Your TR Source
Francis C. Travers believes the new neighbor at Oyster Bay, New York, is a respectable man. Travers hopes Senator Cockrell will join the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-27
In one vignette, Henry Gassaway Davis puts his hand on West Virginia Senator Stephen B. Elkins’s shoulder. Caption: Mr. Davis—That it’s all in the family. In the second, an elephant holds President Roosevelt’s hold “to victory.” Caption: G.O.P.—That it had a strenuous leader. In the third, William Jennings Bryan sits by a grave with a headstone that reads, “Safe & Sane Democrat 1904.” Caption: Mr. Bryan—That it wasn’t his friends. In the fourth, Missouri Senator Francis Marion Cockrell stands by “national esteem” wreaths outside the “White House.” Caption: Mr. Cockrell—That it’s an ill wind, etc. In the fifth, Henry Watterson sits in a rocking chair on a boat bound for Europe. Caption: Mr. Watterson—That there’s another country. In the sixth, a badly beaten donkey stands up by a sign that reads, “Under no circumstances will I again be a candidate for the presidency. T. Roosevelt.” Caption: Democracy—That there’s a ray of sunshine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-24
President Roosevelt asks Root how he feels about a certain “young fellow.” Note at the bottom indicates that Senator Cockrell is advocating for Maxwell Murray to be appointed a cadet at West Point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-30
President Roosevelt thanks Samuel W. Small and Mr. Howell for their aid. Roosevelt believes that Senator Francis Marion Cockrell and Senator James B. McCreary will support the Panama treaty. He has been surprised at the opposition in the Southern states and if it could be arranged he would retire from politics to get the treaty passed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-29
President Roosevelt disagrees with several statements Secretary of State John Hay wrote. While Hay was one of the most “delightful characters” Roosevelt had ever met, he found Hay lacking leadership qualities as a Secretary of State. Roosevelt provides Senator Lodge with his view of the Alaska Boundary dispute in 1903. He includes copies of the letters Roosevelt wrote to Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes and Henry White to show to British Secretary of State for the Colonies James Chamberlain and Prime Minister James Arthur Balfour. Roosevelt explains why certain appointments were made following the death of President William McKinley and details for why Hay was not consulted on matters concerning the Russo-Japanese War and the acquisition of Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-28
President Roosevelt agrees with most of what S. H. Cowan wrote in his letter, and would like for railroad rebates to be stopped and rates reduced. He believes it is wise for the Interstate Commerce Commission to have at least one person who can speak “with full understanding of and sympathy with the interests of the wage-workers,” and feels that the lack of such men in government is a constant problem. He is inclined to reappoint most of the members of the commission, but will try to fill the vacancies with a lawyer like Cowan describes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-10
President Roosevelt forwarded Frank Basil Tracy’s dispatch and accompanying articles to Martin A. Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Commission, who then shared them to other members of the commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-31
President Roosevelt informs James D. Yeomans that his successor on the Interstate Commerce Commission does not wish to join the commission quite yet, and that Roosevelt will therefore nominate Yeomans to serve until March 4th, with the understanding that Yeomans would resign on that day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-11
President Roosevelt thanks Thomas C. Carter, an ex-Confederate soldier, for his letter and says it is a “peculiar pleasure” when he is able to do something for an ex-Confederate soldier, giving several examples of former Confederate soldiers, wives, or offspring he has appointed to public offices.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-03
President Roosevelt apologizes to Benjamin Ide Wheeler for forgetting about his promise to Franklin K. Lane and offering the position to Missouri Senator Francis Marion Cockrell instead. He promises to put Lane in a good position when he has the chance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-01
President Roosevelt apologizes to Benjamin Ide Wheeler for forgetting his promise to Franklin K. Lane. Roosevelt explains that when he made the promise, he had not appointed anyone from California to an important position, but since then, had appointed a member of his cabinet and a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission, both from California. Roosevelt had then dismissed his concern about recognition for California from his mind, but acknowledges Lane’s grievance and will do his best to rectify the error. Roosevelt cautions that while he hopes to enlarge the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission, he will need to be sure that Lane has the ability and fairness required to hold the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-02
President Roosevelt agrees with Finley Peter Dunne about protesting against the “Anglo-Saxon alliance” theory because he believes Americans are “a new race, composed of many Old-World stocks.” While the president is not against friendliness to the English government, he is not going to ignore other European governments. Roosevelt declares himself a “strong home-ruler” and gives examples of a number of individuals who have hated their country of origin, noting it is impossible for him to champion every hatred. The president expresses his gratitude for the support he has received from young men, “Catholic by faith and of Irish descent,” and discusses a number of Irish and Catholic individuals he has put in government positions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-03
President Roosevelt informs W. G. McAddo he considers him fit for a position on the Isthmian Canal Commission, but he had already offered the position to Missouri Senator Francis Marion Cockrell and conditionally to two other men if Cockrell does not accept.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-29
President Roosevelt thanks Senator Dietrich for his letter and says he has done what the senator hoped he would do regarding Francis E. Leupp and Missouri Senator Francis Marion Cockrell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-23
President Roosevelt thanks New York Police Commissioner McAdoo for his letter, but cannot do as he wishes as the president has already offered the position to Missouri Senator Francis Marion Cockrell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-19
President Roosevelt thanks Senator Wetmore for his letter and promises to do what he can for Missouri Senator Francis Marion Cockrell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-14
President Roosevelt writes an “egotistic letter” to Anna Cabot Mills Lodge about the election. He was overwhelmed by the election results, especially because they demonstrated the impotence of the Evening Post and other New York journalists Roosevelt dislikes. He intends to spend his next four years in appreciation to the American people. The president was, however, disappointed by the defeat of Governor John Lewis Bates in Massachusetts and Senator Francis Marion Cockrell in Missouri, whom he considers the best Senator in the Democratic Party. Roosevelt himself was prepared for defeat during the past two weeks, which were quite trying for him and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-10
President Roosevelt spoke to Albert Shaw about Joseph Wingate Folk, and both of them originally thought he ought to be nominated for the gubernatorial election in Missouri. When the Republicans would not nominate Folk, Shaw also had a “change of heart” about him. Shaw asked Roosevelt if he had told people to support Folk, running as a Democrat, over the Republican candidate Cyrus Packard Walbridge. Roosevelt says that even though he respects Folk, it would be ridiculous and improper to support him over the Republican candidate. He insists he “never said anything [to Shaw] about the comparative merits of Mr. Folk and Mr. Walbridge as individuals,” and will write to Shaw to clarify the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-22
President Roosevelt was surprised at the opposition to the Panama Canal from the South and Pacific slope. He believes the canal will be a great accomplishment. Roosevelt believes Senators Cockrell and McCreary will support the treaty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-29
President Roosevelt sends the letter from Ray Stannard Baker and asks it to be shown to other Senators.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-25