Political conventions

Letter from Ralph M. Easley to Theodore Roosevelt

Ralph M. Easley reports conflict between members of the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor, with members refusing to back Samuel Gompers’ plan for Denver. Easley tells President Roosevelt that John Mitchell is loyal to him and asks him to invite Mitchell for a meeting. In a postscript, Easley says he cannot trust anyone with this information.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-08

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

William H. Taft discusses various political topics with President Roosevelt, including the nominations for governors of New York and West Virginia, a substantial campaign contribution from George Cromwell, William Jennings Bryan’s upcoming acceptance speech for Democratic nominee for president, and Secretary of State Elihu Root’s upcoming speech at the New York State Republican Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-10

Letter from James Bingham to Theodore Roosevelt

Indiana Attorney General Bingham believes that it would be a mistake to nominate Secretary of War William H. Taft instead of President Roosevelt. He informs Roosevelt that he is going to the convention intending to do all he can to prevent Taft’s nomination. Bingham also discusses the nominee for the Vice-Presidency. He believes that the state of Indiana would like to see its Governor, J. Frank Hanly, nominated for the position if current Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks would not like to be renominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-08

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge has received the letter which President Roosevelt wrote to Judge Alston Gordon Dayton, which he has instructed Lodge and Chairman of the Republican Committee Frank H. Hitchcock to show to delegates if necessary. Lodge does not believe it will be necessary. Lodge discusses the nomination for the Vice-Presidency. Although he believes that the candidate should be from New York, he is obligated to nominate Massachusetts Governor Curtis Guild. In a handwritten postscript, Lodge writes that he feels sorry for Guild and will do his best for him. He also read about Roosevelt’s fall in the paper, and is glad that no harm was done.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-03

Letter from Frederic William Upham to John Barrett

Frederic William Upham cannot secure tickets for the Diplomatic Corps for John Barrett. He has been told that one hundred seats have been assigned to President Roosevelt, and those should take care of Diplomatic Corps members who wish to attend the convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-19

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the events that led to the naming of Senator Julius C. Burrows as temporary chairman of the Republican Convention. General Clayton Powell wants to avoid the impression that he was involved in a movement against Roosevelt’s administration, and states that he was not involved in the election of Burrows over Senator Albert J. Beveridge. Taft asserts that this proves that the appointment was purely the doing of Harry S. New.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-19

Letter from Albert Shaw to Theodore Roosevelt

Albert Shaw sends President Roosevelt proofs of an article that will appear in the July issue of the American Monthly Review of Reviews. He cautions Roosevelt against letting a ruling clique in the Republican National Committee set the agenda for the convention, as it will be ruinous to William H. Taft’s candidacy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-21

Letter from Stewart L. Woodford to Timothy L. Woodruff

Stewart L. Woodford tells Timothy L. Woodruff that he will not contribute to the New York State Convention, as it hurt Governor Charles Evans Hughes’s political prospects. The New York delegation only nominally supports Hughes, but in reality supports Secretary of War William H. Taft. Woodford will pay the expenses for the National Convention at Chicago, and inquires how much it will be.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-25

Letter from Stewart L. Woodford to Charles William Anderson

Stewart L. Woodford regrets that Charles William Anderson will be a delegate to the National Convention for two reasons. First, controversy at southern conventions makes it unwise for federal office holders such as Anderson, a tax collector, to be part of the nominating convention. Second, in light of the controversy surrounding the dismissal of African American soldiers at Brownsville, Anderson, an African American, will be put in an awkward position in deciding whether to defend or condemn the soldiers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-29

Letter from Caspar Whitney to Theodore Roosevelt

In response to a statement by Venezuelan president Cipriano Castro, Caspar Whitney offers to go to Caracas and “kidnap that son-of-a-gun.” He also tells President Roosevelt that he almost went to an event held for William Jennings Bryan by New York State Senator Patrick Henry McCarren, and comments that the convention is only two months away.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-15

