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Theodore Roosevelt was pleased by Judge Noyes’s letter, and he mentions that he has received similar letters from Judge Hand and Judge Amidon. Roosevelt wishes that he had Noyes’s letter in front of him when he wrote his article on the subject, because Noyes was particularly effective at conveying his position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-19
Theodore Roosevelt looks forward to reading Alfred Spring’s article. He agrees with Spring that judges should be fearless of criticism and sympathize with the spirit of the times. Courts should “act as a brake on legislative and executive action.” However, Roosevelt feels it is unwise for them to stop action regarding workmen’s insurance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-20
Theodore Roosevelt regrets that Judge Adams was away from St. Louis when he visited, and expresses his admiration for Adams.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-10-13
Theodore Roosevelt tells Booth Tarkington that he was amused by the incident he mentions. When he sees Tarkington again, Roosevelt will tell him the reason of his difference with the Judge. Roosevelt enjoyed Tarkington’s company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-09
Theodore Roosevelt is glad there is at least one Progressive judge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-19
President Roosevelt agrees that the matter that Thomas G. Bush wrote to him about “has been threshed out.” As far as Roosevelt knows, Judge Oscar R. Hundley’s course has been admirable, and he does not pay any attention to protests against him, and trusts that the Senate will not either.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-31
President Roosevelt agrees with Lyman Abbott’s position, and says that he went as far as he thought he could go in his public criticism of Judge Daniel Thew Wright. Roosevelt thinks that Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis helped corporations by imposing excessive fines, and that Wright did the same service for the worst labor leaders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-29
President Roosevelt explains to Edward J. Gavegan that he omitted the word “impeachment” recently, as he thought it would appear that he was showing an improper attitude toward the court system. He asks what Gavegan would suggest he do in the matter involving judge Emile Henry Lacombe, and says that the natural way of proceeding would be to have the Department of Justice look into the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
President Roosevelt is pleased that William Allen White liked his message. He had originally written more strongly about judges, and believes that while there are few judges who are actually corrupt, there are many who are not fit to remain on the bench.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-30
President Roosevelt sends Supreme Court Justice Moody an enclosed letter and article related to Judge Peter Stenger Grosscup for Moody to look over and return. Roosevelt wishes he could “say what ought to be said about Grosscup and his crowd.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-30
President Roosevelt encloses facsimiles of letters in which federal judge Peter Stenger Grosscup requests railroad passes. In particular, in one letter Grosscup mentions that his brother, Benjamin Sidney Grosscup, is referee on a rate case that the railroad is interested in. Roosevelt directs Attorney General Bonaparte to get more information from George W. Wickersham and Raymond Patterson, and to see if anything can be done about Judge Grosscup, whose presence on the bench is a disgrace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-19
President Roosevelt writes about Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker to Senator Lodge. New information regarding Foraker’s motives provides proof that Foraker was working in the interest of the corporations, not for African Americans. Roosevelt feels this is the same reason Foraker was fighting the judgeship in Ohio.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-19
President Roosevelt agrees with Attorney General Bonaparte on several matters including a conflict of interest involving Lycurgus H. Lingenfelter in Idaho, the pardon of Captain William H. Von Schaick, and matters relating to Gilbert D. B. Hasbrouck and John D. Archbold. Roosevelt thinks his letter about assistant attorneys general must have passed Bonaparte’s in the mail. Roosevelt expresses his concern for Alford Warriner Cooley, who has had to resign due to tuberculosis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-01
President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Bonaparte to look into the actions of Circuit Court Judge Peter Stenger Grosscup. Roosevelt had previously thought that Grosscup was an “ultra anti-corporation man,” but now believes that these sentiments were only expressed in speeches, and that Grosscup’s judgments were often too favorable towards corporations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-06
President Roosevelt informs Representative Littlefield that the official notice of the specific names and cases he calls for would require the named parties to be heard. This would commit Roosevelt to prosecuting “certain judges” before the House Judiciary Committee, which would be unwise.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-02
President Roosevelt says he will “read that address with interest and profit.” He saw Judge Thomas Goode Jones recently and was impressed with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-13
President Roosevelt thanks asks Reuben D. Silliman to send more information about a matter involving Judge William S. Case, as he has not heard about it. Roosevelt is passing Silliman’s letter to Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-30
President Roosevelt thanks Judge Lurton for his letter, and will take his suggestion to not immediately appoint a successor to Judge Charles D. Clark.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-20
President Roosevelt assures U.S. Marshal Arthur William Merrifield that he will support Judge William Henry Hunt and U.S. District Attorney Carl L. Rasch, and that he trusts their judgement in regards to the cases that Merrifield mentioned.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-28
President Roosevelt tells Representative Jenkins that he is expecting a written opinion from Secretary of State Elihu Root regarding the charges against Judge Lebbeus R. Wilfley. Once Roosevelt receives the opinion, he will send it to the Committee on the Judiciary, along with the information that the executive department has that is relevant to the inquiry the committee is conducting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-25