New York (State). Supreme Court | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Justice’s “jimmy”

Print shows New York State Supreme Court justice Theodoric R. Westbrook wearing the white robe of Justice and his head mostly bound with cloth. The balance scale of justice sits at his feet, and he hands a crowbar, or “jimmy,” labeled “By Order of the Court,” to a masked man. Another man, in the background, is using a similar bar to pry open doors labeled “Broken, Assets, Stockholders Money, [and] Policy Holders Money.” Next to Westbrook is a container labeled “Court Orders” filled with crowbars. His left hand rests on a piece of paper that states “Supreme Court – Decisions by Everybody’s Friend – Westbrook.” Caption: How the receivers get at the assets of “busted” insurance companies.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1882-05-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Kirchwey

Theodore Roosevelt was touched by Professor Kirchwey’s letter and wishes that in a year Kirchwey could be Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Nannie Vance Roosevelt

President Roosevelt sends sympathy to his cousin-in-law Nannie Vance Roosevelt for her recent personal and legal troubles with her brother-in-law Constant Abram Andrews. He cannot exercise any power to interfere with the matter in any way, but assures Roosevelt that her husband, John Ellis Roosevelt, has the legal acumen to inform her of what should be done.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Clarence D. Clark

President Roosevelt writes Senator Clark strongly recommending Alford Warriner Cooley for the position of Assistant Attorney General, and he encourages Clark to share this letter with the rest of the Judiciary Committee. Roosevelt writes that Cooley was suggested by Attorney General William H. Moody, and he is also favored by Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte. Roosevelt outlines Cooley’s education and career, which includes time as judge for various courts in New York and Washington DC; positions at the Department of Justice; and a member of New York City’s Corporation Counsel. Roosevelt concludes that he doesn’t believe it “would be possible to obtain a better man for the place.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-07

Letter from Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright to Theodore Roosevelt

Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright relays to Theodore Roosevelt his thoughts on Daniel W. Moran’s biased criticism of the Compensation Act. Wainwright compares the Compensation Act to similar legislature at the national level and similar models in England and Germany. Wainwright believes that Moran “and all insurance men like him” seek to offer moderate compensation in all cases without regard to negligence–and act which the workmen will not stand for. Wainwright inquires what Moran wants Roosevelt to do in regards to the matter. While he sends along a copy of the final report dealing with the subject, he laments that there is limited public interest in the subject, as organized labor has not seemed interested in compensation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-25

Letter from Willard G. Stanton to Theodore Roosevelt

Willard G. Stanton discusses his qualifications and previous application for a federal judgeship. He reviews the appointments of E. B. Whitney and Francis Key Pendleton to the New York Supreme Court. He lists why he wants the position and asks Theodore Roosevelt to help him be appointed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-21

Letter from William Sturgis Bigelow to Theodore Roosevelt

William Sturgis Bigelow is pleased Senator Lodge was reelected and compares Theodore Roosevelt to a political pile driver. He advises Roosevelt to use arguments other than the “fool and crook” one during his upcoming Western trip. Bigelow asks Roosevelt to deliver the enclosed memorandum to his secretary and requests they send a postcard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-20

Letter from John Proctor Clarke to Theodore Roosevelt

Justice Clarke acknowledges the tenth anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt appointing him to the Supreme Court of New York, a life-changing event. He wants Roosevelt to know that he still has the same warm and personal affection for him. Clarke read Roosevelt’s African articles with interest and followed his European tour with pride. Clarke discusses a possible additional term and what it is like serving as a justice.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-21

Letter from John Clay Davies to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Davies wants to know if Postmaster Nelson E. Ransom can also serve on the New York Republican State Committee. He hopes to be the Republican nominee for justice of the New York Supreme Court.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-16

Letter from John Proctor Clarke to Theodore Roosevelt

John Proctor Clarke thanks President Roosevelt for his support and for signing his commission as Justice of the New York Supreme Court.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-22