Your TR Source
John Mitchell offers information on current labor politics and legislation that could be helpful when formulating a political platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-01
Charles H. Betts was glad to receive Theodore Roosevelt’s letter to him regarding a recent judicial decision, but finds himself unable to agree with Roosevelt’s ideas of judicial recall. Betts outlines his thoughts on the topic, and explains why he must disagree with Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-10
Otis P. Briggs writes to Theodore Roosevelt concerning Minnesota’s efforts to create a compensation act in the state’s legislature after Roosevelt discussed the matter in his publication, The Outlook. Briggs details the efforts led by Governor John Albert Johnson before his death, and the proceedings of Minnesota’s Labor Commission, and discloses that the commission was not able to come to agreement before the session closed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-17
L. S. Gillette, a participant of the Inter Society Triangular Debate in Ames, Iowa, asks Theodore Roosevelt for his opinion on the Canadian Industrial Dispute Investigation Act.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-01
Senator Newlands is traveling and will not be able to welcome Theodore Roosevelt to Nevada. Having heard that Roosevelt’s speech will focus on Nevada as a progressive state, Newlands sends a pamphlet on its progressive legislation. Some of these include the referendum, initiative, employer’s liability, and direct primary. Unfortunately, other important measures failed during the recent legislative session because of a divided party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-09
William Holcombe Thomas congratulates Theodore Roosevelt on the successful determination of Alonzo Bailey v State of Alabama, a case that Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte intervened in during 1908.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-20
Andrew A. Hope is disappointed Theodore Roosevelt could not review his manuscript, especially since their political work is similar. He discusses the need to develop a system to emancipate the industrial class. This system includes establishing industrial schools and providing for sickness and old age. Hope includes a letter his brother was supposed to have delivered previously.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-25
John C. Delaney provides facts regarding the Pennsylvania industries under his charge for Theodore Roosevelt’s reference. He discusses how Roosevelt has been an example in his efforts to improve the “sad conditions” of the state’s industries, especially the laws he helped pass. Delaney also shares how he was a coal breaker as a child and served in the army as a teenager.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-08-11
John Campbell Greenway thinks that President Roosevelt’s special message to Congress silenced the faction that opposed him and secured the presidential nomination of Secretary of War William H. Taft. Greenway hopes that when Roosevelt’s term is over, he will visit. He updates Roosevelt on his mining business. He has been able to keep his men working without cutting wages, and will open a new mine and town soon. He asks Roosevelt for the text of the Employers Liability Bill, which he believes is important and must be framed correctly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-12
Seth Low forwards President Roosevelt a letter from Samuel Gompers, and comments on discussions he has recently had with many people about a bill currently under consideration. The present bill is very important to both the business and labor community, and Low is trying to navigate between the two forces.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-07
Secretary of War Taft reports that an injunction brought before a judge in Milwaukee is too broad, and will need to be modified through an appeal. President Roosevelt wants to intervene, and has directed the Attorney General to investigate. Taft suggested they hire Frederick N. Judson as their lawyer. Taft hopes Judson will take the case, as it will make the president happy, and see justice served.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-04
Charles Evan Hughes outlines his platform for the 1906 New York gubernatorial campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-22
John Carter Rose thanks President Roosevelt for hosting him. Rose shares with Roosevelt some additional thoughts about the graduated income tax, abolition of child labor, and the eight-hour work day. Rose argues that while all of these policies are good things, Roosevelt needs to be careful about how he messages them so that he does not alienate any of his supporters. Rose also urges caution in Roosevelt’s criticism of judges and his promotion of progressive judges, as both those actions will jar the legal profession. Rose closes by congratulating Roosevelt on his “moderate revolution.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-19
Representative Gardner tells Senator Lodge that President Roosevelt should comment on recent resolutions by the Massachusetts Federation of Labor. The Federation has condemned nine Massachusetts Republican Congressmen for their attitudes on child labor and the eight hour workday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-11
Representative Gardner advises President Roosevelt about the steps underway in the current political campaign by the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics. The Council is considering the question of immigration in its local bodies, especially in congressional districts where they are numerous, and where Republicans who voted for the educational test are in danger of defeat, the councils are taking a hand to help him win. Samuel Gompers criticizes Gardner for his policy of voting down the eight hour policy in the Panama Canal Zone. Gardner encloses a list of districts affected. He also remarks on his own re-election prospects and the challenges he expects to face.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-31
Charles Patrick Neill informs Theodore Roosevelt that his investigation into a single complaint into a violation of the eight-hour law has revealed unexpected and complex conditions that are more complicated than originally thought. The investigation found countless violations of the eight-hour law by contractors in many areas of work. Even government departments, like the War and Navy departments and others, have been allowing contractors to violate the law. Neill believes that a full investigation must be completed and that all government departments should follow the same standards and enforce the law uniformly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-16
Secretary of War Taft encloses to President Roosevelt a letter from Minister to Panama Charles E. Magoon. Taft believes that it would be a “good stroke” to appoint Colonel William Crawford Gorgas Governor of the Panama Canal Zone. He also believes William Franklin Sands will make a good Minister, but it is fine to delay action until September. Taft notifies Roosevelt that he is preparing a speech, which he will deliver to the Republican State Committee of Maine after making any changes Roosevelt feels are necessary to best represent the administration and the party. Taft believes that the party is taking the correct stance in regard to trade unions. Although trade unions are to be given all possible liberty under the law to carry out the organization’s legitimate purposes, they are not to be put in the privileged class.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-06
Secretary of War Taft is glad that President Roosevelt decided to pursue the course of hiring Chinese laborers for work on the Panama Canal. It may not be necessary to advertise the positions, as there have been a number inquiries, from which it may already be possible invite proposals, but Taft will confer with W. Leon Pepperman and Theodore P. Shonts, of the Isthmian Canal Commission, on the matter. Taft is annoyed by the situation in the War Department relating to the eight hour law. He believes it may appear to outsiders to be a way to win votes from the labor movement, although Taft and Roosevelt both know that it is simply a necessity of enforcing the law, where it had previously been avoided.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-01
Acting Attorney General Charles W. Russell has reviewed the agreement that Secretary of War Taft sent to him regarding the hiring of Chinese laborers to work on the construction of the Panama Canal. Russell notes the contract specifies that the laborers will work ten hour days, with additional time to be considered overtime, and clarifies that this clause does not present any issues, as Congress passed an act stating that previous acts limiting the hours of laborers in the United States does not apply to foremen and laborers employed in the construction of the Panama Canal. Further, Russell finds no issue with the provision stipulating that the laborers will be deported from Panama at the conclusion of their contract. Russell concludes that the agreement is “within the ‘authority of the Commission and according to law'”–an opinion with which Attorney General William H. Moody agrees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-12
Elihu Root writes to Jean Jules Jusserand, French Ambassador, regarding the arrest of three men in violation of contract labor laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-25