Russia, at least in regards to the present crisis. Roosevelt believes the Senate is a “much less coherent body” in comparison to the House and Roosevelt has worked well with Speaker Cannon.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1906-02-01