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Note reads, “Senator Albert J. Beveridge wants President Roosevelt to know that Senator George Stuart Nixon is wavering against the battleship matter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-25
Note states that Senator Albert J. Beveridge phoned to say that after his speech, Senator Eugene Hale asked for no vote to be taken and the Senate adjourned. The opposition has gotten Senator Simon Guggenheim to their side, and Beveridge thinks President Roosevelt should see him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-24
Senator Albert J. Beveridge says that President Roosevelt should speak with Senator Thomas Henry Carter about the battleship bill. He also should try to speak with Senator Porter J. McCumber to get his support or neutrality.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-23
In a telephone message, Albert J. Beveridge reported on the positions of several Senators regarding the battleship bill, and provided a list of Senators President Roosevelt should speak to about it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-20
William Emlen Roosevelt sends President Roosevelt another poem that his son Philip has written. He also saw President Roosevelt’s son, Theodore Roosevelt, over the weekend and discussed his future with him. William Emlen Roosevelt reflects on the futures of all the boys currently coming of age. He discusses his confusion over what is happening in Washington and the action of Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-15
Attorney General Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt about several matters he did not have time to speak with him about today. First, he has “serious objections” to Senator William Edgar Borah’s suggestion of a temporary judicial appointment. Until Bonaparte knows more about the situation, he will have “grave misgivings” about Judge Frank Sigel Dietrich and Judge Edward Whitson. However, Bonaparte does believe that N. M. Ruick will not cause a scandal as long as he does not know or suspect that he will lose his position. Second, Bonaparte spoke with Alford Warriner Cooley about Roosevelt’s desire to appoint Samuel L. Williams, a black man, as district attorney in Chicago, per Booker T. Washington’s recommendation. Edwin Walter Sims, the U.S. Attorney in Chicago, reported favorably about Williams to Bonaparte, and he recommends the nomination. Finally, Timothy L. Woodruff spoke with Bonaparte about Wyoming Senator Frank W. Mondell’s draft of a bill that would amend the coal-land-laws. Bonaparte entertains “very grave doubts” about giving amnesty to large corporations that break the law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-27
William Meyer Lewin asks Francis E. Leupp if he might suggest that President Roosevelt consider enacting a law regarding receiverships. Lewin proposes that when a public utility is placed under a receivership, the United States Attorney be given notice of this decision and allowed to nominate one of the receivers. Lewin connects this request with his experience as counsel for the estate of Dr. E. Oliver Belt, who was killed in a train crash.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-14
Samuel Gompers sends Seth Low a draft of a bill relating to an amendment of the Sherman Anti-Trust and Interstate Commerce laws. Gompers fears that if the bills are enacted into law as they stand, they will harm the position of labor organizations and unions. Gompers insists that workers should have the right to form unions, and that they must be treated differently than corporations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-06
Charles William Anderson tells William Loeb that he recently spoke to a friend of New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes to advise him about a speech that former Governor Frank Swett Black gave about the Race Track Bills. Anderson thought Black’s speech could be used against him, and believes Hughes took his advice, judging from a recent speech. William Tecumseh Vernon, the Register of the Treasury is not being as brave as he should be, and has been too cautious in his recent speeches, according to Anderson. Anderson also wonders if Consul James Weldon Johnson could be transferred from Venezuela to a European consulate, as he believes it would be a good move.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-05
David M. Parry informs Senator Albert J. Beveridge that he will personally call on Jacob W. Smith, Secretary of the Indianapolis Board of Trade, to get an official copy of their action in reference to Beveridge’s Tariff Commission bill. In an addendum, Parry notes that Smith has promised to forward a copy of the action.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-04
Lawrence F. Abbott expresses his appreciation to President Roosevelt for the beauty of the new coins recently released, for which Roosevelt is being severely criticized by others. (The coins were considered poorly designed, and the words “In God We Trust” were omitted.) Abbott also comments, regarding ongoing criticism of the President for his actions going against the constitution, that none of Roosevelt’s legislation has ever been found to be unconstitutional. By comparison, the only major of piece of legislation initiated by New York’s Governor Charles Evans Hughes and successfully enacted has been found unconstitutional. Some of the men and papers who criticize Roosevelt are the same ones who praise Hughes, and Abbott would like to point out their inconsistency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-26
Governor Hoggatt sends President Roosevelt a report of Alaska’s administrative and legislative needs. Hoggatt believes the territory has multiple pressing needs, including more lighthouses, a new judicial division, and regulation of the growing railroad industry. He wishes to reduce the number of saloons and dance halls, believing these are centers for agitation against the government. The territory remains rich in natural resources but sparsely populated, and its mines are not producing because mining interest has largely shifted to other parts of the country. Hoggatt doesn’t feel that the territory has a large enough population or tax base to maintain its own standards of law and order, so he believes Alaska’s government not be reorganized until its future is more stable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-24
Governor Hoggatt forwards Secretary of the Interior Garfield a letter for President Roosevelt expressing Alaska’s current legislative needs. He will send his report in a few days, followed by drafts for legislation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-24
William Emlen Roosevelt sends William Loeb letters containing the favorable criticisms made of a speech President Roosevelt made while abroad. In his opinion the country should wait to see the effects of existing legislation before enacting more. This might help people appreciate the difference between laws passed by states and by the federal government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-25
Secretary of the Interstate Commerce Commission Moseley sends William Loeb two opinions on the constitutionality of the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-19
Secretary of War Taft tells Senator Foraker that he has correctly stated Taft’s initial suggestion, but he now believes it is unwise to recommend the adoption of the proposed amendment to the statute. He is anxious not to delay the settlement of the unfortunate controversy, referring to the Brownsville matter, which has interfered with the discipline of the Army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-01
Senator Robert M. La Follette has met with Commissioner of Indian Affairs Francis E. Leupp and discussed their disagreements over a bill concerning Choctaw and Chickasaw coal lands. La Follette may support Leupp’s provisions, but he feels that the bill, leaving out any reference to the Choctaw and Chickasaw lands, should be introduced today.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-22
Corps of Engineers Lieutenant Colonel Leach summarizes James F. J. Archibald’s letter to President Roosevelt regarding the weak defense of the Hawaiian Islands. In general, the Pacific Ocean is very poorly defended and should be considered a vulnerability. Leach discuses the logistics of introducing submarine weapons into naval defenses and previous attempts to acquire such weapons. While Leach concedes that Hawaii is lacking in defense, he strongly disagrees with the position that the Pacific Ocean is vulnerable and proves this by listing the local forts and their weaponized capacity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-21
W. Cameron Forbes reports on his work in the Insular Government of the Philippines, which he states is understaffed. Forbes notes that the Commission has taken several important measures towards increasing autonomy of the Filipino people, most notably giving them the power to elect the third member of the provincial board. Business conditions are generally improving, with a decrease in imports and positive attitudes from the merchant class. Forbes considers the lack of good roads and the deterioration of those that exist to be the greatest failure of American efforts in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-05
Representative Cannon hopes John Mitchell does not sympathize with the attacks by Samuel Gompers on Republican candidates for Congress. Cannon thanks William Loeb for including a copy of Mr. Sargent’s letter. Cannon feels he has gone out of his way to treat Gompers with courtesy. He has discussed the demands of Gompers related to the Pearre bill and finds them “unwise” for labor and is glad railroad leaders agree.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-22