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President Roosevelt did not feel it was necessary to respond to William Jennings Bryan’s letter, and instead he has written the enclosed statement regarding Edward Henry Harriman and Paul Morton. He will not fight dishonest publications like the Sun and the Evening Post, and the enclosure will clear up any questions about contributions from Harriman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-30
President Roosevelt responds to William Jennings Bryan’s public letter by comparing Bryan’s platform with those of the current administration and of William H. Taft’s campaign. Roosevelt lists the cases that have been brought against the trusts, the railroads, and the shippers under his administration. He explains his actions in relation to the panic of 1907, outlines the reasons the trust magnates will support Bryan, and defends his actions related to campaign funding. Roosevelt critiques Bryan’s defense of Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathan Haskell by reiterating the extent of his corruption, and determines that it reflects directly on Bryan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-27
President Roosevelt sends William H. Taft a copy of the letter he sent to Treasurer of the Campaign Committee George Rumsey Sheldon regarding campaign contributions, after a complaint from Frank B. Kellogg. Roosevelt asks Taft to take more aggressive action against William Jennings Bryan, perhaps giving a speech like the one recently given by New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Many have suggested that T. Coleman DuPont should not be in charge of the Speakers Committee, and if it were up to Roosevelt he would be removed. Roosevelt has given the press a copy of a letter from Taft to Arthur I. Vorys in which Taft’s independence is full display, to counteract the press coverage of the supposed reconciliation with Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Roosevelt advises Taft, in his speech, to speak about the connection between William Randolph Hearst and the Democratic National Committee. In a postscript, Roosevelt advises Taft to remove Sheldon if he did in fact solicit the donations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-21
President Roosevelt writes to Republican National Committee Treasurer George Rumsey Sheldon regarding campaign funds solicited from John D. Archbold and Edward Henry Harriman. As the head of the Republican Administration, Roosevelt expresses his disagreement with collecting money from anyone currently being prosecuted. He sends two letters that he wrote four years ago to Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou, who was then chairman of the Republican National Committee, when money was contributed by Standard Oil. The first outlines the reasons that no contributions should be accepted which could be viewed as creating obligation to corporations. The second reiterates that the money should be returned especially in light of the public statements from Standard Oil about the company’s “political attitude.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-21
President Roosevelt regrets missing Nicholas Murray Butler, as they have much to discuss. Roosevelt has feared an economic recession because of the recklessness of the financial sector and it is now coming to pass. He is certain that the newspapers entrenched on Wall Street will need to accept that his policies are here to stay, even once he leaves office. The President is concerned that so many of the richest Americans ally themselves with corrupt interests, and himself favors the common people over the dishonest elites. He believes that the Republicans should put off revising the tariff until after the next general election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-20
President Roosevelt thanks Attorney General Bonaparte for his interesting letter and for what Bonaparte has done with the Indian Territory. Roosevelt agrees with Bonaparte on the most important part of his letter about the Standard Oil Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-10
President Roosevelt is “deluged with letters” criticizing his recent actions. He sends Lawrence F. Abbott, editor of The Outlook, copies of letters to a college president and a newspaper editor, which he can later show to reputable people who are unaware of the results “if I should follow the course of action they advise.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-24
President Roosevelt thinks Paul Morton’s letter was based on the Edward Henry Harriman investigation. Roosevelt feels the railroads should not act in ways that would need to be hidden from the public, and believes a full investigation by the government is the best way to meet any such allegations of misconduct head on.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-24
President Roosevelt wants Commissioner of Labor Neill to report to him the specific charges made on the second page of Charles Stedman Hank’s letter so he can determine if Henry C. Adams has done anything “wrong in form or anything that is wrong in substance”. Roosevelt would also like to know the actions taken by the Interstate Commerce Commission if there has been any wrongdoing. He would like Neill’s report to inform him if any offenses discovered are trivial or serious in nature.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-15
