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

Letter from Thomas Collier Platt to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Platt expresses his concern to President Roosevelt about the Republican campaign in New York state, noting that while there does not seem to be a risk of losing the national election in that state, there is a risk of losing the state offices. Platt is writing to 15,000 of his supporters and asking them to aggressively support Lieutenant Governor Higgins.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-03

Letter from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Columbia University President Butler writes to President Roosevelt to convey his opinions on the current political climate including public sentiment against Governor Odell, Lieutenant Governor Higgins’ suitability to run for Governor but inability to inspire great passion, and Butler’s confidence that Roosevelt will win the national election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-26

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop writes to President Roosevelt about the Republican election strategy. First, he notes that he does not think Chief Judge Parker’s Democratic nomination acceptance letter will increase his success in the campaign. Then he goes on to say that Parker’s ideas about pensions make for a delicate political situation. Finally, he says he is getting conflicting reports on the situation in New York and the conflict between Governor Odell and Lieutenant Governor Higgins, and he will update Roosevelt when he knows anything definite.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-27

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge writes to President Roosevelt about the progress of the Republican campaign. Lodge approves Lieutenant Governor Higgins as candidate for governor of New York. He believes that Chief Judge Parker is playing politics with his Democratic nomination acceptance letter. He is confident that Massachusetts and New York will both go Republican in the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-27

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop writes to President Roosevelt with an update on the Republican campaign in New York. He notes that there is widespread feeling against Governor Odell across the state, which is a potential danger for Lieutenant Governor Higgins’s candidacy, but Bishop remains confident that both Roosevelt and Higgins will win in New York state.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-30

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to Theodore Roosevelt

Republican National Committee Chairman Cortelyou informs President Roosevelt that he has spoken with Governor Odell and they are collaborating on election efforts in New York state. Odell will look into the matter of Judge John Thomas McDonough.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-30

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid reports to President Roosevelt on the recent visit of railroad executive Edward Henry Harriman. Although Harriman said he would soon visit George B. Cortelyou and Cornelius Newton Bliss, he expressed no opinion about Roosevelt’s nomination acceptance letter. Harriman also expressed confidence in the outcome of the New York State elections, including Governor Benjamin B. Odell’s control of the party and Frank Wayland Higgins’s pending nomination for governor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-15

Letter from Simon Wolf to William Loeb

Simon Wolf expresses to William Loeb his concern that Governor Benjamin B. Odell will “try to knive” President Roosevelt. Odell hopes to control the Republican Party and be the presidential nominee in 1908. Wolf also writes that he is leaving to campaign for six weeks and hopes to “win thousands of votes.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-16

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge writes to President Roosevelt to express his pleasure with the results and the high voting turnout in Maine. He then expresses his opinion that everything looks good for the Republican ticket nationwide, except in New York where he “cannot judge of” the situation between Lieutenant Governor Higgins and Governor Odell.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-18

Letter from Henry W. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry W. Taft writes to President Roosevelt to express his regret that he could not accept the Republican nomination for Governor of New York. Taft also offers to meet with Roosevelt to discuss the Constitution Club, a group he refers to as “a humbug and I think those who are not partisan Democrats will so regard it.” Taft also offers to write a letter in opposition to the Club, but expresses his desire that the issue not dominate the campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-18

Letter from Nevada N. Stranahan to William Loeb

Nevada N. Stranahan informs William Loeb that Frank Wayland Higgins will be nominated for the New York governorship, and suggests that President Roosevelt write him a letter of congratulations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-14

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt a report on the Philippines, and asks that a copy of his formal letter of transmittal be sent to the War Department to be put on record. The news Taft has heard from Vermont is good, but he is not particularly surprised, as it shows what he has thought about voters remaining with the Republican party, even with the Democratic party turning back to the gold standard. Taft also comments about votes in Maine, and will be disappointed if they have less than a 25,000 vote majority, and writes about the election in general. Taft has been playing golf every day, and has been invigorated by it. He has heard from his brother about Benjamin B. Odell’s nomination for governor of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-07

Letter from Francis C. Travers to Theodore Roosevelt

Francis C. Travers’s prediction for the Vermont race was only 1000 votes off. Travers believes that in November, President Roosevelt will be elected by the biggest popular vote margin ever cast in the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-07

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft tells President Roosevelt about a discussion he had with his brothers Henry and Charles about whether Henry should accept Benjamin B. Odell’s proposal to nominate him for Governor of New York. Henry is concerned about maintaining his finances if he were to go to Albany, but at the same time would have liked to run for governor, so he is torn. Henry was anxious for Taft to write to Roosevelt to explain his thinking. Taft considers he may have explained the money side of the issue too much, and has not expressed the professional aspect of Henry’s considerations enough.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-10

Letter from John A. Sleicher to William Loeb

John A. Sleicher and Edward Lauterbach have written a tentative draft of the party platform for the New York State Convention, and on the suggestion of Governor Odell, are enclosing a copy for President Roosevelt to review.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-01

Letter from J. C. McKnight to William Loeb

J. C. McKnight acknowledges receipt of a letter from William Loeb that included an enclosure of a letter from Andrew D. White to President Roosevelt on behalf of Governor Odell.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-25

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to Theodore Roosevelt

Chairman Cortelyou is glad that President Roosevelt sent him Attorney General Moody’s letter regarding relations with the Republican Congressional Committee. Cortelyou reports that since his meeting with Chairman Babcock, Representative Hull, and Representative Overstreet, relations have been cordial. Governor Odell is pleased with the support and cooperation he received from the Republican National Committee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-17

Letter from Nevada N. Stranahan to William Loeb

Nevada N. Stranahan discusses a situation at the New York Custom House. William Halpin has requested that Stranahan remove six men who were appointed by John Stiebling and substitute six others named by Halpin. Governor Odell is in favor of the new appointments because he believes that the current condition indicates “collusion with Tammany Hall.” Stranahan is “disinclined to permit changes to be made in districts where there is a primary fight pending.” He would like William Loeb’s advice about what course he should take.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-08

Letter from F. Norton Goddard to Theodore Roosevelt

F. Norton Goddard informs President Roosevelt that he has spoken with a number of people about the potential appointment of Marcus M. Marks to a position with the post office. Many people are in favor of Marks’s appointment, and Goddard believes it would be “a splendid political move.” Goddard believes that making this appointment prior to the election would strengthen the Republican ticket in New York through the support it would engender, and offers to have Marks come visit Roosevelt in Washington, D.C.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-27

Letter from Michael Hines to F. Norton Goddard

Michael Hines requests F. Norton Goddard’s assistance in a matter concerning the salaries of clerks in his organization. Although last year Postmaster Van Cott suggested that Hines submit the names of several clerks so that they could obtain salary raises, Van Cott did not make the same request this year. Hines believes this situation may be related to his “refusal to alligate” his “interests with the Postmaster in the last State Convention” and fears that Van Cott means to make an example of him for his “faithfulness to the Governor.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-09