Odell, Benjamin B. (Benjamin Barker), 1854-1926

George Rumsey Sheldon hopes to set the record straight regarding the Election of 1904 and the allegations that Roosevelt asked Edward Henry Harriman, former Director and Chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad, for campaign money. While Harriman did donate some money, it was to the New York State Committee to help the campaign for governor. He did not interact with Roosevelt’s campaign finances at all.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-15

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1900-11-28

Creator(s)

Townsend, Howard, 1858-1935

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1900-11-13

Creator(s)

Van Voorhis, John, 1826-1905

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

In a letter to Governor General Taft, President Roosevelt expresses his admiration for certain members of the Senate with whom he has been able to work to pass legislation through Congress, but he also makes clear his frustration with others, including those from his home state of New York. Roosevelt concedes that the administration failed to pass tariff relief for the Philippines, and he hopes that Taft will take up the post of Secretary of War when Elihu Root leaves the position.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1903-03-19

President Roosevelt will be staying with his aunt, Elizabeth Norris Emlen Roosevelt, the Monday before the election and asks Seth Low to call on him. Governor Odell is keen to assist with the campaign and Roosevelt thinks it would be a good idea for Low to meet with him. Senator Platt is doing all he can and has kept away from Low as it seemed the wisest course of action.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-21

New York State Republican Committee Chairman Woodruff updates William Loeb on the campaigns of Fifth Assembly District Leader Robert A. Sharkey and of Senator Eugene Mabbett Travis for control of the Eleventh Assembly District in New York. Woodruff feels he can neither support not speak out against Governor Charles Evans Hughes at this time, and he is worried Stevens’s victory in Niagara will encourage those hostile to President Roosevelt. He assesses other district candidates and their potential to have a positive impact. Although he knows Loeb may not be able to help directly, he appeals to him for aid if possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-19

Timothy L. Woodruff says that it will not be necessary for him to communicate with William Loeb en route to Washington, D.C., because he can learn everything that is required from William Barnes. He hopes that Loeb will be able to help Jack Smith and discusses implications of particular candidates winning in New York. Woodruff believes that they have a good chance of accomplishing excellent political results if there is a feud between Democrats in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-18

Timothy L. Woodruff acknowledges receipt of a letter from William Barnes and tells William Loeb that he will not speak on President Roosevelt’s behalf unless directed. Woodruff believes that at least 30 of the 38 members of the committee will support not adopting a resolution of endorsement for any presidential candidate. He includes a draft of what he would say to forego endorsement and asks for Loeb’s critique.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-06

Representative Fassett asks Secretary of War Taft how long he will be in Oyster Bay, and if they could meet in person soon. Recently Fassett heard a rumor about himself in Buffalo, that he was in support of Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Fassett only supported Hughes against Frank Wayland Higgins and Benjamin Barker Odell. Before appointments are made for collector of internal revenue or district federal marshal, Fassett would like a meeting with President Roosevelt. At present, Fassett has not yet spoken with Senator Frederick C. Stevens, though he has seen Senator William J. Tulley who is undecided.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-01

Assistant Treasurer Fish writes to President Roosevelt through William Loeb that the political situation in New York has improved as previously reticent politicians, such as New York Governor Odell, are now showing support for Roosevelt’s renomination after the admirable way in which Roosevelt treated Senator Hanna’s initial lack of support. Fish closes by addressing the irregularities in the post office department and suggesting that any fraud should be investigated and punished.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-05

Attorney General Moody intends to fully prosecute cases involving naturalization fraud and will discuss the matter with Assistant Attorney General Purdy when Purdy returns to work. Moody also stresses the importance of the Southern District of New York Office and encourages the President to appoint a top lawyer to administer that office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-19

Howard Metcalf writes to Benjamin F. Barnes acknowledging receipt of a letter from Governor Odell of New York. Metcalf summarizes Odell’s letter. The letter is about friction between officials at Ellis Island and the State Board of Alienists of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-21

Joseph Bucklin Bishop provides an update on the New York political situation as it pertains to securing the Republican nomination for the United States Senate and for Governor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-15

Joseph Bucklin Bishop writes to President Roosevelt that he has published a column supporting Roosevelt’s expected appointment of Seth Low. Bishop has also enclosed cartoons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-15

Samuel L. Parrish presents his qualifications and references for the post of minister to Greece for President Roosevelt’s consideration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-14

F. Norton Goddard gives President Roosevelt voting statistics from districts in New York. Goddard is a Republican Party official. He is proud to be recognized by Governor Odell for recent turnout at the polls. Goddard follows up on his recommendations for jobs and positions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-14

Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends President Roosevelt a report on independents’ voting patterns in the recent presidential election. Bishop is annoyed both with Republican party officials claiming their influence swung New York and with Democrats whom he found “offensive” during the campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-14

Lyman Abbott responds to a letter from William W. Keen expressing concern about John Edward Addicks’s influence on Delaware politics. Abbott defends President Roosevelt for not interfering in Republican Party disputes at the state level. Abbott is concerned, however, that recent appointments, along with unfavorable press, make it look as though Roosevelt is working with Addicks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-12

F. Norton Goddard is disappointed that President Roosevelt has decided not to appoint Marcus M. Marks to the Postmastership of New York before the election, and hopes that Roosevelt may change his mind. Goddard forwards an additional letter recommending Marks to the position, and asks if he can meet with Roosevelt after the election to speak about Marks’s appointment. He comments on how the appointment ties into New York internal politics.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-31

Eight men sleep in a bed with sweat on their forehead as they all dream about “third term sentiment.” The men include Ohio Senator Theodore E. Burton, Benjamin B. Odell, South Carolina Benjamin R. Tillman with a pitchfork, William Randolph Hearst, Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, Edward Henry Harriman, and John D. Rockefeller of Standard Oil.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The “Third Term” question was for President Roosevelt like a bad penny or a stray dog that he could not shake. He declared on election night, 1904, that he would not stand for re-election in 1908. He made this clear to politicians and friends and, by implication — for instance, by promoting William H. Taft as a favored successor — but seldom reasserted his intentions to the public. He felt that to say it too often — and the demands to do so were incessant — would have weakened the force of the declination or seemed like “protesting too much.” He said it, and that should have been enough.