Oklahoma

Letter from Benjamin F. Beazell to Theodore Roosevelt

Benjamin F. Beazell tells Theodore Roosevelt that he has traveled through many midwestern states and all republicans he meets are dissatisfied with William H. Taft and will not vote for Taft even if nominated. Beazell states the dissatisfied businessmen and farmers are true blood republicans, not insurgent republicans. Beazell believes the office will seek out Roosevelt despite Roosevelt not seeking office and offers to help in any way he can.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-12

Letter from Inez Meta Taylor Hammer to Theodore Roosevelt

Inez Meta Taylor Hammer asks Theodore Roosevelt to again help her husband, John S. Hammer, secure a job because he had to leave the U. S. Marshal position due to her health. John Hammer does not know she is writing to Roosevelt, but he has been friendly to them before and she hopes he will help them now.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Judge John Campbell. The Republican National Committee seems to be running smoothly and Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon has been aiding Treasurer of the Republican National Committee George Rumsey Sheldon. Roosevelt outlines his optimism about the campaign, but admits that New York may be difficult and that he has received a worried letter from Representative Theodore E. Burton about Ohio. Roosevelt does not plan on speaking, other than potentially on labor, and he asks for William H. Taft’s input on postmaster appointments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Jennings Bryan

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Brown McKinley

President Roosevelt agrees with Representative McKinley’s comments on the amount of constructive, beneficial legislation accomplished by Congress in the past seven years. He lists specific pieces of legislation that he feels “form a record of substantial legislative achievement in harmony with the best and most progressive thought of our people.” Roosevelt argues that electing William H. Taft will ensure such progress continues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph H. Norris

President Roosevelt thanks Joseph H. Norris, chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Central Committee, for writing. He is certain Oklahoma Republicans will cooperate, leading to the best results.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Gurney Cannon

President Roosevelt will wait until Speaker Cannon comes to Washington, D.C., before naming judges to serve in Oklahoma. Roosevelt will consider Cannon’s input but must pick the best possible judges.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt supports the decisions Attorney General Bonaparte outlined in his last letter. Roosevelt believes he will have to admit Oklahoma to the Union, as the pros outweigh the cons. Roosevelt also wants to discuss the placement of William H. H. Llewellyn with Bonaparte.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Curtis

President Roosevelt informs Senator Curtis that he already had plans to appoint Samuel Downing, a Choctaw man, to the position of U.S. Marshal. Roosevelt asks if Curtis thinks that the United States will have to admit Oklahoma in light of the “overwhelming vote in favor of the constitution.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Bonaparte what he thinks about the Oklahoma gerrymander and suggests action if it is justified. He also discusses Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis’s concerns about railroad employees’ testimony in the Standard Oil case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt follows up on several issues with Attorney General Bonaparte, including United States District Attorney Marsden C. Burch’s devotion to United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick, hiring Tracy C. Becker at the Department of Justice, the appointments of David J. Leahy and Ira A. Abbott, and the situation in Oklahoma.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles E. Hunter

President Roosevelt tells Charles E. Hunter that he is pleased that Frank C. Frantz was nominated for governor of Oklahoma, and feels sure Oklahoma will be admitted as a state to the Union.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt sends reactions to three letters from Secretary of War Taft. Roosevelt approves of an address Taft is preparing concerning the Brownsville Affair. The president is also pleased by what Taft tells him of the proposed Constitution for Oklahoma in preparation for admittance to the union. Roosevelt believes Jackson Smith will have to be let go from his position as Head of the Department of Labor, Quarters, and Subsistence in the Panama Canal. Finally, the president approves of Taft’s letter to Clarence Ransom Edwards regarding opium and believes Lebbeus R. Wilfley has “made good.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-19

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte informs President Roosevelt about a variety of telegrams he has received pertaining to current issues, such as the trial in Idaho concerning Senator William Edgar Borah, the work of Special Assistant U.S. District Attorney Grace Humiston (Mrs. Quackenbos), and a revised constitution for the Territory of Oklahoma.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-10

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Lawrence O. Murray

Attorney General Bonaparte responds to Lawrence O. Murray’s letter inquiring about the census of the Oklahoma Territory. Bonaparte informs Murray all that is needed is accurate information of the population, which will allow fairness and equity in districting members of the legislature. He requests the information as soon as possible after the September 17 election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-08

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on Judge Frank Sigel Dietrich’s statements regarding Marshal Ruel Rounds, and on the situation in Idaho. Bonaparte thinks the lumber men could appeal to the Interstate Commerce Commission about the railroad rates, but he will have to look into the matter further. Many of the employees involved in the land fraud cases think highly of District Attorney N. M. Ruick and feel Senator William Edgar Borah is guilty, but the secret service men dislike Ruick. In Oklahoma, Bonaparte is still waiting for the election and the results of the census, and will give Roosevelt his feedback on the constitution after he has more information. William Randolph Hearst and the financiers have taken up rumors of Bonaparte’s resignation in the press again, perhaps because of Republican National Committee member Frank B. Kellogg’s visit to Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-01

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft agrees with President Roosevelt on Senator Henry Cabot Lodge’s speech and on the negative press from the New York papers. He describes his trip thus far and makes predictions about his success based on what he has been told. In light of the gerrymandering involving Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell, Taft asks Roosevelt to help defeat an inadequate constitution in Oklahoma. Taft has asked Joseph L. Bristow to form another report on Panama, and he mentions an editor named Joseph Ralph Burton who has been attacking Roosevelt. Taft discusses the political campaigns and conflicts in the states he is passing through, in particular the political campaigns in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Denver. Taft’s mother Louise Maria Torrey Taft is recovering, and although the trip has been exhausting, Taft has a few days of rest ahead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Letter from William Sidney Rossiter to Oscar S. Straus

Census Bureau Chief Clerk Rossiter updates Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus on the Oklahoma and Indian Territory census’s expected completion.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Letter from Lawrence O. Murray to Charles J. Bonaparte

Acting Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Labor Murray received Attorney General Bonaparte’s letter concerning the Oklahoma and Indian Territory census. He contacted the acting director of the census for information and assures Bonaparte of his department’s continued aid.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on matters regarding United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick, the prosecution of the International Harvester Company, and affairs in Oklahoma. He is greatly concerned about reports of Secretary of State Elihu Root’s health. Territorial Governor of New Mexico George Curry intends to appoint David J. Leahy as assistant attorney general of the territory. Bonaparte feels obligated to inform Roosevelt of this appointment as Leahy is possibly “one of the persons about whom there has been complaint by the Interior Department.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-29