Currency question

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Benjamin B. Odell

President Roosevelt has sent Governor Odell’s letter to George B. Cortelyou regarding H. B. Smith. Roosevelt will follow Odell’s suggestion and send for Samuel Decker Coykendall and Brackett and asks Odell to “make it all right” with Gilbert D. B. Hasbrouck that he is sending for Coykendall. Roosevelt also thanks Odell for his notes on Roosevelt’s speech and will try to work in what he suggests about the Isthmian Canal Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-16

Letter from Lawrence O. Murray to Theodore Roosevelt

Lawrence O. Murray discusses the issue of currency reform and the Monetary Commission’s recommendations. The American Bankers Association and National Citizens League endorse the Commission’s plan. Murray hopes that Theodore Roosevelt will consider addressing the topic. He and economics professor, A. Piatt Andrew, can meet with him to discuss the matter further.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-07

Letter from Victor Morawetz to Theodore Roosevelt

Victor Morawetz briefly responds to a memorandum that criticized his paper on the solution to the United States’s banking and currency problem. Morawetz clarifies his stance that a central bank would be bad for the country and asks Theodore Roosevelt to suggest that the author reads his book on the topic.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-05

Letter from John P. M. Richards to Jacob A. Riis

John P. M. Richards thanks Jacob A. Riis for the book. Richards goes on to reflect about President Roosevelt and the rest of the Roosevelt family, from childhood memories of Theodore Roosevelt Sr. visiting his grandfather’s shop to purchase hunting equipment to seeing the president’s recent speech in Spokane, Washington.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-27

Letter from William Emlen Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

William Emlen Roosevelt is glad to know President Roosevelt’s position on running for reelection. Like his cousin, William is frequently beset by questions and recounts an amusing incident of a New York World reporter investigating rumors that Roosevelt deposited in the Knickerbocker Trust Company. Regarding the currency matter, he understands Roosevelt’s difficulty in explaining his feelings and shares his opinions on the situation. Even though it is slow and painful process, he believes they are working towards a better state of affairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-11

Letter from William Emlen Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

William Emlen Roosevelt sends his cousin, President Roosevelt, a letter and pamphlet from Franklin Bache. William has recently met with Paul Morton and Frank A. Vanderlip about the currency matter, and he asks the President if he would like to meet to discuss the matter or if he should express his opinions in a letter. William has recently visited with his sons, and he is looking forward to hearing about the President’s trip to Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-03

Letter from William Emlen Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

William Emlen Roosevelt offers his opinion on Theodore Roosevelt’s memorandum on currency reform, which he has discussed with several of his close friends. Roosevelt largely agrees with Mr. Claflin that using unsecured currency is the most practical plan, but measures would have to be taken to ensure it was safe. He also believes that the currency should be taxed. Roosevelt offers Theodore suggestions from Mr. Claflin and encloses a letter from Mr. Porter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-23

Letter from Paul Morton to Theodore Roosevelt

Paul Morton gives President Roosevelt his assessment on the currency question and other economic matters, and suggests that he contact Charles A. Conant or Frank A. Vanderlip if he wants unofficial expert advice. Morton likes the idea of Roosevelt issuing a manifesto on Cuba and suggests that there will never be a better time for it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Letter from Eugene A. Philbin to Theodore Roosevelt

Eugene A. Philbin congratulates President Roosevelt on the election result in Vermont, which he is sure indicates overall victory in November. Philbin discusses and encloses several articles regarding the political views and concerns of Catholics, but does not think that too much should be published on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-09

Letter from John Byrne to Theodore Roosevelt

John Byrne argues about the importance of the currency question and urges President Roosevelt to be a leader on the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-26

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft explains why the Democratic Party platform regarding the railroad situation in the Philippines is misguided, and decries Alton B. Parker’s telegram wherein he came out in support of the gold standard at the St. Louis Democratic Party convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-16

Letter from Otto Gresham to Theodore Roosevelt

Otto Gresham informs President Roosevelt that he has advised the Indianapolis financier Volney T. Malott to call on Roosevelt the next time he travels east. Gresham mentions that Volney declined Senator Albert Beveridge’s offer to chair the Indiana State Finance committee and resigned from the executive committee of the American Bankers Association. Gresham adds that Volney is opposed to “asset currency” and holds Roosevelt and Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw in high regard. He ends by assuring Roosevelt that “certain Democrats” have said that the people are with Roosevelt and that he will not be defeated in the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-05

Anything you say, Mr. Pulitzer!

Alton B. Parker and a bull dog look up at Joseph Pulitzer who says, “Tell them what you meant. It was gold and hauling down the flag in the Philippines wasn’t it?” Parker says, “Yes, Mr. Pulitzer.” On the blackboard is written, “Resolved I’ll never say another thing till my teacher tells me to. Buster.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-31

Hill’s trap

Uncle Sam looks at a “Wolfert’s Roost” rock that David B. Hill hides behind, holding a “gold standard” trap. Caption: Uncle Sam: “You may catch Bryan but you can’t catch me.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-28

Will it take?

Alton B. Parker uses a vaccination made from “pure gold” on William Jennings Bryan. Richard Franklin Pettigrew and two other men walk out.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-30

A wide gap to straddle

Alton B. Parker wears a “I am a hero” feather as he attempts to step from “Esopus” to the White House. In the water, there are equations: “open shop = union shop,” “free trade = protection,” “gold = silver,” “trust = anti-trust,” “positive = negative,” and “yes = no perhaps.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-19

The national regatta

A Republican elephant with a “sound money” trunk in a boat and a Democratic donkey in a bucket attempt to row to the “White House.” The donkey says, “Lend me your trunk and I’ll beat you!” Uncle Sam holds a revolver and watches.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-13

Declines to be silenced

The “platform committee” tries to close a large “money question” man with a “sound finance” mace into the “chamber of silence.” Behind them is a “compromise” board and a “Democratic platform & resolutions” paper with a “Hill patch” and a “Bryan patch.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08

Betrayed

David B. Hill holds a bag of “silver” beside a “Democratic convention” wall. In the background, William Jennings Bryan is about to use a “free silver” axe as “democracy” kneels down and is tied to a “doubtful money” stake. Caption: Judas Iscariot (Hill) sold his party for a few pieces of silver.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-30

Bulldozing the public

Voters watch as August Belmont points to an illustration of Alton B. Parker who wears a “trusts” chain around his chest on the side of a circus tent. Verbiage reads, “The Democratic giant guarantees to break the chain by chest expansion.” In Parker’s hands are two weights, “sound money” and “clean politics.” Similarly, Henry Gassaway Davis holds a barrel that reads, “millions for the purification of politics. Not.” Verbiage around him reads, “The Hercules of West Virginia.” David B. Hill sits by a “ballot box” and holds a paper that reads, “After this performance, I shall retire from the show business. D. B. Hill.” Several men hide in the tent, including Parker, who holds a “political graft” weight; Thomas Taggart, who holds “gambling trust magnate” cards; Davis, who holds a “West Va. Coal Trust price” rock; Grover Cleveland; and Arthur P. Gorman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-15