Democratic Party (U.S.)

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte discusses the political situation in Baltimore regarding the vacancy for Deputy Surveyor of Customs and recommends that President Roosevelt leave the position unfilled until after the election and then appoint James Campbell. Bonaparte then discusses the political situation between Clarence C. Pusey, Abraham Lincoln Dryden, and John B. Hanna, recommending that Roosevelt suggest that Pusey wait until November 1st to take office, which would be considerate to William H. Jackson without offending Pusey’s supporters. Bonaparte also discusses whether two ships should make a trip to New Orleans or not.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-10

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge is glad to hear of Judge Horace H. Lurton’s opinions; Lodge is most concerned at present with the difference between nationalists and separatists. Lodge would like to see a judge on the bench who holds the views of Alexander Hamilton and John Marshall not Thomas Jefferson and John C. Calhoun. He would someday like to see Attorney General Moody in the Supreme Court. Lodge closes with a discussion of his anxiety regarding the campaign in Maine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-10

Letter from Leslie M. Shaw to J. S. Sherman

Leslie M. Shaw informs J. S. Sherman that there is no longer doubt about their victory in the congressional campaign after Speaker Cannon’s speech, President Roosevelt’s letter, and Col. Bryan’s acceptance. Shaw recommends sending Republican speakers through neglected Democratic districts in the South where the margin of victory was small to begin cultivating support that might lead to Republican victories in 1916.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-05

Letter from Jefferson Williams to Theodore Roosevelt

Reverend Williams proudly tells President Roosevelt that he “jacked up” Democrat Charles A. Edwards, Secretary of the Democratic Congressional Committee, most likely referring to a letter he (Williams) sent Edwards in which he defended Roosevelt. Williams explains to Roosevelt that he finds Edwards’s rhetoric about Roosevelt to be “vile political vomit” off of which anarchists feed, and cites his experiences as both a pastor and a soldier to defend himself against Edwards’s claims that he is a “fool” and from the “woods.” Williams also tells Roosevelt that he took the Cincinnati Post to task for publishing Edwards’s “vile utterances.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-06

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry Cabot Lodge spoke with Attorney General Moody about the platform he is preparing for the Republican State Convention. During their conversation, Lodge learned that President Roosevelt is thinking about appointing Democratic Judge Horace H. Lurton to the Supreme Court. Lodge has strong feelings that the Republican Party should only appoint Republican judges. As a Hamiltonian in his beliefs on the Constitution, he worries about appointing a “strict constructionist who inherits the separatist tradition.” Lodge concludes with some comments about William Jennings Bryan, the beef trust, and “the silver question,” also called bimetallism.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-01

Letter from John W. Vrooman to William Loeb

Colonel Vrooman is sorry that William Loeb will not be able to attend General Albert Leopold Mills’s dinner. Vrooman writes about a variety of other social engagements with the Union League and other friends, and reports that Admiral Dewey spoke highly of Admiral Joseph Bullock Coghlan. In terms of politics, which he discusses “unofficially and confidentially,” Vrooman notes that he has “never seen a more chaotic condition of affairs” in New York State. Republicans must work hard to succeed because it is vital that they should win in New York this year. Vrooman feels that Senators from New York State are not adequately representing residents but rather “private interests are being placed above party and public good.” President Roosevelt is wise to make no suggestions regarding state matters, but Vrooman hopes Roosevelt’s friends will actively protect the interests of the people. In a postscript, Vrooman adds his sincere thanks for Loeb’s kindness to him when he was ill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-24

Letter from William H. Moody to William H. Taft

Attorney General Moody received Secretary of War Taft’s letter forwarding one from Governor Edward Wallis Hoch regarding the appointment of Judge J. T. Dickerson to the District Court. Moody thinks President Roosevelt will not take this matter up until at or before statehood is consummated. Moody further offers Taft a few considerations regarding the appointment of a judge to the United States Supreme Court to fill Judge Henry Billings Brown’s vacancy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge praises President Roosevelt’s letter. Lodge thinks Speaker Cannon’s speech on the labor issue was courageous, and he deserves to have them stand by him. Lodge has seen indicators that Charles E. Littlefield will win, which he thinks will have a great influence for good throughout the country. Lodge has written to Attorney General Moody that the Republican party ought to draw its platform in exact accord with Roosevelt’s letter. Henry Melville Whitney, Eugene Foss, and the Boston Herald are pressuring Governor Guild to come out for present revision and against Roosevelt, which Lodge thinks would be a foolish thing to do. Lodge feels that the Republicans should all unite on Roosevelt’s letter. John B. Moran is apparently going to carry off the Democratic nomination, and Lodge thinks this will lead to a nasty personal campaign in which Republican union will be all-important.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-28

Letter from Joseph Gurney Cannon to Leslie M. Shaw

Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon informs Secretary of the Treasury Shaw that he has no designs on running for President and has discouraged those promoting his candidacy; his focus is solely on the upcoming midterm elections. Cannon recounts a conversation with men from the Manufacturers of Agricultural Implements League in which he urged them not to believe the promises of the Democratic Party with regard to tariff revision. He hopes that President Roosevelt’s letter on the matter, which is due for imminent release, will help to sway their opinions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-20

Letter from James E. Watson to Members of Congress

Representative Watson encloses a letter from President Roosevelt about the last session of Congress and the issues that have arisen during the current political campaign. Watson states that Roosevelt’s popularity as President makes the letter valuable and suggests that members of Congress make use of it during the campaigns in their states.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-20

