Your TR Source
Thomas B. Stuart analyzes the “class struggle” aspects of the Big Bill Haywood case. Stuart discusses the case as it relates to legal ethics and the court system in Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
Judge Lindsey asks that President Roosevelt read the enclosed article written by former Denver District Court Judge Thomas B. Stuart on Big Bill Haywood’s trial. Lindsey describes the situation between himself and Governor Henry Augustus Buchtel and clarifies his statements regarding Senator Simon Guggenheim. Based on his knowledge of those involved, Lindsey feels that the Republican Party in Colorado is controlled by corporate interests and is largely against Roosevelt’s policies. In response, Lindsey asks if he can send Roosevelt a political pamphlet on the topic, and if they could meet in person in November to discuss matters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
Attorney General Bonaparte reports to President Roosevelt on a visit he had from John N. Steele regarding an Idaho judgeship. Steele, who represents the Guggenheim interests, recommended Frank Siegel Dietrich for the position, and did not seem to know anything about Judge James F. Ailshie.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-21
Theodore Roosevelt explains the meaning of his statement in a speech at Orchestra Hall that he would “bodily take” the Republican Party. In all states but Colorado, the Progressive Party took the Republican electors into their party. Meanwhile in Colorado, if Philip Battell Stewart wins a nomination, he will go on a ticket with the electors pledged to President Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt regrets that he cannot attend the mass convention and moose barbeque in Michigan to which Harold G. High invited him. Roosevelt expresses confidence that Michigan, which saw the foundation of the Republican Party, will support the Progressive Party, which is now doing the work of Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt compares Lincoln’s departure from the Whig Party to his own departure from the Republican Party, which he sees as dragged down by bosses like Senator Guggenheim, Boies Penrose, and William Barnes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes to F. A. Johnson in regard to his statements published in the North American. Roosevelt discusses the Progressive campaign and contends that running on a third party ticket is necessary in states such as New York where the Republican political machine is controlled by William Barnes, Simon Guggenheim, and Boies Penrose. Otherwise, in states like Minnesota, Roosevelt advocates campaigning from within, converting Republicans to Progressives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-25
Theodore Roosevelt responds to Bradley Gilman’s letter and discusses the topics of marriage, divorce, and African Americans as voters and legislative representatives. Roosevelt argues the need for federal government to control marriage, divorce, and polygamy. Roosevelt asserts the need to incorporate African American representatives for the Progressive movement from states like New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, or Indiana at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. He writes of the inequality faced by African Americans, particularly in the South, and their absence from legislative bodies in Southern states. In his argument, Roosevelt references Booker T. Washington and writes of the Republican Party’s use of uneducated African American representation as a corrupt tactic that won the candidacy for William H. Taft with William Barnes and Simon Guggenheim.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-24
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Commissioner Herbert Knox Smith that both political parties are dominated by political bosses with large interests, noting that there is no need to switch Republican Guggenheim-Penrose-Barnes for Democratic Murphy-Taggart-Sullivan. He also criticizes the Democratic platform, which exhibits no progressive vision to meet the needs of the nation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-13
President Roosevelt writes to National Progressive Party Maryland elector nominee, Colonel Joseph R. Baldwin, confirming that Baldwin’s name will be printed and reminding him that he expects his vote in the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-12
President Roosevelt discusses the presidential campaign and the platforms of the other candidates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-10
Theodore Roosevelt confirms with T. J. E. Yocum that he will continue to work with his current campaign staff.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-06
Theodore Roosevelt writes Amos Pinchot to discuss his continued support for George W. Perkins to remain a figure in the Progressive Party and warns against rooting out moderates from the party for the sake of maintaining the purity of ideals. Roosevelt also pushes back against the idea that breaking down trusts would improve the cost of living, and lays out what happened regarding the trust plank of the Progressive Party’s 1912 platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-05
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Charles Edward Merriam for his work in the campaign and responds to Merriam’s observations about the Progressive Party. While he agrees with Merriam on social and industrial justice programs, the Progressives need to make sure not to “overpaint things” and appear insincere. He thinks the process for making the Progressive Party permanent should be by working with the rank and file of parties rather than with party bosses. Finally, while he does not believe that George W. Perkins should be called the “official and technical spokesman, the philosopher and exponent of progressive principles,” Perkins’ organizing power is a key part of the Progressive Party and their campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-23
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with President Wheeler of the University of California. Roosevelt believes that the Progressives will have a hard time unless the Democrats “make colossal blunders.” He is uncertain of how President Woodrow Wilson will handle the situation. Roosevelt also believes that Progressives can not join the Republican Party with William Barnes, Senator Simon Guggenheim, and Senator Boies Penrose in charge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-20
Judge Lindsey would like Theodore Roosevelt’s opinion on his plan to contest the Taft delegation from Denver, Colorado, at the Republican National Convention. He intends to publicly expose the efforts of the Evans-Guggenheim machine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-02
Judge Lindsey provides details on the progressive victory over the Evans-Guggenheim machine in Denver, Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-31
Judge Lindsey is trying to set up a statewide progressive organization in Colorado. A progressive delegation will be sent to the Republican National Convention in protest against the Taft delegates sent by the Evans-Guggenheim machine. Lindsey may lead the delegation and is attempting to find lodgings in Chicago.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-29
Judge Lindsey encloses a statement on the defeat of the Evans-Guggenheim machine. He believes this victory substantiates Theodore Roosevelt’s accusations against the machine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-29
Judge Lindsey argues that the success of the Citizens’ ticket in Denver’s municipal elections shows that the people’s desires were not represented in the Republican nomination process. The “Evans-Guggenheim-Taft machine” gave all of the delegates to President Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-29
William H. Taft encloses a letter that is being sent out widely by General Solicitor of the Burlington Railroad James Blythe. Taft discusses the stops on his trip and writes that, based on the reception thus far, he feels the campaign will be a success even if there are still worries about the labor vote. Support for William Jennings Bryan appears to be waning after President Roosevelt’s swift attack. Taft has written to Treasurer of the Republican National Committee George Rumsey Sheldon about avoiding contributions from trust affiliates and instead soliciting businessmen across the country. The election is four weeks away, and Taft is anxious for the speeches and events that precede it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-03