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Letter from Donald Livingston to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Donald Livingston to Theodore Roosevelt

Donald Livingston informs Theodore Roosevelt of the political situation in South Dakota, as Livingston sees it. William H. Taft is disliked and many are indifferent to Robert M. La Follette, though Livingston believes he is to radical, but thousands hope Roosevelt will be nominated their lives would be restored. Livingston also believes a new Senator could enter the race if Roosevelt was the presidential candidate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-15

Less La Follette talk

Less La Follette talk

Senator Robert M. La Follette will be leaving Washington soon to campaign aggressively in Ohio, William H. Taft’s home state. Public opinion has changed, indicating La Follette is not in the running for the nomination, instead Theodore Roosevelt and Taft will be the ones to fight to lead the Republican Party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

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 H. Taft

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt sends William H. Taft a copy of the letter he sent to Treasurer of the Campaign Committee George Rumsey Sheldon regarding campaign contributions, after a complaint from Frank B. Kellogg. Roosevelt asks Taft to take more aggressive action against William Jennings Bryan, perhaps giving a speech like the one recently given by New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Many have suggested that T. Coleman DuPont should not be in charge of the Speakers Committee, and if it were up to Roosevelt he would be removed. Roosevelt has given the press a copy of a letter from Taft to Arthur I. Vorys in which Taft’s independence is full display, to counteract the press coverage of the supposed reconciliation with Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Roosevelt advises Taft, in his speech, to speak about the connection between William Randolph Hearst and the Democratic National Committee. In a postscript, Roosevelt advises Taft to remove Sheldon if he did in fact solicit the donations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Henry Grosvenor

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Henry Grosvenor

President Roosevelt is glad Charles Henry Grosvenor thinks Ohio will be alright. Roosevelt thinks New York will also be alright, because of the nomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes, but William H. Taft will still need to put up a fight and speak out against Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Roosevelt does not think his stumping would be a wise idea, and he would rather see Taft’s personality on display in the campaign than his own.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lawrence F. Abbott

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lawrence F. Abbott

President Roosevelt found the article sent by Lawrence F. Abbott on midwestern farmer Franklin Taylor to be an accurate portrayal of the type of man who will decide the election results in states like Kansas. Roosevelt does not think he should publish another piece in the midst of a campaign unless he absolutely must, and instead William H. Taft must convince the voters himself. Roosevelt agrees with Abbott that William Jennings Bryan would be worse for the country now than he would have been in 1898, and if Roosevelt does write another letter, he will follow Abbott’s suggestions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles A. Moore

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles A. Moore

President Roosevelt is glad to hear what Charles A. Moore says about New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Roosevelt was open about his actions for William H. Taft, and Hughes could have read such information in any paper. He supports Hughes in New York, even if initially he felt the campaign lacked strength. For the success of both Taft and Hughes, remaining available spaces on the ticket should be filled with “straight organization men.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt requests that Secretary of State Root address the extradition “of certain alleged political offenders” to Russia. Currently, he is not pleased with the campaign, especially with the revival of the liquor agitation. Additionally, he feels that the Republican National Committee is not well handled. Given William H. Taft’s record and personality, Roosevelt cannot understand why Taft is not more popular. He is still convinced that New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles S. Francis

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles S. Francis

After reviewing the matter, President Roosevelt believes Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated. While nominating him will cause damage, Roosevelt believes not renominating Hughes will cause more damage as it will alienate party members. As with William H. Taft, he will not try to dictate Hughes’ nomination, but feels he has the right to express his personal judgement to friends such as Ambassador Francis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Riley Champlin

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Riley Champlin

President Roosevelt entirely believes Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated and has given his opinion to various party leaders. He cannot dictate the nomination, but notes that he has done more to secure Hughes’ nomination than he did to bring about William H. Taft’s nomination as Republican presidential candidate. While there are reasons to oppose Hughes, the reasons for renominating him counterbalance them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry L. Stoddard

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry L. Stoddard

President Roosevelt agrees with journalist Henry L. Stoddard. While it will do damage to nominate New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, it will do more damage not to nominate him. Although Hughes has offended other politicians, Roosevelt believes he should be renominated as long as there is nothing against Hughes’s personal integrity.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leroy B. Crane

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leroy B. Crane

President Roosevelt and Frank H. Hitchcock agree with Leroy B. Crane concerning Governor Charles Evans Hughes, “that tho we may lose votes if we nominate Mr. Hughes, we shall lose many more if we fail to nominate him.” While Roosevelt has told leaders his opinion that Hughes should be renominated, he will not dictate the nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-29