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The article grapples with the paradox of President William H. Taft’s loyalties and personal ethics. Taft appears to be honorable, but influences from his brother Charles Phelps Taft and others are hindering his ability to carry out the Progressive promises that elected him. The advisors are the cause of many of the scandals in the administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-19
Circumstances in Cincinnati, Ohio, provide an illustration why citizens should have the power to recall judges. Two judges have broken with precedent by intervening to prevent a political boss from being tried for perjury, serving the interests of the political parties over that of the citizens of their jurisdictions. If citizens could recall judges from office, they would be more likely to work in the interest of the people, rather than the political bosses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-27
Alfred Borden would normally support the Republican ticket and stand behind Theodore Roosevelt’s preferred candidates, but expresses reservations because of several issues. He asks Roosevelt why he did not take up the matter of the tariff while president, and why he condemned Senator William Lorimer for scandal while seeming to be agreeable with Ohio political boss George Barnsdale Cox. Borden also asks why Roosevelt paints all men who work as financiers on Wall Street “as dishonest men who would work your own over-throw in any fashion that was possible,” as he himself is a stockbroker and can vouch that there are many honest men.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-10-25
George Barnsdale Cox and August Herrmann—known as “Garry”—walk past a locked “U.S. Treasury Dept” with cannons pointed at them. Caption: “Cox and Herrmann made only a short stay in Washington.” —News Item.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-14
Several Ohioans, including Ohio Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna, Myron T. Herrick, and George Barnsdale Cox, are dressed in Native American attire and sit on the lawn of the White House. President Roosevelt peers out and says, “Indians! On my front lawn, too.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-12
George Barnsdale Cox hands his card to the “door boy” at the “headquarters of the political big 4.” Cox says, “In order to cause no consternation in that crowd or have any of them die from palpitation of the heart, just present this card as quitely [sic] as possible to the bunch.” Four men sit at a table: Norman G. Kenan, Charles Phelps Taft, Ohio Representative Nicholas Longworth, and Julius Fleischmann. Longworth holds a letter from President Roosevelt that suggests the “Ohio problem” can be solved by electing Fleischmann as governor of Ohio. Fleischmann says, “My, Nick, but how your father-in-law does flatter me.” Meanwhile, Kenan says, “That letter of Teddy’s is music to my ear. We’ll have a ticket this fall that will win sure, and that’s not gas.” Taft replies, “It certainly has a very fine gingle, Norman. Isn’t it nice to be good.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09
Postcard with images of George Barnsdale Cox, President Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, and the caption “Our Peerless Leaders. Vote the ticket straight. Remember our campaign button!” below. Reverse side with image of the bald eagle, clasping an olive branch and arrows, atop a shield and three flags. One is the American flag.
1907-11-01
Senator Foraker supports Judge Daniel Thew Wright’s appointment and does not believe Wright should lose party standing due to his participation with the fusion movement in 1897. Foraker has been surprised at the opposition to Wright from George Barnsdale Cox and Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna. Foraker opposes Herman Henry Kohlsaat’s appointment as postmaster general.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt tells Walter F. Brown to be sure that nothing is done that will put Roosevelt in opposition to or embarrass Nicholas Longworth. Roosevelt discusses delegates to the Republication National Convention and Roosevelt’s upcoming Ohio speaking tour.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-09
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Nicholas Longworth outlining his campaign strategy during the Ohio portion of Roosevelt’s campaign tour.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-09
Theodore Roosevelt attempts to answer Alfred Borden’s questions, but admits that it is somewhat difficult to do so without seeming to be rude or condescending, as they seem to be fairly basic questions. He explains that, while President, he did not attempt to deal with the Tariff question because he was focused on a number of other topics he considered more important, and he worried that by splitting his efforts further, he would achieve less. Regarding his relations with Senator William Lorimer and Ohio political boss George Barnsdale Cox, Roosevelt explains that when he did not know anything about Lorimer, he treated him just as he did Cox, with both being political bosses of their respective states. Once the scandal surrounding Lorimer began to be exposed as he assumed a position in the legislature, it necessarily had to change how Roosevelt related to him. Finally, Roosevelt denies having ever painted the entirety of Wall Street as dishonest men, and maintains that he has always been in favor of the honest businessman. He hopes, in answering Borden, he did not hurt his feelings, but strove to write candidly and honestly answer his questions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-11-02
Theodore Roosevelt answers the three questions Alfred Borden posed regarding his political record. Roosevelt did not deal with the question of the tariff because he was attempting to take care of the trusts, does not feel that the cases of William Lorimer and George Barnsdale Cox are in any way comparable, and has not generalized the entirety of Wall Street as dishonest in any speech he has made. After making these points, Roosevelt writes more candidly in a postscript, criticizing Borden’s points as being ridiculous, and saying that if he took the time to find out the facts he would realize this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-10-29
President Roosevelt agrees with William H. Taft about Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon. He believes that the ideal result in the election would be a Republican majority so small that neither Cannon nor James A. Tawney can be Speaker. Roosevelt discusses election prospects in Ohio and New York, where he believes Governor Charles Evans Hughes will win re-election. He is angry about the attacks on Taft’s religion by certain Protestants. Roosevelt does not believe he needs to do anything else in the campaign, unless he needs to speak to labor men. He invites Taft to stay at the White House when he is in Washington, unless he and his managers think it will hurt his campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
President Roosevelt agrees with William H. Taft’s view on tariffs but advises him to tread lightly and cautiously on all policy matters. Roosevelt also advises that Taft resist any attempts by George Barnsdale Cox to push him into the wrong positions, but that he remain on good terms, to avoid coming off as Governor Charles Evans Hughes does. Roosevelt advocates that Taft act as he did when in similar positions, avoiding conflict but fighting when necessary. Roosevelt believes he has taken a good shot at William Jennings Bryan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-24
President Roosevelt praises a sketch by Lawrence F. Abbott, and seeks to clarify the relationship between Secretary of War William H. Taft and Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Taft thinks that Foraker is corrupt, but does not think it is his place to attack him publicly. Taft has refused to make a deal to support Foraker for the Senate in return for Foraker supporting Taft for the Presidency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-13
President Roosevelt would be pleased to meet with Wade H. Ellis and George Barnsdale Cox.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-10
Representative Longworth thoroughly details recent Ohio politics for Theodore Roosevelt. He is concerned about a split in the Republican Party and does not want to be forced into open antagonism with friends in the progressive wing. Longworth asks Roosevelt for advice on local and state conditions. Alice Roosevelt Longworth is sick, but they are glad to hear about Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s improvement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-13
William Phillips, Secretary of the National Free Labor Association, calls Theodore Roosevelt’s attention to the problems of corruption in the business community. While the public will condemn politicians who uses bribes in public business, it does not view businessmen who offer bribes in the same negative light. Phillips hopes that Roosevelt can use his position to condemn the use of bribery by corporations to secure government contracts or favorable legislation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-26
Curtis C. Lynd asks for an explanation for why Theodore Roosevelt is supporting Warren G. Harding’s candidacy. Harding is the chosen candidate of party boss George Barnsdale Cox. Lynd believes that Roosevelt is against machine politics and wants to know his reasoning for supporting Cox’s candidate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-01-17
William H. Taft has just returned from an extensive speaking tour in the West and reports to President Roosevelt that on the whole he thinks it went over very well. He is intending not to campaign, but mostly to drum up enthusiasm and excitement. Taft also discusses at length the political situation in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. He intends to travel next through the South, stopping in Washington, D.C. before returning to Ohio. Taft is optimistic about the campaign and feels that Roosevelt’s letters to William Jennings Bryan have helped immensely.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-09