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John Appleton Stewart sends Theodore Roosevelt a document discussing a political question he would like his
opinion on. He hopes that Republicans who are distinct from the old guard and independent Democrats can make political headway in New York. He wishes to receive Roosevelt’s comments on the matters he has enclosed.
Robert B. Roosevelt was glad to hear from Hallock. Roosevelt has always been a Democrat, but William Jennings Bryan’s populist antics forced him to support William McKinley in the past, and Bryan has become crazier since then. He also considers Theodore Roosevelt to be “half a Democrat,” and thinks Roosevelt will help keep the administration in line.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-28
This article discusses Charles J. Bonaparte’s political views, revealing that he is both a Republican and independent voter. Subsections of the article include “Republican And Independent,” “Believes In National Organization,” “May Take Part In Campaign,” “What He Thinks Of Parker,” “Democratic Party Improving,” “Letter of Acceptance ‘Commonplace,'” and “Scores Parker’s Alleged Sponsors.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-18
Two Alabama patronage referees, Joseph O. Thompson and Charles H. Scott, want to replace Deputy Marshal Alfred B. Colquitt with a Republican. Judge Thomas Goode Jones argues against this action and declares that “no officer of his court should be removed because of his politics.” Thompson and Scott plan to see United States Marshal Leander J. Bryan on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-28
After defeat in the presidential election, Theodore Roosevelt defends the roles of George W. Perkins and William Flinn in the campaign and the Progressive Party. He reflects on the upcoming challenges to the Progressive Party, particularly progressive principles being co-opted by the other parties and a lack of party organization. The Progressives were not successful in state and local elections which leaves them very little to build upon and could jeopardize the party’s continuation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-13
Frank Harper will ensure that Henry T. Wills’s letter and the resolutions adopted at the Third Annual Convention of the American Manufacturer’s Export Association are presented to Theodore Roosevelt. As per the resolutions, he is confident that Roosevelt would support a policy to select consular officials by examination and to retain experienced officials regardless of political affiliation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-04
There is a difference of opinion on whether Theodore Roosevelt’s supporters bolted the Republican National Convention. Taft partisans support this accusation. However, from the viewpoint of a Roosevelt supporter, the convention was illegally constituted and Roosevelt’s delegates left to hold a convention of legally elected delegates. With this in mind, his secretary suggests that Dickerson McAfee and his friends call their bet off.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-03
Theodore Roosevelt decries the “game of politics” and politicians like Chairman Rosewater of the Republican National Committee. He believes that the proper course of action is to support the third party ticket.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-22
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased with Alvan E. Clarendon’s letter. It appears that the Republican Party in Nebraska has been captured and made into a progressive party. Roosevelt would like to keep it that way.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-03
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs M. J. Becker that Roosevelt would not allow his name to be presented for nomination at the Republican National Convention the same afternoon as President Taft. That evening, the delegates that refused to vote met as the “real Republican party” and nominated Roosevelt. Arrangements were also made for a mass convention to ratify the nomination and organize the Progressive Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-03
Theodore Roosevelt agrees that if he accepts a presidential nomination from the Progressive Party the reelection of President Wilson will be assured. He feels it to be his patriotic duty to stop Wilson’s reelection and will support the Republican candidate, Charles Evans Hughes, even though he has contempt for most Republican leaders. The Progressives only remain a viable party in California and Louisiana but that is primarily due to the influence of John M. Parker in Louisiana and Governor Johnson in California.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-23
Theodore Roosevelt understands that the Progressive Party is in a poor position in the South. The Progressives tried to attract Southern Democrats but failed. They only found some limited success in Louisiana. Roosevelt regrets that the people refused to follow the Progressive lead and most party members have returned to their previous political affiliations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-23
Dwight B. Heard’s letter about the Republican National Convention was the best that Theodore Roosevelt received. Charles Evans Hughes has weaknesses as a presidential candidate, particularly a lack of experience in international relations, but he was the best Republican candidate available. The Progressive Party has failed in the South as it could not attract enough Democrats. The only Progressive success was in Louisiana and that was mostly due to the popularity of John Milliken Parker. The party has become a small, derelict political organization. Roosevelt regrets that the people are not “advanced” enough to follow the Progressive lead.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-07-03
Progressives will not support Elihu Root as a presidential candidate, but Theodore Roosevelt believes Philander C. Knox might be an acceptable candidate. Roosevelt thinks that his position on “hyphenated-Americanism” precludes his own nomination. In a postscript, Roosevelt states his opposition to the candidacy of Herbert S. Hadley and Justice Hughes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-07
Theodore Roosevelt discusses potential Republican presidential candidates, including himself. He suggests that Philander C. Knox would be a suitable candidate for the Republicans and Progressives, but that Elihu Root would not be acceptable to the Progressives. Roosevelt hopes that Republicans take a course of action that allows Progressive support. He does not plan to separate himself from his Progressive supporters unless there is a “vital national crisis.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-27
Theodore Roosevelt does not believe the Massachusetts Progressive Party will run a separate ticket this year and he hopes the Republicans will have a candidate the Progressives can support. Roosevelt regretted to hear that Senator John W. Weeks was not well received by Progressives in the West and appeared as a “regular reactionary stand-pat.” Fifteen years of peace propaganda has taken effect and it will take years to reverse.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-29
Theodore Roosevelt likes Senator John W. Weeks, but Weeks and his speeches were not well received in the West. Roosevelt believes it will be difficult to convince Progressives to support Republicans in upcoming elections. He views the Progressive Party of 1912 as representing the goal he has always sought, applying the principles of Abraham Lincoln to the 20th century. Roosevelt does not want to go back on those principles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-23
Theodore Roosevelt supports progressive and “well-nigh expropriatory taxation of swollen inheritance.” He does not care for the income tax and dislikes taxes on small incomes and inheritances. Roosevelt objected to Amos Pinchot and George L. Record because they took positions “too far off to one side.” He views the Industrial Workers of the World as representing destruction, not advancement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-06
The only changes Theodore Roosevelt would make to Dwight B. Heard’s letter to Matthew Hale is that Heard is too favorable towards President Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt does not believe that Wilson represents progressive ideals and considers him reactionary. Wilson, Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, and Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels have brought the country “lower than it has been for a century.” Some of Wilson’s financial policy may be successful but his policies regarding Mexico and the European war have been “beneath contempt.” The Progressive Party represented principles to which the country should aspire, but the country did not. The party became identified with reform and not prosperity; the people chose prosperity. Roosevelt agrees that they should wait for a year and see what happens to the political situation. He doubts there will be another opportunity to run a nationwide, straight Progressive ticket.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-29
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Irving E. Vernon’s views on the situation in Maine and supports his plan for the Maine Progressive Party to work with the progressive and liberal elements of the Republican Party. Vernon has made a gallant fight in Maine and Roosevelt will support his course of action.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22