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Theodore Roosevelt believes that Edgar Alexander Mearns’ diabetes will not make any difference in regards to the Africa trip. Roosevelt agrees with having a case of brandy, a case of whiskey, and case of champagne in the medical stores.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
Two pages of The Rider and Driver with an article titled “Impertinence” highlighted. The article expresses disgust at the switching of the champagne used to christen Emperor William II’s yacht.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-22
George A. Kessler is exhibiting a letter from Alice Roosevelt certifying that Moët & Chandon champagne was used to christen Emperor William II’s yacht. A German champagne was supposed to be used during the ceremony but Kessler paid $5,000 for the champagne to be switched. This raises the question of who received the money.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Theodore Roosevelt has undertaken a libel suit against a Michigan editor who publicly accused Roosevelt of being a “habitual drinker.” Roosevelt would like Edgar Alexander Mearns to testify to the fact that Roosevelt “practically drank nothing during our African trip.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1913-02-01
Edgar Alexander Mearns will be traveling on the same boat as Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt. He also has brandy, whiskey, and champagne set aside for medical use. The tools for collecting specimens will be furnished by the United States National Museum. Mearns may also have diabetes, but he defends his health and ability to make the Africa trip. Mearns also encloses a letter from Peter Holt, a scout at Yellowstone Park. Mearns killed a mountain lion for Holt once.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
J. H. Hallett warns Theodore Roosevelt that a facsimile plate has been made of his check payable to Piper-Heidsieck, a French champagne house, probably for advertising purposes. Hallett stresses that if Roosevelt wants to put a stop to any publication, he must act with lightning speed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-27
A hand labeled “Republican Party” pours champagne from a bottle labeled “Tariff Revision” into a glass held by another hand labeled “Protected Interests.” Two hands labeled “Consumer” are holding an empty glass.
The theme of Udo J. Keppler’s cartoon — that tariffs imposed and maintained for purposes of revenue or protection of fledgling industries against cheaper foreign imports were chimeras — was as old as the American Industrial Revolution. In the critiques of low-tariff and free-trade proponents, imports saddled with tariff duties should have resulted in lower prices of domestically produced goods.
At center, a woman wearing a newspaper dress drinks “Subsidy Brand” champagne chilling in a bucket labeled “Wall Street Cooler,” while a man labeled “Corporate Interests” writes a check. A bust statue of “Horace Greeley” is visible in the background. The entire scene is framed by an octopus with tiny male figures caught in its tentacles. Surrounding vignettes show a newspaper editor as he looks to his staff (larger than life) and to the newspaper owners (diminutive), a “Business Manager” telling an “editorial writer” to tone down comments about a “forest spoliation matter [because] the boss has acquired some interests out there,” and a newspaper reader “who has read the paper for forty years” influenced by the resulting editorial – “I guess that western forest steal ain’t as bad as they made it out. This editorial says it’s been grossly exaggerated.”
People today are aware, and often concerned, that newspapers show bias. In fact since before the Revolution most newspapers were intended to assert partisan points of view. Readers expected and often welcomed the situation. It was only in the twentieth century that newspapers self-identified as neutral or independent or non-partisan, or “news only,” even if editorial pages leaned left or right, Democrat or Republican. That facade faded away, or morphed into outright partisanship.
George A. Kessler & Company, American agents of Moët & Chandon, are advertising that Moët & Chandon champagne was used to christen the Meteor, Emperor William II’s yacht. This goes against the German Emperor’s instructions to use Schaumwein Rheingold champagne. The author believes that a “trick” was used to make the switch. In a handwritten note, it is suggested that a bribe given to one of President Roosevelt’s associates allowed the champagne switch.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Rhinegold Champagne was not used at the christening of the Meteor, Kaiser Wilhelm’s yacht; President Roosevelt wants to make sure it is used from now on when the next battleships are christened, “if proper.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-15
There is a dispute between two champagne manufacturing companies, Sohnlein and Moët & Chandon, pertaining to whose product was used to christen Kaiser Wilhelm II’s yacht, the Meteor. Moët & Chandon was used. However, Sohnlein at first claimed their product was used and when this was proven false, claimed that they had an agreement that Sohnlein was supposed to be used but was not. George A. Kessler, Moët’s American representative, filed suit against Sohnlein for their actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-05
President Roosevelt would like to serve Ruinart champagne at the White House for a state function.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-16
Montgomery Roosevelt Schuyler, agent for Roosevelt & Schuyler, the sole United States agents for Ruinart Brut champagne, has heard that President Roosevelt was upset by their competitor Moët & Chandon having used “the White House as an advertising medium.” Roosevelt & Schuyler would offer a special price if Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt were to order Ruinart from them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-14
President Roosevelt makes a payment of $975 to the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-23