Legislative bodies--Upper chambers

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Callan O’Laughlin

Theodore Roosevelt telegraphed Senator Henry Cabot Lodge as John Callan O’Laughlin requested, but as he has already written him about the matter four times, he does not believe his telegram will make a difference. Roosevelt adds that he favors the direct election of Senators, but believes that the country, not the states, should have absolute control of the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Martin N. Johnson

President Roosevelt tells Martin N. Johnson that he does not intend to try to succeed Senator Thomas Collier Platt as a senator from New York after leaving the presidency. Arrangements have already been made for his African trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John St. Loe Strachey

President Roosevelt thanks John St. Loe Strachey for remembering the upcoming wedding of his daughter Alice to Congressman Nicholas Longworth. Roosevelt is pleased with Longworth and hopes that he will have a successful career in politics. He reflects at length about politics in both Great Britain and the United States. In particular, Roosevelt discusses the function and manner of the United States Senate, and envies that a labor man is in Great Britain’s Cabinet.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Bucklin Bishop

In response to a “extraordinary statement” in William Randolph Hearst’s paper, President Roosevelt tells Joseph Bucklin Bishop that although he is fond of his uncle Robert Barnwell Roosevelt, they rarely agree on politics. Roosevelt did not make a statement that he did not intend to accept the nomination for a third term as president without thinking it over, and he stands by his decision even though it is causing him trouble in the Senate. Roosevelt complains about the inability of the Senate to ratify his San Domingan treaty. Efforts from both Democratic Senators and Republicans Eugene Hale and John C. Spooner derailed the treaty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-23

Letter from William Henry Hunt to Theodore Roosevelt

On behalf of J. H. Durston, William Henry Hunt asks Theodore Roosevelt to deliver an address in Bozeman, Montana, this spring. Hunt adds that he is very interested in Senator Elihu Root’s opinion on the direct election of senators.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-10

Letter from Ernest Harvier to Theodore Roosevelt

While Theodore Roosevelt was out of the country, John Purroy Mitchel, an anti-Tammany candidate, was elected President of the Board of Aldermen in New York City by a 75,000 majority. A similar margin of victory in the upcoming election will keep Tammany candidates in a minority and make it possible for Republicans to control the State Assembly. The current “Senatorial situation” is contributing to this political climate. New York City’s growing population makes it key to controlling the entire state.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-09

Letter from Frank W. Coolbaugh to Boies Penrose

Frank W. Coolbaugh strongly encourages Senator Penrose to support the Borah resolution which would allow for the direct election of Senators.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-07

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

John Callan O’Laughlin updates Theodore Roosevelt on the efforts to remove William Lorimer from the Senate for corruption. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge gave a strong speech against the direct election of Senators but did not reference Lorimer’s case. Other Senators are supporting Lorimer, but O’Laughlin believes that if they can get their states to pass resolutions they will stop. He believes that the fight against Lorimer is nearly won.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-06

Telegram from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge will give a speech tomorrow against the direct election of senators. John Callan O’Laughlin asks Theodore Roosevelt to ask Lodge to include his views against Senator William Lorimer in the speech. Roosevelt should also write to George L. Record about acting in conjunction with New Jersey governor Woodrow Wilson to secure passage of legislation against corruption like in the Lorimer case. Roosevelt should also write to any one else who could help with this matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-05

Letter from Henry Writt to Theodore Roosevelt

In response to Theodore Roosevelt’s article in The Outlook, Henry Writt argues strongly against the direct election of senators and the idea of expanding referendum votes. He thinks that more democracy will be bad for America and that increased voting opportunities places undue burden on voters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-04

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

John Callan O’Laughlin writes Theodore Roosevelt about a number of matters currently at issue in the Senate. Among them are the investigation of Senator William Lorimer, the likelihood of the Canadian reciprocity legislation passing, and a vote on the direct election of Senators. O’Laughlin also notes that the organization of the Progressive League will be against President William H. Taft’s interests, and he notes that the administration does not seem to be doing anything to prepare for the upcoming presidential campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-04

Letter from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

State senator Franklin D. Roosevelt discusses the current election for United States Senator from New York. Matters remain deadlocked, but he believes that ultimately William F. Sheehan will be defeated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-03

Letter from Thomas J. Akins to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas J. Akins, Postmaster of St. Louis, Missouri, updates Theodore Roosevelt on the political situation in Missouri. The upcoming race for the U.S. Senate is of particular importance. Democrats David R. Francis and James A. Reed to not represent what Akins and Roosevelt believe is appropriate in public life. The Republican William Warner is likely running again for the seat, but he is not in good health.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-07-28

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

President-Elect Taft thanks President Roosevelt for his support during the presidential campaign, and reflects on the results of the election and the implications of various results. In particular, strange ballot laws and the liquor question impacted the vote in different states. Taft believes that now his challenge is to prevent Representative Joseph Gurney Cannon from being elected Speaker of the House. He would like to meet with Roosevelt to discuss the plan to deal with Cannon, as well as how to fill the vacant Senate seat for New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-07

Letter from John Appleton Stewart to William Loeb

John Appleton Stewart, President of the New York State League of Republican Clubs, asks William Loeb if Secretary of War Root might be interested in replacing Senator Thomas Collier Platt. The State League supports it. Stewart discusses the electoral situation in New York, and complains that Frank H. Hitchcock, Timothy L. Woodruff, and others in the Republican state and national committees are not supporting the League or any associated clubs. Stewart points out that in the past, the League and its clubs have done good work for the party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

“The Outlook” and Senator Lorimer

The writer of the article decries The Outlook for repeatedly calling for Senator William Lorimer to be ousted from the Senate following allegations that he purchased his seat. Theodore Roosevelt is accused of striking a deal to secure Utah’s electoral votes in exchange for allowing Senator Reed Smoot to be re-seated. The writer argues that the allegations against Lorimer are not as bad as those against Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-04

Black says Roosevelt is sure of election!

After having lunch with President Roosevelt at the White House, former New York governor Frank Swett Black reports that Roosevelt is certain to win the delegates from New York. The article also discusses the potential of Black becoming the newest U.S. Senator from New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-06

Gov. La Follette wants a toga

Wisconsin Governor Robert M. La Follette is influencing conventions in various Senate districts with the aim of being elected Senator in the place of Joseph Very Quarles. He is endorsing Ira B. Bradford for the governorship.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-03