Your TR Source
President Roosevelt encloses letters to Timothy L. Woodruff, Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee. He believes the ones from Asa M. Steele and Walter L. Fisher are particularly strong. Roosevelt asks Woodruff what conclusions he draws from the primaries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-27
President Roosevelt congratulates W. Sloan Simpson’s father, John Nicholas Simpson, and has invited him to lunch. Despite not being able to elect his ticket, Roosevelt is certain Sloan Simpson will make a good showing and looks forward to it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-21
President Roosevelt requests that Frank H. Hitchcock consult with Shepherd and Langfeld about an issue. In a postscript, Roosevelt includes the text of a recent report from Jacob A. Riis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-21
President Roosevelt tells Thomas Sturgis that he receives many letters for and against the renomination of Charles Evans Hughes as governor of New York. Clergy, the wealthy and educated people seem to be for him, but working people are against him. Roosevelt wants the people to decide who receives the nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-14
President Roosevelt discusses strategies regarding the re-nomination of Charles Evans Hughes as governor of New York with William H. Taft. Roosevelt’s main concern is that if Taft interferes in the process, he risks losing the good will of the leadership in New York, as feelings for and against Hughes are running high. Hughes himself has crossed Roosevelt in the past. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt says if he is called upon to act in the matter it will be a “bad business either way.” In a lengthy typewritten postscript, Roosevelt chides Taft for sending John Donovan, who is organizing a military tournament and wishes Roosevelt to address the gathering, without warning him. Roosevelt must have time to carefully consider every speech and appearance he is asked to make.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-14
President Roosevelt shares his confidential thoughts on support for and against the renomination of Charles Evans Hughs for governor of New York with Nathaniel H. Levi. Roosevelt says clergy and philanthropists seem to be for Hughes while business interests are not. Roosevelt wants the people to decide whom to nominate but is unsure what that desire is.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-14
President Roosevelt discusses his thoughts concerning the renomination of Charles Evans Hughes as governor of New York with Samuel W. Marvin. Roosevelt says that if Hughes is renominated, the Republicans will lose the votes of of working men, but if he is not, then they will lose the votes of “cultivated people.” Roosevelt doubts his interference in the matter would be welcome by party leaders and feels strongly that the people should decide whom to nominate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-14
President Roosevelt asks Bartlett B. Grippin how the delegates from Saratoga County will vote regarding the renomination of Charles Evans Hughes for governor of New York. Roosevelt is reluctant to become involved in the matter and feels strongly the will of the people should be followed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-14
President Roosevelt assures Benedict R. Hatmaker he is not overzealous and will share his letter with party leaders Roosevelt is meeting today.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-13
President Roosevelt agrees with Mayor Burkhart and will bring the matter up with party officials with whom he is meeting today. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt says the situation is very perplexing, most likely referring to the renomination of Charles Evans Hughes as governor of New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-13
President Roosevelt encourages William H. Taft to accept a substantial campaign contribution from William Nelson Cromwell, and to have him serve on an advisory board. Roosevelt points out that Elihu Root made a large contribution to his campaign in 1904, but that did not stop him from appointing Root Secretary of State when the opportunity arose.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-07
President Roosevelt hopes he made it clear in his last letter to Lawrence F. Abbott that he disagreed with the part of the Labor World article about his running for a third term. He has “moved heaven and earth” to prevent his renomination and believes Secretary of War William H. Taft will be nominated on the first ballot. Roosevelt does not feel Abbott can understand how much work he has put into preventing his renomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-24
President Roosevelt tells John Carter Rose, the US Attorney for District of Maryland, that he appreciates the editorial her forwarded from the Times, and was proud of the election of the Republican Congress. Roosevelt bemoans that the congressmen who have won their seats based on riding his coattails have later attempted to thwart him, but also notes that it has happened to every other president before him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-21
President Roosevelt greatly admires William H. Lewis and believes any man loyal to the principles of the Republican party should support him. Unfortunately, Roosevelt cannot interfere in any local political contests.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-12
Senator Platt and the “Republican machine” are doing everything they can to see that Seth Low is elected. Roosevelt will need to talk to Low about the Brooklyn, New York, post office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-07
President Roosevelt regrets that he cannot take part in Senator Foraker’s reelection campaign. After the election, Roosevelt would like to see Foraker to discuss several matters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-30
William H. H. Llewellyn thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his words on Ralph Emerson Twitchell’s book. Llewellyn updates Roosevelt on the process for making a new state, and he states that David J. Leahy is on the ticket in Las Vegas, Nevada for district judge. Llewellyn also updates Roosevelt on the construction of dam and various political happenings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-14
Ernest Harvier tells Theodore Roosevelt that Roosevelt’s “insurgent friends” saw wins in a recent California election and encloses a newspaper clipping from a Los Angeles newspaper that recognizes the Theodore Roosevelt Dam. He hopes Roosevelt does not get involved with a local canvass, which Harvier disagrees with.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-14
Charles C. Bull writes to Theodore Roosevelt about progress on the Panama Canal construction, which he says is going well. He states his opinion that though he opposes “white slaves traffic,” as by law women cannot be brought across country lines for “immoral” purposes, he says there is a problem in Panama where there are too many canal workers and too few prostitutes, and the prostitutes that are there have venereal diseases. Bull thinks there needs to be a way to bring (specifically white) prostitutes who have freely chosen the vocation to Panama and to have better health monitoring. He discusses San Francisco politics and greater U.S. politics, stating he will not support William H. Taft and he does not think the Republican Party will do well the next couple of terms, so he hopes the Democratic Party runs a presidential candidate he does not dislike too much so he does not have to vote Socialist. Lastly, he believes part of the Panama Canal construction area is not well fortified and is vulnerable to potential attack.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-14
Moses A. Gunst emphasizes his loyalty to Theodore Roosevelt. In Gunst’s opinion, William H. Taft will be nominated for U.S. President but will not win the election. Gunst summarizes recent San Francisco and wider California election results, and says he hopes to see Roosevelt in San Francisco soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-13