Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt expresses his pleasure at the telegram from Mary E. Dreier and Frances Kellor, which Ethel Roosevelt also enjoyed. He has asked Amos Pinchot and George W. Perkins to speak to Dreier and Kellor about the meeting. He will do everything he can to aid “this fight.”
1912-11-06
Understanding it to be a vent to an irritation and not a serious question, President Roosevelt responds to Representative Parsons concerning his supposed opposition “to having the Republicans of New York County express their wishes in this matter on primary day.” The matter in question is the nomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-27
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary asks Oscar K. Davis to try to send the Philadelphia North American to all the local newspapers across the country until the election, per Amos Pinchot’s suggestion. He also asks Davis to write a reply to Dwight B. Heard’s telegram explaining why nothing more can be done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear from Gifford Pinchot and has been impressed with Amos Pinchot’s articles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-04
Theodore Roosevelt believes that no good will come from publishing Lady Antoinette Johnstone’s article. He instead would rather send it to Johnstone’s brother and wife, Amos and Gertrude Pinchot, who he thinks is pushing a pacifist agenda that would lead to more people suffering the United States than British prisoners of war in Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-04-02
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased by George W. Perkins’s letter to William McAdoo and is impressed with Perkins’ speech. Roosevelt informs Perkins that he has made many of the same points in the past and gives Perkins specific examples in his speeches that can be found in Roosevelt’s Presidential Addresses and State Papers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-18
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
If Amos Pinchot speaks on “Big Business,” the name of the club should be changed to “The Twilight Sleep Club.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-05
Theodore Roosevelt refers to the value of reformers in society and the work of Charles McCarthy in Wisconsin. Roosevelt agrees with McCarthy on the “absurb (sic) attitude of so many of our universities.” Roosevelt has been asked to write about the topic in public, but did not give agreement to that request.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-27
Theodore Roosevelt comments on the future of the Progressive Party; a party of “sane radicalism, sane progress.” He agrees that Victor Murdock or Raymond Robins should lead the party as they represent the practical politics and western strength of the Progressives. The conservative reaction hurt the party in 1914 as businessmen were not willing to follow George W. Perkins and were “savage” against Amos Pinchot types. Roosevelt believes they should have emphasized the party’s economic program and opposition to President Wilson. He concludes by defending Perkins’s work, funding, and leadership of the party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-11
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Thomas Robins about Amos Pinchot being a “worthless creature.” Roosevelt will not go to the Democrats under any conceivable circumstances. Roosevelt will consult with Robins and his type of men before the next move is made.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-30
Theodore Roosevelt will not be attending the Progressive Party executive committee meeting but he suggests Everett Colby attend. Amos Pinchot and George L. Record are only remaining in the party to do damage. It is important that those opposed to Pinchot and Record do not take a reactionary position at the meeting. Colby’s statement about Roosevelt’s nomination is the “veriest pipe-dream imaginable.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-28
Theodore Roosevelt has received a “furious” letter from Francis E. McGovern regarding Roosevelt’s support for John J. Blaine. McGovern claims Roosevelt’s standing in Wisconsin has been damaged and Roosevelt countered that he had no standing in Wisconsin to be damaged. Roosevelt hopes that Henry F. Cochems will attend the Progressive Party meeting in Chicago, Illinois. The party must be kept on an “even keel” and kept away from the lunatic fringe, such as Amos Pinchot whom Roosevelt no longer considers a party member. Roosevelt has been enjoying Franklin Aretas Haskell’s account of the Battle of Gettysburg and describes it as a classic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-28
Theodore Roosevelt does not believe the Progressive Party should speak out much immediately after their poor showing in the election. The public is tired of politics and wants to see what the victors will do. In a year, the public might be more receptive and the party can reaffirm their principles and dedication to the Progressive platform. Roosevelt no longer considers Amos Pinchot or George L. Record a Progressive. He wants them treated with courtesy, but they are attempting to damage the party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-23
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Charles J. Bonaparte for the articles he has written on the Monroe Doctrine and the European war. However, Roosevelt believes that the United States should “act under the Hague Treaties in connection with Belgium.” The treaties were signed and must be acted upon. The Progressive Party was too advanced for the average man and attracted too many cranks. America’s two party system has become too entrenched to overcome. In 1912 the economy was the major issue; a workingman “was not interested in social and industrial justice.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-07
Theodore Roosevelt sends Gifford Pinchot a copy of the letter he sent to Peckham. Roosevelt encourages Pinchot to address the Kansas Progressives on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Roosevelt also responds to a newly received letter from Pinchot addressing controversy within the Progressive Party. Roosevelt concludes with the belief that Gifford and Amos Pinchot should try and raise subscriptions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1913-01-03
Theodore Roosevelt responds to letters from Gifford and Amos Pinchot advocating for the removal of George W. Perkins as a leader of the Progressive Party. He understood these letters as requesting for Perkins’s removal from the party and by extension businessmen similar to Perkins. Roosevelt disagrees with Pinchot’s view and believes that the big businessmen can have a role in the party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-21
Theodore Roosevelt comments on the Balkans War, commending the Bulgarians for doing so well. Roosevelt also states that he will show Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s letter to Gifford Pinchot and Amos Pinchot, in hopes that Ferguson will help the brothers turn their attention from trying to root the moderates out the party. Roosevelt then provides several book recommendations on the Turkish invasion of Europe. Finally, Roosevelt expresses his wish to see Ferguson’s wife and children at Christmas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-10
Theodore Roosevelt relitigates the circumstances surrounding the language and inclusion of the trust plank in the Progressive Party platform. Roosevelt states that he is planning to propose Francis J. Heney as Meyer Lissner’s proxy on the executive committee of the Progressive Party and expresses frustration about the tension between the moderate and radical wings of the party leading to dysfunction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-13
Theodore Roosevelt wishes he could go see Kermit Roosevelt, but does not feel that he can leave at the moment. He is working to keep the Progressive Party together. He is to give an address for the American Historical Association and will send it to Kermit. Roosevelt informs his son that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is not well, but believes she will be better. Roosevelt’s other children are doing well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-03