Governors--Nomination

President Roosevelt writes to Chairman Frank H. Hitchcock of the Republican National Committee regarding T. Coleman Du Pont, head of the National Republican Committee Bureau of Campaign Speakers. Roosevelt believes Du Pont’s resignation would have had a better effect if it had happened when initially suggested. He instructs Hitchcock to guard against the opposition’s use of the situation in their campaign and explains the differences in the seemingly similar cases of Du Pont and Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell. There has been distressing feedback from New York State, especially concerning the renomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes and the dissatisfaction of the labor crowd, and Roosevelt outlines persons who should be brought in to assist with securing New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-26

President Roosevelt heartily approves of Representative Longworth’s speech and hopes it will be distributed widely. Roosevelt is pleased that his fight for the nomination of New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes paid off, but he is disappointed in the way William H. Taft’s campaign is going, and lists a few of the men he thinks could be responsible. He is anxious to see Taft show more investment and take a swing at Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, but he does not want to steal the spotlight by interfering too much.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

President Roosevelt explains to Charles H. Betts that he and Secretary of State Elihu Root knew it was crucial that they fight for the renomination of New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, and he is glad Betts has come around on the topic. Now Roosevelt feels they must work on the larger ticket.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

President Roosevelt thanks Reverend James W. Cool for his letter. Although Roosevelt was hesitant to step in and involve himself with the renomination of New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, he felt that in light of his feelings on the matter it was his duty to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-19

President Roosevelt does not know how to handle Charles H. Young’s suggestion. Although he recently interfered to help renominate New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, he really should not have, and he cannot keep bringing things up to the State or National Republican Committees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-17

President Roosevelt congratulates New York Lieutenant Governor Woodruff’s actions in helping New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes achieve renomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-16

President Roosevelt thinks William L. Ward acted wisely in assisting with the renomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-16

President Roosevelt is glad William H. Taft has been going after William Jennings Bryan in the right way. Even though Governor Charles Evans Hughes remains spiteful, Roosevelt is pleased with his renomination. Roosevelt feels they will do well in most states, but cautions against taking chances. Letters are still coming in against Taft’s golfing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

President Roosevelt appreciates that Francis J. Hendricks supported the nomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes, and is glad that Senator Horace White was also nominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-16

President Roosevelt congratulates New York Governor Hughes on his renomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-16

President Roosevelt appreciates Representative Fassett’s patriotic support of Governor Charles Evans Hughes, even after their initial disagreements on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-16

President Roosevelt is pleased that William Barnes, Surveyor of Customs for Port of Albany, helped Governor Charles Evans Hughes achieve nomination. Roosevelt hopes to see Barnes in Washington, D.C., after the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-16

President Roosevelt requests that Secretary of State Root address the extradition “of certain alleged political offenders” to Russia. Currently, he is not pleased with the campaign, especially with the revival of the liquor agitation. Additionally, he feels that the Republican National Committee is not well handled. Given William H. Taft’s record and personality, Roosevelt cannot understand why Taft is not more popular. He is still convinced that New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-05

President Roosevelt considers New York Supreme Court Justice Clearwater’s letter important and has sent it to Frank H. Hitchcock with instructions. Even though Governor Charles Evans Hughes has upset many statesmen, Roosevelt believes it is necessary to renominate him as it will cause damage not to.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-05

President Roosevelt is interested in New York Secretary of State O’Brien’s letter. He feels that while renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes will cause damage, it will be more damaging not to renominate him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-04

President Roosevelt thanks Representative Fassett for the interesting letter. He believes it would be a mistake not to renominate Governor Charles Evans Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-04

President Roosevelt agrees with Lieutenant Governor Woodruff’s assessment of Governor Charles Evans Hughes’s personal and political conduct. Ordinarily, he agrees it would be unwise to nominate such a candidate, but in this situation he believes more trouble will result if Hughes is not renominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-03

President Roosevelt details to Senator Lodge the difficulties in renominating New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Roosevelt has accepted George Nathaniel Curzon’s invitation to present the Romanes Lecture at the University of Oxford upon returning from Africa. He sends his regards to Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-02

President Roosevelt informs Brander Matthews he is doing all he can to secure Governor Charles Evans Hughes’ renomination. He believes he will succeed but is not certain, as Hughes has weaknesses, and his actions have insulted many politicians.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-01

After reviewing the matter, President Roosevelt believes Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated. While nominating him will cause damage, Roosevelt believes not renominating Hughes will cause more damage as it will alienate party members. As with William H. Taft, he will not try to dictate Hughes’ nomination, but feels he has the right to express his personal judgement to friends such as Ambassador Francis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-31