Hitchcock, Frank H. (Frank Harris), 1867-1935

William H. Taft in the shape of the moon uses a “my policies mirror” to get the sun in the shape of President Roosevelt to shine on him. Around the sun are three stars: J. S. Sherman, Frank H. Hitchcock, and Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Taft sings, “I care not for the stars that shine.” Meanwhile, on “the earth,” a Republican elephant looks up toward the moon through a telescope. Caption: Presidential firmament.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-09

In the top left, John D. Rockefeller, pours “oil” down Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell’s throat as crowds cheer, “Standard Oil, dah-de! Dah! Bryan, Bryan–Rah! Rah rah!” and “Taft’s a big man–ump-ti-de-de! He’s the guy for the pres-i-den-cee!” John D. Archbold chases down Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker as Secretary of State Elihu Root runs into the fray. William Jennings Bryan fights William H. Taft supported by individuals in their parties: Charles Francis Murphy, Thomas Taggart, Henry Watterson, John W. Kern, Norman Edward Mack on the Democratic side and President Roosevelt, J. S. Sherman, Frank H. Hitchcock, and New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes on the Republican side. Uncle Sam referees.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-04

“Hot air” comes out of the “Rep. National Committee” as a bright sun in the shape of President Roosevelt’s face shines. A Republican elephant with “Standard Oil exposure” tied to its tail and “my policies” tied to one leg kicks Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Foraker says, “I got mine, boys.” On the side is a “steamroller” and Frank H. Hitchcock, who has a “big can” tied to his suit, running away and saying, “I’m the original fall guy.” J. S. Sherman uses a net to attempt to capture a “vice presidency” bug and says, “I’ve got it!” while Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon stands on a stump, holding a “gag rule” gavel and a “Speech in Kansas,” and says, “And no one can boss me, d—n it.” Finally, William H. Taft rides Roosevelt’s big stick in circles and says, “I’m the heir to the Roosevelt policies and the best friend labor ever had.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-22

Creator(s)

McBride, Edward Joseph, 1889-

President Roosevelt tells William H. Taft “I’m getting disgusted with you, too, Bill Taft,” as he runs from “Oyster Bay” on “Sept. 22” with his big stick chasing Senator Joseph Benson Foraker and Frank H. Hitchcock. In Foraker’s hand is the “Standard Oil exposure.” Meanwhile, Taft says, “Foraker! Foraker! Foraker! Foraker! Foraker!” as he thinks back to “Sept. 2nd at Toledo, Ohio” where he shakes Foraker’s hand and both men say, “There never was any ill feeling between us,” as Roosevelt looks on and says, “Delighted.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-23

President Roosevelt tells Charles H. Young, President of the Republican Club of the City of New York, that he wishes he could be at an upcoming dinner honoring Frank H. Hitchcock, George Rumsey Sheldon and William L. Ward, but he will not be able to attend. He asks Young to convey his congratulations and thanks to the three men for their efforts during the recent election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

The Enquirer praises President Roosevelt’s recent speech condemning “the great and sinister moneyed interests,” and writes that in addition to breaking off ties to the Standard Oil Company the Republican party should sever ties with other trusts as well. The article further calls for the Chairmen of both parties to transparently publish receipts and expenditures from all national and state committees to show where donations are coming from. A following article praises William Randolph Hearst for showing the necessity of an Independence party by showing the sorts of relations the Republicans and Democrats have to corporations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-01

Creator(s)

Unknown

John Appleton Stewart clarifies that the meetings for laboring men that William H. Taft and Governor Charles Evans Hughes will speak at are in Harlem. He tells William Loeb that a railroad men’s league is being organized, and that they will support Taft. Stewart encloses a letter that shows Frank H. Hitchcock’s attitude toward John Hays Hammond and his work. Stewart does not understand how Hitchcock cannot see the value of Hammond’s political influence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-13

Creator(s)

Stewart, John Appleton, 1865-1928

William H. Taft shares commentary on William Allen White’s letter with President Roosevelt. In his upcoming speech, Taft does not address the “negro question” but plans to do so later. Taft enjoyed the speeches of Secretary of State Elihu Root and Representative J. S. Sherman. In a postscript, Taft believes in the necessity of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes. He shares misgivings about his election prospects and wants to give speeches in several states.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-20