Telegram from William H. H. Llewellyn to William Loeb

William H. H. Llewellyn tells William Loeb that the territorial convention in New Mexico adjourned late last night. He was elected with others as a delegate to the national convention. They have “iron-clad instructions” to back Secretary of War William H. Taft for President. The convention passed strong resolutions endorsing President Roosevelt and Solomon Luna was endorsed for the Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-22

Letter from Cecil Andrew Lyon to Theodore Roosevelt

Cecil Andrew Lyon asks President Roosevelt how to instruct the delegates from Texas at the convention. They can either vote directly for Secretary of War William H. Taft, or, if Roosevelt doubts Taft’s nomination, vote for Roosevelt, thus providing his supporters a state to rally around in the event of Taft’s failure.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-18

Letter from J. Sloat Fassett to Timothy L. Woodruff

Representative Fassett advises Timothy L. Woodruff against naming any of New York’s “big four” delegates-at-large to the Republican National Convention himself. Governor Charles Evans Hughes is running for president, and anything short of “fair play” with Hughes will be detrimental to politics in the state. Fassett believes that Hughes should make his preference for delegates known, and advises see him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-07

Letter from Herbert Parsons to William Loeb

Representative Parsons does not think Charles William Anderson can be a delegate to the National Convention, as the “colored vote” is not big enough to warrant it. Many people want to go as delegates and it is difficult to find opportunities for everybody, especially providing for men supporting Charles Evans Hughes. Parsons asks William Loeb to ask Booker T. Washington what his source is that tells him that there will be other black delegates at the convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-11

Letter from William Barnes to William Loeb

William Barnes provides William Loeb with an update on the political situation in New York. Former Senator Edgar Truman Brackett is antagonistic toward Barnes because Barnes was instrumental in defeating his renomination and instead nominating Senator William W. Wemple, who was a member of Barnes’ state committee district. Brackett’s district’s attitude in the National Convention will be a problem. Brackett has made arrangements with parties from various other districts for control. Barnes is concerned about the implications of this situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-17

Letter from John A. Sleicher to Theodore Roosevelt

John A. Sleicher tells President Roosevelt about his recent dinner with former New York Governor Frank Swett Black, and discusses Black’s role in the midnight conference before the convention made its nomination. Sleicher asserts that “history was made” both at the conference and the convention. Sleicher also comments on the graded income tax which Roosevelt seems to favor. Sleicher presumes such a tax must be instituted eventually, but he does not think it is yet required and, as with all new forms of taxation, it will “arouse widespread antagonism.” Sleicher adds that he read Roosevelt’s Harrisburg speech with interest, but expresses concern about some unjustified expressions emphasized by “Socialistic editors.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-11

Letter from James Rudolph Garfield to Theodore Roosevelt

James Rudolph Garfield tells President Roosevelt that the Cuyahoga Convention was “overwhelmingly in favor” of Theodore E. Burton and he was pleased with the tariff plank adopted. Garfield also mentions that Leonard Paul Howland was nominated for the House of Representatives.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-10

Letter from J. Sloat Fassett to William Loeb

J. Sloat Fassett thanks William Loeb for his help in finding John Bostelmann employment. If Frank Higgins succeeds at the convention, then Fassett may be defeated for the position of State Committeeman. Fassett believes that Hughes is the “only salvation.” Fassett will ultimately do what Theodore Roosevelt wants.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-11

Letter from O. D. M. Gaddis to William H. Andrews

Postmaster Gaddis is dismayed by a recently published interview with John Lorenzo Hubbell, a member of the Arizona Territorial Legislature. Gaddis expects it to be reprinted across Arizona and used by the opposition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-11

Letter from O. D. M. Gaddis to William H. Andrews

O. D. M. Gaddis expresses his strong support for the joint statehood of Arizona and New Mexico to William H. Andrews. He feels that the conventions in Bisbee were a sham and that federal officials and representatives of corporations are determined to interfere and make sure joint statehood does not go forward. He believes the joint statehood sentiment is growing and looks forward to the upcoming convention in Phoenix. Gaddis hopes President Roosevelt will come to the aid of the proponents of joint statehood. He is worried about ballot stuffing at the voting booths.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-10