President Roosevelt explains to Paul Morton that E. P. Ripley’s accusations regarding his “assault on the railroads” are untrue. Roosevelt has done nothing to intentionally turn public opinion against the railroads, and the prosecution of the Standard Oil Company is warranted. He asks Morton which specific act Ripley takes issue with.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-02
President Roosevelt updates Director of the U.S. Geological Survey Walcott regarding the efforts to repair the break in the Colorado River at the California-Mexico border. He forwards a telegram from Director of the Union Pacific Railroad Company Edward Henry Harriman regarding his organizations efforts to repair the break, and he says that Secretary of State Elihu Root received permission from Mexico to perform whatever maintenance is needed. Roosevelt asks Walcott to prepare information that he can share with Congress when they reconvene from their winter break.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-20
President Roosevelt telegrams President of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Washburn that he has already communicated with California Governor George C. Pardee regarding the break in the Colorado River at the U.S.-Mexico border. Roosevelt notes the break is on Mexican soil, and Congress cannot move forward until granted permission from that government. Roosevelt closes by saying the immediate repairs are the duty of the California Development Company, owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-20
President Roosevelt updates Director of the U.S. Geological Survey Walcott regarding the efforts to repair the break in the Colorado River at the California-Mexico border. Roosevelt writes that Mexico will help however they can within reason with the repairs. He states that the Union Pacific Railroad Company and their director Edward Henry Harriman must conduct the repairs in the immediate, but that the U.S. government should be prepared to conduct all further maintenance. Roosevelt feels the government and California Improvement Company should share future maintenance responsibilities, and asks Walcott to formulate a plan that can be submitted to the State Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-20
President Roosevelt updates Secretary Root regarding the Colorado River break in Southern California and Mexico, writing that Union Pacific Director Edward Henry Harriman had agreed to repair the break. Roosevelt says that he told Harriman that Congress will negotiate with Mexico on the issue as soon as their holiday break is over, and asks Root to tell the Geological Survey to take up the repair work. Roosevelt encloses a recent telegram sent to Harriman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-20
President Roosevelt encloses to Secretary Root two letters he has recently sent to Director of the U.S. Geological Survey Charles D. Walcott regarding the break and repair of the Colorado River in Southern California and Mexico. Roosevelt also includes a message from Union Pacific Chairman Edward Henry Harriman, which appears to indicate “a very satisfactory condition of affairs.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-20
President Roosevelt tells Governor Pardee that Southern Pacific Railroad chairman Edward Henry Harriman has given permission to his employees to immediately repair the break in the Colorado River. Roosevelt closes by saying he will bring the matter before congress when it reconvenes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-20
President Roosevelt tells Governor Pardee that the Colorado River break is on the Mexican side of the border, and that the U.S. government cannot act until granted permission by Mexico. Roosevelt has told the California Development Company that it is their responsibility to act, as the damage resulted from their work that began on Mexican soil in October 1904. Once the California Development Company tends to the current break, then the U.S. government will work with Mexico to find a permanent solution.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-20
President Roosevelt asks for Senator Perkins’s opinion on a recent telegram from Union Pacific Railroad Chairman Edward Henry Harriman, which he has enclosed. Roosevelt feels the government “should help in the matter,” and notes that the Director of the Geological Survey Charles D. Walcott feels the matter is of great importance for thousands of residents in Southern California.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-13
President Roosevelt asks Secretary Root for his opinion regarding a recent telegram from Union Pacific Railroad Chairman Edward Henry Harriman regarding a land matter in Southern California. Roosevelt asks Root to consult with Director of the Geological Survey Charles D. Walcott regarding the issue. Roosevelt states that he has already consulted with California Senator Frank P. Flint on the matter; Senator Flint recommended purchasing lands from Mexico to solve the problem. Roosevelt desires Root’s opinion on all the aforementioned matters so that they can begin drafting a message to congress on the issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-13
President Roosevelt asks for Senator Flint’s opinion a recent telegram from Union Pacific Railroad Chairman Edward Henry Harriman, which he has enclosed. Roosevelt feels the government “should help in the matter,” and notes that the Director of the Geological Survey Charles D. Walcott feels the matter is of great importance for thousands of residents in Southern California.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-13