Your TR Source
William Wilson encourages Senator Dixon to vigorously respond to William Brown McKinley’s allusions of corruption in the Theodore Roosevelt campaign. Wilson points out a variety of offenses committed by President Taft supporters and wants Dixon to challenge McKinley and President Taft to reject such improper conduct to show their good faith.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-04-18
C. D. Jackman shares with Theodore Roosevelt that he has learned of the endorsement of Robert M. La Follette for the upcoming presidential election, but Jackman believes that the only man for this job is Roosevelt. In the previous election Jackman helped his home state become republican and now hopes to help Oklahoma become one too, with hopes of Roosevelt leading the presidential nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-19
Glen Fleming, secretary of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Fair Association, invites Theodore Roosevelt to the open the event given his interest in agricultural industries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-02
If Theodore Roosevelt decides to travel to Oklahoma for the Rough Riders reunion, Governor Hadley encourages Roosevelt to spend a day or two in Jefferson City, Missouri with Hadley and his family. Hadley will be able to visit Oyster Bay, New York in September either before or after the Governors’ Conference. He recently hosted Governor Willson of Kentucky, a great admirer of Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-22
Jasper L. McBrien wants to start a lyceum bureau that provides the best speakers for the best rates. He lists his credentials as a lecture organizer and asks for Theodore Roosevelt’s rates and availability from September 1, 1911, to September 1, 1912, and beyond. A handwritten post script reminds Roosevelt that McBrien was one of the men who held up his train on the way to the Iowa State Teachers Association.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-17
Dennis T. Flynn recounts the celebration of Oklahoma’s twenty-second anniversary. He explains how city health official, Peter Biewer, represented Theodore Roosevelt “through proxy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-27
S. M. Barrett is pleased by attempts in Oklahoma to enact educational reform and remove political influence from its schools. He sends Theodore Roosevelt an editorial he is free to quote from on the matter. Barrett also informs Roosevelt that he will be publishing a book on Native Americans soon, and plans to send Roosevelt a copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-11
C. W. Raymond, chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, invites Theodore Roosevelt to visit Oklahoma during his Western trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-28
William Noble is an ardent admirer and staunch supporter of Theodore Roosevelt and considers himself partially responsible for his vice-presidential nomination. People want Roosevelt as president, especially the Roosevelt Republicans of Oklahoma, who pledged money to help secure the nomination, as reported in the enclosed clipping. Noble wants to know if Roosevelt will accept the nomination if tendered. He wants to know Roosevelt’s wishes for the upcoming meeting of Roosevelt Republicans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-29
C. W. Raymond requests a meeting with Theodore Roosevelt to discuss his potential visit to Oklahoma.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-19
President-Elect Taft explains his positions on the New Mexico and Arizona statehood bills and the postal savings bank bill to President Roosevelt. Assuming that the bills have gone through the proper processes, Taft has no problems signing them into law but does not think it will be possible in such a short session.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-21
G. W. Woodruff sends William Loeb a brief outline of a statement regarding the progress of an investigation concerning Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell of Oklahoma so that President Roosevelt is aware of the situation. Woodruff mentions the steps taken on the investigation thus far, as well as a number of the people involved with it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-04
G. W. Woodruff relates his efforts to support Republicans during the election in Oklahoma. The Governor, Charles Nathaniel Haskell, had threatened the oil men if they carried out their defense. Woodruff spoke with Native American chiefs of the Creek and Seminole nations, who agreed to send out runners to bring out votes for the Republicans. The Republican Charles E. Creager ended up winning that district.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-05
William Jennings Bryan responds to President Roosevelt’s letter by defending Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell’s record as a politician, and by critiquing the past campaign contributions for Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Bryan compares the Democratic and Republican party platforms, the attitudes of trust leaders towards the presidential candidates, and the publicity and funding for the two opposing campaigns. Ethically, Bryan believes it is wrong for Roosevelt to use his position as president to influence the choosing of his successor instead of letting the candidate achieve success on merit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-26
Attorney General Bonaparte tells President Roosevelt that their plan about John Carter Rose seems to be impractical. Rose was flattered by the offer, but thought he could not accept because of the lesser salary, even after further discussions. Bonaparte thinks he needs some time to reflect before he can suggest another person. He also comments about several vacancies and possible appointments, and advises Roosevelt about these matters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-29
Attorney General Bonaparte relays his tentative conclusions to President Roosevelt regarding several potential appointees to permanent federal marshal, attorney, and judiciary positions in the “embryonic State” of Oklahoma (which became a state on November 16, 1907).
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-31
Senator Lodge and President Roosevelt share similar opinions on the proposed Oklahoma constitution, with Lodge being particularly concerned about one provision which would “destroy representative government,” should it be allowed to pass. Lodge suggests that putting the constitution before Congress would be enough to change the provision. Lodge is thrilled by Governor Curtis Guild’s massive win in the recent Massachusetts gubernatorial election, but is concerned about how many votes the Independence Party candidate received.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-07
Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt with his thoughts about various topics: who to nominate for postmasterships in New York; Senator Borah’s land fraud case; the proposed constitution for Oklahoma in preparation for admittance to the union; the schedule and itinerary for a series of campaign speeches through the Midwest and West; and the address he is preparing concerning the Brownsville Affair. Taft lays out his thoughts concerning the differences between Roosevelt and the likely Democratic nominee William Jennings Bryan’s political philosophies, in particular how they view the accumulation of wealth by individuals and interstate corporations, especially railroads.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-16
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on several matters before him. Assistant Attorney General Alford Warriner Cooley has been investigating the situation in Alabama, where Bonaparte deems it necessary for Roosevelt to “call down” several politicians who are complicating judicial confirmations and the workings of the attorney general’s office with concerns over political patronage. In Arkansas, Cooley reports that there are many well qualified men to replace Assistant District Attorney Ulysses S. Bratton, who has been involved in improper conduct in a case involving postal inspectors. Bonaparte has recently met with Census Director S. N. D. North and explains the problems he has encountered with obtaining an accurate census of Oklahoma Territory, resulting in problems with representation of citizens there, and makes recommendations to solve the problem. Bonaparte has requested summaries for the injunction regarding the picketing of the Allis Chalmers company in Wisconsin, and is appointing a special counsel to take charge of litigation against a prominent official there. Bonaparte is ready to move against the Tobacco Trust and James Buchanan Duke.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-18
Attorney General Moody received Secretary of War Taft’s letter forwarding one from Governor Edward Wallis Hoch regarding the appointment of Judge J. T. Dickerson to the District Court. Moody thinks President Roosevelt will not take this matter up until at or before statehood is consummated. Moody further offers Taft a few considerations regarding the appointment of a judge to the United States Supreme Court to fill Judge Henry Billings Brown’s vacancy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-27