Letter from Joseph H. Kibbey to William Loeb

Joseph H. Kibbey, Territorial Governor of Arizona, responds to accusations that his organizing of a joint territorial committee meeting on Arizona statehood was inappropriately conducted. Kibbey maintains that there was nothing in the form of his call or his allowance of proxy votes, that would indicate the Committee had not properly convened. Regarding his resignation as Chairman of the Committee, Kibbey notes that he presented his statement of resignation at the beginning of the proceedings and refused to preside further despite being presented with several questions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-14

Letter from William Shine to William Loeb

William Shine tells William Loeb about his visit to the oil fields in Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. The oil crews, especially the Standard employees, are against Theodore Roosevelt. In addition, Shine reports that in Cincinnati, all of the Republicans he met were for Roosevelt, and opposed to Taft. Additionally, Congressman Longworth will be renominated, although the Democrats are likely to gain Congressmen throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Shine also notes that he is glad Waldorf has been appointed Collector of the Toledo district, as Waldorf was against former Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna, as was the Post Master at Defiance. Shine predicts that the current Republican regime in Ohio “will go all to pieces in the next two years and a new crowd will be in control.” He sends both Loeb and Roosevelt a package, and will send some tonic if Roosevelt makes the trip to Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-09

Letter from William H. H. Llewellyn to William Loeb

The joint Republican and Democratic committee met in Phoenix, Arizona, to vote on the matter of joint statehood. The vote was thirty-five to fifteen against joint statehood in the Republican Committee. William H. H. Llewellyn thinks the vote results are due to the proxies procured by Governor Joseph H. Kibbey, William Spencer Sturges, and Frank Morrill Murphy. President Roosevelt’s supporters in Arizona claim that the majority of the Committee is in favor of joint statehood.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-05

Letter from O. D. M. Gaddis to William H. Andrews

O. D. M. Gaddis spoke with Charles Henry Akers, editor of the Arizona Gazette, about the matter of joint statehood. Akers is eager to use his paper to support statehood, but fears a loss of advertising business might result. Gaddis asks if a sum of five thousand dollars can be raised for Akers to “start the ball rolling.” Gaddis argues that if they secure Akers’s support, their cause will have a leading daily and the only Republican paper in Phoenix, Arizona.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-06

Letter from William H. Andrews to William Loeb

William H. Andrews encloses newspaper clippings related to the meeting of the Democratic and Republican Territorial Committees on joint statehood of Arizona and New Mexico, as well as two letters from O. D. M. Gaddis. He notes that Charles Henry Akers, publisher of the Phoenix Gazette, is anxious to provide his support for joint statehood but is also indebted to his paper. Andrews reports that he has heard nothing from Senator Boies Penrose regarding the matter of President John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers of America.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-07

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge is sorry that President Roosevelt has reached the time of life where physical exercise has ceased to be a rest. Lodge thinks that if William Randolph Hearst runs in any way in New York, the Republican party will be able to carry the state. The political situation in Massachusetts has revived Lodge’s hopes of retaining control of the House. The reciprocity revision movement appears less militant than last year, and higher wages in the cotton and wool industries has weakened agitation against Republicans on behalf of changing the tariff. Lodge thinks the unknown quantity in the Congressional elections is the labor vote under the direction of Samuel Gompers. Lodge agrees with Roosevelt that there is more baseless praise poured out over Thomas Jefferson than any man in our history.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-08

Letter from H. E. Miles to Theodore Roosevelt

Chairman Miles submits a report of the Tariff Committee of the Implement Association. The report comes up to the Executive Committee for action on August 18, 1906. Miles believes that action as contemplated in the report would be for the good of the Republican party. Miles further believes that the Stand Pat proposition is pure bluff, as proponents of this policy are inconsistent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-08

Letter from Edgar D. Crumpacker to Theodore Roosevelt

Edgar D. Crumpacker writes to President Roosevelt about rumors in the press that Roosevelt, House Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon, and other Republicans plan to take a “stand pat” policy which would mean any policy changes related to tariffs would be off the table. Rank and file Republicans seek revisions to tariff schedules and customs duties and may not vote with the party if no action is taken. Crumpacker feels this decision will likely turn the House democratic.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-28

Letter from Joseph Gurney Cannon to James Schoolcraft Sherman

Joseph Gurney Cannon recounts for J. S. Sherman his recent trip through Indiana with local Representative James E. Watson. Watson has recently returned from Missouri where he feels hopeful for the election of Frank B. Fulkerson and Cassius McLean Shartel, and recounts a political fight between Senator William Joel Stone and Governor Joseph Wingate Folk for the same seat. Watson went over the situation in Indiana as well, where demand for free hides like in Massachusetts are fueled by the independent press. Watson would like to take up President Roosevelt on his offer to write a letter on the matter. Cannon hopes the president will address the letter to Watson directly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-30

Letter from James E. Watson to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Watson, of Indiana, notifies President Roosevelt that the Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon approves Roosevelt’s plan to help the Republican Party. Watson would like to meet with Representative J. S. Sherman and Roosevelt together, but he is unable to do so due to speaking engagements at congressional conventions in Ohio and West Virginia. Watson hopes for a letter from Roosevelt in which Roosevelt will “vigorously” express his views on the current political controversy, clarifying that there are no vital differences between the president and the congress, as the Democrats persistently claim.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-31