Your TR Source
President Roosevelt feels similarly to Howard Allen Bridgman that Governor of Puerto Rico Regis Henri Post made a grave error, it was a lapse in speech and does not reflect his thoughts. The one mistake should be considered alongside five years of superior service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-29
President Roosevelt is reluctant to tell Puerto Rico Governor Post that he has seen reports about Post’s controversial address to a conference of school superintendents. These remarks have caused great concern and Roosevelt has consulted with former Governor of Puerto Rico Beekman Winthrop, Secretary of the Interior James R. Garfield, and Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte over the matter. If Post can deny all the remarks, Roosevelt will conduct an investigation to clear him. However, if the reports are substantially true, Post should resign, as it would be doubtful he would be confirmed as governor by the Senate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-02
President Roosevelt does not know what to say about a conversation Senator Lodge had with Governor Curtis Guild about railroad mergers in Massachusetts, but suggests that Lodge tell Guild that Roosevelt acted at Lodge’s request.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-17
President Roosevelt accepts Herbert J. Hagerman’s resignation as Governor of New Mexico Territory. Roosevelt believes that Hagerman has done good for the territory and assures him that he does not doubt his personal integrity. While Roosevelt does not think it is in the interest of the public to allow him to continue as governor, he believes he could do well in other positions of public service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-29
President Roosevelt admires how George Otto Trevelyan handled matters with Jamaica Governor James A. Swettenham. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt gifted Roosevelt a volume of Rennell Rodd’s histography, with the Frankish occupation of Greece being of particular interest to him. While he admires the “American money-maker” that contributes to the betterment of all society, he cannot say the same of a wealthy man who has made that money with little to no moral compass.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-10
President Roosevelt asks Governor Heyward if the enclosed message is satisfactory. In a postscript, Roosevelt clarifies that he can only write to his own officials concerning Heyward’s favor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-29
President Roosevelt tells Homer Folks he is welcome to show this letter to Governor-elect Charles Evans Hughes. While Roosevelt was governor of New York, he found Folks to be of great help to him and greatly values his work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-28
President Roosevelt finds Jacob Gould Schurman, Chairman of the US Philippine Commission, has insightfully stated his own views and showed Schurman’s letter to Representative Herbert Parsons. He asks Schurman to tell Charles Evans Hughes not to commit to the governorship until he can speak to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-01
President Roosevelt attempts to calm Oklahoma Governor Frantz, and advises him to act deliberately in gathering affidavits showing what William J. Burns is supposedly charging him with, instead of making wild accusations. When Roosevelt heard from Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock that there were potential charges being levied against Frantz, he felt sure that the charges would not be justified, but advised Hitchcock to nevertheless investigate. Roosevelt assures Frantz that it would require proof of Frantz’s supposed misdeeds for Roosevelt to believe that he was guilty, and says that he will not help his case by acting rashly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-03
President Roosevelt asks Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Burford to speak with Oklahoma Governor Frank C. Frantz and read the letter Roosevelt recently sent Frantz. Roosevelt promises to not believe any charges against Frantz unless they are proven beyond any doubt, and will punish secret service agent William J. Burns if he has indeed been acting as Burford has written. He wants written statements and affidavits he can use and publish either showing Frantz’s innocence and character, or showing evidence of wrongdoing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-04
President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Moody if it would be possible to send some people to Alaska to investigate North Dakota Senator Porter J. McCumber’s allegations against Alaska District Judge James Wickersham. Roosevelt mentions he may also ask Moody to send some men to Oklahoma to investigate the situation there, as Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock has taken a disliking to Oklahoma Governor Frank C. Frantz and has sent an agent to investigate him who in the past has made a “yellow-magazine report.” He does not wish these sorts of investigations to become over-zealous. Roosevelt does not wish to interrupt Moody’s vacation, but asks him to find out about these two matters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-06
President Roosevelt tells Archbishop Blenk that he hopes to keep Beekman Winthop in his position as Governor of Puerto Rico for as long as he will stay, potentially through the entirety of Roosevelt’s presidency. If Winthrop moves on, Roosevelt feels that Puerto Rican Secretary of State Regis Henri Post should be his successor. He asks Blenk to write to him confidentially if Roosevelt’s impression of Post is incorrect.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-11
President Roosevelt regretfully informs Governor Montague that he and Edith cannot stay with him in Virginia because they cannot stay with the governor in one capitol without doing it in all the others they are visiting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-02
President Roosevelt tells Felix Agnus the men who “did yeoman service in the last campaign” are known for accusations regarding the governorship, Maryland Senator Louis E. McComas, and Maryland Representative Frank Charles Wachter. However, these accusations are minor in comparison to those made in connection with the “post office matter.” Roosevelt does not give credence to these accusations, saying, “I have heard no question of the fact that the man whom I have nominated will make an excellent postmaster.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-27
President Roosevelt expresses his grief about Governor Bates’s defeat, and believes that Bates can feel satisfied that he did his duty, no matter the consequences.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-10
President Roosevelt thanks Major Bridgman and Squadron A of the New York National Guard, and has made the request for them to be his personal escort. Roosevelt may also have members of the Rough Rider Regiment as part of the escort but says he will work out details later. Because Squadron A was his escort when he was made Governor of New York and Vice President, he would like them to be in the same position now.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-10
President Theodore Roosevelt seeks input on a letter to Captain William E. English. Roosevelt could not go to the Spanish War Veterans’ encampment. Roosevelt is glad to hear what Chairman James Putnam Goodrich of the Republican State Committee told him about Indiana and the election. In New York, they should win as well, even though there is debate over the governorship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-16
President Roosevelt informs Nicholas Murray Butler that George B. Cortelyou and Elihu Root are “red hot” to have Butler run for Governor. Roosevelt insists that Butler consider the matter before committing himself against it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-25
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Elihu Root about the possibility of him becoming the Governor of New York. If this were to happen, then Root would be the likely Republican nominee for president in 1908. Roosevelt would also like Root to come to Oyster Bay and help him with his letter of acceptance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-02
President Roosevelt would like to introduce Judge McMahon to Colonel Alexander O. Brodie, whom he has appointed as Governor of Arizona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-09