Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908

A petty annoyance

President Cleveland walks down a path toward a building flying a banner labeled “Non-Partisan Government.” A diminutive Thomas A. Hendricks, Vice President, is tugging on Cleveland’s coattails, trying to steer him down a path labeled “Spoils System.” A small dog labeled “Aquilla Jones” is on a leash that goes around Cleveland’s right leg and is connected to Hendricks. Jones was appointed Postmaster in Indianapolis by Hendricks. Caption: The “tail of the ticket” wants to go backwards.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-08-05

The resistless march of reform – the “hostiles” must go!

A large group of politicians, newspaper editors, Tammany Hall bosses, and others are dressed as Native Americans. One carries a banner that shows a crude drawing of the Tammany tiger labeled “Flathead Tribe.” The group is on a long march in opposition to President Cleveland’s civil service reform agenda. In the upper left corner is the “Blainiac Reservation” and in the opposite corner is Cleveland and his cabinet laying tracks for the “Reform R. R.,” keeping ahead of the “Administration Construction Train.” In the foreground, Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks is leading the Democratic donkey labeled “Bourbonism,” carrying two baskets, one with “Old Ideas” and the other labeled “The Perennial Pappooses” holding Charles A. Dana and Benjamin F. Butler. Standing just to the right is John Kelly carrying Philip H. Dugro in a cradleboard.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-08-12

Blundering in a perilous position

A camel has collasped under the weight of its burden labeled “Amendments,” with Samuel J. Randall riding on top. Concerned travelers include John Kelly, Samuel J. Tilden, Henry Watterson, Sereno Payne, Morrison, Abram S. Hewitt, Grover Cleveland, Carlisle, Charles A. Dana, Thomas Bayard, Benjamin F. Butler, and Samuel S. Cox. Bones labeled “1880 Local Issue, 1876 Fraud, [and] 1872” lie in the sand nearby. A “November Simoom” is approaching in the right background. On the left, an elephant labeled “Republicans” carrying among others James G. Blaine, John A. Logan, and Roscoe Conkling, races toward an oasis. Caption: “If its back is broken, we are lost!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1884-03-19

Who killed Hancock?

The ghost of Winfield Scott Hancock sits on a throne in a banquet hall. Samuel J. Tilden pushes a frightened Charles A. Dana, as Macbeth, toward Hancock. Dana makes wild statements while waving around a note for $5000.00. A chalice has fallen to the floor, spilling “Harmony.” Samuel S. Cox, as a court jester, sits on the floor next to the throne with “S.S. Cox’s Joke Book” at his knee. The room is filled with courtiers, among them Thomas A. Hendricks, Grover Cleveland who has fallen backwards onto John Kelly, Thomas F. Bayard, Samuel J. Randall, David Davis, Henry Watterson, Abram S. Hewitt, Hubert O. Thompson, George Hoadly, and Benjamin F. Butler. All seem to be sitting in judgment of Dana. Caption: MacBeth-Dana–“Never shake thy gory locks at me! I’ll bet you Five Thousand Dollars thou canst not say I did it!!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1883-08-29

Reform without bloodshed

Theodore Roosevelt stands in front of a desk holding a stack of papers labeled “Reform Bills” for Governor Cleveland to sign.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1884-04-19

Judge in toyland

A toymaker works in a room full of toys, each depicting a specific political figure.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1904

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Quentin Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt understands Quentin Roosevelt’s exasperation at losing his “truck job” but is glad that Quentin is flying again. It is the 32nd anniversary of Roosevelt’s engagement to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and they are still in love. They have just returned from Princeton where most people had sound views on national politics. Roosevelt reviewed and addressed the undergraduate battalion and the men of the aviation training camp. He sat with Frances Folsom Cleveland, Grover Cleveland’s widow, at dinner and then delivered a speech to the students and townspeople. The senior and junior classes at colleges are “skeleton,” and Roosevelt is glad that Quentin was able to join the military when he did.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-11-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

President Roosevelt believes Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton was unfairly attacked and wishes him well. Roosevelt looks forward to discussing the Russian-Japanese situation with Anna Roosevelt Cowles.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-06-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about his feelings for Cuban liberation. He feels President Cleveland ought to send the fleet promptly to Havana. Roosevelt describes the winter weather and says he will return to New York City to stay.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-01-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt provides his opinion on Bayard’s misunderstanding of British diplomacy for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles, probably referring to United States Ambassador to Britain Thomas F. Bayard. He comments on the invaders in the Transvaal and lists some recent dinner guests.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-01-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about his and Edith’s visit to Washington, D.C. No society in New York compares to his circle of friends in Washington. He has seen a lot of Representative Reed and criticizes a speech by Wolcott. He compliments Secretary of State Richard Olney and says Smalley has no idea how the people of the United States really feel. Senator Lodge made a good speech about the Venezuela matter.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-01-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes a visit from Senator Lodge for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. Roosevelt feels the United States should interfere in Cuba but he does not believe President Cleveland will do so. Roosevelt adds he gave a speech at Harvard and describes an encounter son Ted had with two ladies.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-03-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna Roosevelt that he is home with the children while wife Edith is with daughter Alice in Orange, New Jersey, so Alice can be fitted for ankle braces. He describes playing with and reading to Ted, Kermit, and Edith. His work goes as usual and he criticizes President Cleveland. Roosevelt has dined out a lot.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-01-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt lists the people and places he and wife Edith have been dining with for his sister Anna Roosevelt. He says the political and business world is torn up over the financial situation. He has been practicing with Norwegian snowshoes. Roosevelt feels Representative Reed made a good speech on the gold bond issue and President Cleveland has an unwise contract with bankers.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-02-17

Clipping from the New York Evening Post

This clipping presents a reaction statement to Edward Shepard’s speech in defense of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, particularly as regards African Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt recommends John Jacob Astor’s book to his sister Anna and informs her of the latest on his battle with journalist Edwin Lawrence Godkin. Roosevelt fights to get his civil service reform work done. Postmaster General John Wanamaker calls President Cleveland’s second administration “lamentable.” Son Kermit had trouble with his knee.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1894-06-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt compliments his sister Anna Roosevelt on how interesting her letters from England are but he is glad she is coming back. Brother-in-law Douglas Robinson is recovering from his polo accident and little son Kermit cannot do what the other children can. Roosevelt just completed three days of lectures. The Democrats are split over the tariff and a Republican victory seems certain next election.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1894-07-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about the recent social happenings in Washington. He continues to attend many political dinners and describes Senator Chushman Kellogg Davis and Speaker of the House Thomas B. Reed. Roosevelt is not pleased by the progress made by President Cleveland. He hopes Anna is presented at court while she is in England.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1894-02-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about his Civil Service Commission work. He is trying to make President Cleveland make extensions of classified service. He has been spending time with Senator Lodge riding and hiking. Edith is improving and daughter Alice’s ankles are bothering her.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1894-01-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about recent happenings in Washington. He has been getting along well with President Cleveland and his new colleague at the Civil Service Commission, John Robert Procter. Roosevelt enjoyed his most recent White House and Cabinet calls. He and his wife Edith continue to socialize quite a bit, and they introduced the Bellamy Storers to Judge William H. Taft.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1894-01-07