Nominations for office

Letter from Oscar K. Davis to Theodore Roosevelt

Oscar K. Davis requests from Theodore Roosevelt a letter of introduction to the new Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson. Davis recently wrote a piece for Hampton’s Magazine on the current political situation, and he took the liberty of saying that Roosevelt was not interested in the presidential nomination, though he would not decline it if the Republican Convention called on him. He hopes this was a satisfactory thing to say, as he did not have time to ask Roosevelt before the proof was due. Davis remarks on the poor outlook for the coming year, noting that “our fellows in Congress have let the Democrats steal out thunder on” the topic of trade reciprocity. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-29

Letter from Fred F. Main to Theodore Roosevelt

Fred F. Main shares a story with Theodore Roosevelt about his neighbor who, when asked what he thought of Roosevelt, said that he expected to vote for him if Roosevelt got “the denomination.” Main believes this could possibly “be worked into a cute campaign song.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-27

Letter from Vaughan H. Griffiths to Theodore Roosevelt

Vaughan H. Griffiths asks Theodore Roosevelt for his opinion regarding the direct nomination of elective state officers in preparation for an academic debate club.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-14

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

President-Elect Taft writes to President Roosevelt about the upcoming inauguration and legislative debates. Taft reiterates that he has not changed his mind about Fowler (presumably the Fowler Bill relating to financial reform, H.R. 12677) but will attempt to subvert any machinations by that bill’s sponsor, Representative Charles N. Fowler. Taft requests feedback on his inaugural address regarding relations with Japan, and shares that several prominent African American leaders, including Booker T. Washington, have evaluated his speech as it relates to African Americans. Taft concludes by warmly accepting an offer to stay in the White House during the last night of the Roosevelt administration, partially to undermine rumors that he and Roosevelt have been in conflict.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-25

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