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F. Deelfaut, a socialist, assures President Roosevelt of his sincere regard for Roosevelt’s honesty, especially regarding the Charles H. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood affair. He wants Roosevelt to know that not all socialists are “subjects of” Eugene V. Debs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-25
William A. Baker thanks President Roosevelt for his letter to the editor of the New York Tribune, in which Roosevelt claimed impartiality in the Charles Moyer and Bill Haywood murder trial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-24
Nick Salvatore examines the growth of the corporation in the decades after the Civil War, and he also notes the many political movements and parties that emerged during Theodore Roosevelt’s political life to manage these combinations. Salvatore details Roosevelt’s response to industrial concentrations, including the reforms enacted during his second term in office like the Hepburn and Pure Food and Drug Acts. Salvatore asserts that Roosevelt wanted to enact reforms and oversee corporations to forestall revolution, hoping to prevent the rise of Socialism. He concludes his essay with a look at the campaign of 1912, highlighting the policy positions of Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Eugene V. Debs.
In addition to a photograph of Salvatore, the essay features two photographs of Roosevelt in dynamic speaking poses, as well as a photograph of Debs. A text box at the end of the article contains the vision statement of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.
Eleven topics vie for attention in the “Reviews” section, including six book review essays, three of which are written by John A. Gable. Harry N. Lembeck revisits Jacob A. Riis’s 1904 biography Theodore Roosevelt the Citizen and finds it especially valuable for learning about Theodore Roosevelt’s tenure as Police Commissioner of New York City. Jeremy M. Murphy says that Eric Rauchway’s Murdering McKinley goes against the prevailing trend that sees Roosevelt’s progressivism as genuine, and he disputes Rauchway’s conclusions about the fate of the Socialist Party in the United States. Gable notes that James Chace’s 1912 makes no use of primary sources, but he recommends it “as a good place to start on the election of 1912.”
In his review of Daniel J. Philippon’s Conserving Words, Edward Renehan focuses on Roosevelt, his writings about hunting and ranching in Dakota, and his founding of the Boone & Crockett Club. Gable notes that John P. Avlon identifies Roosevelt as a model centrist in his Independent Nation, and he says that Richard D. White’s Roosevelt the Reformer provides a biography of Roosevelt during his years as a Civil Service Commissioner. The section also has an excerpt from the writings of Douglas Brinkley, notes the passing of Edward Wagenknecht, author of The Seven Worlds of Theodore Roosevelt, and announces that the 2004 meeting of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) will be held in Portland, Oregon. An article on the vice presidential candidates in the election of 1904 and two letters to the TRA praising its journal close out the section.
Photographs of Roosevelt and Avlon appear in the section along with a text box with a quote from Roosevelt about the 1904 campaign.
Leslie H. Southwick provides a comprehensive history of the 1904 presidential election, surveying the Republican and Democratic candidates as well as those of the Socialist, Populist, and Prohibition parties. Southwick describes Theodore Roosevelt’s path to securing his election, touching on his service as Vice President, his political battles with Senator Marcus Hanna, and his selection of George B. Cortelyou as his campaign manager. Southwick also covers Alton B. Parker’s path to the Democratic nomination, highlighting the roles played by former nominees William Jennings Bryan and Grover Cleveland. Southwick describes the dull fall campaign, enlivened by the musings of Finley Peter Dunne’s fictional barkeeper, Mr. Dooley, which Southwick quotes frequently in the course of the article.
Photographs of the four candidates for president and vice president of the Republican and Democratic parties appear in the article, along with an electoral map of the election, and Homer Davenport’s famous cartoon endorsing Roosevelt.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
2004
A circular by Charles J. Kluser denouncing the Socialist speaker Eugene V. Debs, labeling him a revolutionary and a liar, and begging any Christians not to pay to see him speak.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-12
The results of the presidential poll conducted by the Valley Farmer in February 1911.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04
In one section of the cartoon, President Roosevelt stands beside William H. Taft who wears a sign that says, “Vote for Bryan.” People look on and laugh. Taft asks, “What’s everybody laughing at?” In another section, a donkey and an elephant sit on the tops of two towers. In the middle section, “Willie Hooligan Hoist” holds up a “Standard Oil” scarecrow that scares Roosevelt, Taft, and William Jennings Bryan. Two men run away, leaving their hats: “Foraker” and “Haskell.” In the bottom left section, Roosevelt and Taft attempt to push Bryan’s house with him in it on the ground. In the bottom right section, Bryan shocks Roosevelt who shouts, “Loeb! See if you can locate this malefactor!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-31
Crowds cheer from the stands with the labels of “West,” “North,” and “East” and William H. Taft rushes with the football of “Roosevelt policies” down the field. Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell is carried off the field on a stretcher asking, “Whazza matter. Am I hurt?” Meanwhile on the field, President Roosevelt tackles William Jennings Bryan by the head as Thomas Louis Hisgen, Eugene W. Chafin, and Eugene V. Debs huddle on the field: “What are we going to do about it?” Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker stumbles off the field on crutches.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-30
