Capitalists and financiers--Political activity

President Roosevelt is sure Senator Lodge has seen his statement about Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker and his letter about William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt thinks Foraker’s situation is distressing, but corruption must be exposed. He is torn about William Randolph Hearst’s recent attitude. The amount of corruption in high places is shocking, but it has been natural for Roosevelt to fight it. Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park S. B. M. Young brought two such examples to Roosevelt’s attention, one regarding appointments tied to William McKinley’s election and one regarding the feelings of John Kean and Hamilton F. Kean about business interests.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

President Roosevelt agrees with Attorney General Bonaparte on the appointment of Assistant Attorney General Marsden C. Burch in the Idaho land fraud case. On the New Mexico issue, Roosevelt details Attorney General William H. H. Llewellyn’s rise as an attorney. In light of Judge James H. Beatty’s letter, Roosevelt feels there is no need to be involved. Although Roosevelt does not trust rumors, it does seem based on recent behavior that Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis may be suffering a breakdown. In a post script, Roosevelt comments on William Randolph Hearst’s recent supposed sympathy toward Bonaparte after his siding with Wall Street. In Roosevelt’s view, the recurrent rumor about Bonaparte resigning to appease financiers has actually shown the public that Bonaparte alarms those who are corrupt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-31

President Roosevelt is entertained by the editorial James Speyer sent in which he is accused of lawlessness for his behavior towards the railroads. The Sun is a tool used by Wall Street, and Roosevelt feel that those who run it would rather have chaos than law, and would rather rig the system than get ahead on merit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Senator Lodge shares some of a letter from Secretary of the Immigration Commission, Morton E. Crane, in which Crane discusses the positive feelings of the citizens of London toward President Roosevelt’s economic policies, as well as the friendship between Indiana Senator Albert J. Beveridge and David Graham Phillips, author of The Treason of the Senate. Lodge also shares segments from Baron F. A. Channing’s essay on the Union, which Roosevelt may want to quote.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-02

William J. Bowie writes to Theodore Roosevelt to explain that a recent article in the New York Times said to be written by James B. Dill was not authorized or written by Dill. Bowie mentions that “our friend” J. S. K. has said he supports a modified system of regulation. Bowie tells President Roosevelt that he believes one interest is behind the opposing side, and that Bowie will try to pay a visit to Roosevelt soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-23

President Roosevelt thanks Frederick A. Sawyer for his “very kind and manly letter.” He has a copy of the booklet Sawyer warns about and agrees it is likely inspired by those who worry about Roosevelt’s fight against “successful dishonesty.” Instead of fearing the booklet being noticed by newspapers, Roosevelt welcomes the prospect.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-16

President Roosevelt congratulates Senator Lodge on his speech, as well as one from former Governor of Massachusetts John Lewis Bates. Roosevelt recently gave a speech in Harrisburg, and although he would not denounce his opponents by name, he calls out the “demagogs” and “agitators.” Roosevelt is concerned that the “corporation men” are swayed to vote for the Democratic candidates, believing the Republican party is likely to impose government regulations opposed to their interests. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-08

President Roosevelt has received information suggesting that the “Wall Street cabal” will not be able to effectively influence the Republican presidential nomination. The election is more important and they must remain on guard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-10

President Roosevelt is pleased with developments in the Philippines and views the people controlling their church as a major accomplishment. Roosevelt is increasingly opposed by the “biggest capitalists in New York” but everyone eventually learns that he will “administer the law without fear or favor” and attempt to give justice to everyone. In the future, Roosevelt will continue to act just as he did in the past.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-26

In response to his article in The Outlook, Perley B. Doe calls Theodore Roosevelt’s attention to Henry Melville Whitney’s financial swindle through fake advertisements in The Transcript for the New England Gas and Coke Company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-19

Judge Dayton assures President Roosevelt that the three delegates from West Virginia will not bolt, but vote for Secretary of War William H. Taft per their instructions. West Virginia Governor William Mercer Owens Dawson is corrupt, and Roosevelt should not trust him as a source of information. Although the West Virginia delegates are loyal, Dayton warns that business interests in New York are planning to incite a stampede in his favor at the convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-30

W. F. Haywood sarcastically writes to President Roosevelt a note of appreciation for his effort. Haywood explicates how socialism will overcome the nation and that Roosevelt is keeping bad company. The people will not tolerate how he appeases big business.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-20

Nicholas Murray Butler responds to President Roosevelt’s letter on the political situation in Illinois and gives his opinion on Leigh S. J. Hunt, Wisconsin politics, and diplomatic representatives in Cuba and Mexico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-19

The article outlines efforts made by a coalition of “Wall Street Republicans,” Democrats, and trade unionists to stop President Roosevelt from being nominated for the next presidential election. The Democrats have been agitating labor groups over an incident at the Government Printing Office involving the discharge and subsequent reinstatement of William A. Miller, the assistant foreman of the book bindery.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-16

Frederick A. Sawyer, secretary of The Newspaper Magazine Co., informs President Roosevelt of Adolph Edwards’ slanderous booklet, “The Roosevelt Panic of 1907.” Sawyer believes capitalists and financiers inspired the booklet to discredit Roosevelt’s administration. Furious, he hired writers to produce a manuscript refuting the booklet’s claims. Sawyer appreciates suggestions for further action in the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-15

A runaway pig labeled “The Tariff Issue” drags Joseph Gurney Cannon behind it. They are being chased by John Dalzell, Nelson W. Aldrich, Sereno Elisha Payne, and J. S. Sherman. An overturned cart labeled “Steel Trust” has spilled its contents of steel railroad rails. Andrew Carnegie, wearing a kilt, stands next to the cart waving his hat and gesturing to the congressmen. In the background is a large crowd, some in pursuit, and the U.S. Capitol.

comments and context

Comments and Context

After the Republican party’s sweeping victory in the 1908 elections, the major goal of the party establishment, after the oath-taking of William H. Taft, seemed to be the passage of a tariff bill. It had been a decade since the last revision of import duties (the Dingley Act of 1897), and the tariff was a hot topic in the campaign.

President Roosevelt denounces the “representatives of predatory wealth” and congratulates Attorney General Bonaparte and the Department of Justice for enforcing the law against the wealthiest corporations and the most powerful individuals “as resolutely and fearlessly as against the humblest citizen.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-01-02

Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson discusses Ohio politics and the upcoming election, predicting Democratic candidate for Governor, Tom Loftin Johnson’s defeat due to his association with socialism, as well as a struggle for Senator Hanna. Wilson comments the Post Office scandal’s lack of attention in Ohio.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-23

Edward Henry Harriman offers criticism of President Roosevelt’s speech draft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-08-19