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J. Sloat Fassett justifies John C. Bostelmann’s hiring as a lawyer in the “Alienation Roll” of the Indian Department. Fassett will make sure he signs this letter personally. In the past letters were dictated and left for a secretary to sign, while Fassett was “engaged in the noble work of playing golf.” Fassett holds Frank Higgins in “utter contempt.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-20
John A. Sleicher believes that President Roosevelt’s letter to Mr. Watson is “life-saving” for the party in the approaching congressional campaign, and he commends Roosevelt for making a convincing case for Republican policies. Sleicher also discusses possible nominations for New York governor, and he thanks Roosevelt for the note he sent his daughter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-21
Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock responds to President Roosevelt’s request for information regarding an account of the correspondence featured in a New York Sun editorial from August 16, 1906. Hitchcock tells Roosevelt that he was not responsible for the editorial except to the extent that correspondence referenced was issued by his authority. The correspondence, which he summarizes, pertains to the hearings before Hitchcock on the leasing of oil lands and natural gas wells in Indian Territory and the Territory of Oklahoma.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-22
Representative Fassett thanks William Loeb for sharing his understanding of the New York Governor’s race, and in turn opines that Governor Frank Wayland Higgins may be able to be nominated, but will not be able to win. Fassett does not expect to be in New York, but if he is promises to visit Loeb for an evening. He is sorry to hear of the ill health of Loeb’s son, and offers his advice on how to treat it. Fassett explains his previous inquiry about securing a government position for someone, and how much it would mean for him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-13
Representative Parsons informs President Roosevelt that Charles Evans Hughes is reluctant to accept the Republican nomination for Governor of New York, but that he could be convinced to do so if there was unanimous demand and it was agreed that he was the only candidate who could beat William Randolph Hearst. The incumbent Republican Governor Frank Wayland Higgins has become so unpopular among members of his own party and the press that it seems advisable to replace him, but Higgins still might be able to win if the Democrats nominate William Travers Jerome instead of Hearst, thus making the governorship a three-way race between Hearst, Jerome, and Higgins.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-17
John A. Sleicher writes Theodore Roosevelt about a number of political matters in New York and nationally. Sleicher believes that the most important change Roosevelt can now accomplish in Washington is in regards to the tariff. Sleicher believes Roosevelt’s current idea is the correct one. In New York politics, Sleicher notes that The Herald seems to be in Roosevelt’s favor. Sleicher also wishes Roosevelt would put his “heavy, velvety hand” on the situation regarding the factions within the state party and talk to Governor Higgins, in order to maintain the party’s supremacy in the state.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-09
John A. Sleicher updates Theodore Roosevelt on the overall political situation of New York. Governor Black is not interested in “sitting down in a game” with people who have “cards up their sleeves” or who use “double-dealing methods.” Sleicher reminds Roosevelt that he once said the party needed to do “housecleaning,” and believes that Roosevelt’s hand on the scale brought about such housecleaning in New York, which ultimately prevented consideration of many “unwholesome” bills. Sleicher also believes that the revival of William Jennings Bryan and William Randolph Hearst’s desire to be a key Democratic politician in New York show that the Democrats are struggling.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-01
Herbert Parsons writes to Theodore Roosevelt that the state of New York may fall under the custodian of Benjamin Odell, Thomas Collier Platt, and Lemuel Quigg unless Roosevelt takes an active role. He offers recommendations for how Roosevelt can combat the growing influence of Odell, Platt, and Quigg in endorsing a candidate in the gubernatorial campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-17
Judge Spring writes to President Roosevelt on the situation in New York. According to Spring, the administration of Governor Higgins has been good and free of taint. Spring details “factional quarrels,” happening in New York and hopes that Roosevelt can persuade Warren to put an end to it. Spring worries that the quarrel could add to Democratic strength in New York. He also discusses Roosevelt’s appointment of a successor to Justice Brown for the United States Supreme Court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-06
Ambassador Reid sends President Roosevelt a clipping from the Spectator about the Algeciras Conference. Reid also discusses members of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-02
Alexander Lambert writes to President Roosevelt to thank him for joining the Society for the Prevention and Study of Tuberculosis as the honorary vice president. Lambert asks for Roosevelt’s help in supporting a bill in the New York legislature that would support the creation of convalescent homes for children on the New York coast.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-12
William Loeb writes to President Roosevelt regarding New York state politics and various appointments. Loeb reports numbers and advice from Representative John W. Dwight.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-21
Alfred Spring, Associate Justice of the New York Supreme Court, writes to President Roosevelt regarding various political strategies. Spring mentions James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr.’s nomination for Speaker of the Assembly, divisions within the Democratic party, and encourages the President to aid Governor Higgins.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-23
Edgar Truman Brackett writes to update President Roosevelt on a reorganization that had been discussed previously. Brackett stresses the need to take excess power from a chairmanship, and calls for the resignation of Senator Depew.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-15
Congressman Littauer writes to President Roosevelt regarding James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr.’s candidacy and the state of the Republican Party in New York. Littauer states that he is “pleased” that “clean, able men … unschooled in the Platt and Odell system of political management” are dealing with the Republican crisis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-21
Civil Service Commissioner Cooley writes President Roosevelt to discuss Mayhew Wainwright announcing his candidacy for the speaker of the New York State Assembly. Cooley asks Roosevelt to speak of this with Governor Frank Wayland Higgins when Higgins comes by later that day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-01
Nevada N. Stranahan, collector of the port of New York, is concerned with an interview for a position that took place recently. President Roosevelt had said that he did not want to interfere and that Jacob Van Vechten Olcott or Herbert Parsons or others would be satisfactory for the position. Stranahan has concerns about Olcott. Stranahan is unsure how to proceed and would like to know exactly what the president wants. Stranahan prefers Parsons for the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-22
Paul Morton, president of the Equitable Life Assurance Society, thanks President Roosevelt and his secretary for the loan of a letter from New York Governor Frank Higgins to Roosevelt. Morton encloses the letter, which he is returning.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-02
Representative Fassett writes to President Roosevelt’s secretary William Loeb that Governor Higgins is creating problems with the New York Railroad Commission. The Corning Postmaster, Kennedy, will be elected to the board leaving a postmaster vacancy. Fassett requests that Loeb advise Roosevelt to delay appointing a new postmaster until Fassett can propose a name. Fassett congratulates the president on the appointment of Elihu Root and writes that the only way for the Republican Party to succeed in New York is through politicians like Root and Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-11
William Emlen Roosevelt asks President Roosevelt for a letter of introduction which he can mail to Governor Higgins along with a request for an appointment. William Emlen Roosevelt intends to discuss with Higgins a bill recently passed by the legislature that limits investments in insurance companies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-15