In excerpts from his speech, Jacob Gould Schurman discusses concerns with large corporations and ways to make competition fairer. He believes the solution is not socialism. Rather, he suggests the public should abolish special privileges to corporations. Schurman is glad President Roosevelt mentioned this issue in his annual message and agrees with his suggestion of giving the Interstate Commerce Commission more power. In addition, Schurman suggests other policies for reform, including an income tax and changes to the tariff and the Philippine policy. Schurman looks forward to when the Philippines will have an independent republican government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-20
This newspaper article begins by quoting from Jacob Gould Schurman and notes he advocated “substantial concessions to the radical sentiment of the country.” While Schurman will never openly side with radicals, the writer believes his thoughts are indicative of the rest of the United States. As Schurman demonstrates, there is “real sympathy” between William Jennings Bryan’s radicalism and republicanism. The article suggests that President Roosevelt has tried to bridge the gap between the two positions and that Schurman’s advice of a “modern reform policy” like that in Russia is “the most sagacious policy” conservatism can adopt to retain power.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-20
A summary of recent cases in which injunctions have been granted in Federal Courts restraining members of labor unions from conspiring to injure the trade and business of employers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-11
The Albany Evening Journal editorializes on President Roosevelt’s criticism of the men on trial for the murder of Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg as “undesirable citizens.” While Roosevelt denies that his comments reflect on the men’s guilt of the specific charge, and are merely related to their general conduct, the editors note that this argument is not likely to convince those who believe Roosevelt’s remarks will influence the outcome of the trial against the defendants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-14
President Roosevelt referred to Big Bill Haywood, Charles H. Moyer, and George A. Pettibone as “undesirable citizens,” not because of their alleged involvement in the murder of Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg, but because of their roles as labor leaders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907
At center, William Jennings Bryan, labeled “16 to 1,” stands on a platform “Built by Popo. Platform Silver Syndicate” and holds up a paper that states, “‘We Denounce Arbitrary Interference by Federal Authorities, in Local Affairs, as a Violation of the Constitution,’ etc., W.J. Bryan.” On the right, labeled “1861,” Jefferson Davis holds a paper that states, “‘We Denounce Arbitrary Interference by Federal Authorities, in Local Affairs, as a Violation of the Constitution,’ etc., Jeff. Davis.” Davis confronts Abraham Lincoln who is holding a copy of the “Constitution of U.S.” The bombing of “Fort Sumter” is taking place behind them. On the left, labeled “1896,” Benjamin R. Tillman, John Peter Altgeld, Eugene V. Debs, and John P. Jones are standing on a torn American flag labeled “National Honor” and raising a new flag labeled “Dis-Order and Mis-Rule.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1896-10-28
William Jennings Bryan, as a pirate on a ship labeled “Popocracy,” stands on a barrel, playing a violin, attempting to lure a nearby ship labeled “National Prosperity” close enough so that his band of pirates can board it. Among those pirates identified are “Tillman, Altgeld, Lease, St. John, Sewall, Watson, Peffer, Sulzer, Waite, Debs, Bland, Wm. Stewart, Hill, Blackburn, [and] Coxey.” The men are armed with guns, knives, and rifles. Blackburn has a patch labeled “1895” over his right eye. Caption: Trying to lure a rich prize, in good old buccaneer fashion.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1896-09-23
Vignettes depict the presidential candidates for the 1908 election, each learning their fortunes regarding the outcome of the election. Norman Edward Mack as a palm reader tells William Jennings Bryan that his “line of ambition is phenomenally long. Likewise your line of talk. You can’t lose.” Frank H. Hitchcock as a seer gazing into a crystal ball, which shows the face of Theodore Roosevelt, tells William H. Taft that he sees “nothing but success.” Thomas L. Hisgen is reading cards labeled “W. R. Hearst.” Thomas E. Watson sees the word “Cinch” in the stars. Eugene W. Chafin is reading tea leaves. Eugene V. Debs is dropping hot lead into a cauldron showing the White House.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1908-09-30
Six policemen labeled “Chafin, Taft, Debs, Watson, Hisgen, [and] Bryan” gather around a young boy labeled “Reactionary Voter” standing on “Radical Ave.” The boy appears confused by all the political parties represented by the various candidates – Eugene W. Chafin of the Prohibition Party, William H. Taft of the Republican Party, Eugene V. Debs of the Socialist Party of America, Thomas E. Watson of the Populist Party, Thomas L. Hisgen of the United States Independent Party, and William Jennings Bryan of the Democratic Party. Caption: Chorus of Kindly Cops — Don’t you know where you belong, little boy? / The Waif — No-o-o! I’m a-all turned round. Boo-hoo!
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1908-09-23
President Roosevelt wants to ensure that the legal rights of William D. Haywood and Charles Moyer are safeguarded and that “exact justice” is done. It has been suggested that they were extradited from Colorado in an unlawful manner and Roosevelt would like the pertinent information from the District Attorneys of Colorado and Idaho. Political pressure from the socialist and labor press will be strong in favor of acquittal, regardless of their actual guilt or innocence. The goal of federal authorities must be to “further the cause of justice.”
1906-03-26
A figure composed of corn and corn stalks labeled “Record Breaking Crops” walks through a dark wood at night with a diminutive Uncle Sam, who is frightened by scary-looking trees labeled “Johnson, Taft, Sherman, Roosevelt, Wilson, [and] Debs.” Caption: “Don’t be frightened, Sammy. They can’t hurt you while I am with you.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1912-10-16