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President Roosevelt informs Representative Needham he cannot sign his bill because it is possible that the Tuolumne groves and the sugar pine forest may be destroyed. Roosevelt states, “The only lands that can with my consent be excluded from the Yosemite National Park are those recommended by [the] commission” which has been investigating the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-04
President Roosevelt fundamentally agrees with Henry S. Pritchett and James Ford Rhodes about the Southern question. Although Roosevelt believes it is unwise and impractical to repeal the Fifteenth Amendment now, he does agree it should not have been passed in the first place. The president can also agree with Pritchett and Rhodes that Congress should not press for active enforcement of the Fifteenth Amendment; however, it cannot go too far with Mississippi Senator John Sharp Williams having more power than Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon. Roosevelt believes Southern states cannot enforce the laws themselves because they are trying to readopt slavery through peonage. Additionally, Southerners demand the exclusion of African Americans from offices, although Southerners have approved of Roosevelt’s choices for offices in the South on the whole even though the president has appointed some African Americans. Roosevelt insists he has tried Pritchett’s course of action, but it has not worked because the South has not met him even halfway. The president believes cooperation depends on Southerners, and the difficulty will vanish when they “quit lying.” Finally, Roosevelt says he has not observed outside criticism of the South and asks Pritchett how Congress needs to respond since it has not controlled the South. Roosevelt concludes by asking for one specific thing he is doing wrong, as he wants to learn.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-14
President Roosevelt discusses his frustrations about the tariff revision and reciprocity with Nicholas Murray Butler. The president does not intend to divide the Republican Party, but is going to do his best to amend the present tariff law in order to meet expectations of the people that the government consider the tariff, and show “that the Republican party is not powerless to take up the subject.” He emphasizes that the contents of the letter to Butler are personal and are only for Butler and members of the “kitchen cabinet.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-02
President Roosevelt clarifies for Nicholas Murray Butler his position on a tariff which needs revision but hopefully will not damage protective interests in the process. Roosevelt believes the “reciprocity agitation” in New England is foolish and hopes that he can gain reciprocity from Canada.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-29
President Roosevelt does not want Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon to believe the House is neglected. Roosevelt has infinite confidence that Chairman George B. Cortelyou will make the Congressional Committee see that everything possible is being done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Elihu Root about the possibility of him becoming the Governor of New York. If this were to happen, then Root would be the likely Republican nominee for president in 1908. Roosevelt would also like Root to come to Oyster Bay and help him with his letter of acceptance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-02
President Roosevelt agrees that the Vice Chairman in charge of affairs in Chicago should be a western man. He assures E. L. Conway that Senator Cullom, Senator Hopkins, and Speaker Cannon are happy with the nomination of Charles Samuel Deneen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-09
President Roosevelt wishes for Nicholas Murray Butler to visit and concurs that William J. Calhoun is worthy of esteem. Roosevelt comments at length on an article in Collier’s Weekly, one he assumes was written by Norman Hapgood, and desires Butler to “know the exact facts.” On careful reading, Roosevelt believes the article was written with malicious intent due to its numerous falsehoods regarding the construction projects at the Capitol and the White House, the hiring of the architects completing these jobs, appointments of others to government posts, and other matters. In his explanation, Roosevelt makes analogies to many political situations, past and present.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-03
President Roosevelt states that he has no involvement in offering Governor Yates an ambassadorship in favor of Frank O. Lowden. President Roosevelt tells Frank B. Noyes that no one has approached him and he has “in no way or shape taken any part for or against any man in this contest.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-23
President Roosevelt apologizes to Senator Spooner for appointing Speaker Cannon’s nominee. He hopes to eventually find a position for Spooner’s candidate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-28
When Robert McNeil Morse visited President Roosevelt, Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon and a Senator were with him, and Roosevelt did not have time to speak with Morse about “two or three matters” that he would like to have discussed. Roosevelt asks Morse to let him know if he plans to return to Washington this year, because he would like to have dinner with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-18
William H. Taft stands at the door of the “Presidency” holding a paper from Justice Brewer recommending him for the presidency and comparing him to President Roosevelt. Caption: Secretary Taft–“I wonder if Justice Brewer was joking?” On the verso, an article titled “The Great World Traveler Is Here” describes William Jennings Bryan’s arrival in New Jersey and the “oratorical tour” on which he is embarking. Another article, “The Standpatism of the Hon. Joseph Cannon,” lauds the Republican Party’s achievements since the inauguration of William McKinley as president, noting these are to be preferred over Bryan’s intended projects.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-01
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Joseph Cannon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-26
The four senators share Senator Proctor’s views and President Roosevelt is attempting to find Representative Cannon’s opinion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-17
President Roosevelt will try to find Joseph Cannon’s preferences and is not concerned with Congress pressing the Attorney General to take up suits.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-18
President Roosevelt thanks Senator Allison for the letter and the information. Representative Cannon and Senator Aldrich will be notified of what Allison wrote.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-24
President Roosevelt would like to meet with John James Jenkins and Joseph Cannon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-11
President Roosevelt is encouraged by Representative Littauer’s talk with Representative Cannon and is pleased that Judge Milburn will be retained.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-28
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Representative Ebenezer J. Hill and requests Senator Aldrich’s views. Representative Joseph Gurney Cannon is against anything being done but Roosevelt would like Hill and Representative Charles N. Fowler to be seen by the Committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-22
President Roosevelt believes that financial legislation needs to be passed but it is opposed by Representative Cannon, who Roosevelt will be dining with over lunch. Roosevelt wants to work with Senator Platt and Governor Odell but has had conflicts with both. He also considers the “Quigg matter” and the fall elections.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-22