Domestics

Thomas T. Chaloner asks Theodore Roosevelt why rich corporations do not give the public a square deal and gives the example of his attempts to sell his train stop device to railroad companies. Chaloner knows his device could save lives, yet the railroad companies do not want to pay to install the device and therefore turn Chaloner away. Chaloner believes railroad companies are selling all the stock and bonds to foreign nobles, catering to them rather than making railroads safer for Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-18

Emily Tyler Carow describes her experiences in Egypt, including her concern about an “undercurrent of hostility” that seems to be present in the Egyptian Arab people. Carow tells Roosevelt about her conversations with Lord Evelyn Baring Cromer and his dinner guests, which have been about topics such as the British occupation of Egypt, the American occupation of Cuba and the insular possession of the Philippines, whether Roosevelt will run for president again, and the natural beauty of the desert.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-01

Lieutenant Scott from the USS Missouri reports on his landing team’s work in disaster relief in Kingston, Jamaica. The men under his command assisted in tearing down walls that had been made unstable, removing dead bodies from the rubble, and disinfecting streets and areas where the dead were found. The people of the city were deeply appreciative of their help.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-19

Theodore Roosevelt arrives at the White House after a vacation at Oyster Bay. Following him, carrying the luggage, is William Loeb. Uncle Sam meets them at the entrance, dressed as a 17th century French butler. Caption: T.R.–Now, Sam, let’s get to work! / Sam–Yes, Sir; thank you, sir!

comments and context

Comments and Context

One of the most iconic cartoons about Theodore Roosevelt frequently has been reprinted. Appropriately for cartoonist Udo J. Keppler, it combines truth and satire. Its humor transports the actual situation, arguably that 1906 was the high point of Roosevelt’s presidency in terms of activity and accomplishment, and that at times the nation might have felt that it was a long for the ride in his tumultuous administration. President Roosevelt’s private secretary William Loeb evidently felt the same way.

A housewife, noting a shortage of plates, asks the cook what has happened to the missing plates. Caption: Mrs. Sharpe (severely). — Norah, I can find only seven of these plates. Where are the other five? Cook (in surprise). — Sure, Mum, don’t yez make no allowances for ordinary wear an’ tear?

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-05-22

Illustration showing a rich, frail old man sitting in a chair attending to his numerous social invitations while servants bring him medications for his health.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1900-03-28

Theodore Roosevelt introduces Arthur von Briesen to Helen Suydam Wilmerding, an acquaintance who is interested in a case made against her servant. Roosevelt asks Briesen to advise her on how to take action to ensure her servant receives fair treatment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-29

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased to hear that Belle Roosevelt’s family will be visiting her in Argentina. He is glad that Belle has her “fireplace in trim for the cold weather” and wishes he could meet the Portuguese maid and Japanese cook. Roosevelt provides brief updates on various family members.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-31

President Roosevelt has enjoyed reading By the Fireside with Edith. Roosevelt also connected to Charles Wagner’s previous book, The Simple Life. Edith Roosevelt sent Ethel the chapter on By the Fireside about relating to servants. Ethel is of “a somewhat masterful temper.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-13

Kermit Roosevelt asks Theodore Roosevelt to send copies of a book to several people in Brazil. Kermit Roosevelt also describes how Belle Roosevelt is settling into their new home, and promises to write again soon about business.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915

Photograph of three White House staff posing in a room in the White House, taken during President Roosevelt’s administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

Kermit Roosevelt describes life in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Belle Roosevelt; including Belle’s driving habits, their servants, and home life. He is pleased that Theodore Roosevelt won the libel suit. Kermit intends to enlist if the United States enters the war.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1915-05-26

Theodore Roosevelt departs from the White House, leaving an infant labeled “My Policies,” wearing the same spectacles as Roosevelt and holding a small stick, in the care of William H. Taft as the maid. William Loeb, as the butler, is carrying Roosevelt’s big stick.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Cartoonist S. D. Ehrhart commemorated Theodore Roosevelt’s retirement from the presidency, and William H. Taft’s assumption of duties, with an accurate but somehow jaundiced view of the situation, for instance the depiction of President Taft as a mere nanny.

An African American man and woman stand in the dining room at Bulloch Hall, the scene of the marriage of President Roosevelt’s parents. Written on verso: Otey B. Mitchell, Bulloch Hall, dining room.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1907-03-27

Theodore Roosevelt likes the picture that Mr. Webb has sent and discusses his family’s chauffeur, who is “the son of General Lee’s body-servant.” Roosevelt also sends his regards to Webb’s wife.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-12

At center is a place for Republicans to go to commiserate while awaiting the next election. Such stalwart Republicans as George F. Edmunds, John Sherman, William M. Evarts, George F. Hoar, and Thomas B. Reed wait there. Surrounding vignettes show a prominent citizen being escorted by two “Bureau of Public Comfort” guards who keep the press at bay, a sewing station for women’s clothing after a round of bargain shopping, a room where anarchists can blow off some steam “without disturbing anybody,” an educational facility to help orient newcomers to the ways of the city, and a hypnotist who attempts to convince servants to work in the country. Caption: Some of the useful purposes it might serve.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-10-25

The father of an upwardly mobile family is forced to keep pace financially with his wife’s ambitions. The main vignette shows the father perspiring as he works harder, using a large pump labeled “Business” to pour more money into “Paterfamilias’ Pocket Book” to which a queue of tradesmen labeled “Caterer, Chef, Modiste, Carriage dealer, Milliner, Decorator, Furniture dealer, Florist, Jeweler, [and] Wine dealer” help themselves. The surrounding vignettes depict lavish parties, artwork on the walls, more frequent purchases of clothing for the children, his wife’s new understanding of the term “cottage,” and the increase in the size of the servant staff.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-08-21

An Irish American woman labeled “Walking Delegate” displays the “By-Laws of the Help Lady’s Union” during a dinner party hosted by an elderly woman sitting at a table with her guests. Women domestics are seen removing their aprons, as a man in the background orders the “Walking Delegate” to leave.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-02-08

A knight complains to another man as his wife passes on the right, wearing a large hat held in place by the knight’s sword. Caption: Sir Bodikins — Gadsobs! What aileth thee, Sir Ronald? Something seemeth the matter. / The Knight — Matter! My wife hath swiped that long sword of mine – forged of Damascus steel – jeweled hilt – given me for bravery against the Saracens – and proposeth to use it for a hat-pin!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1910-07-13

In a kitchen, a petite woman implores her muscular Irish cook to continue in her duties. The cook shakes her fist in defiance.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1883-05-09