Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Governor Bass of New Hampshire and sends him a clipping describing a group of Progressives who support the Republican nominee, William H. Taft. Roosevelt contends that supporting Taft contradicts the Progressive Party platform, asserting that Taft won the nomination through corrupt means.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-17
Theodore Roosevelt wishes luck to Merwin Kimball Hart at the political convention and explains that the Progressive Republicans of New York are just trying to bring the party back to the people and away from the bosses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-28
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Charles J. Bonaparte for telling him about “the suits.” Roosevelt feels the same as Bonaparte about the “alliance.” Roosevelt does not “know enough of them to join.” His reluctance is heightened because “the special sponsor for [his] own State is Senator Depew.” Roosevelt did not join the Progressive League.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks Bela Tokaji for his very courteous letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-28
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Dudley Foulke about the Progressive League. He sympathizes with their purpose but does not think the platform is efficient. He would like Foulke and Lucius B. Swift to come to Oyster Bay sometime to consult with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes Senator La Follette stating he does not want to have a prominent part in any political movement but is willing to endorse the National Progressive Republican League in The Outlook. Roosevelt has been trying to engage in politics like a private citizen, as an ex-president should, without claiming special status.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-24
Theodore Roosevelt is in general accord with the Wisconsin platform and believes that Wisconsin has taken the lead in “practical efficiency of progressive state legislation.” However, Roosevelt is not prepared to join the National Progressive Republican League as suggested by Senators La Follette and Bourne. States vary on the progress they have made towards progressive principles and Roosevelt prefers a broad platform that will give strength to the progressive movement and not surprise people into opposition. Given some time, Roosevelt believes that many people will gravitate towards progressive principles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-03
Harold L. Ickes requests a Saturday meeting with Theodore Roosevelt and the Committee of the Progressive Republican League.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-03
The committee representing the National Progressive Republican League would like to meet with Theodore Roosevelt on Saturday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-02
Samuel K. Harvey relays to Theodore Roosevelt that as referred to in the clipping, his friends in Michigan hold him in the highest esteem. Harvey is inquiring about the authenticity of the statement in the newspaper reports that James R. Garfield called on you to attend the Progressive Republican League convention expressing his views of Roosevelt echoing his sentiments on the nomination of Robert La Follette.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-19
Frank Knox expresses his disappointment to Theodore Roosevelt in regards to Roosevelt’s inability to write him the kind letter on the workingmen’s compensation movement that he desired and admits why it was an “embarrassing” request. Roosevelt’s letter instead inspired him to talk to farmers interested in the subject matter, having talked to a crowed of over 300 in Charlevoix County, Michigan. Knox discusses his opinions of the upcoming presidential election and candidates, and he wishes to meet with Roosevelt to discuss more when he travels east in December.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-18
Bela Tokaji informs Theodore Roosevelt that he has been elected as an honorary vice-president at the State Conference of the National Progressive Republican League of the State of New York. Tokaji hopes Roosevelt will accept this honor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-18
Bela Tokaji, State President of the Progressive Republican League, enthusiastically tells Theodore Roosevelt about the many clubs they have organized across New York, all of which are populated by “true Rooseveltians.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-08
J. F. Houchins writes to Theodore Roosevelt to inquire about what Roosevelt objected to in relation to joining the National Progressive Republican Movement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-05
Bela Tokaji commends Theodore Roosevelt on his recent Memorial Day address at Ulysses S. Grant’s tomb, which he considers to be one of Roosevelt’s finest, sure to silence his detractors. Tokaji affirms the National Progressive Republican League of the State of New York’s commitment to Roosevelt, remarking that all its members are likewise members of the National Roosevelt League.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-31
Jessie A. Price provides her perspective on the political climate in America for Theodore Roosevelt. She believes that Democratic newspapers are trying to get Republicans to repudiate President William H. Taft to help their cause. Price urges Roosevelt to fight for unity within the Republican Party and not to cave to pressures from the Republican Progressive League. She believes that tariff reform is not immediately necessary, and that it would benefit businessmen if tariff changes were done slowly, with studies and time for public comment. She believes that a friendship between Roosevelt and Taft is important for the country’s future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-08
John E. Bell, a farmer from Michigan, is very supportive of the vision of the new Progressive Republican League that Theodore Roosevelt is launching. He thinks the time is right for such a movement and hopes that it will give people a way to support the national supervision of resources, economic, industrial, and commercial matters without turning to socialism.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-05
Good progress has been made with the National Progressive Republican League and Senator La Follette regrets that Theodore Roosevelt has decided not to join. He agrees that some states are not ready for the entire progressive platform but he will press forward with educational and reform work; otherwise, it will take a generation to move the legislative program forward. The League is seeking uniformity for state constitutional amendments on the initiative, referendum, and recall. La Follette hopes that Roosevelt will eventually lend his “great name and influence” to the movement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-19
Senator La Follette requests that Theodore Roosevelt make no mention of an unnamed matter until after the announcement is prepared. He is likely referring to the formation of the National Progressive Republican League which was announced in January 1911.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-12
Senator Bourne is pleased that Theodore Roosevelt is interested in the organization of the National Progressive Republican League but regrets that Roosevelt will not be joining the movement. Bourne defends the league’s plans for implementing the initiative, referendum, and recall. There will be no effort to force the acceptance of these reforms and Bourne does not expect efforts for national acceptance for many years.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-11