Your TR Source
President Roosevelt replies to Henry Lee Higginson that he would rather punish the “sinning officer than the stockholders of the corporations.” However, juries tend to punish corporations over individuals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-15
President Roosevelt praises Judge Jones for his recent action regarding the railroad cases and “will back [him] up in every way.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-14
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks Robert G. Leidig for his letter and discusses Roosevelt’s position on the recall of judges in California and Arizona. Roosevelt supported the recall in Arizona in support of states’ rights, and the recall in California due to the close association of the judges with the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-07
William B. Colver reviews his proposed program for Alaskan coal mines. In order to protect labor and prevent unfair competition, Colver wants government ownership of the coal mines, the rail transport to the coal mines, and of a fleet of Pacific colliers. He fears that private ownership in distant Alaska will allow private interests to corrupt and control the local administration leading to mismanagement and scandal detrimental to the public and the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-08
Samuel Chew asks Theodore Roosevelt, the champion of citizens’ rights against corporations, for help with his family’s situation. The railroad company plans to develop a line running directly by his family’s estate, where his mother and sickly aunt live. However, the line could easily deviate a quarter of a mile to open country. Chew discusses the railroad company’s questionable business practices and “stock watering.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-14
Thomas G. Bush praises President Roosevelt for his speeches on a recent tour of western and southern states, calling particular attention to a speech in Memphis. Bush also commiserates with Roosevelt on recent economic developments, saying he is not to blame for the recent downturn in the market. He is sorry that Roosevelt did not make a visit to Alabama on this trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-12
Joseph Bucklin Bishop reports on the general feeling of the people he has recently met regarding a third term for President Roosevelt. In Falmouth, Massachusetts, there are many men of wealth touring the country, and they all support Roosevelt unequivocally. One Boston merchant said Roosevelt must run for another term because the people will have no one else, and that no one knows or cares about William H. Taft. A “retired Chicago millionaire” has been trying to convince his peers that Roosevelt stands “between them and destruction.” Bishop says that no president since George Washington has had such faith from the people. Bishop bids farewell to Roosevelt, as he is leaving soon for Panama, and tells the president not to forget him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-28
Ironically, George W. Perkins, partner of J. P. Morgan & Co., “is the only voice to speak a good word” for Theodore Roosevelt. In his recent speech, Perkins spoke for cooperation instead of competition and profit sharing between capital and labor. He expressed that efficiency stands “above all for open, honest, and square dealing.” Perkins added that while dictating this part, his stenographer commented, “and T. R. did it.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-04
The Outlook follows up on reporting on a lawsuit against individuals connected with the sugar trust, including Gustav E. Kissel. The defendants’ lawyers argue that the statute of limitations was up before they were charged with conspiracy, but the Supreme Court found that the statute of limitations did not apply. The Outlook corrects previous reporting in which it had implied that Kissel deliberately misled Adolph Segal in a conspiracy to gain control of the Pennsylvania Sugar Company. New evidence shows that this is not the case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910
Various forms of graft, fraud, and bribery were committed by San Francisco mayor Eugene Schmitz and members of the Board of Supervisors. Following trials of many offenders, a report is published on the causes of the corruption and recommendations made on how to prevent municipal corruption in the future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-01-05
Using the various subsidiaries of a beef trust run by J. Ogden Armour, Ray Stannard Baker illustrates the ways in which large companies and trusts can manipulate and take advantage of railroads to gain advantageous shipping rates and contracts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-17
Political cartoon featuring President Roosevelt and Joseph L. Bristow wielding weapons, with Roosevelt’s knife labeled “Investigation,” against the wolves of post office graft, corrupt corporations, Panama Canal obstructionists, and evil trusts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-03