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Thomas B. Stuart analyzes the “class struggle” aspects of the Big Bill Haywood case. Stuart discusses the case as it relates to legal ethics and the court system in Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
Commissioner Sargent delivers remarks at a dinner given by the Chinese-Consul General of Hawaii. Sargent praises the friendly relations that exist between the United States and China, yet acknowledges that the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibits “certain classes of its people” from emigrating to the United States. As the two countries work towards a new treaty, Sargent hopes that “nothing will be permitted to arise which will mar the good feeling which does and should prevail between the two countries.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-27
Chairman Fairley forwards a copy of the Republican State Central Committee’s expenditure report that was filed with the Colorado Secretary of State in order to refute charges of corruption. Fairley also states that more than 18,000 votes were fraudulently cast for Alva Adams and over 20 individuals are serving jail sentences.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-16
Mr. Simpson reports that union members in Huerfano County, Colorado, “have practically quit” and if a vote is cast the men will most likely vote to end the strike. The Republican supporters are ready to assist with the renomination and election of Governor James Hamilton Peabody.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-12
President Roosevelt tells Calvin Cobb that he appreciates what Idaho Governor Frank Robert Gooding is trying to do in trying to bring the murderers of ex-Governor Frank Steunenberg to justice. Roosevelt believes that the Western Federation of Miners has been conducting a reign of terror on many Rocky Mountain states, and recognizes the risk that Gooding is in in trying to prosecute them. While Charles S. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood deserve a fair trial, Roosevelt believes that their “black record of wrong-doing” should get them no sympathy. He hopes, however, that Gooding will act against both the Western Federation of Miners on the one hand and the corporations on the other, and not fall into the errors of former Colorado Governor James Hamilton Peabody.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-16
President Roosevelt is glad to hear Judge Campbell’s views about the Colorado governor race. Roosevelt is uneasy that some Republicans have joined with Democrats in opposition to current governor James Hamilton Peabody. Roosevelt hopes he can see Campbell when he is in Colorado for an upcoming hunting trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-24
President Roosevelt asks Philip Battell Stewart a number of questions about the proposed hunting trip, including if he can find mountain lions in the bear country mentioned by John B. Goff. Roosevelt also asks Stewart for more information about what is happening in Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-27
President Roosevelt appreciates Philip Battell Stewart’s work to combat corruption in Colorado, but does not feel that he knows enough about the situation to personally write about it. Roosevelt has discussed the matter with Attorney General William H. Moody to see if Roosevelt could write to District Attorney Earl M. Cranston, but has not come up with a way to do so “with advantage.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-07
President Roosevelt is pleased by the result in Colorado, but is sorry about Colorado Governor James Hamilton Peabody’s defeat. The president hopes to see Philip Battell Stewart soon because he wants to talk over several matters with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-11
President Roosevelt believes it is good for the country that Senator Knox and Senator Winthrop Murray Crane are in the Senate because they can serve there for 20-30 years, unlike Roosevelt, who will only serve four in the White House. He encourages Knox to address carefully the problems of capital and labor to avoid dividing the country into two parties. The president wishes he could get in touch with labor people to whom Knox could speak and learn their real feelings. Absent a visit to labor people, Roosevelt encourages Knox to pay attention to both capital and labor to avoid a situation like the one in Colorado where Governor James Hamilton Peabody did not present the issue as restoring law and order but pitted capital against labor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-10
President Roosevelt appreciates the work that Ervin Wardman is doing and thinks his editorial on Colorado Governor James Hamilton Peabody was fine. Roosevelt insists that the World has done him a favor in publishing extracts from his speeches.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-25
If President Roosevelt had the power, he would intervene in the labor disputes in Colorado and “with an iron hand put down lawlessness by the Federation of Miners on one hand, or by this Citizens Alliance on the other.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-24
President Roosevelt writes that Governor James Hamilton Peabody has “sanctioned the criminal usurpation of state sovereignty by an irresponsible mob” and asks Attorney General Moody what the best course of action is. Roosevelt asks Moody to write to Secretary of the Navy Morton about the situation with C. H. Davis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-24
President Roosevelt asks Commissioner of Labor Wright to have his agent provide a full account of the latest “mob action” in his report about the Colorado labor unrest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-22
President Roosevelt received a request from John H. Murphy to either send troops into Colorado to protect the miners who are being harassed by the Citizens Alliance or ask District Attorney Earl M. Cranston to take action on behalf of the miners. When an earlier request was made by Governor James Hamilton Peabody to send troops into the state, Roosevelt did not comply, because he believed that the “conditions prescribed under the Constitution” were not met. Roosevelt would like a full report from the investigator who Commissioner of Labor Wright sent to Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-05
President Roosevelt asks Philip Battell Stewart to send him the pamphlets they discussed about James Hamilton Peabody and the Western Federation of Miners. Roosevelt was told that Stewart or William Lenox could provide him with detailed statements “showing that there is no moral doubt” that the leaders of the Western Federation of Miners have used murder as a weapon in the past.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-03
President Roosevelt was interested in General Bell’s letter and will look into Seaton’s case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-14
President Roosevelt is having difficulty acquiring information on the situation in Colorado and is disappointed with the retention of Senator Henry Moore Teller. Governor James Hamilton Peabody has been irritating and has twice requested that troops be put at his disposal. This is constitutionally impossible, as the troops must act under the President and can only enter a state if the Governor complies with certain constitutional provisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-23
Responding to Henry Lee Higginson’s appeal that President Roosevelt send federal troops to Telluride, Colorado, Roosevelt explains that he and Secretary of War Elihu Root have been communicating with Governor James Hamilton Peabody, and they will send troops when he requests them. Currently, Roosevelt has no power to act.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-20
President Roosevelt wanted to discuss the labor troubles more at length with Philip Battell Stewart. Roosevelt would like Stewart to hint to Governor Peabody that he should not call on the President unless he is powerless to restore order, as it would reflect badly on the military of Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-15