Iowa

Magazine article featuring a letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Hay recounting his trip west in 1903.

Collection

Grand Canyon National Park

Creation Date

1951-12-10

This treaty between the United States, as represented by Commissioner of Indian Affairs Lea and Governor Ramsey of Minnesota, and the Sisseton and Wahpeton Bands of Sioux, cedes native control of a substantial portion of territory in Iowa and Minnesota in exchange for a payment of $1,665,000, to be paid out over several decades, and which will be put toward several purposes, which the treaty enumerates. The Native American bands further agree to remove themselves to reservations designated for them by the United States government.

Collection

White Horse Hill

Creation Date

1851-07-23

Creator(s)

Sisseton Band of Sioux Indians; Wahpeton Band of Sioux Indians; Lea, Luke, 1879-1945; Ramsey, Alexander, 1815-1903

A staff correspondent writes of the political situations in Kansas and Iowa developing around the potential presidential nominees and senators from each state. Many possibilities and political stances are suggested including the idea that Senator Albert Baird Cummins would be a compromise for Republicans who are split between William H. Taft and Robert M. La Follette, though Cummins is a solid supporter of La Follette and will not run against him. Many believe a third party might arise amongst the division.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-02

A staff correspondent reports on President William Howard Taft’s recent visit to Iowa. Taft was respectfully received and listened to, but it is not clear that public opinion was affected by his visit. Many farmers and small business owners were interviewed for their opinion and there was not a consensus for or against Taft among Republicans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-30

Charles M. Miller copies part of a newsletter sent by Janette Miller from her missionary post in Angola, Africa. Janette Miller describes the climate, weather, and details the long trip from Lisbon to the village where she lives and works. The men, women, and children she helps to educate and teach Christian ways are also described. Janette Miller ends saying she trusts her African friends and reminds the reader that there are cousins of the tribe she lives with in the United States who are suffering because of what her race did to them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-18

Iowa Governor Albert Baird Cummins wears a “protection” muzzle as he says, “Tariff revision.” He holds two flags—”They can’t lose ‘A. B.'” and “For governor, A. B. Cummins”—as he is tied to the back of an elephant with a sign on its back that reads, “Standpatters from Standpattersville” The elephant also holds a flag, “We’re all in line.” Senator William B. Allison leads the elephant along.

Comments and Context

The “Iowa Idea” was a controversial tariff-tinkering whose origin was with the new governor, Albert B. Cummins. He had national ambitions — indeed he would soon be appointed to the United States Senate — and his insurgent views blossomed into his leadership of the Progressive movement, even to supporting Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 against the incumbent president, William H. Taft.

In 1903 his promotion of the “Iowa Idea” — to consider tariff revisions with pledges not to preserve or create monopolies — was a sincere reform proposal, but also a gambit to commit the national Republican Party to address the tariff issue… and imply downward rate revisions.

President Roosevelt sits at his desk and holds a paper that reads: “for the uplift of the American farmer—reforms necessary etc. etc.” On the wall is a picture of William H. Taft and on the ground is “Darkest Africa” as well as a variety of papers: “Foraker silent,” “Hughes needs attention in New York,” “Illinois stirred up,” “West Virginia muddle,” “Indiana very uncertain,” and “Iowa situation cloudy.” An American farmer has a “bank account” paper in his pocket and says, “Don’t worry about us. You have other troubles.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

The cartoon by Joseph Harry Cunningham in the Washington Herald addressed several matters that were prominent in the news of the time, only peripherally suggesting by the attitude of the figure representing American farmers that the agricultural section was dissatisfied with President Roosevelt at that time. Beyond normal nuances of support and priorities, such was not the case.

