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Luke E. Wright recommends Herbert J. Davis for appointment to the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Davis is a lawyer for Western Union and comes recommended by Governor Taft, among others. There is a belief that a Catholic should be appointed to the post.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-10
Russell B. Harrison suggests that President Roosevelt delay the retirement of Judge Francis E. Baker until after the 1904 convention for political reasons. There are political factions who have their candidates, and for Roosevelt to appoint someone before the convention might hurt his nomination bid in Indiana. Baker was not altogether ready to retire, and he indicated to Harrison that he would be willing to continue in his position until after the convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-27
George S. Batcheller’s appointment as Justice of the Mixed Court of Appeals has been confirmed by Khedival decree and Batcheller thanks President Roosevelt for his support. Batcheller also sends greetings from the Khedive, who admires what Roosevelt has been doing, especially in relation to labor unrest. He congratulates Roosevelt on the recent electoral success of the Republicans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-28
Cardinal Gibbons recommends William Henry Dennis for a judicial appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-06
Booker T. Washington asks President Roosevelt to defer appointment of Judge Roulhac as district attorney until Washington confers with James Sullivan Clarkson. He has a resolution that he will suggest to Clarkson, who will then convey it to Roosevelt. Washington spoke to Edgar S. Wilson in New Orleans, Louisiana. Wilson is in fine shape, particularly if he can have two African American men appointed as deputy revenue collectors.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-06
Booker T. Washington would like President Roosevelt to defer making any commitment to Judge Roulhac until Washington has conferred with James Sullivan Clarkson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-06
Governor Taft provides his favorable opinion for the judicial appointment of an unnamed individual, in spite if this individual’s being a “free trade democrat, of gold Cleveland type”. Taft also mentions this individual’s corporate experience, although he does not see this as an impediment. The candidate is an imperialist.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-09
Governor Taft discusses Filipino issues and politics. He discusses his decline of a place on the Supreme Court. He mentions the problem between the Roman Catholics and the Independent Filipino Catholic Church in regard to the ownership of church buildings. There is fear of a famine, so the government has bought some rice to support the people. Taft asks for a congressional appropriation of around $3 million for the purchase of cattle because of the loss of many cows. He is against the return of Apolinario Mabini, currently under arrest for insurrection. Taft discusses the possible appointment of Bowers with approval and President Roosevelt’s handling of the trusts. He fears the populists’ calls for destroying all trusts and moneyed interests, but sees the problem with the current setup.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-09
Senator Penrose recommends the appointment of John S. Durham, an applicant for a judiciary position in an insular possession of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-27
Attorney General Knox says the senator will be satisfied with Judge Buffington and several others support Buffington. Knox thinks highly of Buffington but does not share their opinion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-13
Senators Quay and Penrose recommend Judge Buffington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-13
Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock believes Judge Henry C. Caldwell to be a man of great legal ability but finds his political views to be on the radical side and his legal opinions erratic. Hitchcock asks his son-in-law John F. Shepley to obtain an opinion on Caldwell from those who know him in St. Louis, Missouri. Is he a man of marked ability, good judgment, and able to conduct a lengthy and laborious investigation, with his conclusions accepted by the country as reliable and fair?
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-11
Attorney General Knox suggested Judge Buffington to an unnamed senator and the senator approved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-13
Senator Hanna would like President Roosevelt to defer appointing a judge for northern Alabama until Hanna can get back to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-06
Senator Quay wired this morning with a recommendation for Judge Buffington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-13
Senator Lodge has just returned from Senator McMillan’s funeral. He tells President Roosevelt that it is too bad he will need to make appearances in Lynn and Boston but that he will be expected to speak for only a short amount of time. Lodge is pleased with the Forbes situation and also with the enthusiasm being shown the appointment of Judge Holmes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-17
Senator Lodge discusses not taking Mr. Bloomfield on his trip though he knows how much the settlement work Bloomfield does appeals to President Roosevelt. Lodge likes that Bloomfield’s people support Roosevelt for the 1904 election, as if he loses his Senate seat, he is counting on a Cabinet post. Lodge also reports to Roosevelt the advice he has given to Judge Holmes as he waits to be confirmed for the Supreme Court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-20
Nevada N. Stranahan assures President Roosevelt that the platform will contain satisfactory language and urges the appointment of George W. Ray as district judge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-31
Judge Lowell supports President Roosevelt’s Supreme Court appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-13
Senator Lodge addresses the letter that Senator Hoar sent to President Roosevelt, wherein he expressed his displeasure at Roosevelt’s choice of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., for the Supreme Court. Lodge dismisses Hoar’s complaints about a recess appointment, not being formally consulted on the matter, and about Holmes’s legal credentials. Attorney General Moody, Hosea Morrill Knowlton, and Richard Olney believe Holmes a good choice. Lodge supports Roosevelt’s choice and believes Hoar will calm down in time. Finally, Lodge says that Moody has informed him about the problems with Catholics, and he does not believe that the problem will become widespread among voters or the press.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-01