Your TR Source
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary informs Andrew B. Hulit that Roosevelt appreciates receiving a copy of the report from the recent Conference of State Immigration Officials in Chicago and looks forward to reading it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-13
President Roosevelt tells Edwin Emerson that “the course of [M. H.] De Young’s paper [i.e. the San Francisco Chronicle]…has been infamous.” Roosevelt cannot make it to the Rough Riders reunion. In relation to matters concerning the Japanese in California, he has always maintained confidence that the people will do the right thing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-08
President Roosevelt would like the Chinese merchant that he discussed with Secretary of Commerce and Labor Cortelyou to be admitted. The merchant is an associate of Yick Nam Quan, who Roosevelt finds to be honest and intelligent. The merchant has lived in the United States and is returning from China. The law is to restrict Chinese laborers but is written to favor merchants and students. Roosevelt has been uneasy about the many obstacles placed before Chinese merchants and students. He suggests this case could serve as a precedent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-25
Acting Commissioner-General of Immigration Larned informs William Loeb that the report on the Japanese requested by President Roosevelt will be prepared as soon as possible. Larned sees no reason prohibiting the following of some Japanese immigrants “to find out what they really do.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-16
Charles F. Skelly of the San Francisco Board of Police Commissioners sends United States District Attorney Devlin the reasons for denying permits for employment agencies to Japanese nationals. The board finds that such permits may be denied to foreigners in order to favor American citizens. Further, the board finds that the treaty governing such permits between the United States and Japan would not allow Americans to gain such permits in Japan. The board suggests that the denied applicants pursue their case in the courts, “where a judicial determination can be had concerning [their] rights under the treaty.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-06
A bill proposed to the House of Representatives by Representative Kahn to prohibit Chinese immigration and to regulate the residence of “Chinese persons and people of Chinese descent” within the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-06
Frank P. Sargent, Commissioner General of Immigration, warns against an “undesirable foreign element” threatening the country which he describes as “ignorance, illiteracy, and indifference to government.” Sargent believes that present immigration laws provide inadequate protection and suggests that immigration be limited by the implementation of an educational test.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-18