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

President Roosevelt tells Lucien L. Bonheur about the contrary reports he receives, probably concerning the re-nomination of New York governor Charles Evan Hughes. He asks Bonheur to communicate with Frank H. Hitchcock about some meetings.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt informs Attorney General Bonaparte that he does not want to any action concerning the southern railroads without knowing all the facts and is confident of a win. He believes Judge Peter Stenger Grosscup’s decision will be vital to the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Senator Lodge agrees with President Roosevelt’s telegram stating that the seating of delegates at the Republican National Convention should be decided on the merits of each case, rather than on compromise. Thus far there have been no dubious cases. Now that Solomon Luna has arrived, Lodge believes it would be unwise for Chairman of the Republican National Committee Frank H. Hitchcock to take another proxy or sit on committee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-07

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Following the failure of Grosvenor Porter to be confirmed as marshal of the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the article alleges that Frank H. Hitchcock, aligned with Secretary of War William H. Taft’s bid for the presidential nomination, made a deal with Samuel G. Victor to appoint him as marshal in return for his support of Taft’s campaign. Cassius M. Cade and Pliny L. Soper, Republican national committeemen from Oklahoma, helped engineer the deal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-06

Creator(s)

Unknown

John Callan O’Laughlin sees no improvement in the Republican political situation and shares his thoughts on various issues with Theodore Roosevelt. He discusses the insurgents’ relationship with President William H. Taft and his recent appointments to the Supreme Court and other administrative agencies. Taft swung around to the tariff commission plan, recognizing it as an important issue for the upcoming campaign. O’Laughlin does not think the ship subsidy bill will pass, although there is an appropriation for constructing fortifications for the Panama Canal. The national committee will not meet next month. The administration knows Taft’s renomination depends upon Roosevelt’s approval or his refusal to be nominated. The Japan question is “muddled,” and there are various “pin pricks which cannot but be harmful” to the countries’ relationship. O’Laughlin disagrees with Senator Henry Cabot Lodge about Senator William Lorimer’s case and asks Roosevelt for a statement on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-31

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

Frank H. Hitchcock, Secretary of War William H. Taft’s campaign manager, has allegedly been using federal patronage positions to drive political support for Taft’s candidacy. As a response to this, a number of United States Senators who oppose President Roosevelt have rejected federal appointments in Ohio, Oklahoma, and North Carolina in an effort to hinder Roosevelt and Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-16

Creator(s)

Unknown

This newspaper article mentions a speech that Chairman of the New York Republican Committee Timothy L. Woodruff was going to deliver if individuals supporting New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes for the presidency showed up at the Kings County Republican Committee. The speech was not delivered because no Hughes supporters disrupted the meeting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-18

Creator(s)

Unknown

Booker T. Washington tells William Loeb about district conventions in Alabama, where Joseph O. Thompson and Charles H. Scott have been endorsed. Washington feels that Scott is opposed to Frank H. Hitchcock, and may be antagonistic to Secretary of War William H. Taft’s candidacy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-24

Creator(s)

Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915

Charles Willis Thompson writes in the Washington Post that while George von Lengerke Meyer is the nominal Postmaster General of the United States, it is in fact Frank H. Hitchcock, the First Assistant Postmaster General, who runs the Post Office Department.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-07

Creator(s)

Thompson, Charles Willis, 1871-1946

In anticipation of Assistant Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock making a visit to President Roosevelt at Oyster Bay, William H. Taft reports a recent conversation a third party had with Hitchcock. The latter expressed his intent to oppose Taft’s nomination for the presidency and to press for President Roosevelt to run for a third term. Hitchcock believes that Taft has made an unfavorable impression on a number of important figures in the Midwest. Taft implies that Hitchcock’s views might be influenced by those of Winthrop Murray Crane.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-29

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Frank H. Hitchcock has two competing job opportunities. President Roosevelt and Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer want Hitchcock to stay in his position as Assistant Postmaster General, while Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou wants him to replace the current Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Hitchcock is dismayed that the press makes him out to be the only man who can assess the current political climate in the Roosevelt administration, and swears that he is not currently campaigning for any candidate for president. Hitchcock has traveled around the South, Midwest, and Pacific coast, alarming local politicians who assume he is campaigning. Hitchcock has jurisdiction over several thousand postmasters in the United States, further establishing his influence over the nominating process.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-01

Creator(s)

Unknown

President Roosevelt writes to Postmaster General Meyer about the prospect of promoting Edward M. Morgan to head of the New York City Post Office. Roosevelt received a secret report about Morgan “of the most damning character.” Had he known about this report sooner, Roosevelt would have removed Morgan from the service altogether. Morgan has evidently “seen the error of his ways” and is “an efficient man of good sense,” but Roosevelt will not promote him unless the position cannot be filled from the outside.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1907-07-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919