Money

Samuel L. Morris shares his opinion of the Aldrich Central Bank legislation with Theodore Roosevelt, stating the banks are declining new loans and demanding payment of existing loans, building up their reserves. Morris asks why the banks must be given the power to issue money when the government might repeat what was done during the Civil War and increase circulation under proper regulation of the Comptroller and depositories. Morris would like to hear Roosevelt’s view on the subject.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-16

Michael McMahon writes to Theodore Roosevelt about politics, securities, printed money, and many other things. McMahon calls Roosevelt “The” Citizen and wishes him a merry Christmas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-16

Edward North Buxton has sent another check to the National Bank of India, bringing President Roosevelt’s account total to $3000. Roosevelt instructs the bank to keep it for him until he arrives or to pay Sir Alfred E. Pease.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

President Roosevelt tells Senator Burkett he “heartily approve[s]” the currency measure and believes it would have been unwise to have not passed it. He encloses a copy of a letter he wrote previously on the subject.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-18

President Roosevelt appreciates Henry Kirke Bush-Brown’s suggestion, but it would cost a lot of money and thus would require very active interest in Congress, and therefore is not feasible at this time.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-26

President Roosevelt tells Charles N. Fowler, Chairman of the Committee on Banking and Currency, that he hopes something can be done about the currency during the session. Roosevelt feels that a measure highlighting three or four aspects that would offer relief could get through rather than asking for radical legislation. He suggests addressing the “three-million limit,” the handling of customs receipts, provision for increasing the currency of smaller denominations, and a taxed emergency currency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-20

President Roosevelt tells S. A. Clark that he would need to locate the request for Congress to appropriate money to monuments before he can answer his letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-18

George B. Cortelyou informs Wilhelm Snyman that as soon as President Roosevelt hears from Snyman’s representative, he will forward the money for Mrs. Sarah Viljoen Snyman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-14

George B. Cortelyou would like Charles D. Pierce to inform him of the best way to send two hundred dollars to Sarah Viljoen Snyman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-14

Sam White writes to Theodore Roosevelt explaining his current situation, where he is employed in a government department with slow prospects and caring for his elderly parents and younger sisters. White wants to get married, but needs a house first and does not come from wealth. He appeals to Roosevelt’s generosity and asks him to send £300 required to build a small house and emphasizes his own character qualities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-11

Mrs. G. T. Carley invites Theodore Roosevelt to head the Conservers League. She discusses gold-backed currency and why she believes it is problematic. She likens features of the American west coast to body parts. She also laments the loss of her husband and implores Roosevelt to direct her on how best to serve her country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-20

Arthur F. Statter returns to William Loeb a letter from Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw to President Roosevelt. The letter comments on the report of the Currency Commission of the American Bankers’ Association.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-10

A receipt from the MacMillan Company to President Roosevelt for the amount of $250.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-12

Representative Hill responds to President Roosevelt’s questions on laws governing currency. Hill is very concerned about fiat money. Hill is a proponent of a bill, presently in committee, that will move the United States back to the gold standard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-14

In the first section of the cartoon, President Roosevelt shows William Jennings Bryan a paper and says, “Here is a draft of my plan for a more elastic currency Mr. Bryan.” In the second section, Roosevelt puts his hand on his head when Bryan says, “Mr. President your plan is admirable. I indorse it in every particular.” Caption: Better read it over again, Mr. Roosevelt.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Jay N. “Ding” Darling was one of the few cartoonists of his era — at least among the most prominent — who displayed the facility of composing effective cartoons, capturing personalities in caricature, evoking chuckles (or, when appropriate, tears), and — as important as all the other factors — delivering trenchant commentary. In doing so, cartoonists like Ding were faithful servants of democracy, and no less guides for future researchers and historians.

“Miss Columbia” dressed in the “present currency system” asks President Roosevelt, working in a fabric shop, “Can’t you hurry those new goods?” Roosevelt points to the sign: “New elastic goods will be received in December from Congress.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Arthur L. Bowen’s drawing in the Chicago Daily Journal was more an editorial cartoon than a political cartoon — illustrating a current situation rather than advocating or attacking a partisan position. But as such it explained well what researchers might understand about the financial crisis that precipitated and followed the Wall Street Panic that commenced several weeks earlier.

President Roosevelt looks over a fence at a farmer labeled “Congress” chopping the roast off a pig: “salary increase.” The rest of the pig is labeled, “inheritance and income tax,” “big warships,” “Panama Canal legislation,” and “currency reports.” He smokes a pipe as he says, “I’ll take this roast home. The rest will go in the smokehouse.” In the background stands “The Congressional Smokehouse” with a sign, “The Long Cure Process Used.” Four cuts of meat are in there: “Philippines Tariff Bill,” “Ship Subsidy,” “Santo Domingo Treaty,” and “Immigration Bill.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

The underlying point, or contemporary pertinence, of cartoonist Kirk L. Russell’s cartoon is in its title — “Planning a Raid On the Smokehouse” — despite not portraying President Roosevelt as anything but a casual observer over the fence.

President Roosevelt drags a Republican elephant, to which Chair of the Republican National Committee George B. Cortelyou and Cornelius Newton Bliss and bags of money are chained, toward “Wall Street.” A “yellow dog fund” follows behind. Several lambs look out a window and point at the sight.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-25

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he is going to send him some money every month and that he wants to come visit him. He talks about spending time riding horses with Mother and how Quentin Roosevelt got into trouble at school.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1913-04-20

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to tell him about all the development going on in Oyster Bay, New York, and rowing with Mother. He also discusses his libel suit against George Newett and all the money he has had to pay out this year. He mentions making money by his writing.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1913-05-24