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Some of Charles S. Mellen’s associates are concerned over reports that the Supreme Court’s decision in the Northern Securities case will be “very drastic.” A major concern is the potential for blackmail and Mellen hopes that the decision can be worded to exclude blackmailers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-11
Nicholas Murray Butler discusses the articles of Lincoln Steffens that discuss President Roosevelt’s reelection. He writes that he is unsure of Steffens’s political aims but believes he is writing his article about Roosevelt merely for success as a journalist.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-02
Attorney General Knox reports on the political climate in Florida. He asks that the State Department cable the minister in Cuba concerning a visit by industrialist Henry Clay Frick.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-23
Newspaper article supporting President Roosevelt’s antitrust policy, including an anecdote about Roosevelt easily and rapidly ending a conference with a concerned J. Pierpont Morgan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-11
President Roosevelt discusses the business problems in the country over the last three months, which he believes are a result of an overconfidence in the use of credit that cannot be solved by adjusting the banking policy. Roosevelt insists that the American currency system is strong and needs minor legislation rather than an overhaul.
1903-08-26
President Roosevelt’s speech commemorates the dedication of the State Capital Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, noting the state’s historic legacy in America.
1906-10-04
Whitelaw Reid believes that since Joseph Bucklin Bishop and his newspaper can be so helpful during President Roosevelt’s campaign, it is not wise to encourage him to leave his position. Reid notes that there has been a change in political opinion lately, though a few remain discontented about the “coal strike, the Northern Securities, and certain trivialities like negro appointments, etc.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-09
Samuel Rinnah van Sant comments on the recent election results in New York. Van Sant expresses hope that the United States government wins its suit against the Northern Securities Company and confidence that President Roosevelt will win the presidential election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-07
William Michael Byrne fears that he will not be appointed for a new position unless he is backed by President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-20
Newspaper article drawing attention to a recent theory that an executive, such as the president, can decide what laws to carry out. The theory is being discussed in regards to the Northern Securities case as the administration’s current policy could have a negative economic impact.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06
James Speyer thanks President Roosevelt for the invitation to have lunch with him and for speaking so frankly about issues affecting Wall Street. He feels that the action Roosevelt took in the Northern Securities Case was the correct one. In response to a previous question from Roosevelt, Speyer also offers a recommendation for Mr. Keller as someone who understands traffic and is honest and conservative but is not considered one of the “greatest railroad managers in the country.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-25
The financial community will likely oppose President Roosevelt’s nomination as the Republican presidential candidate due to his actions surrounding the Northern Securities Company. However, action against Northern Securities likely prevented speculation and the creation of other securities on a large scale, thus protecting the financial community. Wall Street will oppose Roosevelt but he will be nominated and elected no matter the opposition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-12
William Justus Boies has enclosed two articles from the Evening Post: one on the Northern Securities decision and the other on Wall Street’s attitude toward President Roosevelt’s personally.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-15
Jacob H. Schiff thanks President Roosevelt for listening to his concerns regarding the pending suit against the Northern Securities Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-06
Jacob H. Schiff is concerned that if the government loses the suit against the Northern Securities Company that President Roosevelt’s prestige will suffer and new more repressive legislation will follow. However, a judicial decision against the Northern Securities Company could adversely effect the railroad industry and “shake the structure upon which our existing prosperity rests.” He asks that his comments be communicated to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-24
Joseph Bucklin Bishop defends the Roosevelt administration’s decision not to “run amuck” among the country’s corporations in light of the Northern Securities decision. The Democrats are using this decision to attempt to prove that they are more anti-trust than Roosevelt but will only prove that they cannot be trusted to deal with business interests and the economy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-17
At the direction of Attorney General Knox, Charles C. Long encloses a copy of the Bill in Equity of the United States vs. the Northern Securities Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-11
Herschel V. Jones expresses concern that suing the Northern Securities Company under the Sherman Act is being perceived in Minnesota as President Roosevelt allying himself with Minnesota Governor Samuel Rinnah Van Sant. Van Sant’s policies have split the Minnesota Republican party and Jones believes that Van Sant’s decisions are too politically motivated. He does not object to Roosevelt’s action but opposes an alliance with Governor Van Sant.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-22
The creation of the Northern Securities Company is another step towards the consolidation of the nation’s railroad system. The new entity is almost a monopoly west of the Mississippi River. If railroad consolidation and organization continues the government will be in a perfect position to assume control.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-14