Political candidates--Public opinion

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis J. Hendricks

President Roosevelt assures Francis J. Hendricks he does not intend to force the renomination of New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, and appreciates Hendricks’ oppositions. It is not Roosevelt’s job to be the Republican party’s boss or compel friends to do something they do not wish to do. In his judgment, “it will be a bad thing to nominate Mr. Hughes, it will be a worse thing not to nominate him.” Nonetheless, he assures Hendricks he will support him whatever his decision may be.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred Spring

President Roosevelt believes New York State Supreme Court Justice Spring correctly explained the situation. It would have been possible to find another candidate after New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes announced his refusal, but it is too late to do so now even though “to renominate him will do damage; but not to renominate him will do very much more damage.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Raines

President Roosevelt knows of no one who would sacrifice Governor Charles Evans Hughes, if renominated, to get votes for William H. Taft. While Roosevelt agrees with Senator Raines’ reasons for opposing Hughes’ renomination, he feels it would be worse not to. Roosevelt does not want Raines thinking he is interfering or dictating on the matter. He will stand by the decision and do what he can to ensure the ticket’s success.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Parsons

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lafayette B. Gleason

President Roosevelt hopes Lafayette B. Gleason, secretary of the Republican State Committee of New York, understands he is aware of the issues posed by renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Roosevelt will give his advice to those who request it, but will stand by whatever decision is made.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to A. Miner Wellman

President Roosevelt appreciates A. Miner Wellman’s arguments against Governor Charles Evans Hughes. While Hughes’s actions weakened him as a candidate, Roosevelt believes more votes will be lost by not renominating Hughes than by renominating him. His feelings aside, Roosevelt hopes the convention will follow the judgment of the majority of New York Republicans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William L. Ward

President Roosevelt agrees with William L. Ward’s friend that while it hurts to renominate Governor Charles Evans Hughes, it will hurt more if he is not renominated. Roosevelt will stand by the party’s decision but strongly believes Hughes should be renominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt believes it is unwise to give an interview to the newspaper. He agrees with William H. Taft’s opinion of the speeches given by J. S. Sherman and Secretary of State Elihu Root. Although he does not care for him, Roosevelt feels Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated. Roosevelt wants Taft to show his personality and offers words of encouragement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert W. Collingwood

President Roosevelt delightedly informs Herbert W. Collingwood that L. H. Bailey has consented to serve. He agrees with Collingwood that the general opinion favors renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes, and he has told Republican party leaders this is his view.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lyman Abbott

President Roosevelt praises Lyman Abbott’s “first class editorial.” Many political friends protest Roosevelt’s attitude favoring the renomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes. The reasons for renominating Hughes outweigh those opposing it. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Charles Eliot Norton on farming for Abbott’s consideration. He apologizes if he seems too familiar with Abbott and explains his reasons for sending pieces written by others.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John A. Sleicher

After deliberation, President Roosevelt shares John A. Sleicher’s opinion regarding renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and has told the party leaders. Roosevelt directs Sleicher to write to William H. Taft. He agrees that Taft’s personality needs to be highlighted, but does not believe speeches are the solution.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Sprague Smith

After deliberation, President Roosevelt shares Charles Sprague Smith’s opinion regarding renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and has told the party leaders. However, Hughes “has grave elements of weakness.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jacob A. Riis

President Roosevelt will arrange lunch or dinner with Jacob A. Riis and his wife Mary Phillips Riis while they are in Washington, D.C., for the tuberculosis congress. He will schedule a later appointment with Riis to review another matter. Riis’ evaluation of William H. Taft concerns Roosevelt, who does not understand how people do not recognize Taft’s character. He will write to Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee, to rectify the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Timothy L. Woodruff

President Roosevelt appreciates Timothy L. Woodruff’s input regarding renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes. He believes, “it will hurt to renominate him,” but “it will hurt much more if we do not renominate him.” Based on submitted canvasses, and despite weakness in Hughes’s record and voter opposition, Roosevelt is convinced he should be renominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Bronson Reynolds

President Roosevelt will do what James Bronson Reynolds suggests, and asks him to send the canal reports. He shares Reynolds’s opinion regarding renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes. While the state leaders are justified in their strong opposition to Hughes, Roosevelt believes they will accept his judgment and renominate Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Parsons

President Roosevelt informs Representative Parsons of his recent meeting with New York representatives J. S. Sherman; William S. Bennet; Isaac H. Cocks; George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee; Michael J. Dady, chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee; and Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Parsons’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly, but wantonly. Unfortunately, there is no better candidate, and “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him.” Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion in this matter, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Raines

President Roosevelt informs Representative Raines of his recent meeting with New York representatives J. S. Sherman; William S. Bennet; Isaac H. Cocks; George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee; Michael J. Dady, chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee; and Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Raines’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly, but wantonly. Unfortunately, there is no better candidate, and “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him.” Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion in this matter, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis J. Hendricks

President Roosevelt informs Francis J. Hendricks of his recent meeting with New York representatives J. S. Sherman; William S. Bennet; William W. Cocks; George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee; Michael J. Dady, chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee; and Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Hendricks’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly but wantonly. Unfortunately, there is no one else, and “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him.” Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion in this matter, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. Sloat Fassett

President Roosevelt informs Representative Fassett of his recent meeting with New York Representatives J. S. Sherman, William S. Bennet, George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee, Michael J. Dady, Chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee, Isaac H. Cocks, and Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Frank H. Hitchcock. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Fassett’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly but wantonly. Hughes has alienated voters, and if there were a better candidate, Roosevelt would nominate him. However, there is no one else, and, “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him” as such damage will extend outside of New York. Roosevelt believes the Republican Convention should renominate Hughes. Those he consulted with likewise agree. Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Barnes

President Roosevelt informs William Barnes of his recent meeting with New York representatives J. S. Sherman; William S. Bennet; Isaac H. Cocks; George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee; Michael J. Dady, chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee; and Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Barnes’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly but wantonly. Unfortunately, there is no better candidate, and “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him.” Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion in this matter, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21