Your TR Source
A program listing the January, February, and March dates and speakers for the Saturday Discussions lecture series sponsored by the Republican Club of the City of New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-11
President Roosevelt shares the same opinion as William H. Taft that governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated. Roosevelt feels that making a speech would do more harm than good. While William Jennings Bryan has a strong following for the “church vote,” Roosevelt believes Bryan’s approach is dangerous. He approves of Taft’s letter to John Wesley Hill and suggests that secretary of state Elihu Root review it before it is made public.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-18
Walter W. Wigman asks Theodore Roosevelt to write an article on the Boys Brigade. He knows Roosevelt is busy, but such an article would be greatly appreciated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-21
William H. Taft writes to President Roosevelt that he is not sure what effect Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker’s actions will have on the Republican party, and his conciliatory attitude toward Taft is clearly motivated by a potential run for Senate. Taft feels George Barnsdale Cox and his associates are attempting to make him look bad, and he will not risk his position over it. Taft has been writing speeches and an article tackling his beliefs on tariffs. The public wants real change, and there will be less difficulty achieving it than there would have been with the last Congress. Chairman of the Republican National Committee Frank H. Hitchcock is succeeding, but those with Taft despise him and it creates difficulty. Taft has informed New York Republican State Committee treasurer George Rumsey Sheldon not to take money from trust affiliates. Taft updates Roosevelt on his health and his upcoming campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-21
As part of an enclosure, the item heading notes that William H. Taft received the following letter from Secretary of State Elihu Root, who feels Taft’s letter to John Wesley Hill is of sound reason. However, he believes it unwise for Taft to publish any letters regarding his church relations, which are an issue only if Taft makes it so. While Root finds the topic of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes difficult, his opinion is that he should be renominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
William H. Taft will not do anything regarding Governor Charles Evans Hughes except to tell President Roosevelt he feels strongly about nominating Hughes, despite dealing with public criticism. He apologizes for the Donovan visit. Taft believes William Jennings Bryan is, in part, responsible for the opposition from the Nebraska Methodist conference to Taft, a Unitarian. However, Bishop J. W. Bashford assures him the church is above that. Taft wrote to John Wesley Hill on the issue and encloses his response. Some of Taft’s newspaper advisors have suggested that make his letter to Hill public, but Taft is uncertain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-16