Democratic Party (U.S.)

Letter from Bayless Leander Durant Guffy to Marcus Alonzo Hanna

Chief Justice Guffy of the Court of Appeals of Kentucky advocates for the reappointment of Mr. Barnett as Surveyor of the Port at Louisville, Kentucky. Guffy fears that if Barnett is removed it will weaken the Republicans in the district and the Democrats are already making a strong challenge. Guffy does not believe that he can win reelection without Barnett serving as Surveyor. In a handwritten note addressed to President Roosevelt, Senator Hanna concurs with Guffy’s assessment of the situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-20

Letter from William Morrow to George B. Cortelyou

William Morrow would like President Roosevelt to know that at least “one southern businessman and democrat” appreciates Roosevelt’s handling of the Miles-McClay[sic] incident.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-02

Letter from Nellie Crummer to Theodore Roosevelt

Nellie Crummer suggests that a trusted agent be sent to Tampa, Florida, to investigate conditions. She claims that M. B. Macfarlane and Postmaster Reynolds are unfit for their positions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-07

Letter from Bartlett S. Johnston to Theodore Roosevelt

Any information President Roosevelt gained from his meeting with Joseph Forney Johston, Bartlett S. Johnston’s brother, can be relied upon. Roosevelt can trust the Johnston family.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-07

Letter from John Fox to Theodore Roosevelt

The Republicans and Democrats of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia are pleased that President Roosevelt has recognized H. C. McDonell’s merit and ability. John Fox’s father and uncle are both “Roosevelt men.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-20

Letter from Thomas Lafayette Rosser to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas Lafayette Rosser believes that Mr. Braxton is perfect for the work they are planning and, since Braxton is a Democrat from a good family, he can reach the class of men they need. There must be an understanding that work will only be done if lynching stops in the South and African Americans are treated kindly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-20

Letter from J. D. Powers to John Robert Procter

J. D. Powers laments the condition of the political system in Kentucky. Many civil servants have trampled the rights of the people, ruined the Republican Party, and destroyed the chance to defeat the “political Buckaneers.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-09

Letter from Marcus Alonzo Hanna to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Hanna has been thinking about President Roosevelt’s message regarding trusts, organized labor, and wages. He suggests that Roosevelt focus more on trusts and less on wages as the Democrats do not think trusts are an issue and focusing on wages would only help the Democrats.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-10

Letter from Elias Jones to Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Elias Jones encloses a cartoon that was used by the Democrats to support the campaign of Arthur P. Gorman for Senate. Jones is distressed at the Maryland law that disenfranchised many voters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-12

Letter from Richard Welling to Theodore Roosevelt

Richard Welling vents his frustrations with the latest campaign. Many committee members lack enthusiasm and Welling is concerned about defections to the Democratic Party. Welling proposes condensing the meeting schedule.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-04

Letter from Robert Chisolm to Albert Clarke

Robert Chisolm left the Democratic Party many years ago and joined the Republican Party in a public speech. He is distressed at the power the Democrats hold in the South and believes that President Roosevelt can strengthen the Republicans in that region.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-30

Letter from George Harrison Barbour to Theodore Roosevelt

George Harrison Barbour has a high opinion of William Emory Quinby and his paper, the Free Press of Detroit, Michigan. Although he is a Democrat, Quinby bravely sided with the Republican Party on the silver issue and supported William McKinley’s campaign. Everyone Barbour has encountered has confidence in President Roosevelt’s capabilities. He recently met with Puerto Rican delegates and assured them that Roosevelt would offer them rights in the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-31

Letter from James Harrison Wilson to Theodore Roosevelt

James Harrison Wilson recommends the appointment of Robert Houston as collector of the port in Wilmington, Delaware. He believes the appointment of Caleb Churchman would be a mistake as Churchman is not viewed as a leader in the community and his appointment would be seen as an act of “Addicksism.” Wilson argues in favor of balancing the distribution of federal appointments throughout the state as a means to temper the influence of John Edward Addicks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-01

Letter from James Harrison Wilson to Theodore Roosevelt

James Harrison Wilson believes that John Edward Addicks is buying votes and he would rather see Delaware unrepresented in the Senate than by corrupt politicians. He encloses a letter from Major J. M. Carson, a correspondent for the Philadelphia Ledger, who is an Addicks supporter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-01

Will not disturb the Republicans

Thomas Goode Jones, the newly appointed district judge, has stated that he will not replace Republican court employees with Democrats.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-10

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge encloses a letter from General Draper regarding the appointment of Henry St. George Tucker as a judge in Virginia. Lodge also encloses his reply. He believes the appointment of a Democrat, such as Tucker, is currently doubtful when there are suitable Republicans available.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-17

Letter from Richard Henry Rawles to John S. Wise

Richard Henry Rawles agrees that the public is ready for a change and that the Republican machine in Virginia should be challenged. He believes a strong leader could make the state solidly Republican. Rawles has removed himself from “active politics” but is willing to help.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-14

Telegram from Booker T. Washington to Emmett J. Scott

Booker T. Washington reports what he knows about a certain person and his political convictions. He notes that the party voted for John M. Palmer and Simon Bolivar Buckner of the National Democratic Party in 1896, but entered the Democratic primaries in 1900 to help defeat the nomination of William Jennings Bryan. Washington suggests their friends be advised to appoint a Montgomery man to represent the “best class of white people” and to appoint William Demos Crum as internal revenue collector for South Carolina, representing the “best class of colored.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-04

President Roosevelt and the Southern problem

This newspaper article disparages the use of political appointments to maintain control of Southern “colored delegations” for “trades and spoils” at the national Republican convention. This practice upsets white Southerners and keeps the “Solid South” behind the Democratic Party. The writer supports President Roosevelt’s decision to seek counsel from Booker T. Washington regarding southern policy. Washington has advised Roosevelt that the “old gangs” should be “turned down” and that “highly respected white men” should be appointed regardless of party lines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-01

Letter from Leslie Combs to Theodore Roosevelt

Leslie Combs is pleased that President Roosevelt was selected to be vice president by the “choice of the people” and not for political or geographic considerations. Combs has been working with a faction of the Kentucky Republican Party to attract certain Democratic voters and is being opposed by Senator Deboe. He would like to discuss the situation in Kentucky with Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-26