Gage, Lyman J. (Lyman Judson), 1836-1927

President Roosevelt looks on as members of his 1906 cabinet laugh at papers with the heading, “Storer.” One chair is empty, and there are pictures on the wall of Postmaster General Charles Emory Smith, Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long, Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage, and Attorney General Philander C. Knox, all from 1901.

comments and context

Comments and Context

This political cartoon by Clifford Kennedy Berryman, with its typically awkward depictions of public figures, addresses not the general composition of President Roosevelt’s cabinet, although it was within a week of this cartoon that Oscar S. Strauss succeeded George B. Cortelyou as Secretary of Commerce and Labor, the latter moving to the Treasure portfolio.

President Roosevelt removes Wilbur Fisk Wakeman from his position as Appraiser of Merchandise in New York City, effective December 23. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-20

President Roosevelt informs Senator Wolcott that following their conversation, he received unfavorable reports from Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage about both Henry Brady and Frank W. Howbert. He has also heard from various men in Denver that Brady and Howbert are the cause of much of the local discontent with the Republican party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-15

Theodore Roosevelt tells Professor Smith that Roosevelt did make his proposal to McKinley at a Cabinet meeting and that R. A. Alger supported it, and Lyman J. Gage did not. Roosevelt thinks highly of the “Carnegie Peace Endowment” since they have ordered extra copies of Smith’s article.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-03

President Roosevelt outlines and refutes the falsehoods in Alfred Holt Stone’s Studies in the American Race Problem. He tells John Graham Brooks that he judges a work’s reliability by seeing what it says about a subject he is familiar with, and then deciding if he can trust it on things that he does not know as much about. He explains that Stone is spreading falsehoods about the so-called “referee” system in the Southern states, especially Mississippi. Roosevelt points out that the practice was common with presidents before him, and that it is necessary in areas where the Republican party does not have a strong enough presence to provide good appointees to positions. He also discusses his handling of the case of African American postmistress Minnie M. Geddings Cox, who was forced by an angry mob to resign her position and leave town.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-13

President Roosevelt wishes that he could be present at the dinner in honor of former Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage. Roosevelt holds Gage in high regard as a public servant.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-05

President Roosevelt is pleased Governor Shaw has accepted the position of Secretary of the Treasury. Roosevelt would like to meet with Shaw in person and will find out from outgoing Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage when he plans to resign. Roosevelt believes it will be some time in February.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-26

President Roosevelt wishes to make clear that he did not promise Senator Mitchell the Alaska collectorship. Roosevelt asserts that the only promised appointment he spoke to Mitchell about was that of George W. Bibee. Roosevelt will carefully read Mitchell’s letter, then will plan to meet with Mitchell and Senator Simon together.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-12

William Howell informs A. W. B. Bogan that Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt will not return to the office before the end of the month. He explains that the Revenue-Cutter Service is part of the Department of the Treasury, not the Navy Department, and suggests that Bogan write to Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. G

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-10-18

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs John Du Fais that James K. Taylor was appointed the Supervising Architect of the Treasury. He wishes he had seen Du Fais’s letter earlier, although it is doubtful that he could have helped Du Fais’s friend secure the appointment since it was outside of his department. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-10-25

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt is glad to help John A. Butler, Special Inspector of Customs. He asks if he should wait for the new Collector of Customs or write directly to Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-05

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs William G. Spencer that he will try to see Spalding, Jordan, or Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage about the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-04-26

John Appleton Stewart’s Morrisville State School will be dedicated on May 26. He invites Theodore Roosevelt to accompany him and other men on a drive through the New York countryside before speaking at the school.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-27

John E. Wilkie reports on the recent debates in the House Committee on Appropriations surrounding the Secret Service’s payment and involvement in land fraud cases. Wilkie outlines and refutes the claims made by some committee members, including Representatives John A. Tawney, Joseph S. Sherley, and William I. Smith. He concludes with the observation that the committee members “alone were responsible” for the state of Congress and that “no executive officer” is to blame.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-08

In his speech on banking and currency, Andrew Carnegie compares the government bond-backed American banking system to the gold-backed European and Canadian systems and advocates for a switch from bonds to gold in American banks. Bonds are not a stable backing for currency and war could cause values to fluctuate. Carnegie is in favor of slowly, gradually, and cautiously switching to the gold standard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-14

The Lincoln Farm Association invites Theodore Roosevelt to attend the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial Hall. Includes a card about special trains, an invitation from Governor Augustus Everett Willson, and a list of officers and trustees of the Lincoln Farm Association.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-09

Harold Irwin Cleveland congratulates President Roosevelt on his time in office. He thinks the West is still shocked about the appointment of Postmaster Henry C. Payne, but trusts that Roosevelt’s choice is right. He shares that Paul Morton is pleased with Roosevelt’s take on irrigation, and George Ogden is also regularly saying good things. Jack Raftery, now at the St. Louis Exposition, is still loyal. Cleveland hears that Roosevelt is “shaking the dry bones up in fine style”, but also hears that Secretary Lyman J. Gage and Secretary Wilson behave quite anxiously. He feels that Roosevelt will go forth in courage and honesty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-20

William F. King recommends that attorney William Wickham Smith be generously remunerated for “the successful work that he has accomplished” in the Japanese silk fraud case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-22

Henry H. Smith asks President Roosevelt to delay submitting Smith’s communication to Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage. He assures Roosevelt he does not have any quarrels with George R. Bidwell; however, Bidwell has led Gage astray on certain issues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-21

Composite photograph showing President Roosevelt with members of his cabinet seated and standing around a table.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-11-16