William H. Taft stands with a gavel in his hand as the delegates select President Roosevelt as the nominee. In the audience are Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon, Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, and New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes. A balloon in the top right-hand corner shows William Jennings Bryan and William Randolph Hearst holding signs that read, “Gov’t Ownership” and “Socialism” respectively as they step on Minnesota Governor John Albert Johnson.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Whether cartoonist Tyler McWhorter drew this cartoon as a prophecy or a hopeful dream, it was another cartoonist’s speculation on whether President Roosevelt would break his pledge of Election Night 1904 that he would not allow his name to be put into nomination in 1908. With its long caption, it also might have been an illustration for an article, or part of series. In any event the St. Paul Dispatch drawing was pasted in the White scrapbook, and presumably seen by the president.

Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw refutes the claim that he recently traveled to Iowa in order to influence the gubernatorial race there on behalf of President Roosevelt. Neither has Shaw himself presented any candidates for consideration, and clarifies that he only went to Iowa to speak on the subject of Republican principles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-14

William H. Taft shares commentary on William Allen White’s letter with President Roosevelt. In his upcoming speech, Taft does not address the “negro question” but plans to do so later. Taft enjoyed the speeches of Secretary of State Elihu Root and Representative J. S. Sherman. In a postscript, Taft believes in the necessity of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes. He shares misgivings about his election prospects and wants to give speeches in several states.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-20

Iowa Governor Albert Baird Cummins will not oppose Senator William B. Allison’s reelection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-13

A letter from the child labor committee of the Iowa Federation of Women’s Clubs asks that the enclosures concerning child labor be presented to members of other regional clubs. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs has asked that regional members report back. The letter discusses child labor laws and compulsory education laws in Iowa as well as in other states and emphasizes the importance of the Beveridge Child Labor Bill. The club asks that members write letters to senators and representatives, and that they ask their local ministers to preach on the topic. The letter is signed by club president Gertrude C. Russell Nash and other members.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-05

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that he has changed his mind about writing a speech on the Brownsville affair. He will write a draft and send it to his campaign manager, Arthur I. Vorys, and Roosevelt to get their opinion. Taft describes his opinion of James Buchanan Aleshire’s fitness for Quartermaster General. Taft encloses letters on William Edgar Borah and Albert Baird Cummins. He relays discussions on the appointment of the Postmaster in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-07

Gifford Pinchot informs W. G. Steel that Representative John F. Lacey will be the best person to see about the creation of Crater Lake National Park, as they are both from Iowa. Pinchot hopes there will be no problems getting the bill passed. Any influence from Oregon will be looked upon favorably by President Roosevelt.

Collection

Crater Lake National Park

Creation Date

1902-03-04

Harper’s Weekly cover shows Theodore Roosevelt holding a bowling bowl labeled “Nomination 1908.” A sign above the pins reads “Favorite Sons.” Pins are labeled with the names of the following states: Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. Another sign lists people that are warned off the premises. Jack London is one of those individuals.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1907-06-01

Theodore Roosevelt, astride a horse with “Wyoming” on its bridle, leads a number of lassoed cattle behind him, each with the name of a state on it. One cow, with Alabama written on it, rises up and says, “I don’t see how I can get out of this.” A teddy bear holding a bag walks alongside Roosevelt. This cartoon is likely a reference to Theodore Roosevelt’s massive success in the 1904 presidential election, which saw him capture the electoral votes of the Northern and Western states, leading to his second term as president.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1904

Index listing of President Roosevelt’s speeches made during his tour of the Pacific Coast in April of 1903.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903

President Roosevelt praises Justice John Marshall Harlan’s service as a justice of the Supreme Court. Roosevelt notes that Harlan is a Kentuckian, and he praises the patriotism of the citizens of Kentucky, who sided with the North during the Civil War. He notes that their position as a border state made it much more difficult to remain loyal to the Union than it was for those further north. Roosevelt closes by praising Harlan as embodying the qualities requisite for being a good citizen and statesman, and noting that Harlan’s strength of personality and quality of character stand as examples for all Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-09

Index of Book Four of President Roosevelt’s speeches given during his tour to the Pacific Coast from April to June of 1903. Speeches in this index date from June 1 to June 5, 1903. The speeches were given in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903

Newspaper article crediting Senator Allison and the failed “Iowa idea” for encouraging discussion of “reasonable tariff revision.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07