Libel and slander

Charles C. Goetsch examines the legal, philosophical, and political dispute between Theodore Roosevelt and Simeon E. Baldwin, a Yale Law School professor, Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors, and Governor of Connecticut. He details the conservative legal outlook of Baldwin and how this view clashed with the progressive political beliefs of Roosevelt. Goetsch shows how a legal dispute over the constitutionality of the Federal Employers Liability Act extended from the courts to the 1910 election campaign where Roosevelt’s rhetoric prompted Baldwin to consider a libel suit against the former president.

Two pictures, one of Simeon E. Baldwin and the other of Theodore Roosevelt speaking from the platform of a train car, are included in the article.

A listing of the officers and the members of the executive, finance, and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace committees of the Theodore Roosevelt Association is included in the article as well as an advertisement for the Roosevelt Savings Bank of Garden City, New York.

In a statement published in the London Times, the Amateur Athletic Association in Great Britain responds to “unfair and untrue statements” about the conduct of the Olympics in the American press. The American Amateur Athletic Union accused the A.A.A. of unfairness and poor conduct in several matters, objecting in particular to the disqualification of John C. Carpenter in the 400 meter final. The A.A.A. denies any claims of unfairness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-17

Theodore Roosevelt recently responded to the open letter of Judge Simeon E. Baldwin, Democratic nominee for Governor of Connecticut, accusing Roosevelt of slander. In his speech, Roosevelt clarified his actual statement, which had been misquoted, and expanded upon his opinion that the statements of several judges, including Baldwin, regarding the unconstitutionality of enacting labor legislation limiting the hours of work was “a retrogressive attitude” and one which the Republican party opposed. While Roosevelt is sure that the judges holding these attitudes are honorable men, he strongly opposes their views.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-10-25

President Roosevelt holds a “gov’t libel suit” muzzle in front of the opening of the “opposition press” doghouse. There are three papers at the entrance: “N. Y. World,” “N. Y. Sun,” and “Ind. News.” In the dish is an “administrative scandals” bone.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Political cartoonists frequently criticized presidents for “muzzling” the press, often because presidents did try to muzzle the press. During Benjamin Harrison’s administration, for instance, there were a great number of editors and publishers who were given federal appointments and diplomatic posts, and cartoonists took note of the effective silencing of potential opposition by such appointments. Yet it was a common practice, and the criticism routinely came from rival editors and publishers, or members of the part out of power.

President Roosevelt is strapped to a “condemnation” diving board across the “criticism” river. Roosevelt holds his big stick and says, “This is slanderous, villainous, scurrilous, vicious—-!!” Joseph Pulitzer and Edward Henry Harriman cheer as Harriman holds the “Ananias Club” flag. William MacKay Laffan is lying face up on the ground chuckling, “Ha-ha!” while Henry Melville Whitney says, “Let ‘er go!”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Edward Joseph McBride was among several political cartoonists at the close of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency who seemed to find daily opposition a habit difficult to break. Cartoons like this one were not about specific issues, but virtually served as compendiums of complaints that had provided Democratic cartoonists with subjects for years.

President Roosevelt departs the “editor’s office” in significant disarray and says, “Good day, gentlemen.” Two papers are on the ground–“Indianapolis News” and “New York Sun.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

At first glance this cartoon by Jay N. “Ding” Darling might seem to be one of many cartoon-predictions drawn at this time, predicting the manners and effect of Theodore Roosevelt as contributing editor of the venerable and staid Outlook magazine — which chosen post-presidential vocation recently had been announced.

Lindsay Denison was displeased with Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte’s disrespectful memorandum regarding a letter that had been written by Denison’s client Benjamin B. Hampton. Denison would like the enclosed letter, also by Hampton and clarifying some of the points previously made, to be sent to Bonaparte.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-21

Charles Hedges submits a fourth petition to President Roosevelt asserting that Roosevelt’s November 30, 1903 memorandum falsely stated that he was indicted for fraud or theft. Hedges pleads with Roosevelt to take action to clear his name. If Roosevelt does not, Hedges threatens to sue him for libel.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-30

Frederick A. Sawyer, secretary of The Newspaper Magazine Co., informs President Roosevelt of Adolph Edwards’ slanderous booklet, “The Roosevelt Panic of 1907.” Sawyer believes capitalists and financiers inspired the booklet to discredit Roosevelt’s administration. Furious, he hired writers to produce a manuscript refuting the booklet’s claims. Sawyer appreciates suggestions for further action in the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-15

