Land tenure--Government policy

Act authorizing the disposition of recreational demonstration projects.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1942-06-06

President Roosevelt is opposed to the House bill that would open a portion of the Rosebud Reservation in Gregory County, South Dakota. He agrees with the general policy of opening reservations but is concerned that the bill does not pay a sufficient price to the Native Americans. President Roosevelt wants just terms for the settlers and Native Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-15

George W. Perkins congratulates Theodore Roosevelt on his testimony before the Stanley Committee. He has been finding strong sentiment for constructive national legislation regarding business concerns. Perkins opposes Gifford Pinchot’s plan for government ownership in Alaska.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-02

Judge Thomas McDonough reflects on his first three months in the Philippines. He is surprised at the “remarkable progress” and shares his thoughts on the friars’ question. McDonough is struggling with what to do with the land of the friars and the friars themselves.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-04

Justice McDonough reflects on his first three months in the Philippines. He tells President Roosevelt of his surprise at the “remarkable progress” there and remarks how much the natives like Governor William H. Taft. In general, McDonough finds the Filipinos to be hard workers, and a “happy, clean, sober, virtuous, family-loving and religious people.” He also shares his thoughts on the Catholic friars in the Philippines. As much as they are criticized, McDonough praises the “great good” they have achieved in religion and education over the last three centuries and sees them as potential allies in assuring Filipino cooperation with the American government. Still, the friars’ land ownership is widely resented by the Filipino people, who McDonough feels would look more favorably on the friars’ work if these lands were acquired by the government. Presently, the friars complain of discrimination at the hands of barrio officials who even prevent them from ministering to those who have requested it. McDonough will do what he can to ensure that clergymen of every denomination are given equal protection under the law and to bring about an “amicable settlement” in the land matter, even if that means paying more than the land is worth.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

William Hayes Ward interviewed Archbishop Ireland and discussed Philippine matters. He sympathizes with Ireland’s views and aims. Ward supports an arrangement that will allow the United States to purchase the land held by the friars, including negotiations with the Vatican.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-10