Your TR Source
The front cover of this issue features a letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry L. Stimson in which Roosevelt introduces and endorses the reporter Oscar K. Davis. A photograph of George W. Perkins, a leader in the Progressive Party campaign of 1912, appears on the back cover.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1925
Primary documents related to the life and work of Theodore Roosevelt make up much of this issue of the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal (TRAJ). Letters from Roosevelt appear on the front cover and in the “Presidential Snapshot” column, and are joined by a letter by Oscar K. Davis detailing the attempted assassination of Roosevelt in 1912. The Davis letter is preceded by two introductory essays, as is Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism” speech of 1910 which also appears in this issue. Two articles derived from the 2020 annual meeting of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA), a book review essay, and an index to volumes forty and forty-one of the TRAJ complete this edition.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
2021
President Roosevelt summarizes two letters he has received from Oscar K. Davis for Elihu Root. The letters, from Times reporter William Bayard Hale, describe an interview Hale had with German Emperor William II. In the first letter, Hale describes the two-hour interview itself, in which William makes several incendiary statements regarding England, Russia, China, Japan, the United States, and the Catholic Church. In the second letter, Hale reports that after showing the interview to the German Foreign Office and American Ambassador David Jayne Hill, both decided it would be unwise and improper to quote the emperor. Roosevelt told Davis that he strongly discouraged making the interview public. In domestic news, Roosevelt is making a “quiet canvass” of feeling regarding the re-nomination of Charles Evans Hughes for governor of New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-08
President Roosevelt finds Attorney General Bonaparte’s letter to United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick admirable. Unfortunately, Francis J. Heney is unable to take the case. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Idaho Governor Frank Robert Gooding. The press has turned its attention to Secretary of State Elihu Root, who has been in poor health.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-27
President Roosevelt is pleased with Attorney General Bonaparte’s telegram to United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick and gives some suggestions for the follow-up letter. He congratulates Bonaparte “on the way you have handled the matter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-26
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on matters regarding United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick, the prosecution of the International Harvester Company, and affairs in Oklahoma. He is greatly concerned about reports of Secretary of State Elihu Root’s health. Territorial Governor of New Mexico George Curry intends to appoint David J. Leahy as assistant attorney general of the territory. Bonaparte feels obligated to inform Roosevelt of this appointment as Leahy is possibly “one of the persons about whom there has been complaint by the Interior Department.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-29
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks George R. Brown for the letter, which will be sent to the secretary of the Progressive National Committee. The secretary suggests that Brown contact Oscar K. Davis to discuss the situation in Arkansas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-11
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary suggests that C. L. Ford contact Oscar K. Davis, secretary of the Progressive National Committee, for information on the Progressive movement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-09
Frank Harper thanks John Milliken Parker for his letter, which he will send on to Theodore Roosevelt. Harper will contact O. K. Davis, Secretary of the Progressive Committee, to arrange for Roosevelt to visit New Orleans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-16
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary acknowledges Ziba T. Moore’s invitation for Roosevelt to speak at the Union League Club banquet in Philadelphia. He has forwarded Moore’s letter to the National Progressive Committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-09
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary will forward J. B. White’s letter to Oscar K. Davis in New York so that White’s request can be kept in mind. The secretary assures White that Roosevelt is trying to fit in a trip to Indianapolis before the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-04
Theodore Roosevelt requests that Senator Clapp confer with Senator Dixon and Oscar K. Davis to determine an appropriate date for Roosevelt to appear in front of Clapp’s Senate committee. Roosevelt would like to appear in front of the committee as soon as his schedule will allow.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-01
Theodore Roosevelt remembers John F. Duncan and still has the paperweight Duncan gave him. Roosevelt has forwarded Duncan’s letter to Oscar K. Davis, requesting that Davis help Duncan organize a Progressive club.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary encloses a letter from Joseph W. Holley, who has volunteered to address meetings of African Americans in the following months. The secretary requests that Henry F. Cochems forward the letter to Oscar K. Davis so that he can note the invitation for Roosevelt to speak in Georgia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-24
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased by Joseph W. Holley’s offer to make speeches to his fellow African Americans. Roosevelt will send Holley’s offer to Henry F. Cochems, who arranges speaking help, and Holley’s invitation for Roosevelt to speak to Oscar K. Davis, who handles Roosevelt’s scheduling.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-24
Theodore Roosevelt has sent G. Luckerman’s telegram to Oscar K. Davis, who handles his scheduling for the trip, to see if he can attend the Saint Louis City Club luncheon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-22
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs Fred A. Walker that Oscar K. Davis will arrange all accommodations for Roosevelt and the newspaper men who accompany him, such as Mr. Tiller.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-21
Theodore Roosevelt is concerned about charging admission to his speeches at public meetings. He would like George W. Perkins to discuss the matter with Senator Dixon and Oscar K. Davis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-20
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary writes that Roosevelt is concerned about charging admission for the public meetings he addresses. He would like Senator Dixon, George W. Perkins, Oscar K. Davis, and Judge Hotchkiss to discuss the matter and decide on a definite arrangement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-20
Frank Harper informs John Mulholland that Theodore Roosevelt is too busy to write him at this time and cannot go into the details of his campaign, which is why Roosevelt sent Mulholland’s previous letters to Senator Dixon. Harper states that Dixon contacted Mulholland with instructions to contact Oscar K. Davis, which Harper echoes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-19