Your TR Source
President Roosevelt met with Oliver Wendell Holmes and is satisfied with him as a United States Supreme Court nominee. Roosevelt wrote to Senator George Frisbie Hoar to inform him of Holmes’s selection, and asks Senator Lodge to also contact Hoar.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1902-07-25
President Roosevelt congratulates Senator Lodge on the birth of his grandson, Henry Cabot Lodge, and is glad that Lodge’s daughter-in-law Bessie is in good health. Roosevelt lays out the cases both in favor of, and against, Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes as a Supreme Court Justice. Roosevelt is concerned about Holmes’s speech about former Chief Justice John Marshall and hopes that Holmes understands that Supreme Court justices should be neither partisan nor politicians. Roosevelt has been happy with the majority of the Supreme Court but is concerned with the “reactionary folly” of the minority. Roosevelt wants to ensure that the replacement for Justice Gray upholds his legacy.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1902-07-10
President Roosevelt hopes that Senator George Frisbie Hoar will be reasonable, but he will submit Oliver Wendell Holmes’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court regardless. Roosevelt is speaking in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 23, and then will go down to Newport, Rhode Island, so they can christen the baby (Lodge’s infant grandson who shared his name). He will also spend Monday with the Lodges in Nahant, Massachusetts, but Edith Roosevelt will not be able to attend.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1902-07-29
President Roosevelt has decided to appoint W. Cameron Forbes to the Philippine Commission. Roosevelt will gladly stay with Senator Lodge in Nahant, Massachusetts, on Monday. Roosevelt has also recently concluded a somewhat trying camping trip with his children that included 16 miles of rowing. Roosevelt received a nice letter from Senator George Frisbie Hoar, and shall announce Oliver Wendell Holmes’s appointment to the United States Supreme Court today.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1902-08-11
President Roosevelt assures Senator Lodge that he will not go to Meyer Bloomfield’s meeting. He also encloses a letter from Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes, whom he recently nominated to a seat on the Supreme Court, and asks Lodge how to respond.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1902-08-19
President Roosevelt encloses Senator George Frisbie Hoar’s letter. Roosevelt has asked Hoar to let him know if there is anything against Oliver Wendell Holmes or any reason why anyone else should be named to the United States Supreme Court. Roosevelt is choosing to ignore the “foolish letter” of Carl Schurz, Charles Francis Adams, and Herbert Welsh, but would like to make anti-imperialism a major issue in the congressional campaigns, because it gives the Republicans an advantage over the Democrats. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt notes that there has been a “ferocious Catholic” outbreak against William H. Taft, Governor-General of the Philippines, on behalf of the friars.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1902-07-30
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Henry Cabot Lodge and his wife, Nannie, in pencil, because he is far out in the African wilderness. Roosevelt discusses Lodge’s response to the tariff question and shares his own thoughts on the constitutional amendment about the income tax. Roosevelt agrees with William Loeb and Lodge on the mayoralty issue. On his trip, Roosevelt has gained a passion for William Shakespeare’s plays, news that will be of interest to Nannie. Roosevelt shares the highlights of his big game hunting in Africa, as well as other books he has been reading.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1909-09-10
In his article for Ladies’ Home Journal, Theodore Roosevelt describes the benefits of reading and provides advice on how to get people of any age interested in reading “serious literature.” Roosevelt elaborates on his reading habits and book selection processes, which stem from both his current mood and educational desires.
1915-04
The Lodges cannot come on Wednesday and Secretary of State Hay asks if he should invite Oliver Wendell Holmes and his wife instead. In a handwritten note, President Roosevelt agrees to the invitation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-02
Henry Billings Brown supports the rumored appointment of Governor Taft to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-06
Melville W. Fuller’s interview went well. He is inviting Judge Holmes to a dinner on December 8. He hopes that President Roosevelt will find time to attend the dinner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-25
Chief Justice Fuller invites President Roosevelt to a dinner he is hosting on December 9 that will introduce newly appointed Justice Holmes to the other members of the Supreme Court. Several Cabinet members and senators will also be invited.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-24
Senator Lodge discusses not taking Mr. Bloomfield on his trip though he knows how much the settlement work Bloomfield does appeals to President Roosevelt. Lodge likes that Bloomfield’s people support Roosevelt for the 1904 election, as if he loses his Senate seat, he is counting on a Cabinet post. Lodge also reports to Roosevelt the advice he has given to Judge Holmes as he waits to be confirmed for the Supreme Court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-20
Senator Lodge has just returned from Senator McMillan’s funeral. He tells President Roosevelt that it is too bad he will need to make appearances in Lynn and Boston but that he will be expected to speak for only a short amount of time. Lodge is pleased with the Forbes situation and also with the enthusiasm being shown the appointment of Judge Holmes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-17
Senator Lodge addresses the letter that Senator Hoar sent to President Roosevelt, wherein he expressed his displeasure at Roosevelt’s choice of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., for the Supreme Court. Lodge dismisses Hoar’s complaints about a recess appointment, not being formally consulted on the matter, and about Holmes’s legal credentials. Attorney General Moody, Hosea Morrill Knowlton, and Richard Olney believe Holmes a good choice. Lodge supports Roosevelt’s choice and believes Hoar will calm down in time. Finally, Lodge says that Moody has informed him about the problems with Catholics, and he does not believe that the problem will become widespread among voters or the press.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-01
Senator Hoar does not understand exactly what advice President Roosevelt would like regarding the appointment of a new Supreme Court Justice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-28
Henry Cabot Lodge is pleased that President Roosevelt has had a satisfactory meeting with Oliver Wendell Holmes. While Senator Hoar has expressed some reluctance about Holmes’ appointment to the Supreme Court, Lodge does not believe that Hoar will directly oppose him. Lodge hopes President Roosevelt will visit Nahant soon, perhaps in conjunction with a trip to Newport.
Senator Lodge writes President Roosevelt regarding Oliver Wendell Holmes’s possible appointment to the Supreme Court. Lodge will meet with Holmes to determine whether he fully supports the President’s position, before sending him to meet with Roosevelt. Lodge does not like the looks of things in Wisconsin, but believes things are going well elsewhere. He will go on the Committee of Resolutions to make sure “the Philippines, Cuba & you are properly sustained.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-19
Justice Horace Gray’s family wishes him to resign, and Senator Lodge believes that President Roosevelt will receive his resignation very soon. Lodge has spoken to Gray at length about his successor. If Roosevelt is unwilling to appoint William H. Moody, Lodge recommends Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Although Senator Hoar does not like him, Lodge has spoken to several lawyers, all of whom approve of the choice. State-wide, Holmes is well-regarded, and outside of the state his war record and position earn him favor with everyone except corporation lawyers. If Roosevelt does not choose Holmes, Lodge recommends Hosea Morrill Knowlton. Finally, Lodge reminds Roosevelt of his promise to visit on his way to Maine and New Hampshire. Lodge also tells Roosevelt about the recent birth of his grandson, who will also be named Henry Cabot Lodge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-07
Maria Longworth Storer is in favor of Joseph B. Warner succeeding Justice Gray and lists multiple reasons why Warner is qualified. President Roosevelt had not heard of Warner when Storer recommended him, but she now mentions his qualifications. Warner had been appointed to the Massachusetts Court, but declined because of finances. He is also a Harvard graduate and on the board of Harvard. He would appeal to the conservative element in Massachusetts and is a man of great integrity. Storer judged Warner a better candidate than Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-25