Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt informs Carl Theodore Vogelgesang that he wrote to Governor Hiram Johnson about his brother, Charles A. Vogelgesang. He did not make any requests but asked Johnson to investigate the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-19
Theodore Roosevelt agrees that if he accepts a presidential nomination from the Progressive Party the reelection of President Wilson will be assured. He feels it to be his patriotic duty to stop Wilson’s reelection and will support the Republican candidate, Charles Evans Hughes, even though he has contempt for most Republican leaders. The Progressives only remain a viable party in California and Louisiana but that is primarily due to the influence of John M. Parker in Louisiana and Governor Johnson in California.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-23
Theodore Roosevelt is touched by what California civil servant Edgar Williams tells him about Booker T. Washington. Washington, a friend of Roosevelt’s, died the month prior. Roosevelt suggests that Williams would do well to “follow the lead” of Hiram Johnson, with whom Roosevelt finds himself “in most complete sympathy” regarding Progressivism. In the years following, Roosevelt was no longer a sympathizer of Johnson, his former vice-presidential running mate, who was increasingly an isolationist regarding United States involvement in the World War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-01-19
Theodore Roosevelt gives George E. Miller some advice on what Miller should write about him. Roosevelt is not publicly supporting or standing against any one man, but trying to reach an entire “class of men” that it is possible to “rally to.” Roosevelt suggests that Miller write in the third person “dwell upon the fact” that in Roosevelt’s estimation, Hiram Johnson is the best man for the presidency. However, Roosevelt does not think that Johnson will be accepted by the Republicans and thus will not receive the nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-27
Theodore Roosevelt informs George E. Miller that the Senators have informed him that they will not support Philander C. Knox for President because of Knox’s positions on Mexico and foreign affairs during his time as Secretary of State. Miller should speak with Senator Albert B. Fall about his facts regarding Knox. Roosevelt instructs Miller to make it clear that Roosevelt is not supporting any one man for the presidency. However, if Roosevelt could choose the next President, it would be Hiram Johnson. He wishes that the Republicans would nominate Johnson, but believes that is “too much to expect.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-27
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased to hear from a Progressive like J. J. Nichols, but suggests that he contact Hiram Johnson, Meyer Lissner, and Chester Rowell, as they are the politicians that Roosevelt follows in California.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-27
Theodore Roosevelt requests that William T. Hornaday refrain from asking Roosevelt to write to Governor Johnson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-01
Theodore Roosevelt is sorry that Meyer Lissner and California Governor Hiram Johnson are disappointed with him but Roosevelt did not want to interfere by offering advice. Roosevelt discusses his grandchildren and a blanket that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is knitting for the Governor’s grandchild. Roosevelt asks if Lissner and his wife Ermine Greenhood Lissner might visit this winter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-06
Theodore Roosevelt tells William H. Sears that he wishes Governor Hiram Johnson of California could make speeches in the east, but “the whole object would be destroyed” if it was thought to be arranged at Roosevelt’s request. He also notes that the people of Pennsylvania are feeling bitter toward Governor Martin Grove Brumbaugh.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-20
Theodore Roosevelt encourages William H. Goddard to write to California Governor Hiram Johnson for more information on the effectiveness of the reforms they passed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-20
Theodore Roosevelt would be pleased to have Raymond Robins in his proposed division to be raised if the United States enters the war. Robins could raise troops and then serve as a lieutenant colonel or captain. Roosevelt uses Belgium as an example of the importance of national security. Roosevelt supports Robins’s decision to refuse the support of the Knights of Luther and Guardians of Liberty and encloses an article he wrote on the public school question. He hopes the Republicans nominate a presidential candidate the progressives can support. If not, the Progressive Party will have to have their own candidate and progressives will need to cast a conscience vote.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-06
Theodore Roosevelt has recently returned from California and a visit with Governor Hiram Johnson. Roosevelt would like Johnson to speak in Philadelphia under Governor Martin Grove Brumbaugh and in New York City under Governor Mitchel, about the reforms he has implemented in California. Roosevelt asks Mitchel if he would be willing to preside over such a meeting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-14
Theodore Roosevelt tells William Flinn of a satisfactory conversation he had recently with Governor Hiram Johnson of California. Because of their similar platforms and goals, Roosevelt thinks it would be a “first rate move” to bring Johnson and Pennsylvania Governor Martin Grove Brumbaugh together to speak in Pennsylvania sometime next fall. Roosevelt does not want anyone to know that the suggestion came from him, though he has also sent a duplicate of this letter to newspaper editor Edwin A. Van Valkenburg of the Philadelphia paper, the North American.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-03
Theodore Roosevelt expects William Allen White, as a newspaper man, not to be deceived by false stories about Roosevelt and his opinions. Roosevelt defends his opinion that President Wilson is similar to James Buchanan. He compares Buchanan’s views towards succession to Wilson’s views on military readiness. Roosevelt believes the world war is of much greater significance then the American Civil War even though the United States is not a combatant. The war can “at any moment prove to be fraught with almost as much consequence” even to Americans. Roosevelt agrees with other leading Progressives that there is little political hope for the near future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-03
Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Dwight B. Heard is the president of the American National Live Stock Association. Roosevelt believes that the Progressive Party is “shot to pieces” in various parts of the country. He fears that “stand-pat Republicans” will force a third ticket as a protest vote.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-06
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates the Bulletin on its sixtieth anniversary. He especially compliments the state of California and the Bulletin on having Governor Johnson as chief executive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-27
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Moses A. Gunst for the letter and hopes he is recovering after his accident. Roosevelt is please that Hiram Johnson was reelected governor. He is also looking forward to attending the Panama-California Exposition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-15
Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Meyer Lissner wrote to William English Walling. Roosevelt has no doubt that Walling knew the quotation was a lie. Roosevelt has never seen or heard of George Creel except in relation to his attack on Hiram Johnson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-13
Theodore Roosevelt was sorry to hear about the accident Mrs. Robins experienced. It is not possible for Roosevelt to accept the Northwestern University Settlement invitation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-29
Theodore Roosevelt expresses his admiration of Chester H. Rowell and says he suggested Rowell as a candidate for chairman of the Progressive Party’s national committee. However, the general feeling favored a candidate from the geographic center of the country. Roosevelt agrees that the reaction against the Progressive Party was temporary, a “stomach vote.” He says there are many opinions on the future of the party and that he has received contradictory advice ranging from continuing the fight to rejoining the Republican Party. He does not want to abandon “forward movement” through the Progressive Party, but admits it is currently impossible in many areas of the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-17