Judges--Selection and appointment--U.S. states

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Strange

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis Bennett Williams

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Dudley Foulke

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Knute Nelson

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William R. Day

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John H. Shepherd

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Twining Hadley

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to David J. Foster

President Roosevelt responds to a letter from David J. Foster regarding the geographical region from which he will select a judge. Roosevelt notes that if his decision is based on geography, then Connecticut has the most claim to the position. If he decides to not consider geography, he will select the best person for the position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Twining Hadley

President Roosevelt asks Arthur Twining Hadley what his opinion is of John H. Perry. Roosevelt wants to know if Perry is a better option than Senator Frank B. Brandegee’s partner, Walter Chadwick Noyes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Benson Foraker

President Roosevelt informs Senator Foraker that he will appoint John E. Sater as the judge in the newly formed district in Ohio.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Dick

President Roosevelt tells Senator Dick that he believes John E. Sater would be the best appointee for the new judgeship in Ohio.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George B. Cortelyou

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou that William H. Taft should be contacted when deciding who they should appoint for a judgeship. Roosevelt recognizes that they may receive pushback from Ohio’s two senators.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-16

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Calvin Cobb

President Roosevelt asks Calvin Cobb for his opinion of the candidates for the judgeship in Idaho.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Calvin Cobb

President Roosevelt summarizes a variety of opinions about judicial appointee candidates in Idaho, and urgently asks Calvin Cobb for his opinion of them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Kent

President Roosevelt assures Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Kent that though he can make no promises, he believes Kent would be a good candidate for one of the open positions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-11

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Pearl Wight

President Roosevelt informs Pearl Wight that he has decided to appoint E. D. Saunders to the District Court for East Louisiana. Although he has heard many good things about Mr. Caffery, Roosevelt believes that the general opinion overwhelmingly favors Saunders for this position. Were Judge Taylor Beattie a younger man Roosevelt would likely appoint him, as he is a “most admirable man” in Roosevelt’s opinion.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-11

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Pearl Wight

President Roosevelt is planning to appoint E. D. Saunders judge in Louisiana, but wishes to know if Pearl Wight has any objections or knows of a well qualified Republican candidate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry L. Sprague

Though President Roosevelt is sure of his “fitness for the position,” he cannot guarantee Henry L. Sprague’s appointment at this time. Roosevelt may choose to promote a district judge, but would feel “extremely fortunate to have the chance” to appoint Sprague.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-09