Your TR Source
President Roosevelt did not feel it was necessary to respond to William Jennings Bryan’s letter, and instead he has written the enclosed statement regarding Edward Henry Harriman and Paul Morton. He will not fight dishonest publications like the Sun and the Evening Post, and the enclosure will clear up any questions about contributions from Harriman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-30
John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the Panama Canal project, informs President Roosevelt that a stevedoring contractor named J. W. Foulke has been visiting the canal, and has intimated that he has financial backing from a group which includes Chairman of the Isthmian Commission Theodore P. Shonts. Stevens suggests that if these connections came to light it may “prove embarrassing.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-05
Senator Beveridge conveys his admiration for Theodore Roosevelt who showed his “square deal” spirit in the way he stood up for Paul Morton, a member of his cabinet and a former railroad vice president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-24
Anna Roosevelt Cowles has “millions of questions” she would like to discuss with President Roosevelt. She is very concerned about Paul Morton’s association with Thomas Fortune Ryan in the Equitable Life Assurance company. Men who thought Morton was a weak member of Roosevelt’s Cabinet now point to his association with Ryan as proof of their concerns about his character. Cowles is anxious to discuss the situation between Japan and Russia. She enjoyed a recent visit from Roosevelt’s son Archie Roosevelt, though she was sorry to learn that he became ill when he returned home.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-23
Elihu Root writes to President Roosevelt from the train to Philadelphia where he is going to consult with Mayor John Weaver. Root thinks Roosevelt’s letter to Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton is “bully” and only has one or two verbal suggestions to offer. Clarence Winthrop Bowen came to visit Root and ask for “merciful treatment” for his brother, Herbert Wolcott Bowen, who is embroiled in a libel case with Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Elihu Root discusses the measures being taken to restructure the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, including the formation of a board of trustees and the involvement of former United States president Grover Cleveland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-12
Adolphus Clay Bartlett states his opinion to Paul Morton why Arizona and New Mexico should not be combined. He states that Arizona is clearly American and that New Mexico is clearly Mexican. There is only one reason they should be combined and it is merely a political excuse. Bartlett looks to Morton to use his influence to prevent this from happening.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-16
Senator Lodge explains that he did not object to President Roosevelt having his own letter published in the press but that he was concerned about Roosevelt publishing Representative Gardner’s letter. Lodge answers questions posed by Roosevelt in a previous letter. Lodge does not know why a plan to have a second squadron of battleships, to be commanded by a friend of his, has been eliminated by the Navy. He asks to have a meeting to discuss a treaty as it is too complicated for a letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-15
David R. Francis, president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, was disappointed to hear that President Roosevelt may not be able to visit the Exposition, and strongly encourages Roosevelt to attend.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-04
President Roosevelt paints whitewash on “Dear Old Platt,” “Good Old Lou,” and “Bully Paul!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-14
President Roosevelt uses an “appointment” sponge to clean Elihu Root with “equitable corporations” water. Roosevelt stands beside a “Roosevelt’s patent purifier” barrel. Behind Roosevelt and Root are two outfits for Paul Morton and Acting Secretary of State and a “Secretary of State’s chair.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-07
President Roosevelt rows a boat with “Morton” and “Loomis” paddles with an “H” flag while John D. Rockefeller rows a boat with “tainted money” and “rebates” paddles with a “Y” flag. In the background is a “higher ideals” buoy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-30
President Roosevelt uses “official whitewash” to paint Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton and First Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis. A man who has a “dismissal” paint can attached to himself runs away.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-22
Paul Morgan sits on Thomas Fortune Ryan’s lap while Herbert H. Vreeland sits in a “T. F. R.” box. Caption: Mr. Ryan, the ventriloquist—Now, Paul, speak up for the policy-holders! Paul—I accept this position on the understanding that I have an absolutely free hand.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-12
Judson Harmon and Frederick N. Judson stand outside of the “Department of Justice” with a paper that reads, “Instructions—Give everybody a square deal. T. R.” Meanwhile, Attorney General William H. Moody and President Roosevelt hold a sheet that Paul Morton climbs out from under. He holds a suitcase that reads, “P. Morton—New York—When in Rome of the Romans.” On the side of the Department of Justice is a sign that reads, “Let no guilty man escape. U. S. G.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-20
President Roosevelt sits at a table with members of his cabinet. He gestures at Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton. Beside Morton is a newspaper with the headline: “A.T. & S.F. R.R.’s Secret Rebates—Paul Morton Traffic Mangr.” There is also a “suit of armor formerly worn by Sec’y Morton” with a locomotive engine for a helmet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-03
This French newspaper article cites several scandals that had occurred in President Roosevelt’s cabinet, and asks where in American politics is a healthy portion that can help guard the other areas of democracy. The British writer James Bryce lamented that Americans themselves agree about the corruption of their system of democracy, and notes that cities are particularly able to fall under the sway of political bosses. William Travers Jerome is noted as being a good municipal officer, and while a Democrat on the national scale wishes to avoid being tied to a party in local issues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to discuss Bishop’s judgment of Elihu Root and Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton. Roosevelt believes Bishop has been too hard on them and explains why he believes they are good men and valuable to the administration. Roosevelt gives Bishop permission to show his letter to Frederick W. Whitridge and Nicholas Murray Butler, who have expressed similar views.
1905-06-15
President Roosevelt reports there has been a lot of snow lately making for skating and sleigh riding all week. The family has a new dog and Roosevelt has been reading a lot to Archie and Quentin Roosevelt. Ted is going to dinner at Secretary of the Navy Morton’s.
1904-12-17
Benjamin Ide Wheeler sends news from the Republican National Convention; including how Senator Fairbanks won the vice-presidential nomination, the resolution of a matter surrounding the Wisconsin delegation, and Wheeler’s opinion on the party platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-22