Your TR Source
President Roosevelt sends Representative J. S. Sherman a letter from the offices of American Federation of Labor President Samuel Gompers that should be considered by those working on labor matters, and a letter from Senator Thomas Henry Carter with suggestions for the Republican National Committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-03
Charles J. Bonaparte reports on possible nominees for postmaster in Baltimore. William F. Stone, Representative Wachter, and Senator McComas are in disagreement about the appointment. Bonaparte congratulates President Roosevelt on the recent election results. Bonaparte will be casting the electoral vote for Maryland. He mentions a court case involving McGregor who has been convicted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-22
President Roosevelt, holding the big stick, and the “Republican Party” skate on the “electoral college pond” outside the United States Capitol building. “Southern (and lonely) democracy” looks on, as the “Republican Party” says, “Delighted to have you skate with us.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-10
In one vignette, David B. Hill jumps into a “Wolfert’s Roost” tree with a sign that reads, “I really couldn’t wait until Jan. 1.” In the second, “the silent voter” sphinx shouts, “Roosevelt!” from a megaphone as Alton B. Parker runs away. In a third vignette, Chair of the Republican National Committee George B. Cortelyou tells Chair of the Democratic National Committee Thomas Taggart, “Kindly make allowances for me, Tom, as this was my first campaign.” In the fourth, President Roosevelt looks at a Republican elephant who holds a scroll that reads, “339 + electoral votes.” The elephant says, “Theodore, you’ve established a hard record for me to keep up with.” In the fifth, Henry Gassaway Davis opens a fence as West Virginia Senator Stephen B. Elkins rushes toward him and says, “Welcome home, pop!” In the sixth, Williams Jennings Bryan looks at a piecemeal donkey and says, “I guess there’s enough to work on.” In the seventh, “Southern democracy” looks at the shoes of “Northern democracy” stuck in a snowdrift and says, “Nothin’ but de feet!” In the eighth, Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon looks through binoculars and says, “Wanted! A few minority members for House committees.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-13
President Roosevelt reports that members of the Electoral College have arrived to cast their votes and the Elector from Montana is his old friend Arthur William Merrifield. Roosevelt had Merrifield and his wife to lunch and tea. Roosevelt and Ted continue to box with Grant the wrestler. Little Corinne Robinson and friends have arrived for the diplomatic dinner, and Archie and Quentin have the grip. One of the horses will have to retire to Wilmer’s farm.
1905-01-23
J. C. McKnight asks William Loeb to inform President Roosevelt of the information from G. Smith concerning Samuel Decker Coykendall being offered the position of elector.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-20
President Roosevelt enjoyed reading the book by George Otto Trevelyan’s son, George Macaulay Trevelyan, and comments that he finds reading a great comfort, a “dissipation which I have to sometimes try to avoid, instead of an irksome duty.” The presidential campaign is now opening and Roosevelt has been told he will be nominated without opposition, although he does not know who the Democrats will nominate and what the ultimate result of the election will be. Roosevelt feels that the American system of government is somewhat inferior to the British system in that “the Presidential office tends to put a premium upon a man’s keeping out of trouble rather than upon his accomplishing results,” whereas this is not as much the case for Prime Ministers. Roosevelt feels that his actions in ending the anthracite coal strike, and his dealings in Cuba and Panama, speak for themselves and have been for the good of the American people, but he knows that his actions have also earned him opponents.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-28
Louis Teuscher’s letter regarding Theodore Roosevelt’s potential support for ending the electoral college has been forwarded to Frank Harper. Roosevelt has never addressed this issue and will not do so during the campaign. He is representing the Progressive Party and their platform, which makes no mention of altering the electoral college.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-31
Theodore Roosevelt firmly tells Stanley Johnson that none of his followers would vote for President Taft in or out of the electoral college.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-01
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased by Albert Shaw’s writing in the Review of Reviews. Roosevelt discusses his views of the Progressive Party as a new party comparable to the Republican Party after it broke away from the Whig Party. Roosevelt discusses the Progressive Party running as a third party and also agrees with Shaw about the Vice-Presidency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-03
Theodore Roosevelt discusses the Mormon Church with Isaac Russell. Roosevelt responds to charges that he had negotiated secret deals with the Mormon leadership while President.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-17
President Roosevelt is pleased with what he heard from Roy Owen West. He believes that William H. Taft will be elected with about the same electoral vote as four years ago.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-13
President Roosevelt looks forward to reading J. Hampden Dougherty’s book on the electoral system of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-09
President Roosevelt thanks Senator Carter for his courtesy regarding the marshalship in Montana. Roosevelt would not have spoken on behalf of Arthur William Merrifield if he had not been one of the electors at large, who was sent to Washington to cast the electoral vote on behalf of Montana.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-30
President Roosevelt updates his son, Kermit Roosevelt, on recent happenings. Surprisingly, the presidential elector from Montana was his friend and former ranch foreman, Arthur William Merrifield. He describes his and Ted Roosevelt”s continued boxing matches with Joseph Grant. Archibald and Quentin are recovering from “grip.” Unfortunately, Edith’s horse Yagenka may no longer be ridable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-23
President Roosevelt was surprised by the 33,000 majority in Colorado. Roosevelt mentions his wish to go on a bear hunt in the spring, and asks Philip Battell Stewart if John B. Goff is the right man for the job.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-19
President Roosevelt wishes the letter from William Eleroy Curtis would be published. Roosevelt expresses concern over the votes from Washington state.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-22
President Roosevelt confesses to Senator William Body Allison that he has not heard of any suggestions concerning Major Edwin Conger and is relieved at the break in the deadlock in Illinois.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-06
President Roosevelt finds reading a great comfort, a “dissipation which I have to sometimes try to avoid, instead of an irksome duty.” Roosevelt mentions that the presidential campaign is now opening and he will be nominated without opposition. He points out an inferiority with the American electoral system in comparison to the British system. Roosevelt feels his actions in ending the anthracite coal strike, and his dealings in Cuba and Panama, speak for themselves and the “rest must take care of itself.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-28
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