Nominations for office

Letter from Boies Penrose to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Penrose thanks President Roosevelt for the letter regarding the matter of John Dunbar Pringle. Penrose understands that Senator Philander C. Knox has asked Roosevelt to delay the matter a bit, and Penrose remarks that a nomination cannot be sent until after the holidays anyway because of the adjournment of Congress. He will be satisfied with whatever Roosevelt decides, but would like to speak to him one more time before Roosevelt takes action.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-18

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

President-Elect Taft thanks President Roosevelt for his support during the presidential campaign, and reflects on the results of the election and the implications of various results. In particular, strange ballot laws and the liquor question impacted the vote in different states. Taft believes that now his challenge is to prevent Representative Joseph Gurney Cannon from being elected Speaker of the House. He would like to meet with Roosevelt to discuss the plan to deal with Cannon, as well as how to fill the vacant Senate seat for New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-07

Letter form S. B. M. Young to Theodore Roosevelt

S. B. M. Young, superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, would like to be appointed Governor of the Soldiers’ Home if President Roosevelt can do so without “doing injustice to anyone.” He celebrates that Roosevelt “did fray that crazy quilt [William Jennings] Bryan to a frazzle,” and believes that his administration will go down in history on par with those of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-12

Copy of Letter from Elihu Root to William H. Taft

As part of an enclosure, the item heading notes that William H. Taft received the following letter from Secretary of State Elihu Root, who feels Taft’s letter to John Wesley Hill is of sound reason. However, he believes it unwise for Taft to publish any letters regarding his church relations, which are an issue only if Taft makes it so. While Root finds the topic of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes difficult, his opinion is that he should be renominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge finds the incident of the statue in Brownfield, Texas, comedic. He is glad President Roosevelt is going to Oxford but admonishes him to also visit Germany, for “it would never do to omit the Kaiser.” Lodge believes Roosevelt’s visits around Europe will be valuable for the United States. As a favor, Lodge requests Roosevelt look into the situation concerning the purchase of the Windsor ships.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-07

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

William H. Taft waits to hear President Roosevelt’s opinion of William Jennings Bryan’s speech. He feels the nominating of Governor Charles Evans Hughes grows more important. He will not speak on the subject, however, as he does not want to offend the organization of New York. If anything should be done, Taft believes Representative J. S. Sherman is best suited to the task. Secretary of War Luke E. Wright is coming to visit, and Taft will assist him with matters of the War Department. He comments on the “not at all good” situation of political bolting in West Virginia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-15

Letter from Lincoln Steffens to William Loeb

Lincoln Steffens informs William Loeb that after Francis J. Heney visited him in Washington, he is clear on the matters relating to W. C. Bristol, United States Attorney for Oregon, and Colonel Stewart, who has been accused of being unfit to lead. As a potential successor to Bristol, Christian Schuebel’s competence had been questioned, but the suggested alternative, William Simon U’Ren, would not accept the appointment. Regarding Stewart, the president should know that though Stewart’s colleagues may see him as unfit, there is not sufficient evidence for discharge, and he hopes Roosevelt will review General William Penn Duvall’s malicious behavior surrounding the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-28

Letter from Albert Baird Cummins to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Cummins of Iowa writes to President Roosevelt about the upcoming presidential election. If he himself is not selected, most of his crowd will vote for Secretary of War William H. Taft, though they will likely harbor hidden hostility. If Leslie Shaw is nominated, as Cummins suspects he will be, things could end up worse. Cummins would like to meet with Roosevelt in person to discuss the situation if possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-20

Letter from Richard Pretlow Ernst to Nicholas Longworth

Richard Pretlow Ernst speaks strongly against the appointment of Charles H. Duty as collector in the Sixth District of Kentucky, as do many others, including Maurice Lee Galvin, whom Ernst believes is a better candidate. He asks Representative Longworth to advise President Roosevelt regarding the situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-09

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Postmaster General Meyer was surprised to learn of New York postmaster Edward M. Morgan’s report. Meyer sends President Roosevelt a letter he received from Secretary of War Taft and his reply to it. He urges Roosevelt to see Assistant Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock at the next opportunity.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-21

