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Governor Johnson offers his opinion on the presidential campaign and the Progressive Party’s platform and discusses the process of California’s election laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-08
William H. Hotchkiss does not approve of Ernest Harvier’s proposition and wants former Democrats to have proper representation as district leaders and on committees. However, he understands that most new members of the Progressive Party are former Republicans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-19
Progressive Party electors in Missouri can only be placed on the ballot by petition, and under these circumstances Roosevelt cannot win the state. However, under the arrangement previously suggested by Governor Hadley, Roosevelt could secure Missouri’s electoral vote. Hadley views progressive Republicans in Missouri and the Progressive Party as allies that can cooperate to elect candidates with progressive principles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-29
Judge Lindsey claims no responsibility for the efforts but has heard suggestions from a variety of sources that he be considered as a candidate for vice president. He believes that Governor Johnson is the leading contender but finds fault in Johnson’s similarities to Theodore Roosevelt. Lindsey suggests that a progressive Democrat for vice president would be ideal for a progressive Republican presidential candidate. He claims no ambition but is willing to assist Roosevelt’s presidential campaign in whatever manner is best.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-03
Gilson Gardner was pleased with Judge Lindsey’s electoral success in Denver, Colorado and is supportive of Lindsey as a potential candidate for vice president. Governor Johnson remains the leading candidate and Lindsey’s affiliation with the Democrats could cause difficulties with the Republican delegates. However, this affiliation could also strengthen the idea that the progressives are an independent, nonpartisan movement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-04
Alonzo H. Cox received Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and will forever treasure it, both because Roosevelt was president for seven years and because he will be president again. Cox believes that the public will show their dissatisfaction with the way President Taft has treated Roosevelt when they go to the polls, and the Democratic Party will blunder and lose their chance like always. If a Taft nomination is forced on the people then Roosevelt should run as an independent and secure “the biggest vote ever given to a candidate.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-13
Ora J. Parker proposes that, if the Democratic National Convention selects a candidate opposed to the principles advocated by William Jennings Bryan, a new party be formed led by Bryan and Roosevelt. Parker suggests Bryan as the presidential candidate and Roosevelt for vice-president. Though writing to both men, Parker, a self-proclaimed “stalwart Republican,” specifically implores Roosevelt to approach Bryan about joining forces.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-24
Herbert David Croly believes that the creation of a new party is necessary to protect against the “reactionary Republicans” who have, according to Croly, deviated from tradition. He also feels that the House Democrats have proven the “regular Democracy” is malfunctioning. Whatever the new party comes to be called, Croly wants to be part of it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-25
Gifford Pinchot has received word that the progressive Democrats of Nevada will likely support Theodore Roosevelt. William Kent is considering reentering the congressional race in California and Pinchot suggests that Roosevelt encourage Kent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-25
Jacob A. Riis had been following events at the Republican National Convention and is excited for the new party led by Theodore Roosevelt. He suggests that the selection of William Jennings Bryan or Woodrow Wilson as Roosevelt’s running mate will place the new party in the “front rank.” Riis believes that William Jay Gaynor will be the Democratic presidential nominee. He concludes with a description of his farm and invites the Roosevelts to visit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-27
Due to a previous engagement, Everett Colby will be unable to lunch with Theodore Roosevelt at Oyster Bay, New York. He also reviews the status of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential campaign in light of the Democratic Party’s recent nomination of Governor Wilson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-03
John Mitchell offers information on current labor politics and legislation that could be helpful when formulating a political platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-01
Lorenzo S. Lake, a Confederate veteran and Democrat, suggests that Theodore Roosevelt could secure southern delegates by announcing his intentions, if elected president, to revise the levee plans of the Mississippi River. Lake summarizes his political background and connections. Lake is willing to support Roosevelt for another term if Roosevelt announces his support for revising the levee plans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-17
Charles J. Bonaparte writes to Senator Dixon encouraging him to garner support and help campaign for Theodore Roosevelt in his 1912 Progressive Party bid for the presidency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-04-27
Senator Lodge delivered a speech to the Senate that was met with “universal applause” and will be sending a copy of the speech to Roosevelt. The Democrats are starting an inquiry into the “Panama business” in preparation for demanding arbitration with Colombia. Lodge is willing to give Colombia some money but will not legitimize their claim to Panama by sending the matter to arbitration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-01
After consulting with political leaders in St. Louis, Missouri, Governor Hadley believes that Theodore Roosevelt should make a public statement regarding his views on accepting the Republican presidential nomination within ten days. Thousands of Americans have encouraged Roosevelt’s candidacy and Hadley thinks that they deserve an answer. Stories are circulating that Roosevelt will not accept the nomination and many “timid souls” hesitate to offer support until Roosevelt’s candidacy is confirmed. There will be a meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on February 10 of Roosevelt supporters and Hadley suggests that they make a statement declaring that a majority of Republican voters favor Roosevelt’s candidacy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-04
Ralph D. Harbison writes to Theodore Roosevelt confident that if Roosevelt receives the Republican nomination, that he will easily carry Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Harbison travels to those states regularly and talked to many people there who said they would vote for Roosevelt if he earns the nomination. President Taft is clueless as to the sentiment of the people and his friends are not brave enough to tell him. Harbison will write to Roosevelt on March 5, 1913, reminding him of when he predicted his victory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-13
President Taft’s supporters have been fostering a rumor that Theodore Roosevelt has stated he would never accept the Republican nomination. Governor Hadley has heard of other underhanded political techniques being used by the Taft campaign in Missouri, and he encourages Roosevelt to declare his candidacy. He further suggests that Roosevelt put William Loeb in charge of his campaign. In Hadley’s judgment, this is Roosevelt’s greatest opportunity to serve the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-15
William A. Rogers suggests that Governor Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt, as the “best exponent” of their respective parties, work together to form a “Democratic-Republican Government.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-17
John A. Gilbreath is disgusted with the machine politics in Missouri and does not believe that President Taft can win Missouri in 1912. He calls for a late convention not composed of federal office holders to allow Missouri Republicans to “act upon matured thought.” Gilbreath is willing to support Theodore Roosevelt and wants the Republican Party to nominate a presidential candidate that is better then the party as a whole.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-06