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Frank B. Kellogg gives a description of his work with the Standard Oil case after being suggested for the position by Theodore Roosevelt. The Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the government against the Standard Oil Company, just as Kellogg suggested it would back in 1906.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-04
William H. Moody is sending President Roosevelt a copy of the note from Justice John Marshall Harlan to the Solicitor General dealing with the conclusion of the peonage cases.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt cannot accept Shelby J. Davidson’s invitation. However, he has always highly regarded Justice John Marshall Harlan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-05
President Roosevelt apologizes that he is unable to write the letter John R. Dunlap requested, but asks that Dunlap extend Roosevelt’s good wishes to the attendants of Dunlap’s dinner and convey his respect for Associate Justice John Marshall Harlan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-30
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he was shocked at how readily he took to having free time. While Roosevelt describes some of the various outings he has gone on with his son, Kermit Roosevelt, or his wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, he comments that, “to-day, having no companion to incite me to anything, I just haven’t done anything.” He will do as Taft suggests regarding writing to Judge John Marshall Harlan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-21
President Roosevelt conveys best wishes to Major Boynton and the Society of the Army of the Cumberland reunion, and expresses his high regard of the society, its past and present members, and legacy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-02
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Justice Harlan commending Secretary Shaw’s speech in Kentucky.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-28
President Roosevelt regrets not being able to attend the tribute dinner to Justice Harlan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-29
John Callan O’Laughlin informs Theodore Roosevelt that John M. Harlan, a previously outspoken critic of Roosevelt, would support him if he were to run for re-election. Many other Republicans have also inquired about whether Roosevelt will seek re-election. O’Laughlin requests that Roosevelt publicly reject Secretary of State Robert Lansing’s treaty with Latin America that would include territorial integrity and prohibitions on shipments of munitions. O’Laughlin fears that this would keep the United States from acquiring any more territory in the future and would have a detrimental effect on relationship between the United States and South American countries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-01-24
On behalf of the committee, Shelby J. Davidson invites Theodore Roosevelt to attend the memorial service honoring the late Justice John Marshall Harlan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-02
Edwin A. Van Valkenburg presents arguments against the Supreme Court’s decisions in the Standard Oil and Tobacco Trust cases.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-21
A. J. Gilbert writes to Theodore Roosevelt to give Roosevelt his opinion concerning the opinions of Supreme Court Justices’ Edward Douglas White and John Marshall Harlan. Gilbert suggests once people understand the full meaning of the court’s decision, something will to cause control over big business.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-11
Richard B. Hall expresses his excitement to learn that Theodore Roosevelt is back “on deck” in terms of Congress. Hall has been concerned with many of the decisions made by politicians recently, especially in terms of trust-busting and giving power back to the people, and is relieved to learn that Roosevelt will be included in decision making again.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-19
Richard Wilson Knott encloses an article he wrote yesterday regarding the Supreme Court’s decision in the Standard Oil Case. Knott fears that the Supreme Court will leave too little room for interpretation of their decisions, and trusts that Theodore Roosevelt feels the same way and will stand his ground on trust-busting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-17
Senator Bradley plans to introduce a bill for a monument honoring General George Rogers Clark and asks for help passing it. Due to his interest in Clark, Bradley named Theodore Roosevelt as a commissioner of the bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-15
Governor Willson of Kentucky praises the speech President Roosevelt recently gave at the Abraham Lincoln celebration in Kentucky, and relates the enthusiasm that Kentuckians have for Roosevelt. Willson regrets that he did not get a chance to present Andrew Cowan, his wife Anna G. Cowan, and Emilie Todd Helm, half-sister of Mary Todd Lincoln, to Roosevelt. Willson and his wife Mary are coming to the inauguration, and will stay with Associate Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan a few days beforehand.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-15
Attorney General Bonaparte submits suggestions to President Roosevelt regarding the Interstate Commerce Commission. Legislation will be recommended to Congress because of the recent Supreme Court decision in Harriman vs. the Interstate Commerce Commission. Bonaparte compares a number of judicial opinions from the Supreme Court Justices, and provides a recommendation to amend a portion of the law establishing the Interstate Commerce Commission so that it has more explicit legal authority to conduct investigations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-30
Supreme Court Justice Moody has read the letter and article from William Allen White that President Roosevelt forwarded to him, and offers his thoughts on the matter. Moody writes on the power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional. This power has to be exercised with caution as, contrary to prior doctrine, the courts are not infallible. While there are checks on the power of the legislative and executive branches, if the Supreme Court exceeds its authority there is little recourse to correct the errors. Moody discusses recent examples where the Supreme Court made explicit that its duty is not to comment on the justice or wisdom of pieces of legislation, but to enforce the law as it is written and determine how laws interact with the Constitution and other laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-03
Attorney General Bonaparte informs President Roosevelt that the Supreme Court has decided against the administration in Adair vs. U.S. This establishes that it is unconstitutional to forbid interstate officers or inter-state carriers from firing workers who join labor organizations. Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote the majority opinion, while Justices Oliver Wendell Holmes and J. McKenna wrote separate dissenting opinions. Bonaparte advises Roosevelt to read the opinions before submitting the official text of his special message, because it will likely change what he says.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-27
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on the outcomes of several Supreme Court cases. The Court has ruled against the Roosevelt Administration in the employers’ liability cases. Bonaparte provides a summary of the judges’ opinions in the event that he wants to send a special message to Congress urging a passage of the law that the court would deem constitutional based on the case. The Court ruled against the administration in the Williamson case, but on grounds that allow it to be tried again. As expected, the Court overturned the conviction of Major Carrington, who was sentenced in the Philippines to 40 years. Bonaparte asks Roosevelt’s advice on waiting to take action on Christian Schuebel’s nomination as Senator Fulton has requested. Finally, Bonaparte writes that Tracy C. Becker will help with prosecutions in Oregon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-06