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Puck massages the scalp of a deranged-looking Richard Olney who is sitting on a bench in a padded cell in the “Hopeless ward for incurables” and holding a rattle of William Jennings Bryan as a jester. On the floor are loose papers, one labeled “Olney’s letter indorsing [sic] Bryan.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-10-03
William Jennings Bryan, on his knees, appeals to a sphinx with the face of former president Grover Cleveland.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-10-17
Former president Grover Cleveland is a doctor at a bedside, attending to a donkey labeled “Dem. Party” suffering from an undisclosed illness (Bryanism or the failure of the Democratic Party in the presidential election). On a table is a spoon and bowl labeled “First principles of Democracy.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1901-01-16
A man representing the West chooses between two side show acts, President Roosevelt and former president Grover Cleveland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-21
Uncle Sam stands next to the 1904 trophy as President Roosevelt holds a ship labeled Prosperity and Progress. William Jennings Bryan glares as Grover Cleveland sits on the anchor of his toy ship. Caption: Bryan-“If the old party would only get off the anchor I might, at least, set sail.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-19
Grover Cleveland welcomes President Roosevelt to his home, where the two men compare hunting and fishing stories.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-18
President Roosevelt praises the efforts of the Navy. He declares that an efficient navy of adequate size is “not only the best guarantee of peace, but is also the surest means for seeing that if war does come the result shall be honorable to our good name and favorable to our national interests.” He stresses the necessity of training and preparedness in assuring the Navy’s success in times of war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-26
President Roosevelt informs Senator Hanna that he intends to add Grover Cleveland to Carroll D. Wright’s commission investigating the Anthracite Coal Strike. Roosevelt is considering several other men from a variety of backgrounds as other potential commission members, and he would like to discuss the matter with Hanna in person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-10
President Roosevelt writes to J. Pierpont Morgan to discuss the appointment of commissioners based on the operators’ approval. Roosevelt has consulted with John Mitchell and is thinking of appointing Grover Cleveland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-15
Theodore Roosevelt praises Eugene Thwing’s letter to Governor Chase S. Osborn and discusses his campaign to win the Republican nomination. Roosevelt references the presidential race fought by Woodrow Wilson and Grover Cleveland, contending that although Cleveland was a stronger candidate, Hill and Tammany won the State of New York. Roosevelt parallels this race to that of his own against Charles Francis Murphy, Thomas Taggart, and Timothy Daniel Sullivan. Roosevelt concludes by referencing his Progressive, “anti-boss” platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-16
Theodore Roosevelt writes to H. C. Sticher of The Free Press, Osage City, Kansas, in response to reports of his over-indulgence of alcohol during the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Roosevelt contends that he is 33 years sober. He includes letters drafted by Dr. Abbott and family physician Dr. Lambert as proof of his sobriety.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-15
Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary writes John McGuinness that the postcard McGuinness addressed to Dr. Lyman has been forwarded for his attention. Roosevelt’s Secretary replies that Roosevelt voted with the Republican Party for James Blaine in 1888 and did not vote for Grover Cleveland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-05
Theodore Roosevelt commends Lucius B. Swift’s excellent letter to President William H. Taft. One thing he most wants to avoid is mixing in purely state affairs where he can do no good. He has been supporting the reciprocity movement. While he sympathizes with the farmers, it is not enough to oppose the movement. Roosevelt agrees with Swift about the political situation in Indiana. However, New York is slightly worse. He discusses machine politics, especially as played out in the most recent election. In theory, the people of New York want Roosevelt to be involved in state politics, but in practice, it makes him suspicious.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-08
Theodore Roosevelt has read Finley Peter Dunne’s article about the Navy. Roosevelt agrees with what Dunne said about Grover Cleveland’s administration and the needs of the Navy then as compared to the present. Roosevelt notes that when he took office, Congress had stopped appropriating money for new battleships or further upbuilding of the Navy because there was no immediate need for naval defense after the Spanish War. Therefore, Roosevelt had to fight against inertia and hostility in order to inspire popular sentiment in favor of the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-22
During his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt did meet with Booker T. Washington to discuss the appointment of Judge Thomas Goode Jones, but he was not going to appoint Jones solely on Washington’s recommendation. The dinner with Washington created a scandal even though Roosevelt had previously socialized with African Americans. The dinner was a mistake as it was certain to be misunderstood. Roosevelt misjudged the intellectual and moral state of Southern whites and African Americans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-20
President Roosevelt sends George Otto Trevelyan a copy of his message to Congress, and speaks of some of the accomplishments of his administration in improving the financial situation of the United States government. Roosevelt would be pleased to visit Trevelyan when he comes to England. He heartily approves of Trevelyan’s speech, and has shared it with Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and Anna Cabot Mills Lodge. Roosevelt discusses his preferences for translations of classical works, and finds himself in agreement with Trevelyan in many respects. He relates a story of a recent encounter he had with Simon Bolivar Buckner at the White House, and closes by mentioning a number of other men who were named after famous historical personages.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
President Roosevelt writes Richard Watson Gilder a lengthy refutation of an article in the Evening Post in which William Garrott Brown misconstrues his actions in the Republican Party. Namely, Brown accuses Roosevelt of neglecting Republicans in the South and of doing a poor job of making nominations to local offices and positions. Roosevelt asserts that where the Republican party is not strong in the South, he has had to appoint Democrats who were quality men, rather than incapable men who are Republicans. Where he believes the party has a chance to compete with Democrats, he does all he can to support it. Roosevelt also writes that he did not use his influence on officers to get William H. Taft the nomination, but rather Taft was nominated because Roosevelt’s policies were popular, and Taft is the man who will continue those policies. Roosevelt believes that Brown is either ignorant or willfully ignorant of a number of facts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
President Roosevelt was pleased with the letter from Gordon Russell. He feels that Russell clearly understands what he is trying to do, and especially appreciates what Russell said about the moral aspects of his work. He discusses the results of the election. Roosevelt thinks the way to raise the “ideals of the masses” is not to simply point out the wrong, but to especially point out “a safe and proper remedy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
President Roosevelt regrets that he cannot attend the meeting of the Cleveland Memorial Committee in person, and wishes Francis Lynde Stetson success in the committee’s efforts. Roosevelt reflects on the times he was in close contact with former president Grover Cleveland, and discusses Cleveland’s legacy and desire to serve the entire country. He believes that Americans should honor Cleveland’s memory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
President Roosevelt outlines and refutes the falsehoods in Alfred Holt Stone’s Studies in the American Race Problem. He tells John Graham Brooks that he judges a work’s reliability by seeing what it says about a subject he is familiar with, and then deciding if he can trust it on things that he does not know as much about. He explains that Stone is spreading falsehoods about the so-called “referee” system in the Southern states, especially Mississippi. Roosevelt points out that the practice was common with presidents before him, and that it is necessary in areas where the Republican party does not have a strong enough presence to provide good appointees to positions. He also discusses his handling of the case of African American postmistress Minnie M. Geddings Cox, who was forced by an angry mob to resign her position and leave town.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-13