Moyer, Charles H.

Lawlessness and labor unions

An editorial in The Outlook responds to an article in the same edition of the magazine that provides a sympathetic account of the principles and actions of the Western Federation of Miners. While the writer of the letter agrees that it is good to understand principles the same way their advocates do, it is not always good to approve them. Opinions can all be freely advocated, but all practices cannot be freely undertaken. The Western Federation of Miners are free to advocate for anarchy, but not to practice it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906

Three more John Browns

Sheet music for “Three More John Browns” written by William Cosgrove. The lyrics compare the activities of labor movements with John Brown’s actions against slavery. A portion of the proceeds will go to support the wives of Big Bill Haywood, George A. Pettibone, and Charles H. Moyer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907

State of Idaho, plaintiff, vs. William D. Haywood, et al.

Grand Jury indictment of Big Bill Haywood, Charles H. Moyer, George A. Pettibone, and John L. Simpkins for the murder of ex-Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03

Letter from A. W. Beckman to Theodore Roosevelt

A. W. Beckman appreciates the wise position President Roosevelt took in his letter to William Henry Jackson (Honore Jaxon), the chairman of the Moyer-Haywood Conference.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-24

President’s reply to labor’s protest

The Albany Evening Journal editorializes on President Roosevelt’s criticism of the men on trial for the murder of Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg as “undesirable citizens.” While Roosevelt denies that his comments reflect on the men’s guilt of the specific charge, and are merely related to their general conduct, the editors note that this argument is not likely to convince those who believe Roosevelt’s remarks will influence the outcome of the trial against the defendants.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-14

Roosevelt’s famous letter

President Roosevelt referred to Big Bill Haywood, Charles H. Moyer, and George A. Pettibone as “undesirable citizens,” not because of their alleged involvement in the murder of Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg, but because of their roles as labor leaders.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907

Plea for justice for the accused miners in Idaho

Joseph Wauhope, associate editor of Wilshire’s Magazine, details the bias of the courts and unfairness of the trial of Charles H. Moyer, George A. Pettibone, and Big Bill Haywood in the murder of Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-19

Undesirable

A letter to The Glass Worker accuses President Roosevelt of acting unfairly in the murder trial of Big Bill Haywood, Charles H. Moyer, and George A. Pettibone, who stand accused of assassinating Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05

A coward in the White House

Eugene V. Debs condemns President Roosevelt for his actions in regards to the arrest of Charles H. Moyer, Big Bill Haywood, and George A. Pettibone. Debs claims that Roosevelt is a tool of the “Mine and Smelter Trust” and denounces him as a coward.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05

Extract of letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt wants to ensure that the legal rights of William D. Haywood and Charles Moyer are safeguarded and that “exact justice” is done. It has been suggested that they were extradited from Colorado in an unlawful manner and Roosevelt would like the pertinent information from the District Attorneys of Colorado and Idaho. Political pressure from the socialist and labor press will be strong in favor of acquittal, regardless of their actual guilt or innocence. The goal of federal authorities must be to “further the cause of justice.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-03-26

Western soft coal miners ready to join their striking brothers in Pennsylvania

Charles Moyer, president of the Western Federation of Miners, has offered to join the United Mine Workers of America by ceasing operations of western coal mines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt is happy to hear that his son Kermit is running and rowing. Roosevelt hopes to finish dictating some speeches so he can take a vacation. He adds that the “labor people” insist on having a row with him, and he wrote a letter to the Charles Moyer-William Haywood Defense Fund. Roosevelt closes by saying how lucky he is to have Secretary of State Elihu Root and Secretary of War William H. Taft, and he believes Taft should be nominated next for president.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-04-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to I. K. Russell

Theodore Roosevelt informs I. K. Russell that the people at The Outlook are looking at his letter regarding James B. McNamara, Joseph J. McNamara, Charles H. Moyer, and Big Bill Haywood. Roosevelt also wants to read the letter, and to know where Russell got his facts, because he cannot use the information unless he has proof. Roosevelt would like to discuss the matter further to be sure of his ground.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lyman Abbott

President Roosevelt tells Lyman Abbott that he is amused that The Outlook just printed an article that comes close to expressing his own views on socialism. Roosevelt compares some of the figures involved in socialist movements of the present to figures of the French Revolution, and says that while the French Revolution was beneficial and necessary in its early stages, it turned sharply towards evil as it progressed. Roosevelt has sent Abbott the open letter that he wrote to Rudolph Spreckles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lyman Abbott

President Roosevelt explains his thoughts related to socialism, saying that socialists do some good in waking some people up to the evils of modern life and the great disparities of wealth, but that for the most part they “merely add to the mass of aimless discontent.” Roosevelt discusses several instances in which socialism praises people who he believes do not deserve it, such as Eugene V. Debs. He believes that socialism also is frequently associated with an “only partially concealed crusade against domestic morality.” For Roosevelt, trending too far towards the ideas of socialism is just as bad as going too far towards the actions of swindling financiers or corrupt politicians.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Shaw

President Roosevelt asks Albert Shaw to reproduce a cartoon from Puck. As Roosevelt has no plans to hold another position in public office, the upset on Wall Street will have no lasting effect on him, but he comments on the related press coverage. The New York Sun has tried to disparage the Great White Fleet, but Roosevelt is certain Shaw understands that the fleet’s journey is necessary. Roosevelt asks Shaw to lunch with Mark Twain and Frank Nelson Doubleday on Friday the 13th.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Allen White

President Roosevelt shares his thoughts regarding the upcoming presidential election and the land fraud case against Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah with William Allen White. Roosevelt outlines his personal reasons for supporting Secretary of War William H. Taft for president as well as the political considerations necessary to secure his nomination. In the case of Borah, Roosevelt would like White to come to Oyster Bay to discuss the matter with him and Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte; Roosevelt thinks it would look bad for Borah to come himself, and asks White to bring Borah’s lawyers on August 9.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Oscar K. Davis

President Roosevelt considers Oscar K. Davis’s reporting on the land fraud case in Idaho to be admirable and gives his word careful consideration. Roosevelt believes that the worst thing he can do is to be seen as shielding Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah from prosecution, but if what Davis says about the grand jury proceedings is true, he will remove District Attorney N. M. Ruick at once. Roosevelt will bring up the matter with Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Morgan Davenport

President Roosevelt appreciates Professor Davenport’s article in The Outlook. Roosevelt believes that he has dealt fairly with labor unions, although sometimes he has acted to keep them in check.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philander C. Knox

President Roosevelt is glad to hear more about Senator Knox’s address at Yale, especially his reference to the Girondists. He wants people to understand that “to be moderate does not mean to be timid.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-24