Your TR Source
Robert W. Andrews congratulates Theodore Roosevelt on his recent victory in Ohio. The rest of the election process should go smoothly now.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-22
Charles C. Goodrich received Theodore Roosevelt’s letter when he returned from Ohio and he will be glad to call on Roosevelt. Goodrich asks that Roosevelt call his office to state the most convenient time.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-24
Nathaniel C. Wright shares a newspaper clipping with Daniel Rhodes Hanna saying he is printing the article to offset the trouble caused by what The North American has been printing regarding Theodore Roosevelt not being a candidate for the presidency. The article states that while Roosevelt has made his intentions clear, progressive Republicans have not lost hope that he will step up if their efforts to have him nominated are successful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-28
Arthur Lovett Garford asks Theodore Roosevelt for a signed photograph, when it is convenient. Garford also hopes to sit down and talk with Roosevelt soon because Garford and many others in Ohio could use some guidance navigating the political situation over the next few months.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-24
Theodore Roosevelt reminds Jeter Connelly Pritchard that he believes in, admires, and trusts Pritchard. Roosevelt addresses the points Pritchard made in his letter, beginning with how northern Republicans treat southern Republicans. Roosevelt says William H. Taft has been poorly advised on almost every point. Roosevelt does not want the nomination, and though he will not refuse if he is nominated, he will cross that bridge when he comes to it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-13
President Roosevelt does not think that the Republican National Committee is doing anything about Eugene V. Debs’s assault on William H. Taft which has been published in the Catholic papers. Roosevelt does not believe it would take much money to handle the matter; they just need to convince the laypeople that the attack has been circulated by Protestants, Masons, and socialists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-10
President Roosevelt has received Senator Lodge’s letter and says that if Surveyor of the Port of Boston Jeremiah J. McCarthy appeals to him, he will reach out to Mr. Reynolds. Roosevelt discusses the presidential campaign and notes that New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes has been useful in the West, but it will be a challenge to “pull him through” in New York. However, if William H. Taft’s majority is big enough, it will happen. He discusses the Republican prospects in several states.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-10
President Roosevelt appreciates Representative Sherman’s letter and notes that his reports on Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois align with outside sources. Roosevelt is concerned about New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes’s chances at re-election but believes that Hughes’s speeches in the West helped. Roosevelt is pleased with Sherman’s work during the election. He encloses a letter and notes that Kerwin or Delaney should see Sherman and that Eugene V. Debs’s article on William H. Taft should be circulated as they propose.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-09
President Roosevelt records the facts about his influence on the nomination of William H. Taft in the Southern states, countering reports in the press. Roosevelt analyzes the breakdown of support for candidates in each area of the country, and summarizes that the Northern officials followed the trajectories in their districts, and opposition to Taft in the Southern states was largely a result of the influence of outside interests.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-05
President Roosevelt sends Representative J. S. Sherman a letter from the offices of American Federation of Labor President Samuel Gompers that should be considered by those working on labor matters, and a letter from Senator Thomas Henry Carter with suggestions for the Republican National Committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-03
President Roosevelt responds to William Jennings Bryan’s telegram regarding Democratic National Committee Treasurer and Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell’s actions in Ohio, by discussing Haskell’s actions in Oklahoma, where he allowed the Prairie Oil and Gas Company to build against an attempted injunction by Oklahoma Attorney General Charles West. Roosevelt asks Bryan to contrast his actions towards Haskell with William H. Taft’s actions toward Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, and lists the reasons Haskell is unfit for any office. Such reasons include his actions on the child labor bill, land fraud cases, and educational taxes, all of which have been covered in the press. Roosevelt offers an analysis and criticism of Bryan’s “radical” propositions and plans for breaking up corruption, and concludes that it is Taft whose actions prove his ability to deliver for the American people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-23
President Roosevelt is glad Charles Henry Grosvenor thinks Ohio will be alright. Roosevelt thinks New York will also be alright, because of the nomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes, but William H. Taft will still need to put up a fight and speak out against Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Roosevelt does not think his stumping would be a wise idea, and he would rather see Taft’s personality on display in the campaign than his own.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-21
President Roosevelt agrees with all of John A. Sleicher’s letter except the suggestion about stumping, and he has asked Comptroller of Currency Lawrence O. Murray to contact Sleicher regarding the bank deposits. In a postscript, Roosevelt applauds New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes for his opening campaign speech in which he took aim at William Jennings Bryan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-19
President Roosevelt writes about Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker to Senator Lodge. New information regarding Foraker’s motives provides proof that Foraker was working in the interest of the corporations, not for African Americans. Roosevelt feels this is the same reason Foraker was fighting the judgeship in Ohio.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-19
President Roosevelt tells Ohio Senator Dick that he does not believe it is advisable to appoint Max Burgheim, as this would require removing him from the Board of Public Safety where he is needed. Roosevelt has appointed Bernhard Bettmann to Collector of Internal Revenue for the first district of Ohio instead.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-27
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that his endorsement by the Republican Party of Ohio is already having an effect on the New York newspapers, which previously had been supporting New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes for president in the upcoming election. Roosevelt advises Taft to not hurry election matters too much, but after his return from the Philippines he should make an attack on Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Roosevelt complains about Senator Eugene Hale’s efforts to curtail the navy’s attempts to repair battleships, saying Hale thinks that by keeping the United States unfit for war with Japan, war will therefore be averted. In a handwritten postscript Roosevelt tells Taft to avoid talking about tariff matters for the time being.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-03
President Roosevelt would not have advised Secretary of War Taft to take the position of refusing to compromise with Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker but, upon reflection, considers it “one of those fine and manly things” he expects from Taft. Roosevelt recommends changing one sentence in his letter, which reads, “It may be quite true that a Senator may act on his own conscience.” Roosevelt believes it would be better to use the specific example of the rate bill where Foraker “acted so as to outrage the consciences of all the best men.” If Taft is not to be the president, Roosevelt hopes he will be Chief Justice or a senator from Ohio.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-26
President Roosevelt asks Booker T. Washington for “the names of one or two first-class colored men” to appoint to office in Ohio.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-25
Nathaniel C. Wright hopes to speak with Theodore Roosevelt about the political situation in Ohio. He plans to call Roosevelt at The Outlook office on Tuesday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-29
R.M. Wanamaker informs Theodore Roosevelt that Republicans of Ohio are dissatisfied by the current presidential administration and are not likely to vote for William H. Taft. He wonders what Republicans can do to improve their party. He asks if he could meet Roosevelt during the first week of October in New York, possibly at The Outlook Office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-18