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If Representative Parsons nominates the man in question, President Roosevelt will welcome the chance to write “the strongest kind of letter.” Roosevelt says that the letter Charles Hitchcock Sherrill left with him is exactly the platform he likes to stand on.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-10
President Roosevelt apologizes for his error and corrects his earlier statement that Assistant Treasurer Fish could stay in office while running for Congress. Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou, as well as several other cabinet officers, have said this would not be fair to others who have had to resign during the nomination process.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
President Roosevelt encourages Assistant Treasurer Fish in his run for Congress. Although Roosevelt cannot participate in nominating Fish, it seems settled anyway. Roosevelt agrees that Fish does not have to give up his position until February.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
President Roosevelt asks Anna Roosevelt Cowles to pass along his congratulations to Joseph W. Alsop on being newly nominated for Senator, and says he is a man with courage and sense. For the most part, Roosevelt is more interested in the politics of the Alsop types than the young men working in diplomatic positions. Roosevelt feels validated in his attitude towards Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, and wishes William H. Taft would be a more vocal critic of Foraker, as well as of William Jennings Bryan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-21
President Roosevelt congratulates New York State Senator White on his nomination for Lieutenant Governor of New York. Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt have always thought highly of White.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-16
President Roosevelt received Thomas Sturgis’s letter with the quote from Edgar Beecher Bronson, and can hardly believe how good it looks, but writes that it’s a country where one has to be cautious with the game. He thinks the situation with Governor Charles Evans Hughes has been dealt with.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-15
President Roosevelt agrees with Charles A. Moore’s suggestion for E. A. Drake, and supports Moore’s action on labor. With the crisis as it is, Roosevelt feels Charles Evans Hughes is the only logical nominee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-15
President Roosevelt advises Secretary of State Root to make it clear to organization leaders that there will be no attack on them. While Roosevelt privately admits that New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes has acted negatively towards such men, his support for Hughes in spite of these actions might make it obvious how crucial he feels Hughes’s renomination is for the good of the party. Roosevelt gives a quotation for publication stating his support for Hughes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14
President Roosevelt thinks Secretary of State Root’s speech will assist Governor Charles Evans Hughes in securing the renomination, and gives Root permission to quote his message of support for Hughes if it would be helpful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14
President Roosevelt sends Chairman of the Republican National Committee Frank H. Hitchcock an important letter from Daniel J. Keefe. It seems settled that Governor Charles Evans Hughes of New York will be renominated, alleviating fears about the East, but they must organize quickly around “the right type of man” for the West at Chicago.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-11
President Roosevelt tells Representative Sherman about Secretary of State Elihu Root’s suggestions regarding Congress’s measures in the last seven years. The people at the Republican National Headquarters thought it would be better to split the letter in two, and Roosevelt has adopted Sherman’s suggestions as part of this change. Roosevelt believes Governor Charles Evans Hughes must be renominated; otherwise there is potential for disaster.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-09
President Roosevelt received William L. Ward’s letter containing Goldman’s protest on behalf of the Jewish Nation against renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Roosevelt understands the issues in renominating Hughes but feels more trouble will result if Hughes is not renominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-03
President Roosevelt thanks Charles Sprague Smith for sending his book Barbizon Days. Sprague is more fit for Africa as Roosevelt “could not run five miles before breakfast to save my neck.” Roosevelt has publicly stated his belief that Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-03
President Roosevelt informs Brander Matthews he is doing all he can to secure Governor Charles Evans Hughes’ renomination. He believes he will succeed but is not certain, as Hughes has weaknesses, and his actions have insulted many politicians.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-01
After reviewing the matter, President Roosevelt believes Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated. While nominating him will cause damage, Roosevelt believes not renominating Hughes will cause more damage as it will alienate party members. As with William H. Taft, he will not try to dictate Hughes’ nomination, but feels he has the right to express his personal judgement to friends such as Ambassador Francis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-31
President Roosevelt entirely believes Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated and has given his opinion to various party leaders. He cannot dictate the nomination, but notes that he has done more to secure Hughes’ nomination than he did to bring about William H. Taft’s nomination as Republican presidential candidate. While there are reasons to oppose Hughes, the reasons for renominating him counterbalance them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-31
President Roosevelt forwards a letter from Henry L. Stoddard to Lieutenant Governor Woodruff. He understands nominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes will lose votes, but believes not nominating Hughes will cause more damage.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-29
President Roosevelt agrees with journalist Henry L. Stoddard. While it will do damage to nominate New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, it will do more damage not to nominate him. Although Hughes has offended other politicians, Roosevelt believes he should be renominated as long as there is nothing against Hughes’s personal integrity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-29
President Roosevelt agrees with Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus about nominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Renominating him may be difficult as many hate him because of his actions. Roosevelt is doing all he can to secure the renomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-29
President Roosevelt tells John A. Sleicher he is reluctant to appear to be a dictator or to force the nomination of Charles Evans Hughes for governor of New York. However, he has done, and will continue to do, all he can to impress upon leaders his “very strong personal judgement” that Hughes should be renominated. Doing otherwise would be a mistake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-29