Gompers, Samuel, 1850-1924

President Roosevelt discusses the best strategies for Republican victories in the upcoming elections in New York with Representative Parsons. Roosevelt believes that gubernatorial candidate Charles Evans Hughes represents his policies “as regards internal affairs of the nation” and sees the possible election of William Randolph Hearst “as a smashing defeat.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-14

President Roosevelt discusses the best strategies for Republican victories in the upcoming elections in New York with Representative Sherman. Roosevelt believes that gubernatorial candidate Charles Evans Hughes represents his policies “as regards internal affairs of the nation” and sees the possible election of William Randolph Hearst “as a smashing defeat.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-14

President Roosevelt details various strategies for the Republican candidates in the upcoming elections in New York to Lieutenant Governor of New York and New York Republican State Committee Chairman Woodruff. Roosevelt believes William Randolph Hearst will carry votes in Upstate New York, therefore the focus should not be only on the cities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-04

President Roosevelt is concerned over the accusations made by Edward Henry Harriman, a prominent railroad executive, particularly a “wilful untruth” concerning a request to raise money for the Republican party during the 1904 presidential campaign. Roosevelt tells Representative Sherman that he believes the dispute with Harriman stems from a dissatisfaction with regulations made on interstate commerce, particularly affecting railroads. Harriman is also disappointed that Roosevelt failed to appoint Senator Chauncey M. Depew as Ambassador to France as he had requested, and refuses to support the Republican party as long as Roosevelt’s policies dominate. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-08

President Roosevelt finds “quiet but deep satisfaction” in the Samuel Gompers and Sydney Emanuel Mudd affair. He updates Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte on Clarence C. Pusey taking office and gives guidance on handling Mary Tayloe Key. In a postscript, Roosevelt comments on the situation in Cuba and discusses presenting a naval medal of honor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

President Roosevelt sent Speaker of the House Cannon’s letter to Frank P. Sargent and Edgar E. Clark. He suggests Cannon write to Senator Boies Penrose about the John Mitchell matter. Going forward, Roosevelt directs Cannon to be careful about directly attacking labor leader Samuel Gompers and instead emphasize the administration’s recent accomplishments on behalf of labor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-17

President Roosevelt is pleased with how Secretary of Agriculture Wilson is handling the packing men. The Congressional situation in Iowa concerns him. He comments on the political conditions in various states, concluding that upsets in local matters will lead to suffering in the general government. He feels Congress was unwise in its treatment of the labor people. Roosevelt believes “in refusing any unjust demand on labor just as quickly” as any such demands on capital.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-11

President Roosevelt hopes the movement mentioned by Representative Gardner will have some effect. Most of Roosevelt’s information indicates that the political movement to restrict immigration proved harmful. Gardner’s fight with Senator George A. Schofield concerns Roosevelt, as does Samuel Gompers’s attitude.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-04

President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Moody to look into some matters that Samuel Gompers mentions in an enclosed letter. Roosevelt was made uncomfortable by a recent decision by Judge Wendell Phillips Stafford forbidding striking printers from peacefully persuading other printers to join the union and support the strike. While Roosevelt is willing to take any action to prevent violence and mob rule, he also feels that they should do their best “to minimize the chance of having any operation of the law turn into an engine of oppression against the wage workers.” He suggests Moody consult Commissioner of Labor Charles Patrick Neill and Thomas Carl Spelling, counsel for the American Federation of labor, on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-12

Secretary of State Taft offers Theodore Roosevelt feedback on Roosevelt’s letter to Watson. Taft does not think it wise for Roosevelt to equate support for an investigation into the Panama Canal and support for a sea-level canal, solely with people who oppose the canal. Taft also does not think that Roosevelt should include those who oppose the canal with those who oppose the San Domingo treaty, which he thinks will be passed next winter, if Roosevelt handles the political situation correctly. Roosevelt should call public attention to “the wonderful record of the present Congress” through a letter to pressure Congress to ease its resistance. Taft also believes Roosevelt should include a line citing the need for stronger government regulations to protect the working classes from “abuses by organization of power” in connection with Congress’s current resistance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-14

President Roosevelt thanks Senator Beveridge and asks him to convey his appreciation to Frederick Rooker. Roosevelt will not take up the case against Miller because the allegations of immortality are not in good faith but are a means to remove Miller as a non-union man.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-26

President Roosevelt claims that labor leaders are misrepresenting his statements and provides the facts in the Delaware case. Roosevelt also asks L. Clarke Davis to look to his actions and speeches to get the facts. Roosevelt also gives examples on corruptions that began before he was in office and how he is trying to stop them and remove the responsible people from office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-05

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-07

Creator(s)

Tomlinson, A. D.

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Charles Dwight Willard sends Theodore Roosevelt newspaper clippings and a detailed letter criticizing the Los Angeles Times, its publisher, Harrison Gray Otis, and the political protection Otis allegedly receives. Willard discusses the recent indictment of Otis and two staff members for publishing indecent content, the moral and legal implications, the reaction of local authorities, and broader issues of press ethics, censorship, and home rule in California. He also comments on Associated Press bias, utility board rulings, and the political atmosphere in San Francisco.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-08

E. A. Stowe discloses to Theodore Roosevelt his admiration for him. However, he is disappointed by Roosevelt’s recent article on Elwell S. Otis, and was further disappointed by his usage of Samuel Gompers.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-20

Howard H. Gross writes to Theodore Roosevelt concerning the National Soil Conservation and Welfare League, as he hopes to conduct a ten-year campaign, if necessary, to promote agriculture and raise sentiment to gain funds from the state and national treasury. Gross hopes to get trained agriculturist in all agricultural counties to assist farmers. Gross invites Roosevelt to join the advisory committee of the organization. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-14

J. Anthony Starke discusses the pamphlet and subsequent book he wrote on political reform. With some revision, proper sponsorship, and financial backing, he feels it could be widely circulated for educating the public on “the drift away from a sound ideal” of politics. He suggests Theodore Roosevelt could use the book as an “incognito mouthpiece” of New Nationalism.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-22

Thomas J. Dolan thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his offer to write to Illinois Governor Charles Samuel Deneen about Edward McCann. He forwards letters from several men involved in labor movements which he says will convey the general feeling of the movement towards “this atrocious proceeding against McCann.” Roosevelt can either write directly to Deneen about the matter, or send Dolan the letter to pass along to the correct people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-27

Seth Low outlines the difficulties he and Charles Nagel have had conducting business for the Foundation for the Promotion of Industrial Peace members since the board members are either public officials or live across the country. Such conditions make it challenging to organize a meeting. Meanwhile, the Fund does not produce enough income for a great expenditure in a year. Low suggests Theodore Roosevelt permit the Fund’s income to be made useful through the National Civic Federation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-23

Attorney General Bonaparte wishes President Roosevelt a merry Christmas, and offers his opinion about how to proceed regarding the recent sentencing of Samuel Gompers. While Roosevelt has the power to pardon Gompers, Bonaparte says that to do so would be inappropriate while an appeal is pending, and so any requests for Roosevelt to pardon Gompers at this point would be premature. Bonaparte remarks confidentially that from his current understanding of the case, the sentences imposed by Judge Daniel Thew Wright are much too severe, even though he does not hold any sympathy for Gompers’s case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-25