Constitutional amendments

President Roosevelt clarifies William H. Taft’s opinion on the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, and on the appointment of African Americans, for Lawrence F. Abbott. Namely, that Taft shares Roosevelt’s sentiments, as well as those of The Outlook, on Mississippi Governor James Kimble Vardaman and Representative John Sharp Williams. Roosevelt offers a list of the principle African American appointments he has made while in office, and encourages Abbott to contact Booker T. Washington for further statement on the character of the appointees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt disagrees with the Nebraska Republican Party’s platform, as he believes the restrictions it proposes placing on the federal judiciary would be tantamount to eliminating the federal government. The resolution is as bad as secession, even if it was well-intentioned. He does not want Senator Burkett to publish his letter and bring greater attention to the matter, but he may share it with leaders of the convention as needed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

William Dudley Foulke approves of President Roosevelt’s handling of the Falconio matter. He was surprised that Roosevelt found the time to read his work “Life of Morton” and write him a letter about it. Foulke feels that even during Reconstruction, Morton was correct, and comments on the question of suffrage for African Americans, saying that even though the fifteenth amendment does not seem particularly effective at present, future generations may be able to figure out a solution. Foulke says that if he could choose one person of which to write a biography, he would choose Roosevelt, but he guesses that Roosevelt will outlive him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-12

Creator(s)

Foulke, William Dudley, 1848-1935

Military Governor Magoon forwards a letter to Secretary of War Taft regarding the issue of Cuban veterans’ claims for work performed before and during the Spanish-American war. Magoon examines Cuba’s constitution and whether or not article II lays sufficient claim to compensation for the soldiers. Analysis leads Americans to believe that Cuba was created as a result of war between the United States and Spain, which impacts the validity of their claims. Magoon provides a brief summary of the Spanish-American role with Cuba’s involvement in the process. The government of Cuba, under these circumstances, is not required to fulfill the requests of the Cuban forces. Magoon does not believe America has the right to force the Cuban government to pay these claims.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-06

Creator(s)

Magoon, Charles E. (Charles Edward), 1861-1920

Ernest Hamlin Abbott writes to President Roosevelt concerning an article The Outlook is publishing in reference to congressional representation of Southern States as they relate to their African American population. Abbott asks if Roosevelt could suggest someone who may express the Northern viewpoint for the article.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-13

Creator(s)

Abbott, Ernest Hamlin

African American delegates who were excluded from the Alabama Republican State Convention issue an open letter “To the Republicans of Alabama,” protesting that their exclusion violates both the state and federal constitutions and deserves the “severest condemnation.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09

Creator(s)

Unknown

Several Republican leaders believe that an article about Judge Alton B. Parker published in the Evening Post was “needlessly unkind.” Included is a reprint of the article discussed and several other articles from the Post about Parker.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-18

Creator(s)

Unknown

Attorney General Moody discusses new state constitutions passed in some southern states designed to keep African Americans from having the right to vote. Moody declares that under the Fifteenth Amendment these new laws are unconstitutional. He calls for change so that African Americans are treated equally under the law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-05

Creator(s)

Moody, William H. (William Henry), 1853-1917

President Roosevelt stands with his right hand on the left shoulder of an African American man, probably Booker T. Washington but not identified, and his left hand on a paper labeled “15th Amendment.” Behind them is a statue labeled “Lincoln – With Malice Toward None With Charity Toward All,” showing Abraham Lincoln standing at the top with freed African American slaves. Caption: President Roosevelt–Lincoln emancipated you, the people gave you citizenship and I’ll protect your rights.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-01-28

Columbia stands on a globe labeled “United States,” holding a balance scale labeled “Constitutional Amendment” on which rests a large sword labeled “Centralized Government.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-01-21

Theodore Roosevelt supports the popular election of United States senators. However, he does not want the federal government’s power over the elections diminished.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt recommends that Senator Borah meet with Senator Root to get Root’s opinion on the Honduras loan. He also invites Borah to lunch at Oyster Bay, New York. In a postscript, Roosevelt encourages Borah to support the amendment allowing for the popular election of United States senators only if the mode of election is changed and the federal government is prevented from controlling the elections.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is glad that William S. Bennet introduced the amendment and awaits more information on Sanford.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Illinois is raising a monument to Lyman Trumbull whose role in co-authoring the thirteenth amendment that abolished slavery “ranks side by side with the struggle which made us a nation.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that the “reactionary papers” are opposing Senator Bristow’s proposed constitutional amendments. He expresses support for Bristow’s bill giving the industrial commission drastic power and tentatively supports the direct election of postmasters when compared to the present system.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt stressed the constitutional amendments, using Senator Bristow’s own language, during his speech in Chicago, Illinois. He has written to President Benton of the University of Vermont and admires what Bristow is doing to help Helen Dortch Longstreet.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt agrees to support the constitutional amendments proposed by Senator Bristow and will emphasize them in his speech at the Progressive Conference. Roosevelt encloses a document regarding Helen Dortch Longstreet for Bristow’s attention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt carefully read Walter George Smith’s letter and enclosures. He does not want to recommend a constitutional amendment. His position remains unchanged and he finds no reason to address the matter in his message.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has discussed the proposed Constitutional amendment with Nebraska Governor George L. Sheldon, who explained why Republicans in his state had given it their support. Roosevelt agrees that federal judges often abuse the injunctive process and suggests he and Senator Burkett might find some way to reform it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt shares his view on railroad rates, currency regulation, and reconstruction with Henry Lee Higginson. He disagrees with Higginson, believing that railroad rates should be further regulated by the federal government, but agrees with him about the need for currency regulation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919