Political conventions

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George von Lengerke Meyer

Theodore Roosevelt thanks George von Lengerke Meyer for the salmon and for what he said regarding the libel suit. Roosevelt would like to arrange a visit with Meyer and Frank B. Kellogg, but does not see what can be done about “getting the Republicans and Progressives together.” Roosevelt feels that the Progressives are “sundered” from the Republican Party by two causes. The first is the “utter dishonesty” of men such as Boies Penrose, William Barnes, Winthrop Murray Crane, Elihu Root, and their associates who “stole the convention” last summer. The second cause is that the Progressive Party, unlike the Republican Party, have in their platform “applied the principles of Abraham Lincoln to the present day.” Roosevelt will never again work with a party controlled by the men guilty of the theft last June or with any party that “does not take in their entirety the principles of Abraham Lincoln applied to the needs of the present day.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1913-06-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George von Lengerke Meyer

Theodore Roosevelt has been informed that “certain office-holders” in Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer’s department intend to go to the Republican National Convention as delegates to express their support for Roosevelt’s renomination. Roosevelt tells Meyer that “this cannot be” and asks him to inform the officers that any advocacy or positions in favor of Roosevelt will be “regarded as a serious violation of official propriety.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1907-11-19

Former Governor Bradley smiles at bitter defeat and names Yerkes leader

A truce was called between the factions of the Republican Party in Kentucky. During the state convention, William O’Connell Bradley accepted his defeat and moved that John Watson Yerkes be made permanent chairman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-04

Letter from Thomas H. Cavanaugh to William Loeb

Thomas H. Cavanaugh is a delegate to the Washington state convention and will be the chairman of the Committee on Resolutions. He offers to present any matters of interest to President Roosevelt before the convention and place them in the party’s platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-30

Republican union

Summary of the events of the New York Republican State Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-12

The “Lily White” movement in Alabama

The “Lily White” movement in Alabama is a Republican faction that seeks to exclude African Americans from the Republican Party. The movement caused considerable resentment and confusion but recent district conventions have seen cooperation between black and white delegates, including the selection of African American delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-16

Letter from Powell Clayton to Theodore Roosevelt

Powell Clayton reports on the political situation in Arkansas and discusses plans for the national and state conventions. Clayton states the counties that have held their conventions have selected worthy delegates and passed resolutions to endorse Theodore Roosevelt’s candidacy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-02

The Republican candidate

The writer states popular opinion and a lack of challengers makes President Roosevelt’s nomination as the Republican presidential candidate seemingly inevitable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-30

Gen. Wiley turned down

General Wiley’s surprise defeat in the election of delegates to the Republican National Convention is suspected to have been organized by Louis Frisbie Payn. Payn and John Reed Yale were declared the nominees of the convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03

Letter from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler and Elihu Root were elected delegates from the thirteenth congressional district. The district is the “brown stone residence district” and Butler suggests President Roosevelt might be interested in seeing their convention’s declaration of principles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-18

Letter from Walter H. Johnson to Theodore Roosevelt

Marshal Johnson reports that while there was some disorder at the Georgia Republican State Convention, it was not as bad as was represented. Johnson was more disturbed by the “large number of ignorant and impecunious delegates.” Johnson states most of the delegates were people of color. Johnson found the conditions at the convention unpleasant but worked to ensure that the delegates were instructed for President Roosevelt. Johnson expects Roosevelt’s nomination and election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-26

Letter from Francis H. Whitney to Waller Thomas Burns

Henry C. Payne’s secretary acknowledges receipt of a letter and enclosure about the Texas Republican Convention for President Roosevelt. Payne has been ill and is confined to bed, but he will ensure the letter reaches Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-29

Telegram from Thomas Hughes to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas Hughes requests confirmation that President Roosevelt wants federal officials from the New Mexico territory as delegates to the Republican National Convention in Chicago. He believes it would be better if federal officials were not chosen as delegates.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-17

Telegram from William J. Youngs to Theodore Roosevelt

William J. Youngs reports on the outcome of a Republican party leadership conference as “most satisfactory” and with “harmony permanently established.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-20

Letter from Walter H. Johnson to Theodore Roosevelt

Marshal Johnson reports on recent District Conventions held in Georgia and tense race relations at one such convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-05

Partial pages of The Des Moines Daily Capital

The Des Moines Daily Capital reports on the Polk County Republican convention in Iowa on Saturday. After reports on corruption in the vote counting process in favor of S. F. Prouty, John A. T. Hull was given the nomination for the House of Representatives. In addition to nominating Hull, the convention named delegates to the state convention and issued a resolution calling for a reform of the primary voting process, expressing support for President Roosevelt’s renomination, and commitment to the Republican platform. A second article contains an allegory about a young politician who lost a race and learned that he should not “squeal.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-07

Letter from J. T. Dickerson to Theodore Roosevelt

J. T. Dickerson encloses a document that is being used to discredit Theodore Roosevelt, though Dickerson states it has not been effective. Dickerson states Roosevelt will be endorsed at the Kansas State Convention and Edward W. Hoch will be nominated for governor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-08

Letter from Edward Kent to Theodore Roosevelt

The Republican territorial convention in Arizona has endorsed President Roosevelt’s administration and the delegates to the national convention will be led by Governor Brodie, who Edward Kent says is well-loved in Arizona.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-09

Telegram from Robert Lloyd Smith to Waller Thomas Burns

Robert Lloyd Smith reports on convention activities in Texas including the nomination of two African American delegates, endorsement of a Republican for the Panama commission, and an objection to the interference of state committees in the congressional convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-25

Strong for Colonel Roosevelt

The New York Republican State Committee pledges support for President Roosevelt’s nomination and election. The state convention will take place on April 12, 1904. The proceedings of the meeting are summarized.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02