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![Theodore Roosevelt seated at his desk in the Outlook office [1914?]](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/theodorerooseveltcenter/TRC/Video/Video_Thumbnail.JPG)
Theodore Roosevelt works at his desk in the New York City office of The Outlook, a small but influential weekly journal of opinion for which he became a special contributing editor early in 1909.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1914
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to discuss several articles in the press. He also informs Bishop that Judge McLaughlin will not be able to attend the Judicial Reception and lunch.
1905-01-02
William Randolph Hearst paints a donkey yellow from a bucket of paint labeled “Riot & Rottenness.” He holds the donkey by a bridle labeled “Dem. State Machine.” A dog, with the countenance of Hearst’s able amanuensis Arthur Brisbane, plays Buster’s dog Tige in this cartoon.
Once the Yellow Journalist publisher and New York congressman William Randolph Hearst declared his interest in the 1906 gubernatorial contest as a Democrat, Udo J. Keppler and his Puck magazine fired weekly salvos against him.
William Randolph Hearst, as “Tarquinius Hearst” carrying a stick labeled “Yellow Journalism,” sneaks into the “New York State Democracy.”
Puck magazine and its owner and chief cartoonist Udo J. Keppler traditionally borrowed from classical literature and opera for contextual motifs. This cover cartoon, however, required some knowledge of the minor Shakespearian canon.
Alton B. Parker, David B. Hill, John Sharp Williams, Arthur P. Groman, Richard Olney, and Grover Cleveland ride on a camel labeled “Reorganization” crossing the “Desert of Bryanism.” William Jennings Bryan tries to hold back the camel by the tail, and William Randolph Hearst tries to prevent Bryan from being pulled along toward an “Oasis” labeled “Sane Democracy.”
Starting around 1902, Puck assayed the Democratic field of possible presidential candidates to run against the incumbent, President Roosevelt. The pack of conservative, “Bourbon,” and “Gold” Democrats — opponents of William Jennings Bryan and a third nomination by him or a follower (such as publisher William Randolph Hearst) — usually included the same faces, reflecting the national political machinations.
Typewritten manuscript with handwritten edits and additions by Theodore Roosevelt. The article discusses the state of journalism in the United States and why the Outlook is exemplary, in Roosevelt’s opinion. Editorial for the Outlook, March 6, 1909.
1909-03-05
William Jennings Bryan, holding a pitcher labeled “The Commoner,” pours water labeled “Editorials” into a paper crown labeled “McKinley’s Crown,” which is filled with holes and leaking water everywhere. The caption reads, “The Bryan Crown — It Won’t Hold Water.”
In the year this cartoon was drawn, William Jennings Bryan, having lost two successive presidential campaigns, and with his anti-Imperialist views roundly rejected by Americans, retreated to two major pursuits: speeches on the Chautauqua circuit and launching a magazine that would keep his views before the public. The Commoner started publication in 1901, from Bryan’s home base of Nebraska, with the assistance of his brother Charles, later a governor of Nebraska and a vice-presidential candidate. The magazine, which was dismissed by Keppler in this Puck cover cartoon, had a healthy circulation for two decades.
A devilish-looking man holding an ink-tipped quill labeled “French Press” stands on a pedestal labeled “Paris,” gleefully kicking up his left foot labeled “Insults” toward the British Lion, in the background, who is engaged in war in the Transvaal. Behind the “French Press” is a press spewing “Venomous Articles” and “Spite Cartoons.” Caption: French Press–Me kick at the British Lion? Boo! Who’s afraid? Fashodia [sic] is avenged!
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-01-03
Some newspapers have been offered a story that President Roosevelt will look into the case of Florence Elizabeth Maybrick, who is in jail for murdering her husband, and potentially have her released. A handwritten note says that David S. Barry of the New York Sun has asked about this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-16
Theodore Roosevelt found the “interview” immensely amusing. He regards Paul V. Collins as the kind of man he would be delighted to talk to about anything and invites him to stop by sometime.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-01
Theodore Roosevelt introduces Minister to China William J. Calhoun to Charles P. Stewart, who is visiting China on behalf of the United Press and the Newspaper Enterprise Association. Stewart wants to meet with Wu Tingfang, the former Chinese Minister. Roosevelt asks Calhoun to help Stewart.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-28
Theodore Roosevelt took Secretary of War Stimson’s letter up with The Outlook and thinks they will write the editorial immediately. He comments on how annoying the press is. They are less concerned with the news than they are with causing a momentary sensation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt asks Edwin T. Earl if he plans to come out East soon, as he has much to talk about with him. Roosevelt thinks of Earl often and enjoys hearing from him. Earl’s success in the newspaper world is a credit to good citizenship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-31
Theodore Roosevelt is happy with Charles Dwight Willard’s previous letter and enclosed newspaper clippings. He discusses the issues of clergymen and ministers championing morality but not embodying it, and the complicity of newspapers and the press. He did not know of actions taken against Otis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-15
Theodore Roosevelt declines to publish a denial in response to a slanderous article mentioned by Hugh T. Halbert. He has not seen the article and feels it is not worth answering repeated attacks, but says he will publish the facts if needed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-08
The secretary of Theodore Roosevelt informs Charles L. Robinson that the former president is unable to read his article, nor is he able to conduct an interview due to his busy schedule.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary explains to Alexander W. Swanitz that Roosevelt has no authority to select articles for publication in The Outlook, but he has passed Swanitz’s paper to the managing editor of the magazine for review.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-25
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary directs David Newton E. Campbell to send his article to the managing editor of The Outlook, since Roosevelt has no authority to make publication decisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary returns Helen Norwood Halsey’s articles and explains that she must send them to the managing editor of The Outlook for publication, as Roosevelt is not responsible for publication decisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-29
While Theodore Roosevelt feels that the subject that Robert F. Duckworth mentioned is an interesting one, he does not have information that would allow him to write such an article, and furthermore cannot write articles except for the Outlook.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-05