Federal government

Lee C. Spooner believes Americans share the sentiment that poverty can and must be abolished and proposes how this can be accomplished, primarily by turning competition into cooperation. He argues that the laborers are the enemy of the republic, as they either turn to crime or revolution. To feel the responsibility of citizenship, the laborer must first own property. Spooner proposes they be granted a one-acre, suburban tract of land with a house through a federal initiative. Next, the prohibition of liquor will prevent laborers from wasting their earnings. Instead, they can then invest their earnings in federally regulated trusts. This redistribution of wealth will bring “socialism by purchase” and the end of poverty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-19

Creator(s)

Spooner, Lee C. (Lee Cordova), 1863-1955

President Roosevelt writes to Arthur W. Lewis, Director of Concessions for Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, regarding the issue of elk conservation. Unfortunately, the states must control the issue, and the federal government is already doing all it can by creating spaces like Yellowstone Park.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks Margaret Olivia Sage for her generous gift to the nation. He sent her letter to Secretary of War Luke E. Wright to take whatever action is necessary “in order to consummate the gift.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt hopes to speak with Howard Richards soon, and if he is able to, will gladly write an article for The Outlook based on Lyman Abbott’s considerations. While he did not appreciate Woodrow Wilson’s standings on recent issues, Roosevelt feels the quote from his book “is a really first class piece.” Roosevelt will inquire if the federal government has the power to act in the case mentioned by Abbott’s son’s brother-in-law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is uncertain what to make of Representative William S. Bennet’s letter but sends it to Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou because of what it says about laborers. Roosevelt has also received a letter from the Kansas Law Department concerning the federal government’s role in regulating the sale of liquor. He asks Cortelyou for his opinion on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt disagrees with the Nebraska Republican Party’s platform, as he believes the restrictions it proposes placing on the federal judiciary would be tantamount to eliminating the federal government. The resolution is as bad as secession, even if it was well-intentioned. He does not want Senator Burkett to publish his letter and bring greater attention to the matter, but he may share it with leaders of the convention as needed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt encloses the letter that he sent to Senator Thomas S. Martin, and asks Harriet T. O’Brien Stevens to show it to Senator Isidor Rayner. If Mr. Lackey is employed by the federal government, Roosevelt will ensure that he retains his position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Walter A. Rice asks Theodore Roosevelt whether he supports federal supervision of fraternal insurance societies. Rice outlines the challenges these organizations face under inconsistent state regulations and argues that national oversight would reduce administrative burdens and benefit millions of members.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-12

Creator(s)

Rice, Walter A. (Walter Allen), 1858-

Supreme Court Justice Moody presents President Roosevelt with some general rules of constitutional interpretation in light of his understanding of Charles Fremont Amidon’s speech. Moody mentions how interstate commerce has changed in recent years and that the courts must determine what commerce is national, what is local, and what role the nation has in it. Moody encourages Roosevelt to strike all reference to Amidon’s speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-09

Creator(s)

Moody, William H. (William Henry), 1853-1917

Interstate Commerce Commissioner Prouty believes that the federal government should not establish interstate commerce rates at this time. Some states would bitterly stand against President Roosevelt should he change these policies. States in the South and West, in particular, are confident that the states are already charging fair rates and the national government will increase those rates.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-16

Creator(s)

Prouty, Charles A. (Charles Azro), 1853-1921

Nicholas Murray Butler informs Theodore Roosevelt of the general good feeling towards Roosevelt at a luncheon attended by Butler and southern politicians. Butler stresses that Roosevelt’s standing in the South has greatly improved upon his reelection and suggests some steps Roosevelt can take to cement that relationship.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-16

Creator(s)

Butler, Nicholas Murray, 1862-1947

President Roosevelt holds a vicious-looking dog labeled “federal law” as men labeled “corporation,” “business,” “combination,” “wealth,” and “enterprise” run away or hide. Caption: President Roosevelt — “Don’t be afraid, gentlemen; he will hurt only the crooks.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-08

A “railroad magnate” sits in a tree with a top hat labeled “railroad” stuck to a branch. He says, “For heavens sake Theodore, save me!” as a bear below him labeled “state law” growls, “two cents – mile.” President Roosevelt, armed with a gun labeled “federal law,” marches away from Washington and toward the tree. There is a sign in the foreground that says, “No trespassing on these grounds.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-23

President Roosevelt holds strings attached to four bears and holds a “Wash. D.C.” suitcase as he marches toward a “labor” man. The “labor” man is leaning up against a book entitled “the law” and holds a “protest against federal interference” paper. Caption: The President: “Uphold law and order and there’ll be no need of federal troops.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-11

Creator(s)

Mahony, Felix, 1867-1939

At Senator Ferris’ request, Theodore Roosevelt lays out tentative suggestions for developing waterpower within New York state. Any such plan needs to be comprehensive and definite to prevent monopoly, ensure reasonable consumer rates, and provide for prompt, orderly development. He prefers a private development system and leasing water rights rather than government ownership. However, such a plan is not usually feasible. Therefore, it would be wise for the state to construct, own, and maintain the necessary dams and storage reservoirs. Waterpower development should be for the common good, not for the interest of a few, and it is only possible through cooperation between the state and federal governments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

On his last day in office, President Roosevelt will sign the Sundry Civil Bill, but he expresses extreme reservations about Section 9 of the bill. The section would prohibit the use of government funds or clerks to help the work of commissions and boards that were not specifically authorized by Congress. Roosevelt is particularly concerned about the effect this would have on bodies appointed by the executive, such as the Conservation Commission and the Country Life Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thinks that if a permanent waterways commission were to be created, then Allen W. Thurman would be a good person to be a part of it. He knows that Thurman would not expect him to commit himself out of hand or without evaluating all options though. Roosevelt agrees with Thurman about migratory birds and spring shooting, but says that if he mentions federal action on the subject he would simply “incite a yell about [his] desire for centralization.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt encloses a letter from the Inland Waterways Commission following his request for a statement regarding the rights of Washington, D.C., and the federal government in relation to local and interstate waters. The Commission would like the statement to be expanded to cover the respective rights of states, people, and the government in other areas of the country. He instructs Attorney General Bonaparte to expand the statement as requested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt agrees with Reuben D. Silliman that the actions of the government are driven by “aggressiveness.” Rather, it is because the business of the country has become national. He will mention Silliman’s letter to Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte to see whether the case can be argued again.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes that Judge Anderson is a judge after his own heart. The regulation of corporate abuses, like the ones Anderson speaks of, must come from the Federal Government. The two obstacles are the desire to maintain inadequate regulation and the well-meaning people who foolishly focus on radical action in some states rather than practical action that can be effective nationally.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919