Your TR Source
President Roosevelt believes it is unwise for Secretary of War Wright to speak, as it might cause a reaction in the South. He asks Wright to consult him before accepting any invitations to speak.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-29
President Roosevelt was greatly amused by a cartoon depicting Secretary of War Taft and sends it to him along with words of support for the handling of the recent events in Cuba. Roosevelt wishes to meet with Taft in person about the nomination of Horace H. Lurton to the Supreme Court, along with Supreme Court Justice William R. Day, Secretary of State Elihu Root, and Attorney General William Henry Moody. Roosevelt mentions that Philip Battell Stewart will not run for governor in Colorado, and wonders if Taft can make it to Idaho for a campaign speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-04
President Roosevelt agrees with Senator Lodge about wanting an appointee who follows the tenants of Alexander Hamilton and John Marshall. He is pleased with the outcome in Maine given the previous harm caused by the issue of temperance and liquor laws. Roosevelt shares how he took “solid satisfaction” in taking a shot at journalist Norman Hapgood. Reading Winston Churchill’s biography of his father, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill, reaffirmed Roosevelt’s dislike of both father and son.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-12
President Roosevelt agrees with Secretary of War Taft that Culver C. Sniffen should be appointed Paymaster General and asks Taft to notify General Fred C. Ainsworth. He approves of Taft’s proposed travel arrangements for the Panama trip and is “extremely pleased” that Taft sent his speech to the Maine Committee to be reviewed by Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon or Representative Charles E. Littlefield. He sympathizes with Helen Herron Taft’s views of William Jennings Bryan. In a postscript, Roosevelt advices sending men to Cuba at once as “we cannot afford to neglect any chance of learning the situation down there.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-04
President Roosevelt disagrees with Senator Lodge regarding Horace H. Lurton, despite his and Attorney General William H. Moody’s feelings. Oliver Wendell Holmes should have been ideal appointment, but Roosevelt finds him “a bitter disappointment” because of his general attitude. Roosevelt believes the Supreme Court is too important to make appointments based on the candidate’s state. Therefore, he tentatively plans to appoint Lurton and later Moody, even though both are from Massachusetts. Roosevelt is relieved by the “added impression of weakness” given by William Jennings Bryan’s recent speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-04
President Roosevelt thanks William H. Fleming for the letter, and informs him that he took the liberty of forwarding it to Secretary of War William H. Taft so that they may discuss the matter. Regarding Fleming’s suggestion, Roosevelt is anxious to do something to help, but is more concerned with not doing anything that may hurt the matter. He discusses the issues surrounding the enforcement of laws and voting rights, with African Americans being prevented from voting, but still contributing to population numbers when determining the number of representatives those states get. Roosevelt does not feel that he can force changes, and has determined that his best course of action is to uphold men of the south who are acting correctly. He muses about inviting several men to Washington, D.C., to discuss the best course of action.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-20
President Roosevelt sends Secretary of State Root a letter of greeting and congratulations on the success of his recent trip to Central America. Roosevelt has enjoyed the rest he has had over the summer and is now beginning to work on the fall electoral campaigns. While the recent Congress has been very productive, Roosevelt fears that “the time has about come for the swinging of the pendulum,” and mentions some areas he believes the Republicans are weak. Secretary of War William H. Taft has decided to not accept a position on the Supreme Court, which may put him in the ranks of possible presidential candidates. Local New York elections for governor have shown Benjamin B. Odell as having an advantage over Governor Frank Wayland Higgins.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-18
President Roosevelt authorizes Secretary of War Taft to use funds to stable the cavalry at Boise, Idaho as General Fred C. Ainsworth mentioned. Roosevelt additionally comments on several appointments, saying he believes that Walston H. Brown should be allowed to carry out his proposal, that he has decided to appoint James Shanklin Harlan to the Interstate Commerce Commission, and that he is inclined to appoint Horace H. Lurton, which will necessitate appointing a new Circuit Court Judge. Roosevelt also writes at length about some recent articles by Poultney Bigelow which contain some “slanderous falsehood,” but about which he believes some response should be made.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-17
President Roosevelt likes William H. Fleming’s response to Judge Alexander L. Miller’s attack on Fleming’s recent speech on race. Roosevelt was surprised that Fleming received criticism from Miller, noting that he would have expected it only from men like Governor James Kimble Vardaman of Mississippi. Roosevelt has received letters from Judges Horace H. Lurton and Thomas Goode Jones, who both strongly support Fleming’s position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-11
