Intra-party disagreements (Political parties)

Letter from Albert J. Beveridge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Beveridge satirically describes to President Roosevelt the scene after Senator Joseph Benson Foraker was unusually “nervy” in response to Roosevelt’s address, most likely at the Gridiron Club Dinner at the New Willard Hotel. Beveridge points to the irony in journalist David Graham Phillips’s and Senator William Lorimer’s attack on his own comments about Foraker.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-27

Letter from Thomas J. Akins to William Loeb

Thomas J. Akins sends William Loeb two clippings that indicate Joseph E. Black will be seeking appointment as Collector of Internal Revenue for the Western District of Missouri. Although Akins has taken little interest in appointments in the past because Senator William Warner has shown “great wisdom,” Akins wishes in this instance to express his opposition to Black’s appointment because Black opposed President Roosevelt’s nomination at the 1902 State Convention. Black was said to have distributed the Hanna badges and buttons and to have “talked very ugly about the President,” and Black’s nomination would revive feuds in Missouri. Akins wants to advise Roosevelt that Black’s appointment would be a “great mistake.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-02

Letter from Armand Romain to Theodore Roosevelt

Armand Romain reminds President Roosevelt that last August, a committee of Republicans from Louisiana entered a formal protest against the “policy of inaction and of ostracism” adopted by the “Lilly White” leaders of the Louisiana Republican Party. Romain recounts the injustice and partisanship with which they lead the party, which has led to dismal election results. Some fear that the party is “in a state of complete demoralization and on the eve of annihilation,” and Romain and others hope to get some “word of encouragement and hope” from Roosevelt, as well as assistance if the party collapses. Still, Romain is hopeful, as there is a “strong change of sentiment” in Louisiana and in the South generally, in political matters, and people are beginning to believe the Democratic Party has “outlived its usefulness.” Romain reminds Roosevelt of his offer to consult both factions within the party when the time came, and Romain believes that the time is now. An announcement of Roosevelt’s proposed trip to the area “created an honest and hearty enthusiasm” among Republicans there.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gifford Pinchot

Theodore Roosevelt will take the matter up at once with Republican Party Chairman Will H. Hays. George W. Perkins was out at Sagamore Hill to take the same position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-09-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to David C. Baker

Theodore Roosevelt explains to David C. Baker that it is impossible for him to advise on local politics but is sure his wishes will be in accordance with anything that Judge Albert Dexter Nortoni decides. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lloyd A. McBrier

Theodore Roosevelt outlines the contention of dictating whether local progressives should back the “Bull Moose” or “Washington” ticket in Pennsylvania.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis J. Heney

Theodore Roosevelt relitigates the circumstances surrounding the language and inclusion of the trust plank in the Progressive Party platform. Roosevelt states that he is planning to propose Francis J. Heney as Meyer Lissner’s proxy on the executive committee of the Progressive Party and expresses frustration about the tension between the moderate and radical wings of the party leading to dysfunction.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Benjamin B. Glover

Theodore Roosevelt is concerned by Benjamin B. Glover’s letter about factional problems within the Progressive Party in Pennsylvania. But, Roosevelt cannot help them choose a leader as it is the people’s decision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jacob Van Vechten Olcott

President Roosevelt tells Representative Olcott that a letter he received from Representative Herbert Parsons seems to cover the case. Roosevelt hopes that Olcott will now withdraw, and says that he can quote his language from the letter to Parsons if he leaves out the personal references to Senator Thomas Collier Platt and former New York Governor Benjamin B. Odell.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-29

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Cornelius Newton Bliss

President Roosevelt urges Cornelius Newton Bliss to arrive in Chicago, Illinois, by Sunday morning and explain that Roosevelt’s selection of George B. Cortelyou is “definite and irrevocable.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Nicholas Murray Butler

President Roosevelt describes a clipping sent by Nicholas Murray Butler and an interview with the editor of the Chicago-Record Herald. The clipping and the editor discussed how federal patronage for ambassador or minister positions could be used for swaying voters in the upcoming governor election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herschel V. Jones

President Roosevelt regrets that the party has become divided but he believes the division is only a small fraction that believe they are above the law. In their indignation they are willing to defeat Roosevelt and Republican policies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Allen White

President Roosevelt feels William Allen White “missed the point in the matter.” Roosevelt is more concerned about the qualifications of the candidates for pension agent in Topeka than he is about Senator Joseph Ralph Burton’s reaction to his decision. Roosevelt asks White to solicit private opinions of Eugene F. Ware and Cyrus Leland, the two candidates he is considering.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Allen White

President Roosevelt assures William Allen White his disagreement over Cyrus Leland’s appointment is not a reflection of his faith in White. Roosevelt responded to James Hulme Canfield’s objections to his appointments by reiterating he is not averse to a fight with Senator Burton, but wants to be certain he enters such a fight “morally justified in doing so.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George R. Peck

Arizona delegates have been attacking each other’s candidates and President Roosevelt cannot decipher the truth about the territory’s officials. George R. Peck’s friend has received negative and positive statements.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-09

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot writes to Theodore Roosevelt that George Perkins has been exercising his “preponderating influence” as the “heaviest contributor to the Progressive campaign fund.” Perkins is why the Progressive Party suffered the “legalizing monopoly” charge, and Pinchot feels that he has damaged “confidence in the sincerity of our Party and our platform.” Pinchot proposes replacing Perkins as Chairman of the Executive Committee before the next campaign, as he wants to “see the Bull Moose win next time.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-05-06

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot is “keenly dissatisfied” with Theodore Roosevelt’s response, feeling that Roosevelt ignored his actual proposal and attacked a suggestion that Pinchot never made. Despite his “clearly stated and reasonable objections” to George Walbridge Perkins’ influence, Pinchot does not propose ruling Perkins or anyone out of the Progressive Party. However, for the good of the party and the country as a whole, Pinchot sees nothing to be gained by continuing the conversation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-01-01

Letter from John Willis to Theodore Roosevelt

John Willis asks Theodore Roosevelt to visit him in Glasgow North, Montana, during his visit to the state. He comments on Roosevelt’s recent conflicts with Republicans in New York, declaring, “in the West you are among the truest friends.” Willis contemplates gathering a group of men to fight in Mexico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-21

Letter from Charles E. Magoon to Luke E. Wright

Governor Magoon apologizes to Secretary of War Wright for the misunderstandings regarding his ideas on the number of forces to maintain in Cuba in addition to him becoming involved in reconciling the factions in the Cuban political parties. He requests Wright show a copy of the letter to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-02

Letter from Owen Wister to Theodore Roosevelt

Owen Wister uses a bad-tasting meal analogy to tell President Roosevelt he and his friends see the poor treatment the Republican Party is giving him and how little of that treatment Roosevelt is accepting. Wister also asks how Roosevelt is doing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-01