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William L. Ward asks Theodore Roosevelt to indicate a time and place, such as a friend’s house, where they might talk privately, without the newspapers knowing they are meeting. Ward met with Herbert Parsons, who spoke of the possibilities of a third term, but Ward is satisfied with the results of the efforts in Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-14
Understanding it to be a vent to an irritation and not a serious question, President Roosevelt responds to Representative Parsons concerning his supposed opposition “to having the Republicans of New York County express their wishes in this matter on primary day.” The matter in question is the nomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-27
President Roosevelt assures Representative Fassett that he does not want to force the nomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes. There will be heavy loss regardless of whether Hughes is or is not nominated. Roosevelt believes the loss will be heavier if Hughes is not nominated, but will support whoever the convention chooses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-27
Roosevelt despairs of the issues surrounding renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes, discussing with Lyman Abbott “how the theory that a man in public office should not try to do anything but fulfill the duties of his public office breaks down in practice.” Roosevelt does not want to dictate that Hughes be renominated, but believes he should be and has told Republican party leaders his views.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-21
President Roosevelt views George H. West’s letter as important and inquires if he could send it to men such as representative Herbert Parsons, Timothy L. Woodruff, Francis J. Hendricks, and representative J. Sloat Fassett.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-18
Garrett J. Benson alerts Theodore Roosevelt to a conference happening in Albany, New York among members of the New York State Republican Committee. Benson will keep Roosevelt informed about what goes on because he does not believe anyone attending is a friend to Roosevelt and it is best to be on guard.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-12
Charles Dewey Hilles informs William Loeb that the “rank and file” of New Jersey Republicans are loyal to President Roosevelt and William H. Taft but that prominent officials are not. Francis Hendricks believes that if Charles Evans Hughes becomes an active candidate, he will have a large following even though Taft is regarded highly right now.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-19
Timothy L. Woodruff says that it will not be necessary for him to communicate with William Loeb en route to Washington, D.C., because he can learn everything that is required from William Barnes. He hopes that Loeb will be able to help Jack Smith and discusses implications of particular candidates winning in New York. Woodruff believes that they have a good chance of accomplishing excellent political results if there is a feud between Democrats in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-18
A group of formally-dressed men gather around a table for a banquet, as an old man labeled “Lost Reputation” departs and a cherub labeled “1906” arrives.
This is not a random group of men at a New Year’s banquet pictured by Joseph Keppler Jr. At year’s end, the double-page cartoon in Puck is another comment on the consequential news event that was the long-running and far-reaching New York State investigations into the insurance industry.
The cast of a theatrical production “Robbin’ Hood and his Merry Men” appears on stage for the final song of the production. Shown are, from left, Francis Hendricks as “Alan-a-Dale” playing “The Insurance Lyre,” John R. Hegeman as “Friar Tuck” with a small bag labeled “Loans” at his waist, John A. McCall as “Little John,” Richard A. McCurdy as “Robin Hood” with an animal horn labeled “Bluff” hanging at his waist, James H. Hyde as “Will Scarlett,” Chauncey M. Depew as “Maid Marian” with a bag labeled “Retainer” hanging at his waist, and in the background, Charles Evans Hughes as “The Sheriff of Nottingham.” A diminutive figure labeled “Policy Holder,” his arms and legs bound, is standing between McCall and McCurdy. Includes the lyrics of the song.
Cartoonist J. S. Pughe closed out the year 1905 and one of its most spectacular news stories, the scandals uncovered in the insurance industry — with a parody of an opera company’s “farewell performance.” The investigations lasted so long, however, with Puck milking every opportunity to make cartoon commentary, that readers might have wondered whether there ever would be a farewell.
Thomas Collier Platt and Cornelius Newton Bliss, as police officers, receive “Hush Money” at the door of an “Insurance Co.” from Richard A. McCurdy. Standing in the window of the building are James H. Hyde, Francis Hendricks, and John A. McCall, among others. An insert labeled “Tenderloin Dive” shows police officers accepting a bribe.
In the Muckraking Era, the public became aware of the odious similarities, first exposed in critiques during the Gilded Age of the 1870s and subsequently, between street crime of the “Other Half” and corruption among the cream of society. Keppler’s cartoon depicts that situation with almost textbook clarity.
A ship labeled “Life Insurance” is being taken over by pirates labeled “Pres. $100,000, 1st V.P. $50,000, 2nd V.P. $40,000, 3rd V.P., 4th V.P., 5th V.P. [and] Sonny,” who are forcing scapegoats to walk the plank, an “Old Clerk, Office Boy, Pensioner, Janitor, Scrubwoman, [and] The Goat.” The ship figurehead shows two men labeled “Hendricks & Kilbourn.” Caption: After the investigation the strictest economy.
During the conclusions of the New York state investigation into abuses in the insurance industry, Puck Magazine was fairly obsessed with the revelations, the levels of corruption, the networks of prominent figures among the favored, and the amounts of money involved that did not make its way to policyholders or common investors. In this issue of the magazine, the front-page cartoon and the center-spread were both devoted to the scandal — a rare paradigm in Puck.
A frenzy of activity is underway as many politicians and capitalists join the labor forces to construct the Panama Canal. Theodore P. Shonts, chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, is standing on the right, holding a whip, and directing the laborers. In the background, large groups of men labeled “Order of Walking Delegates, The Idle Rich, Amalgamated Aldermen, [and] Insurance Presidents Union No. 6” are waiting, with tools, to be called into action. Caption: Let our superfluous citizens do the work.
S. D. Ehrhart’s expansive cartoon in Puck seized upon the news of labor challenges in the Culebra Cut portion of the Panama Canal construction, and built an elaborate cartoon-fantasy about people in politics, the social world, and finance being put to work at manual labor.
New York Lieutenant Governor-Elect White tells President Roosevelt that he will take his role and the work it entails seriously. In particular, he is interested in work on the barge canal and good roads development, which he believes have been mismanaged. White and his wife would like to visit Roosevelt and his wife in Washington at the beginning of the new year. He celebrates the result of the election, and believes that many in the New York state Republican organization deserve praise for their roles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-23
New York State Republican State Committee Chairman Woodruff analyzes the primary results concerning Robert A. Sharkey of the Fifth District and George H. Roberts of the Eleventh District, which he says involved fraud. After summarizing the feelings of the state committeemen on Governor Charles Evans Hughes as the potential presidential candidate, he concludes that a resolution is unlikely to be introduced. Winning support against Hughes would be easier if President Roosevelt were the candidate, but even with the current situation in Kings County, Woodruff feels there will ultimately be cooperation until the convention. Woodruff asks that the letter be given to Roosevelt to help explain the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-26
Senator Horace White should stand for nomination again in New York. His friends and supporters are against Albert K. Hiscock, as they believe that his election would result in his father, Frank Hiscock, gaining control of the party. Party member and delegate Francis Hendricks is unlikely to turn his support away from White, and White will consult him about being renominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03
Scenes from the 16th Republican National Convention held in Chicago, June 7-10, 1916. Long shot of delegates outside the Congress Hotel. Medium shots, from left to right, of Mrs. Olive H. Whitman; Governor Charles S. Whitman of New York (1915-1918); Francis Hendricks, former New York State Senator (1886-1891); George W. Perkins, a leader in the Progressive movement (1912-1916); Chauncey M. Depew, former New York State Senator (1899-1911); and a medium shot of the Coliseum where the convention was in session.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1916