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Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt acknowledges a letter from Ernest W. Reeme requesting to found a naval militia in Missouri. Roosevelt had already received a letter about the subject from Captain George R. Collins, but the militia cannot be organized until it is founded by the state.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-01
Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock hopes that given the election results in Missouri, President Roosevelt will now decide to accept the invitation of Missouri Governor David R. Francis to visit the World’s Fair in St. Louis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-09
Governor Hadley has decided to criminally prosecute those responsible for the “despicable article” that appeared in St. Louis, Missouri. Hadley regrets that he does not find it advisable to join Theodore Roosevelt’s third party movement but hopes that all progressive forces can continue to work together. Hadley believes that the Republican Party in Missouri can still be a “useful agency of good government.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-05
Governor Hadley is confident that the progressive wing of the party will retain control of the Republican Party in Missouri. Hadley discusses the requirements for a third party in Missouri, but Hadley believes that Theodore Roosevelt’s ticket would be more successful if Roosevelt’s supporters argued that Roosevelt was the rightful Republican nominee rather then the leader of a new third party organization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-09
Governor Hadley has met with Ralph Stout regarding a plan to place the Republican state and local candidates for Missouri onto the Republican Party ticket and the Progressive Party’s ticket. Hadley views the potential arrangement as a compromise measure to allow progressive Republicans not ready to leave the party to remain Republicans while fighting for progressive principles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-18
Progressive Party electors in Missouri can only be placed on the ballot by petition, and under these circumstances Roosevelt cannot win the state. However, under the arrangement previously suggested by Governor Hadley, Roosevelt could secure Missouri’s electoral vote. Hadley views progressive Republicans in Missouri and the Progressive Party as allies that can cooperate to elect candidates with progressive principles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-29
Governor Hadley regrets troubling Theodore Roosevelt about the preposterous article in a “newspaper” that was only a locally distributed bulletin attempting to discredit Hadley. Hadley will not be joining Roosevelt’s third party movement as he believes that he can perform better public service in the Republican Party, although he will continue to fight for progressive principles in Missouri.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-25
Governor Hadley encloses the platform adopted by the Missouri Republican State Convention. Since Hadley may still serve as the Roosevelt campaign’s candidate for the Temporary Chairman of the Republican National Convention, he would like to speak with Theodore Roosevelt regarding Hadley’s address to the convention. Hadley suggests including Governor Deneen in this conversation as he could provide effective support at the convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-30
Governor Hadley encourages Theodore Roosevelt to accept the speaking invitation from the Million Population Club of St. Louis, Missouri. Taft supporters are working hard to seat all of the contested Taft delegates in Missouri and Hadley expects another contested delegation from the fourteenth district.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-19
Governor Hadley expresses the concerns of Missouri Republican leadership over Theodore Roosevelt’s support for the recall of judges and judicial decisions. While they are in favor of the initiative and referendum, the recall of judges threatens the independence of the judiciary. Hadley interpreted Roosevelt’s recent speeches as a warning that the recall of judges could be a last resort and suggests that Roosevelt clarify his position to lessen the “popular alarm.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-03
Governor Hadley is opposed to Governor Stubbs’ suggestion of Theodore Roosevelt engaging in a general speaking campaign. He would like to see Roosevelt move away from campaigning on the issue of the recall of judges, and he suggests other issues that Roosevelt could campaign with, including the tariff, business regulation, direct presidential primaries, and the “question of World-Wide Peace.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-09
The situation is satisfactory in Missouri but Governor Hadley cannot leave at this time. He may be able to travel to New York late next week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-29
Governor Hadley met with Frank Knox regarding whether Theodore Roosevelt should make a public statement on his willingness to accept the Republican presidential nomination if offered. In Missouri, a statement is not necessary as the party has inferred that Hadley’s support for Roosevelt means that Roosevelt will accept the nomination. Hadley and Knox have concluded that the ambiguity of Roosevelt’s position is out of place with the frank way he has dealt with political questions in the past. They also believe that a lack of direction is preventing potential leaders of the Roosevelt campaign from acting. Hadley suggests that a letter signed by several supportive governors would be a “dignified and proper method” of announcing Roosevelt’s position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-29
Governor Hadley will be in Chicago, Illinois next week to meet with Governor Stubbs, Governor Osborn, and others interested in Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential candidacy. In Missouri, the fight is on for delegates from the Third Congressional District, which Hadley believes is favorable to Roosevelt. However, some Roosevelt supporters are holding back for fear that Roosevelt will not agree to accept the nomination. He expects the primary in the Fifth District to favor Roosevelt. The North Dakota primary is on March 5 and Hadley encourages Roosevelt to reveal his intentions toward the nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-02
After consulting with political leaders in St. Louis, Missouri, Governor Hadley believes that Theodore Roosevelt should make a public statement regarding his views on accepting the Republican presidential nomination within ten days. Thousands of Americans have encouraged Roosevelt’s candidacy and Hadley thinks that they deserve an answer. Stories are circulating that Roosevelt will not accept the nomination and many “timid souls” hesitate to offer support until Roosevelt’s candidacy is confirmed. There will be a meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on February 10 of Roosevelt supporters and Hadley suggests that they make a statement declaring that a majority of Republican voters favor Roosevelt’s candidacy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-04
President Taft’s supporters have been fostering a rumor that Theodore Roosevelt has stated he would never accept the Republican nomination. Governor Hadley has heard of other underhanded political techniques being used by the Taft campaign in Missouri, and he encourages Roosevelt to declare his candidacy. He further suggests that Roosevelt put William Loeb in charge of his campaign. In Hadley’s judgment, this is Roosevelt’s greatest opportunity to serve the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-15
Governor Hadley encourages the rapid formation of an executive committee of the National Roosevelt Committee. He would like to see someone on this committee assigned to handle the campaign west of the Mississippi River and suggests Thomas K. Niedringhaus or, preferably, Walter S. Dickey. Hadley provides an update on the campaign in Missouri, which would be helped by a prompt declaration from Theodore Roosevelt of his willingness to accept the Republican presidential nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-19
Governor Hadley offers his views on the presidential situation in Missouri. He believes that Theodore Roosevelt could secure a majority of delegates from Missouri but the ambiguity of Roosevelt’s candidacy is allowing President Taft’s supporters to secure the state convention by default. Hadley understands Roosevelt’s difficult situation but is confident that the majority of the Republican Party would prefer Roosevelt over Taft as a presidential candidate. If Roosevelt agrees, Hadley believes that it is Roosevelt’s duty to announce that he will accept the nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-16
Governor Hadley believes that the majority of Missouri Republicans want Theodore Roosevelt to be their presidential candidate in 1912. He encourages Roosevelt to announce his “willingness to accept the nomination if tendered.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-22
F. Bion McCurry is pleased that Governor Hadley declared his support for Theodore Roosevelt’s nomination as the Republican presidential candidate. He suggests that a Roosevelt-Hadley ticket would “sweep the country” and elect the entire state ticket in Missouri.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-24