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to William H. Taft

Postmaster General Meyer reports to Secretary of War Taft that Assistant Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock has expressed his loyalty to President Roosevelt, assuring Meyer that he will act as Roosevelt instructs. Meyer comments, regarding a nomination to the postmastership of Spencerville, Ohio, that he has directed Hitchcock to seek input from Arthur I. Vorys. Hitchcock believes that Vorys is ill disposed toward him because he had been mentioned in the press “as a probable Taft manager.” Meyer is writing to Roosevelt, as well, and will urge him to talk to Hitchcock himself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-21

Letter from William E. Mason to James Sullivan Clarkson

William E. Mason explains the political situation in Illinois and asks James Sullivan Clarkson to bring several matters to President Roosevelt’s attention. Mason has traveled extensively and his impression is that most people want Roosevelt to seek another term in 1908. If Mason is nominated for the Senate, he, unlike Representative William Lorimer and Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon, will support Roosevelt over Secretary of War Taft. Mason is concerned that the plan to hire former Governor of Illinois Richard Yates for the prosecution of trusts in Illinois is part of an effort to influence the Senatorial election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-22

Letter from Herbert Parsons to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Parsons has received a letter from Postmaster William R. Willcox informing Parsons of Willcox’s nomination by Governor Charles Evans Hughes of New York to the chairmanship of the New York Public Service Commission, and asking for advice. Parsons believes Willcox likely to accept, and would like President Roosevelt to remember to confer with him before nominating Willcox’s replacement as postmaster.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-26

Letter from Herbert Parsons to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Parsons believes that other men would have made better chairmen of the New York Public Service Commission than New York City Postmaster William R. Willcox. He expects Willcox to be ineffective and thus damage legislation’s chances for success as well as the Republican Party and laments the shortage of people to run for office. Parsons also advises against naming Edward Morgan as Willcox’s replacement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-29

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft discussed with Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer the comments attributed to Assistant Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock about opposing Taft’s nomination for the presidency. Meyer believes there to be some mistake, and he will talk with Hitchcock. Taft is inclined to appoint James Buchanan Aleshire as Quartermaster General of the Army over William Penn Duvall, and will phone Roosevelt later to talk it over. Joseph Bucklin Bishop has not accepted the post with the Isthmian Canal Commission, and Taft is still encouraging him to consider it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-30

Letter from C. E. Argersinger to William Loeb

Postmaster Argersinger gives William Loeb his assessment of the reaction to a letter issued by President Roosevelt concerning the Moyer-Haywood affair. The public reception was overwhelmingly positive, and Argersinger believes that at the time, Roosevelt could have secured the nomination for president. This is evidence of the strength of Roosevelt’s position in the nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-29

Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson to William Loeb

James Sullivan Clarkson explains the political situation in Iowa to William Loeb. Clarkson is concerned that a group of powerful men and various corporations is conspiring to control delegations in Iowa and the surrounding states to the detriment of President Roosevelt and Vice President Taft. In particular General Dodge, a close friend of Governor Cumins, is thought to be behind the operation. Clarkson believes that most people will support Roosevelt’s cause, including capitalists who have criticized him in the past. A handwritten note posits that perhaps Dodge is actually on Roosevelt’s side and is influencing matters in his favor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-24

Letter from Leslie M. Shaw to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Treasury Shaw has received President Roosevelt’s letter asking to send the letter nominating Charles Rufus Skinner as Assistant Appraiser at the port of New York. Shaw says there are no vacancies currently, notes that he thinks three should be created, and explains that he has been urging Grover Harrison Lufburrow to resign. Shaw reminds Roosevelt that the positions have traditionally been shared between New York and New Jersey, which may affect succession.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-05

Letter from Clarence D. Clark to Theodore Roosevelt

Clarence D. Clark, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, informs President Roosevelt that the Alford Warriner Cooley’s appointment as Assistant Attorney General will go before the committee at its Monday meeting. It and other nominations were delayed because of attendance. There is some question as to Cooley’s practical experience but this should not prevent his appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-07

Letter from Herbert J. Hagerman to Theodore Roosevelt

Herbert J. Hagerman refers to his letter of September 12, 1906, concerning the reapportionment of the Territory of New Mexico for legislative purposes. In this letter, he mentioned that the reapportionment had almost universal support and those counties who opposed it enjoyed a much greater share of representation in the Territorial Legislature. As Hagerman anticipated, Thomas Benton Catron initiated legal proceedings to test the legality of the reapportionment in an attempt to retain his share of representation. The case was heard before Honorable Ira A. Abbott, who sustained the legality of the new apportionment in every respect.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-18