Your TR Source
Edward Moore, on behalf of the Moyer, Haywood and Pettibone Protest Conference of Philadelphia, sends President Roosevelt the resolutions adopted at its meeting of August 4, 1907.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-05
William Allen White of the Emporia Gazette shares his thoughts on William H. Taft’s candidacy for president in the upcoming election and the trial of Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah. White fears that politicians may ruin Taft’s chances in various states, as they would support Roosevelt for a third term, but will give their support to men like Senator Joseph Gurney Cannon or Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks when Roosevelt declines to run. White says the political organization in Colorado is against Taft. S. S. McClure, who was originally prejudiced against Borah, now supports him and asked White to write an article defending him, which White refused both because he is personal friends with Borah, and because he is busy with his own writing. White hired C. P. Connelly, a lawyer, to look into the matter for him, and Connelly told him that he believes Borah to be innocent. White shares his thoughts regarding the impossible situation Borah is in, where a mistrial will be as bad as a conviction for his career. White asks Roosevelt to meet with Borah. In a postscript, White points out that the trial of Charles H. Moyer, which Borah is prosecuting, will take place in the same month as Borah’s own trial, and how disadvantageous this will be for all involved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-25
Attorney General Bonaparte expresses his concern to President Roosevelt about how the Department of Justice gave the prosecution orders in the Moyer and Haywood case without his knowledge. He is trying to bring about order to the department, be he has been out with bronchitis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-23
Senator Borah expresses concern about his role in the prosecution of Charles H. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood, in light of the indictment that has been brought against him in Idaho regarding land fraud. Borah protests his innocence of the latter, but suggests that if the evidence of the case is sufficient to warrant indictment, he will withdraw from the Moyer-Haywood case and face action against him as early as possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-24
Under the direction of Secretary of War Taft, Fred W. Carpenter sends William Loeb, Secretary to President Roosevelt, communication and papers from Mr. Cobb of Idaho.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-06
Secretary of War Taft reports on his progress and assessment of conditions on the campaign trail. He is traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, and from there to Idaho. He has had success in Ohio, but the state elections there may be in jeopardy because of disputes between two factions of Republicans. The situation in Illinois is good. Although Taft thinks his trip may do some good, it is more from his presence than his speeches, as he does not feel comfortable with the short talks he has to give. Taft also writes about the possibility of receiving the Republican presidential nomination in 1908, and thinks that the people would prefer to nominate Roosevelt again, with Taft a very distant second. He believes the Democratic party is rather apathetic about the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-31
Senator Dubois feels that Secretary of War Taft has been “grossly deceived” in regard to conditions in Idaho and Utah and suggests that Taft talk to his cousin, Albert Thorpe Ryan, for more details about the existing conditions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-30
Senator Dubois tells President Roosevelt that he has been misinformed if he thinks that law and order is an issue in Idaho. According to Dubois, the sole issue in Idaho is “the domination of the Mormon Church in our politics.” If Roosevelt sends Secretary of War William H. Taft to Idaho to speak in support of Governor Frank Robert Gooding, Dubois assures Roosevelt that this will be viewed as a statement in favor of Mormonism.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-25
Speaker of the House Cannon agrees with President Roosevelt that Samuel Gompers should not be “magnified by name or by personal attack” unless his policies and demands affect local districts. Cannon mentions politicians blacklisted by Gompers, and the power in numbers he has in members of the American Federation of Labor. Cannon will devote time to the matter in October and strike if necessary. Cannon notes Secretary of War William H. Taft’s willingness to campaign and speak for him but will only ask if necessary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-22
Secretary of War Taft is sure his itinerary will allow him to go to Idaho as President Roosevelt wishes. He would arrive in late October after he finishes his speeches in Colorado. As for his current trip to Cuba, he thinks it should be shortened because Roosevelt’s letter to Cuban Representative Carlos Manuel de Cespedes y Quesada should have an immediate effect on the situation in Havana. Taft compares it to the way Benjamin Harrison dealt with the incident with the USS Baltimore in Chile, how it almost ended up in war, and how it was like the tale of the men running from the rain to the barn. Taft does not feel the same way; the quicker it is dealt with, the better.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-17
Fred C. Ainsworth reviews a number of communications between Idaho Governor Frank Robert Gooding and Secretary of War Taft regarding a possible need for troops to maintain the peace during the trial of several members of the Western Federation of Miners for the murder of ex-Governor Frank Steunenberg. Troops had been sent to Boise, Idaho from Walla Walla, Washington as part of a practice march, and were thereafter directed to maintain their position there for the present. Ainsworth informs Taft that the Boise Barracks do not have accommodations for horses, and that an expenditure of $2880 will be necessary to obtain stables for an extended stay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-11
Albert J. Beveridge quotes a letter from John C. Shaffer, publisher of the Indianapolis Star, who recently purchased the Dayton Journal. Shaffer plans to unequivocally endorse President Roosevelt and his policies. Beveridge has been traveling in the depths of the Maine woods, which he feels has restored him and urges Roosevelt to rest over the summer. After he opens the Maine campaign, Beveridge plans to go on another long trip with Gifford Pinchot.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-08
Governor Gooding writes to explain to President Roosevelt that his statements about Harry Orchard’s trial for the murder of Governor Steunenberg were misquoted in the Hearst newspapers. Gooding said that Orchard would receive a fair trial, but he regretted the radical resolutions passed by labor unions. Gooding also assures Roosevelt that the leaders of the Western Federation of Miners will receive fair trials and that mine owners will not be allowed to contribute money to the prosecution.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-03
Assistant Attorney General Robb updates Attorney General Bonaparte on the investigation of the assassination of former governor of Idaho Frank Steunenberg. Robb focuses on the confessions of arrested individuals and accusations of mistreatment of the suspects. Robb also discusses the depth of corruption in the Western Federation of Miners.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-19
William H. Moody encloses the report of Assistant Attorney General Robb regarding an indictment returned against William Haywood and Charles Moyer for the murder of former Governor Steunenberg and a subsequent trial in Idaho.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-21
James H. Hawley sends Assistant Attorney General Robb a summary of the confessions given by Harry Orchard and Stephen W. Adams in relation to the murder of Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg. Hawley also provides a background history of the Western Federation of Miners, claiming that its leadership has been responsible for numerous acts of violence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-13
Attorney General Moody will send the Assistant Attorney General to Colorado and Idaho to ascertains facts and make a full report to President Roosevelt in preparation for the possibility that the State of Idaho might ask the United States for help dealing with domestic violence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-27
James H. Hawley sends Charles Henry Robb court documents related to the trial of Charles H. Moyer, George A. Pettibone, and Big Bill Haywood, including copies of the extradition papers and a copy of the application for a writ of habeas corpus. Hawley provides Robb with a brief overview of the court proceedings in chronological order.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-12
Gifford Pinchot writes Theodore Roosevelt discussing the creation of forest reserves in northern Idaho. He finds that the miners and the lumber industry offer no opposition to it. He also states that he finds widespread support in Idaho for the Republican party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-30