President Roosevelt enjoyed reading Secretary of War Taft’s letter and expresses his admiration for Taft. He can sympathize with the difficulties Taft worries about but does not feel they are as great as Taft makes them out to be. While Taft will likely be attacked on Panama and the Philippines, Roosevelt reassures him that he believes Taft has acted correctly, comments that they “play the game very much alike,” and describes some of the difficulties he is presently encountering. Roosevelt is glad that Taft will be staying in his cabinet longer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-02
President Roosevelt thanks Judge Day for writing, and comments that Secretary of War William H. Taft has spoken about Judge Horace H. Lurton the same way that Day did. Roosevelt is inclined to appoint Lurton, but does not wish to definitely commit himself yet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-25
John Appleton Stewart describes the purpose and work of the Peace Celebration Committee, of which Theodore Roosevelt has been given the title of Honorary Chairman. Stewart informs Roosevelt of both current and prospective members of the committee. Stewart tells Roosevelt that the object of the committee is to “create better feeling among the peoples of the world” in order to settle “international disputes.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-10
William H. Taft tells President Roosevelt that Judge Horace H. Lurton believes conditions in the South are good concerning the administration’s popularity and the Republican ticket. However, Lurton strongly believes Secretary of War Luke E. Wright should not be active in the campaign or make a speech as it could cause a reaction in the South. Taft sends Roosevelt a letter he received from Wright as well as an enclosed statement about Taft’s religious faith, which he requests Roosevelt return.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-27
Secretary of the Interstate Commerce Commission Moseley informs Attorney General William H. Moody that Judge Horace A. Lurton has, with one exception, decided against the government in every case under the interstate commerce law. Lurton was involved with the Geddes case, along with Judges Henry Franklin Severens and John K. Richards.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-22
Senator Lodge is glad to hear of Judge Horace H. Lurton’s opinions; Lodge is most concerned at present with the difference between nationalists and separatists. Lodge would like to see a judge on the bench who holds the views of Alexander Hamilton and John Marshall not Thomas Jefferson and John C. Calhoun. He would someday like to see Attorney General Moody in the Supreme Court. Lodge closes with a discussion of his anxiety regarding the campaign in Maine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-10
Secretary of War Taft thanks President Roosevelt for the complimentary telegram Roosevelt sent about Taft’s speech. He proposes that a man named Cairns, who is from Maine and a good man with experience abroad, might go to Collier’s magazine and provide a counter story about Ross. Taft also comments on a letter he mistakenly sent to the president instead of Kerr, Roosevelt’s correspondence with Henry Cabot Lodge about Horace H. Lurton, Justice John Marshall Harlan’s wish to retire with Lurton’s appointment in place, and how the Tafts had a good time in Maine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
Henry Cabot Lodge spoke with Attorney General Moody about the platform he is preparing for the Republican State Convention. During their conversation, Lodge learned that President Roosevelt is thinking about appointing Democratic Judge Horace H. Lurton to the Supreme Court. Lodge has strong feelings that the Republican Party should only appoint Republican judges. As a Hamiltonian in his beliefs on the Constitution, he worries about appointing a “strict constructionist who inherits the separatist tradition.” Lodge concludes with some comments about William Jennings Bryan, the beef trust, and “the silver question,” also called bimetallism.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-01
Secretary of War Taft tells Attorney General Moody that he believes Judge Horace H. Lurton is the best man for the vacancy on the Supreme Court and would ensure greatest public approval. Taft also believes Supreme Court Justice Harlan is going to retire, creating another vacancy. (Moody would actually be appointed for the first vacancy in late 1906, and Lurton would be appointed to the Court in 1909 by Taft who was then President.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-30
Attorney General Moody received Secretary of War Taft’s letter forwarding one from Governor Edward Wallis Hoch regarding the appointment of Judge J. T. Dickerson to the District Court. Moody thinks President Roosevelt will not take this matter up until at or before statehood is consummated. Moody further offers Taft a few considerations regarding the appointment of a judge to the United States Supreme Court to fill Judge Henry Billings Brown’s vacancy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-27
Secretary of War Taft responds to President Roosevelt’s offer to appoint him to the Supreme Court as a replacement for Justice Henry Billings Brown. While Taft sincerely wishes to accept, he believes he should stay as the head of the War Department for the time being, given the situation in Panama and in the Philippines. He addresses several issues, including an ongoing investigation into possible misconduct in the War Department. He summarizes the great progress that has been made in the Philippines, as well as some of the challenges that remain. Taft feels responsible for these issues and thinks he would be able to help push through measures in the next session of Congress that would benefit the Filipinos. Given his reluctance, Taft proceeds to give his opinion on other potential candidates to the Supreme Court. He favors the appointment of Horace H. Lurton over William H. Moody.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-30