Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. E. Stout
Theodore Roosevelt has written to Judge Nortoni as suggested by R. E. Stout.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1912-08-03
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Judges
Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to P. H. Folsom
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary responds to P. H. Folsom, relaying that Roosevelt does not know the address of Judge Moore of Pennsylvania.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1912-07-16
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John C. Brown
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Judge Brown for his letter and his recent decision. Roosevelt refers to Brown as an “upright judge.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1912-05-13
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the Board of Directors of the New York County Lawyers’ Association
Theodore Roosevelt writes to the Board of Directors of the New York County Lawyers’ Association regarding a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would provide that no court or judge shall hereafter declare any legislative enactment unconstitutional. Roosevelt discusses the history of this power, and finds the proposed amendment to have troubling implications, but argues for a possible solution to its problems. Roosevelt quotes from Professor Thayer’s book Life of Marshall to support his arguments. Roosevelt’s main argument is that the limitations on the legislative branch of government must be more precisely defined, and some body of government must be able to give the legislature authority to act above its limitations in case of emergency, but that the courts may not be the best body for this, since this draws them necessarily into political partisanship. Roosevelt proposes instead a Constitutional Council composed of ex-judges.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1912-05-09
Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to James W. Carpenter
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary refers J. W. Carpenter to issues of The Outlook for Roosevelt’s articles about the recall of judges and judicial decisions.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1912-05-06
Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Rachel R. Phelps
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary directs Rachel R. Phelps to copies of The Outlook on March 4, March 11, and June 24, 1911, for the answer to her question about the recall of judges and judicial decisions.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1912-03-22
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George F. Roesch
Theodore Roosevelt thanks George F. Roesch for his letter. He is glad to hear that his writings have influenced the judges to take a more rational view.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1912-01-20
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to David T. Dickinson
Theodore Roosevelt says that he would be glad to give the name of that judge to David T. Dickinson but he is unsure if it would be fair of him to do so. Roosevelt says he is pleased that Dickinson liked his article.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1912-01-19
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Franklin K. Lane
Theodore Roosevelt is disappointed not to have seen Franklin K. Lane and directs him to inform him before his next visit so they can have lunch. He finds the opinion “preposterous” and thinks highly of Judge Aiden.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-12-06
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Learned Hand
Theodore Roosevelt asks Learned Hand if he has read Frank J. Goodnow’s book which puts the matter clearly. Roosevelt prefers the judges change their attitude and hopes his criticism will bring results. Otherwise, there needs to be a change in the fundamental form of the law.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-11-28
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Learned Hand
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Learned Hand about pressuring judges but believes in Constitutional cases that there must be an alternative to have the right of appeal from the judges. He wants to talk to Hand further on the matter.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-11-22
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lewis M. Hosea
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Lewis M. Hosea’s letter, especially as he is a former judge and a Civil War veteran. If Hosea comes to New York, Roosevelt invites him to discuss what he means about judges. Recently, New York judges have legislated in a negative fashion that Roosevelt feels is mischievous.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-11-21
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William W. Morrow
Theodore Roosevelt does not think William W. Morrow will find his speech obnoxious when he sees it in The Outlook. He agrees with Morrow’s statements about judges. However, judges in New York tend to declare laws unconstitutional even though they are upheld in other states and by the Chief Justice. He does not want these judges recalled but wants a way for the people to deliberate and pursue an industrial policy if desired.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-10-27
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles McCarthy
Theodore Roosevelt clarifies his thoughts about New York judges and discusses his beliefs on the matter with Charles McCarthy.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-10-27
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hiram Johnson
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Governor Johnson for the letter. He agrees with Johnson that the people are entitled to an open primary to express their views for the presidential nomination. Roosevelt discusses his thoughts about President William H. Taft in absolute confidence. Despite his misgivings, Roosevelt will support Taft if nominated since he sees no ground for permanent hope in the Democratic Party. He comments on the other presidential candidates and considers himself a weak candidate. Roosevelt examines how the New York judges’ decisions strengthen the Socialist Party. He reviews why he disagrees with Johnson’s estimate of the public’s opinion of himself and why he does not want to be nominated.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-10-27
Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to W. H. Dodges
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks W. H. Dodges for writing. He explains that a full report of Roosevelt’s speech would have made the point Roosevelt was making regarding regarding judges declaring laws unconstitutional clear.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-10-26
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Parsons
Theodore Roosevelt suggests that because of the Levy Law requiring judges to pick a party ticket rather than remain partisan, ensure that judges do not stay out of politics, their party should fight to repeal the law and while they fight, try to create a “judiciary contest” rather than judges running with each party.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-10-05
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert H. Walker
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Albert H. Walker for the letter and feels he accurately discussed the benefits of the independence of the Federal judiciary.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-08-11
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Davenport Hulbert
In a strictly confidential letter, Theodore Roosevelt discusses the investigation of Judge James Wickersham and other Alaskan officials throughout his presidency.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-08-09
Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Frank L. Frugone
In regards to Frank L. Frugone’s letter about the questioning of immigrants, the secretary to Theodore Roosevelt clarifies that it was a judge, not Roosevelt himself who asked the questions. The questions about immigrants’ membership to secret societies, like the Comorra Mafia-connected Black Hand, was necessary and proper. Frugone was editor of numerous Italian-language newspapers for immigrants throughout his career.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-05-23