Humphrey, J. Otis, 1850-1918 | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on matters regarding United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick, the prosecution of the International Harvester Company, and affairs in Oklahoma. He is greatly concerned about reports of Secretary of State Elihu Root’s health. Territorial Governor of New Mexico George Curry intends to appoint David J. Leahy as assistant attorney general of the territory. Bonaparte feels obligated to inform Roosevelt of this appointment as Leahy is possibly “one of the persons about whom there has been complaint by the Interior Department.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-29

Creator(s)

Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921

The tables turned

In the upper righthand corner, three beef trust men stand under an “immune” sign and hold a paper that reads, “Judge Humphreys—you can go scott free.” In the main cartoon, President Roosevelt has a “report on packing houses” on his desk as three “beef trust” men grovel at his desk. A “square deal publicity” big stick leans against the desk. Caption: (The packers who smiled over Judge Humphreys’ ruling in March now have something else to think about.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-29

Creator(s)

Thorndike, Willis H. (Willis Hale), 1872-1940

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John H. Ryan

Theodore Roosevelt recalls the address that John H. Ryan, editor of the Decatur Labor World, mentions. Roosevelt believes it was the one in which he contrasted Judge J. Otis Humphrey and Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, but regrets that he cannot find a copy of it to share with Ryan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Knute Nelson

President Roosevelt tells Senator Nelson that his memory of the matter Nelson referred to was the same, and that during the discussions of the bill establishing the Department of Commerce and Labor they agreed that the bill in the House did not provide the department with enough power, leading to Roosevelt asking Attorney General Philander C. Knox to prepare an amendment for Nelson to introduce. No one involved with the bill, however, expected a decision like the recent one made by Judge J. Otis Humphry in the beef trust case. If Congress passes a law granting the government the right of appeal, Roosevelt assures Nelson that it will be used in this case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Claudius Buchanan Spencer

President Roosevelt thanks Claudius Buchanan Spencer for the nice editorial and letter, and responds to the statement by Syracuse University Chancellor James Roscoe Day. Roosevelt believes that, “in a broad sense, if the chancellor is correct in his position, then from Lincoln down every President who has striven to act decently should be condemned,” and rejects Day’s position that the courts must not be criticized. He also protests against Day’s stance that Roosevelt should not personally advocate for legislation, and defends his record of helping pass beneficial legislation over the past several years. Roosevelt goes on to similarly condemn several other points Day tries to make.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt confirms receipt of Attorney General Moody’s recent letter to William Loeb, and returns Charles B. Morrison’s letter. He is not sure how to respond regarding promised indictments, and worries that the public will blame the his administration and the government rather than Judge J. Otis Humphrey for the result. If further steps become needed, Roosevelt believes it may be necessary to issue a statement directing responsibility for the actions at Humphrey’s decision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Silas McBee

President Roosevelt is glad that Silas McBee liked what he said about Judge J. Otis Humphrey and his decision in the beef trust case. Roosevelt feels that Humphrey did “a cruel wrong” in using a technicality to issue a decision in favor of the trusts, instead of ruling on principles and in favor of the population more generally.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kenesaw Mountain Landis

President Roosevelt appreciated receiving the telegram from Judge Landis. He remarks confidentially that he believes it would have been a better thing for the country if Landis had ruled on the beef trust case, rather than Judge J. Otis Humphrey.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Lincoln O’Brien

President Roosevelt tells Robert Lincoln O’Brien that “the trouble is that the courts need to have a little rapping now and then,” and that they should not feel that they are above criticism. Roosevelt believes it is unhealthy to not criticize such decisions as that of Judge J. Otis Humphrey in the recent beef trust case, but is not sure if he will personally say anything. He qualifies this by saying that not all criticism of the courts is justified, and that many criticisms from papers owned by William Randolph Hearst are counterproductive.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Moody to review two rough memoranda connected with Roosevelt’s wish to send a message “about the Judge Humphrey’s matter.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte provides President Roosevelt with notes and suggestions on his upcoming message. In particular he suggests modifications on portions relating to labor liability laws and employee compensation for injuries. Bonaparte also suggests removing the words “good” and “bad” from the portion on trusts, as certain trusts are claiming to be “good” trusts to avoid injunctions. He also provides comments on changing wording to avoid accusations of naming specific individuals, and on the language in the delicate sections about judges.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-22

Creator(s)

Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921

Letter from Richard Wilson Knott to Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt’s message concerning the details of Judge J. Otis Humphrey’s decision has aroused strong criticism among his opponents. Richard Wilson Knott has enclosed an article from the Evening Post so Roosevelt can see what responses his supporters were making.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-25

Creator(s)

Knott, Richard Wilson, 1849-1917

Letter from Otto Gresham to Theodore Roosevelt

Otto Gresham tells President Roosevelt of his dinner with Judge Humphrey during the beef trial. Gresham’s mother is “indignant” at the judge’s decision and Gresham did not expect it either. Still, he believes Humphrey to be “absolutely honest.” Despite the outcome of this case, Gresham encourages Roosevelt to pursue other similar indictments. He concludes that most lawyers agree with Humphrey because lawyers are “prone to agree with the court,” but if another judge were to rule differently, they would “jump the fence.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-27

Creator(s)

Gresham, Otto, 1859-1946