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President Roosevelt details various strategies for the Republican candidates in the upcoming elections in New York to Lieutenant Governor of New York and New York Republican State Committee Chairman Woodruff. Roosevelt believes William Randolph Hearst will carry votes in Upstate New York, therefore the focus should not be only on the cities.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-04
President Roosevelt tells Representative Parsons, member of the New York Republican County Committee, that he believes it was wrong to leave off Judge Otto Alfred Rosalsky from the nominations and furthermore does not agree with the Nominators’ Committee on adding Democrats to the Republican ticket. Roosevelt believes it is the utmost importance that Republicans do all they can in all elections in New York to support a victory against William Randolph Hearst in the “main contest” for governor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-08
Timothy L. Woodruff, chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, requests a campaign contribution from Ernest Harvier, an editor at The Sunday Democrat. The letter, probably returned to Woodruff by Harvier, includes a handwritten note from Harvier dated two days later, telling Woodruff that he served as a delegate from New York County at the Democratic State Convention in Buffalo, New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-29
New York Republican State Committee Chairman Woodruff informs President Roosevelt that he has received his letter and talked with New York Congressman Herbert Parsons and Republican National Committee Member William L. Ward. They are all in agreement regarding the “Oscar Straus matter,” which is likely a reference to Roosevelt’s possible appointment of New York City politician Oscar S. Straus as Secretary of Commerce and Labor. This would be the first appointment of a Jewish-American to a cabinet position, and could win Jewish votes for the Republicans in the gubernatorial race between Charles Evans Hughes and Democrat William Randolph Hearst.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-22
Timothy L. Woodruff, Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, updates President Roosevelt on the campaign for the 1906 New York gubernatorial election between Republican Charles Evans Hughes and Democrat William Randolph Hearst. Woodruff agrees with Roosevelt that campaign events should not feature Republicans with national reputations, with the exception of Secretary of State Elihu Root, who is from New York. Woodruff says he attempted to prevent Speaker of the House and Illinois Congressman Joseph Gurney Cannon from campaigning for Republicans in New York and, that having failed, has asked that Cannon avoid discussing national Republican issues like tariffs or labor unions. Woodruff includes a letter from a local Democratic lawyer whom Woodruff feels represents many Democrats who oppose Hearst enough to cross party lines to vote for Hughes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-13
Timothy Woodruff, chairman of the New York State Republican Committee, informs President Roosevelt that he will nominate five Republicans and three Democrats for the New York State Supreme Court in the Second Judicial District. Among the Democrats are William J. Carr and Townsend Scudder, the latter being somewhat controversial among the Democrats but having enough “masonic eminence” that Woodruff considers eliminating him “unwise.” Woodruff thanks Roosevelt for his timely letter and advice, and says he is informed about the situation upstate and is taking precautions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-04
Chairman of the New York State Republican Committee Timothy Woodruff informs President Roosevelt of the political situation in New York regarding the nomination of state senate candidates and the gubernatorial campaign of Charles Evans Hughes. He lists the stops Hughes is making in his campaign speech circuit, and references the support Hughes has among Democratic labor union leaders, Catholic priests, and the Yiddish newspapers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-08
Former Lieutenant Governor of New York Timothy Woodruff tells President Roosevelt that he will meet Congressman Cox [sic] in the morning regarding judicial appointments for New York State. Woodruff also includes an article from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle regarding judicial appointments that reflects his own views. Woodruff recommends giving the Democrats a “square deal” by naming three Democrats along with five Republicans. Woodruff laments how the Democrats feel about former New York Representative and future New York Supreme Court Justice Townsend Scudder.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-02
Alfred Spring writes to President Roosevelt regarding the state of the Republican party in New York State and the race for the governorship. Spring insists that the current Governor Benjamin B. Odell should resign from his post and asks for Roosevelt’s thoughts on the future options for the party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-02
Senator Platt has been approached by the Republican Club of New York, proposing that he sponsor a bill in the United States Senate that would reduce the number of delegates from certain southern states, due to illiterate Negro citizens. Platt had introduced such a bill in 1904, but he now requests an opinion from President Roosevelt. He has stated that if Roosevelt supports such an idea, he will propose it. If not, he will ask to be excused.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-21
F. Norton Goddard is concerned about a controversy in New York’s 25th Assembly District and provides his opinion on several leading New York Republicans. He complains that there was a conspiracy on the part of Henry Birrell to take over as Leader of the 25th District. Goddard also gives a negative opinion of Senator Platt and points out that while he thinks that Governor Odell is a likable person, he does not include him in any important information. He complains that Mayor Low is a drag on the idea that the Republicans are the party of good government and threatens to run a third-party campaign if Low runs again.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-24