Indiana--Indianapolis

This edition of “News and Notes,” seven pages in length, is divided into six sections. “TR Quasquicentennial Year Ends” covers events marking the 125th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt’s birth at venues in Indianapolis, Indiana, Oyster Bay and Buffalo, New York, Harvard University, and the National Archives in Washington, D.C. It notes that the final event of the celebration year was appropriately held at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace in New York City, and it highlights some of the lectures and interviews given by John A. Gable, Executive Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA), during 1983. An illustration of both sides of the TRA medallion and a photograph from the 125 Anniversary Dinner in New York City supplement the section.

The “Annual Meeting of the TRA Board of Trustees” examines the financial health of the TRA and notes that there needs to be an increase of revenue for the Association. It also covers changes to the By-Laws of the TRA regarding membership categories and terms for members of the Board of Trustees. It closes by noting the governance of the TRA and listing its officers and members of the Executive Committee.

“Filming ‘The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt'” discusses the production of this documentary film and highlights the narration provided by actor George C. Scott and the music of John Philip Sousa. It notes its fluid mixing of reenactments and archival film footage. A photograph of the Roosevelt family as portrayed by actors and descendants and one of Gable in a cameo role accompany the section.

In “TR and the Wall Street Journal,” Gable attacks an article written by Art Pine of the Journal about the history of debt collection from foreign nations because of its sometimes “misleading” and “false” statements about Roosevelt. Gable enlists the work of historians Barbara Tuchman and Frederick W. Marks to refute some of Pine’s reporting.

This four page edition of “News and Notes” is divided into six sections and is mostly concerned with a series of celebrations and commemorations of the 125th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt’s birth. The article details the celebrations held in Indianapolis, Indiana, in New York State in New York City, Oyster Bay, and Buffalo, and at Harvard University. The Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace hosted events as did the American Museum of Natural History. Oyster Bay held a parade while the Indianapolis gathering saw the planting of a tree at the home of Roosevelt’s Vice President, Charles W. Fairbanks. The meeting at the American Museum of Natural History saw the awarding of the Theodore Roosevelt Distinguished Service Medal to four recipients. A dinner was held in Buffalo while at Harvard, John Morton Blum gave a lecture.

The article also discusses the 1983 Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest for the New York City public high schools held at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, and it details the premiere of the documentary film The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. “News and Notes” closes with an obituary for Helen M. MacLachlan who worked for both the Theodore Roosevelt Association and the National Park Service at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace in New York City.

A photograph from the Oyster Bay parade and two photographs of members of the Roosevelt family at Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C., are included in the article.

Following a confusing and contentious ballot, Harry B. Smith was elected chairman of the Republican county central committee in Indianapolis. After the counts on the initial ballot were confused, Smith’s rival, Robert Metzger, requested that Smith be elected by acclamation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-08

Because President Roosevelt has been vocal about his policies, there was nothing novel in the “vigorous” speech he had delivered the day before, but there is a need for him to reiterate his policies to dissipate misconceptions. Roosevelt argues that he is for the preservation of property rights, but against the predatory practices of wealthy men. Roosevelt says that past misdeeds, which were not illegal when committed, should be forgotten. Roosevelt outlines ways to govern the railroad trusts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-31

Senator Beveridge writes an amusing telegram to President Roosevelt suggesting that as the delegate-at-large from Indianapolis he “supposed” he would “obey instructions” and cast his vote for Roosevelt’s nomination in the 1904 presidential election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-27

Otto Gresham encloses a page from the Indianapolis News containing an advertisement concerning William R. Hearst.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-08

James Goodrich states the committee passed a resolution endorsing President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-04

President Roosevelt addresses a crowd at the unveiling of the General Lawton statue in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 30, 1907. Marie asks what Harry and Ivan gave Buzz. She and Elsie hope Harry has sent him any “postals.”

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1907

The Indianapolis Star reports on Margaret Sanger’s speech about birth control at the Claypool Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sanger discussed the importance of providing birth control information to working class women in order to reduce and prevent infant and maternal mortality, poverty, abortion, and prostitution. She argued that if former President Roosevelt was allowed to travel the country and urge families to have many children, she should be allowed to give poor women the information they needed. In reference to Roosevelt’s concerns over race suicide, Sanger stated, “I say the race ought to commit suicide unless it can take care of its children better.”

Collection

The Margaret Sanger Papers Project

Creation Date

1916-05-16

Margaret Sanger writes about her nationwide speaking engagement tour about birth control and family planning. Sanger discusses events and responses in various cities. She indicates that in St. Louis more people came to hear her speak than had come when Theodore Roosevelt and William H. Taft spoke in the city. Sanger accounts various arrests related to obscenity laws and the distribution of birth control pamphlets.

Collection

The Margaret Sanger Papers Project

Creation Date

1916-08-09

President Roosevelt enjoyed Senator Beveridge’s speech in Indianapolis. He also says that while the Democrats are counting on Indiana, but Roosevelt believes them to be mistaken.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-04

President Roosevelt gives a brief speech from the balcony of the Columbia Club near the Sailors and Soldiers Monument, which had been completed in May of that year. Roosevelt celebrates the material well-being he has seen in Indiana but praises more the spirit to do and honor great deeds. He honors the memory of Union veterans of the American Civil War, affirms the place of the United States as a world power, and encourages the crowd to embrace a gospel of hope. If Americans stand up to difficulty, do their duty at home and abroad, and dare to be great, the nation will be “the greatest upon which the sun has ever shone.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-23

In a military policy speech given before a group of soldiers and veterans of the American Civil War and Spanish-American War, President Roosevelt stresses the need for preparedness. He says the borders of the United States, once separated from Europe and Asia by the vast oceans, have been brought closer to potential threats by modern naval technology. He insists that the United States, now a world power, must become very engaged in international affairs, ready to back up words with action, and he affirms his belief in the Monroe Doctrine. For the army, he believes in small but strong regular National Guard units which can train up and lead a larger volunteer force in the event of war. He believes this would be impossible for the navy, however, as it takes years to build warships and train sailors on the “highly specialized work” of operating them; Roosevelt feels that the warcraft and crews prepared in time of peace would be the factor on which success would rest. He concludes with anecdotes and a message on the need for citizens and soldiers to do their duty every day and not just in moments of glory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-23

President Roosevelt speaks to the citizens of Indianapolis and thanks them for their greeting. He discusses his travels and expansionism. Roosevelt also discusses the character of the American people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-04

Solicitor Wishard will be vacationing in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-04

Nicholas Murray Butler has just returned from a trip out West and details three points about his travels in regards to the upcoming presidential election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-02

Civil Service Commissioner Cooley discusses his reports, memorandums, and findings concerning scandal in the Philadelphia Post Office. Cooley also amends his report on the Indiana Post Office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-27

Newspaper article on recent political events in Indiana, including opposition to Mayor Bookwalter and candidates for the upcoming election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

An Indianapolis newspaper printed a story that Harry S. New and President Roosevelt were to participate in a hunting trip. New writes to explain that he was not consulted before the story was printed and that he has no information about such a trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-20