Life article advises readers to buy a November 21 copy of magazine to read “libelous” article that caused the New York Sun to sue. The Sun ridicules and mocks many public figures including President Roosevelt, but due to an article Richard Lee Metcalfe has written, the Sun has “fallen.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-24

During a speech given at the Methodist Episcopal Church of Africa’s diamond jubilee, President Roosevelt praises white imperialism. Roosevelt in particular eulogizes British imperialism in India, claiming the British administration to be a greater feat than any of the Roman Empire. Roosevelt states that English control prevents tyrannical leaders from oppressing the common masses. The second portion of this article describes the outrage incited by the summoning of the editors and correspondents of the New York World to testify in a case against Joseph Pulitzer for libeling the United States Government. Representative William F. Willett, of New York, went on an angry tirade against President Roosevelt. Once Willett was declared out of order and prevented from continuing, Senator Isidor Rayner, of Massachusetts, explained that the outrage was due to concerns over violation of the freedom of speech and press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-19

Kermit Roosevelt describes life in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Belle Roosevelt; including Belle’s driving habits, their servants, and home life. He is pleased that Theodore Roosevelt won the libel suit. Kermit intends to enlist if the United States enters the war.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1915-05-26

President Roosevelt is ending his time as president in “stormy fashion” as everyone in Congress now feels comfortable with attacking him. The press is also on the attack and Roosevelt has started two libel suits against the worst offenders. The statements he will make tomorrow regarding the British in India are being made at the suggestion of Mr. Morley and Mr. Bryce. Roosevelt has received a beautiful Holland rifle from his English friends for use on the African safari.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1909-01-17

Theodore Roosevelt views the war as a battle between militarism and democracy. Currently, Russia and Japan are allied with democracy, but with their “alien” institutions and ideals they may “menace civilization.” To do her duty, the United States must be the “just man armed” and avoid pacifism. Roosevelt, and his views, are unpopular and he no longer desires to be a political candidate. He fears his candidacy would be interpreted as greedy ambition. Roosevelt is also opposed by many Catholics due to his previous policies and recent statements. His victory in the Barnes libel suit was also a victory for his supporters as it showed they were right about “boss rule and crooked business.” Roosevelt feels he has done his share in the progressive movement and can no longer take a leading role. The public has had enough of reform and Roosevelt’s presence will now hinder, rather then benefit, the cause.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-03

President McKinley stands at the edge of a mud-hole labeled “Slander” and “Abuse,” his right hand raised in a “stop” gesture, and holding in his left hand a mud-splattered American flag. Three diminutive figures are standing in the mud-hole in the process of throwing mud. They are William Jennings Bryan, Joseph Pulitzer labeled “N.Y. World,” and William Randolph Hearst labeled “N.Y. Journal.” The U.S. Capitol is in the background.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-09-28

Charles A. Dana, editor of the “Sun,” and Stephen B. Elkins, wearing a plumed hat, attempt to push an emaciated dog labeled “Clerical Slanderer” up steps leading to where Grover Cleveland is sitting in a rocking chair. Another dog labeled “Common Slanderer” is lying on its back, apparently dead. Nearby is an overturned bowl labeled “False Witness.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1884-08-20

Print shows a pack of hyenas labeled “N. Y. Commercial, N. Y. Sun, N. Y. Herald, Washtn. Post, The Rosecrans Letters, [and] 306” crowded around a sepulchral monument to James A. Garfield labeled “Fame.” Those hyenas labeled “306” are pulling on a rope that spells “Slander” tied to the top of the monument. A lightning bolt labeled “Public Contempt” has severed the rope, spilling the hyenas into an abyss labeled “Oblivion.” The number “306” represents the number of delegates who supported Ulysses S. Grant for a third term at the 1880 Republican Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1882-03-22

Theodore Roosevelt updates Frances Theodora Parsons on his libel trial in Syracuse, New York. He criticizes the character of William Barnes and the judge’s legalistic approach to the case.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-05-06

Theodore Roosevelt received Frances Theodora Parsons’s telegram and jokes about the positive outcome of his libel suit.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-05-27

Theodore Roosevelt hopes that Quentin Roosevelt’s trip is going better. He thinks it is nonsense to start a trip by traveling ninety-four miles in two days. Even though the trip has been difficult, he hopes that Quentin has been able to do some rifle practice and believes that overall it will be a good experience. Belle Roosevelt contracted typhoid fever but is doing well. Kermit Roosevelt was “nearly wild” with concern for his wife. Roosevelt is being sued by William Barnes for libel.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1914-08-02