Your TR Source
Freemason John Norwood and Albert W. Talkington testify that James F. Ailshie, a candidate for a judgeship in Idaho, killed A. D. Greene. Ailshie’s later application for membership in their lodge was rejected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-16
Judge George D. Gear is shown giving a toast at the head of a banquet table. Caption: At a banquet given by Chinese a few days ago, Judge Gear proposed the toast: “Success to Crime.” When taken to task by another guest he explained that if it had not been for the increase in crime the bench would not have got a third judge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-22
President Roosevelt has received Senator Platt’s letter, and while he is not yet ready to announce his decision to nominate Charles M. Hough for a judgeship in New York, he disagrees with Platt’s assertion that his preference of J. Addison Young should be enough to tip the scales in Young’s favor. He furthermore does not understand how Platt can say that Roosevelt’s preference for Hough over Young is an “affront,” and rebukes Platt, saying that his duty as the president is to nominate a candidate, and the Senate’s duty is to confirm or not confirm that candidate, with both bodies trying to find the best person for the position. Neither Platt nor Roosevelt himself should let individual preferences affect who they determine to be the best candidate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-17
Theodore Roosevelt regrets that he cannot recommend William Halcombe Thomas to President William Howard Taft because he gets thousands of similar requests. However, he is willing to write Thomas’s praise if asked.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-06
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates William H. Thomas for his appointment to the Alabama Supreme Court and suggests that they meet if he is ever in New York. Roosevelt wishes he played golf, but he does not.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-12
President Roosevelt does not believe that there is any vacant judgeship in Arizona he will fill before leaving office. He informs Rachel Sherman Thorndike that, contrary to her suggestion, he feels it is inappropriate for the ex-president to do anything but travel directly from the inauguration ceremony to the train station as a private citizen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-02
President Roosevelt is pleased with what Silas McBee writes in The Churchman. Roosevelt sought the advice of Judge William Alexander Hoke on deciding the appointment of a federal judge in North Carolina.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-23
President Roosevelt discusses his reasons for changing his mind about appointing Edward W. Timberlake for judgeship. All things considered, his first choice is H. F. Seawell, second is T. T. Hicks, and Timberlake is third.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-22
President Roosevelt has spoken with Judge Jeter Connelly Pritchard about the judgeship in North Carolina’s Eastern District, and both have concluded that Spencer B. Adams is not fit for the position. Roosevelt reports that Pritchard also feels that Edward W. Timberlake, president-elect William H. Taft’s pick, is “not of the right caliber.” After consulting with Pritchard and Judge William Alexander Hoke, Roosevelt believes that H. F. Seawell is the best man for the job.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-14
President Roosevelt weighs in on who should be appointed as judge in North Carolina. He initially intends to advise against President-Elect Taft’s suggestion of Edward W. Timberlake, but, after hearing from a number of prominent southerners who back him up, agrees that Timberlake is the best choice for the job.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-07
President Roosevelt is puzzled by Bishop Strange’s suggestion to appoint a Democtratic judge in North Carolina. Roosevelt has done so before, but cannot see how doing so would help further the movements Strange advocates for. Roosevelt prefers to appoint a Republican regardless of the length of their membership in the party, but seeks a “first-class judge” above all else.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-07
President Roosevelt will try to appoint a Republican if Judge E. D. Saunders of the Eastern District of Louisiana resigns, and assures Francis Bennett Williams that he will not take a step without consulting him. Charlton R. Beattie, who Williams mentioned, would be “an admirable man.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-12
President Roosevelt describes the process by which he appointed a judge in Connecticut to William Dudley Foulke. Roosevelt vehemently denies reports that he promised the appointment to John K. Beach but later appointed another man in order to get a delegation favorable to nominating William H. Taft at the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-03
President Roosevelt has spoken to “certain members” of the Minnesota bar and discovered that they disapprove of Senator Knute Nelson’s choice of William Edward Hale because he is too old. They would rather push David F. Simpson for the position. Roosevelt thinks that Hale should not be appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-10
President Roosevelt encloses a copy of George W. Alger’s “Moral Overstrain.” He hopes Judge Day will pay special attention to the last two chapters. Roosevelt has been struggling with how much to fight for the labor and working classes in light of recent court decisions. He does not know how to balance respect for the law and rights of legislatures with what he believes are basic rights that workers should be afforded, and is concerned with making sure that he does not diminish respect for the courts. He encloses a telegram he sent to Judge Willard Bartlett of New York last fall regarding Bartlett’s request for support.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-11
President Roosevelt informs Judge John H. Shepherd that there is a very serious protest against his appointment in Oklahoma, and wishes for Shepherd to speak to Governor Frank C. Frantz and Charles E. Hunter about the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-31
President Roosevelt informs Commissioner of Corporations Smith of his recent visit with Charles F. Brooker, and asks Smith to arrange a meeting to go over the matter of selecting a man for the judgeship in Connecticut.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-13
President Roosevelt thanks Commissioner of Corporations Smith for his work in selecting a new judge for the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Connecticut. Roosevelt is leaning towards John K. Beach for the appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-30
President Roosevelt asks Commissioner of Corporations Smith if he can “quietly secure some backing” for John K. Beach, who Roosevelt is inclined to appoint to a judgeship in Connecticut.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-18
President Roosevelt looks forward to speaking with Arthur Twining Hadley regarding the upcoming judgeship. Roosevelt is interested in knowing how George D. Watrous and Charles Hopkins Clark feel about the bar and who would be the best option for a judicial appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-11