Lacey, John F. (John Fletcher), 1841-1913

Assistant Attorney General Cooley provides President Roosevelt with a preliminary report on the circumvention or violation of laws relating to the disposal of public lands in the Territory of New Mexico, including the involvement of the Territory’s governor, Herbert J. Hagerman. Cooley presents evidence that Hagerman’s actions were both “illegal and unjustifiable.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-12

A list of names noted to be “for ten o”clock tomorrow morning.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

President Roosevelt informs Herbert J. Hagerman, Governor of New Mexico Territory, that he will not rescind Hagerman’s agreed-upon resignation. Roosevelt notes that many telegrams have come in support, as well as in disapproval, of Hagerman. He discusses in detail the actions of Hagerman which have resulted in the requested resignation. Roosevelt finishes by pointing out the solid approval of Hagerman’s replacement, George Curry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-01

President Roosevelt discusses with Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock the authority for granting contracts for educating Native Americans in denominational schools as presented in the January 31 letter from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Francis E. Leupp.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-03

Governor Cummins would like to nominate a candidate for postmaster who has support from the community where he lives. Cummins will speak to Senators William B. Allison and Jonathan P. Dolliver about suggesting a candidate. He is concerned that in the particular district in which he is interested, the senators might insist that Representative John F. Lacey’s recommendation take priority, rather than that of Cummins.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-07

Governor Cummins inquires about recommending some of his friends to postal appointments in Iowa, despite the fact that the district is represented by a Democrat.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-30

Francis P. McManamon examines the origins of the Antiquities Act of 1906 that President Theodore Roosevelt and his successors used to safeguard natural and scientific sites across the United States. McManamon asserts that it was threats to ancient archaeological sites across the American Southwest that led to calls for greater government intervention, and he highlights the case of the Casa Grande ruins in Arizona. McManamon notes the work of private organizations, government agencies, individuals, and members of Congress, most importantly Congressman John F. Lacey of Iowa, who worked to save important sites before the passage of the Antiquities Act. McManamon traces the slow path to passage of the Antiquities Act, and he highlights its important text and provisions. He notes how Roosevelt used the act to set aside eighteen national monuments, and he asserts that Roosevelt’s actions, especially in regards to the Grand Canyon of Arizona, set important precedents for his successors, especially President Bill Clinton.  

 

Two photographs and two illustrations supplement the text. 

Char Miller explores the use and evolution of the Antiquities Act of 1906, which President Theodore Roosevelt made extensive use of during his second term in office. Miller notes how the Act emerged from the Progressive movement with its faith in a strong central government and trained experts. Miller notes that the Act has been seen as part of the growing power of the executive branch of government, but he notes that the national monuments created by the Act lacked protection and development for decades until the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Miller highlights national monuments such as Devils Tower, Navajo National Monument, and the Grand Canyon. 

 

The article includes five photographs of Roosevelt in 1895, 1903, 1910, 1911, and 1914.

 

John F. Reiger explores the relationships that led to Theodore Roosevelt’s championing the conservation of natural resources as president. Reiger focuses most of his attention on Roosevelt’s friendship with George Bird Grinnell with whom he would found the hunting and conservation group, the Boone and Crockett Club. Reiger also notes the influence of John F. Lacey, Frank M. Chapman, and others, and he describes how Roosevelt in turn would prove to be an inspiration to future leaders in the environmental movement. Reiger examines Roosevelt’s role in preserving Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon, and he asserts that there is no contradiction in Roosevelt espousing both utilitarian and aesthetic conservation.

 

Two photographs of Roosevelt in Yellowstone National Park in 1903 appear in the essay.

Congressman John F. Lacey, on behalf of the Committee on the Public Lands, submits a report recommending changes to a bill which would grant Los Angeles, California the right of way to construct the necessary structures to provide the city with water and electric power. The suggested wording stipulates that within one year Los Angeles will file maps showing the land it has used in this matter. Land used in this way does not supersede homestead, mining, or other valid claims to the land without due process of law to acquire the land. Los Angeles must not impact the Forest Reserves in the course of construction, and must pay for any damages that occur. The suggested changes will ensure that Los Angeles has an abundant supply of water and power, and will be able to continue to grow in the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-26

Representative Tongue informs W. G. Steel that he received a letter from Gifford Pinchot stating that Theodore Roosevelt is in favor of the Crater Lake bill. Pinchot has seen Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock, who said he will speak with David Bremner Henderson about giving the bill a chance. Tongue acknowledges that times are critical for the bill, but he is doing the best he can.

Collection

Crater Lake National Park

Creation Date

1902-04-18

The Oregonian states that Theodore Roosevelt is in favor of Representative John F. Lacey’s bill to transfer “the management and control of forest reserves from the Interior to the Agricultural Department, and to create and maintain game preserves in the public land states.” The article concludes that Roosevelt will soon announce the addition of land that will double the area of Yellowstone Park and extend the Teton forest reserves in Wyoming in order to protect big game animals that live there.

Collection

Crater Lake National Park

Creation Date

1902-04-04

Gifford Pinchot informs W. G. Steel that Representative John F. Lacey will be the best person to see about the creation of Crater Lake National Park, as they are both from Iowa. Pinchot hopes there will be no problems getting the bill passed. Any influence from Oregon will be looked upon favorably by President Roosevelt.

Collection

Crater Lake National Park

Creation Date

1902-03-04

Gifford Pinchot writes to W. G. Steel, detailing the reasons why a national park should be established around Crater Lake. First, it is “one of the great natural wonders of this continent.” As a well-known resort, valued for recreation and scenery, Crater Lake can be managed and protected as a national park, rather than as a forest reserve, since there will not be any timber production. The chairman of the Public Lands Committee, Representative John F. Lacey, is in favor of passing the bill to create the park.

Collection

Crater Lake National Park

Creation Date

1902-02-18

President Roosevelt greets an audience in Oskaloosa during the dedication of a YMCA building. He discusses Representative John F. Lacey’s character and thanks him for his work. Roosevelt then comments on the purpose of the YMCA building and how the YMCA benefits the young men of the community, especially in character.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-04-28

Secretary of Agriculture Wilson reports on the 1903 Iowa Republican Convention. The convention was generally harmonious and the resolutions were generous to President Roosevelt. The West is enthusiastic for Roosevelt and Wilson expects large campaign contributions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-02

This article reports on the failure of the “Iowa Idea,” which had previously called for a modification of the interstate commerce act to fight against monopolies and discrimination. The platform as it stands now has been moderated and diluted to such an extent that it cannot be taken seriously. Although Governor Albert Baird Cummins has put forth this compromise platform, he still seems to hold a personal belief in the older Iowa Idea. There is still contention about the compromise among other people, as well. The article also details several other aspects of the Iowa Republican state convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-02