La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1855-1925

Letter from Alonzo H. Cox to Theodore Roosevelt

Alonzo H. Cox writes that somebody should “muzzle” Senator La Follette. Cox believes that La Follette is jealous of Theodore Roosevelt and that Roosevelt should remain steadfast and remember that he has the support of the public. Cox thinks Roosevelt has as good a chance as Governor Wilson in the upcoming election, maybe even better, and has bet $5 that President Taft will not get as many votes as the socialists.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-16

Letter from Ben B. Lindsey to Francis J. Heney

Judge Lindsey claims no responsibility for the efforts but has heard suggestions from a variety of sources that he be considered as a candidate for vice president. He believes that Governor Johnson is the leading contender but finds fault in Johnson’s similarities to Theodore Roosevelt. Lindsey suggests that a progressive Democrat for vice president would be ideal for a progressive Republican presidential candidate. He claims no ambition but is willing to assist Roosevelt’s presidential campaign in whatever manner is best.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-03

Letter from Herbert Hiram Champlin to Joseph M. Dixon

Herbert Hiram Champlin offers a strategy for the Republican National Convention that will secure uninstructed delegates for Theodore Roosevelt. He suggests that an effort should be made during early ballots to have these delegates support Senator Cummins or Senator La Follette. Since these delegates will want to be on the winning side, they can be “sheltered” under these candidates until momentum has clearly shifted towards Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-09

Letter from Herman Geschke to William H. Taft

Herman Geschke sends a rambling, profane letter to William H. Taft accusing him, Theodore Roosevelt, and Robert M. La Follette of conspiring to murder him to conceal his “six year wrongful impressment.” According to the letter, Geschke was warned by the Madison, Wisconsin, chief of police not to send Taft more letters full of “insanity,” but Geschke was not arrested as threatened.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-18

Letter from Everett Colby to Theodore Roosevelt

Everett Colby protests the appointment of George L. Record to the Committee of Organization for the Progressive Party without consultation with the New Jersey delegation. Colby claims that Record had previously opposed the Roosevelt campaign and advocated that the New Jersey delegation support Senator La Follette.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-24

Letter from Jonathan Bourne to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Bourne encloses a suggested platform for a new progressive party if one should be formed. He defends his support for Senator La Follette throughout the presidential nomination process. Bourne considers Governor Wilson’s nomination by the Democratic Party to be a great progressive victory. He has not decided who to support for president but will be opposing President Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-05

Telegram from Hiram Johnson to Theodore Roosevelt

The campaign closed last night in California and Senator La Follette has shown his unfitness to be the presidential nominee as he has devoted his campaign to the vilification of Theodore Roosevelt. Governor Johnson is confident that California will support Roosevelt’s nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-12

Telegram from Joseph M. Dixon to Walter E. Brown

Senator Dixon forwards messages announcing a victory for Theodore Roosevelt in California.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-15

Telegram from Hiram Johnson to Theodore Roosevelt

Medill McCormick has arrived in California to help with the primary campaign. Governor Johnson expects Theodore Roosevelt to win California’s twenty-six delegates. Senator La Follette is campaigning in the state but Johnson is not concerned.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-22

Letter from Edward Prentiss Costigan to Ben B. Lindsey

Edward Prentiss Costigan recently visited Washington, D.C., in the wake of Senator La Follette’s disastrous Philadelphia speech and subsequent indisposition. Progressive leaders were in general agreement that Theodore Roosevelt should take over leadership of the progressive cause. However, La Follette feels bitter towards Roosevelt and will not end his candidacy. Costigan is a La Follette supporter but concluded that Colorado progressives should shift their support to Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-16

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot regrets that he was unable to review Sir Horace Curzon Plunkett’s draft on conservation and country life. He encloses a letter he wrote to Senator La Follette when he decided to support Theodore Roosevelt’s candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-24

Telegram from Louis B. Hanna to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Hanna is concerned that losing the North Dakota primary will damage the Roosevelt campaign’s momentum. Senator La Follette has decided to campaign in the state and Hanna encourages Theodore Roosevelt to do the same.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-12

Letter from Ben B. Lindsey to Frank S. Talcott

Judge Lindsey will be unable to speak in North Dakota due to other commitments. He argues that North Dakota progressives must support Theodore Roosevelt even though Robert M. La Follette is very popular in the state. La Follette cannot win nationally but Roosevelt can succeed and a strong showing in North Dakota will be very helpful for the Roosevelt campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-13

Letter from Ben B. Lindsey to Theodore Roosevelt

Due to previous engagements, Judge Lindsey was unable to accept a speaking invitation from Frank S. Talcott of Fargo, North Dakota. Lindsey believes that the situation in the Dakotas is serious as Robert M. La Follette is popular and the delayed announcement of Theodore Roosevelt’s willingness to accept the Republican presidential nomination allowed La Follette to fortify his position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-13

Telegram from Walter Roscoe Stubbs to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Stubbs suggests that the combined votes for Theodore Roosevelt and Senator La Follette in the upcoming North Dakota primary be portrayed as the total progressive opposition to President Taft. It can be assumed that this opposition will support either progressive candidate against Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-13

Letter from Thomas F. Marshall to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas F. Marshall provides an update on political conditions in North Dakota. The state is anti-Taft and strongly progressive. Senator La Follette is the popular progressive candidate but only because he is the only option and few truly believe that he can win the Republican nomination. Marshall believes that Theodore Roosevelt is the solution to the problem and expects that many Republicans would support Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-27

Letter from Robert S. Vessey to Herbert S. Hadley

Governor Vessey was pleased to see that Governor Hadley expressed his support for Theodore Roosevelt’s nomination as the Republican presidential candidate. South Dakota has endorsed Senator La Follette and will be willing to cooperate with other states supporting progressive Republican candidates.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-30

Letter from Jonathan Bourne to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Bourne encloses a letter from Thomas McCusker, the director of the La Follette campaign in Oregon. McCusker wants to draw Theodore Roosevelt’s attention to a petition trying to place Roosevelt’s name on the Oregon presidential primary ballot. Bourne is concerned that a division of the progressive vote in Oregon will allow President Taft to secure all the delegates even without winning a majority. He suggests that Roosevelt deny that anyone has his permission to circulate a petition on his behalf. The Oregon primary ballot allows write-in candidates so people can still support Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-02

Letter from Louis B. Hanna to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Hanna recently traveled to North Dakota and found a great deal of enthusiasm for Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential nomination. The La Follette campaign is attempting to stop the Roosevelt movement and claims that it is only an effort to help President Taft. The first petition for a presidential preference primary was filed by Darby O’Malley of Valley City, North Dakota who is supporting Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-12

Letter from Louis B. Hanna to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Hanna is pleased to hear of Theodore Roosevelt’s upcoming announcement regarding Roosevelt’s candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Hanna requests that the statement be released in the morning on the day of the mass convention to decide on the primary candidates in order to further the Roosevelt campaign in North Dakota.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-15