Your TR Source
George W. Pearson greatly admires President Roosevelt’s policies of “rugged honesty and efficiency” against the graft and corruption that is rampant in the government. Pearson is bothered that men seem so “lost to honor or manhood” as to try and discredit a president who is trying to perform his duties fearlessly and honestly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-13
Assemblyman Roosevelt thanks William Fellowes Morgan for agreeing to be present at a polling station during the upcoming election. Roosevelt mentions an organized effort against him in favor of other Republican candidates.
1883-11-03
Secretary of War Taft forwards a letter to President Roosevelt. The letter was written by Lynde Harrison and concerns political corruption. Taft thinks Roosevelt could use the information for an upcoming speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-17
President Roosevelt is sorry to hear of issues in Michigan, but glad that the state will go for William H. Taft. Roosevelt is pleased that Representative Diakema agrees that William Jennings Bryan should be attacked with more force. In addition, Roosevelt feels that Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker should be disowned by the Republican party, as he is representative of corrupt practices between corporations and politicians.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-21
President Roosevelt advises William H. Taft to publicly distance himself from Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, and to make it known publicly that Foraker has taken his negative position towards Roosevelt and Taft because of his own involvement with corporations, and not due to his feelings toward African Americans. For the good of the Republican party, Roosevelt feels that Taft must be strong in his resistance to Foraker, so as to show his opposition to politicians being bought by corporate interest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-19
President Roosevelt agrees with William H. Taft about staying out of the situation with Kentucky, and he does not feel they should worry themselves much over the situation between Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker and Standard Oil. If anything, Roosevelt feels it may benefit them by bringing Foraker’s intentions to light.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-19
President Roosevelt writes about Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker to Senator Lodge. New information regarding Foraker’s motives provides proof that Foraker was working in the interest of the corporations, not for African Americans. Roosevelt feels this is the same reason Foraker was fighting the judgeship in Ohio.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-19
President Roosevelt will not allow any injustice to persist which he has the power to prevent, but Charles F. Street must provide his accusations in writing for Roosevelt to consider them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-15
President Roosevelt has met with New Mexico Territory Governor George Curry and shares his findings with Assistant Attorney General McHarg. Roosevelt says Curry can be trusted absolutely, and that he will aid McHarg in any possible way in his investigation of political and judicial corruption in New Mexico. Roosevelt warns McHarg that Curry’s predecessor, Herbert J. Hagerman, and his associates will do everything possible to turn him against Curry. In a postscript, Roosevelt sends a report from Bernard Shandon Rodey regarding Hagerman’s father, James John Hagerman, and his alleged corrupt practices. Roosevelt asks McHarg to visit him after his preliminary investigation of the situation but before he “probes…to the bottom.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-31
President Roosevelt tells Frank C. Frantz, Governor of Oklahoma Territory, that he cannot make the announcement that Frantz has requested, but will make every effort to prevent graft in the territory and protect Indians that need it. Roosevelt has particular affection for Oklahoma and Indian Territory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-30
President Roosevelt sends Philip Battell Stewart several copies of letters regarding former New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman. Roosevelt previously believed Hagerman to be “merely a fool” rather than actually corrupt, but is starting to revise his opinion. In a postscript, Roosevelt mentions that railroad attorneys in New Mexico seem to support Hagerman, causing him to believe that by demanding Hagerman’s resignation, Roosevelt stopped “some improper scheme,” and hopes the schemes will become widely public.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
President Roosevelt forwards some correspondence regarding former New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman to Assistant Attorney General Cooley. Roosevelt believes whether or not Hagerman himself is corrupt, his wealthy friends are “very crooked” and they intend to make trouble.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
President Roosevelt considers Oscar K. Davis’s reporting on the land fraud case in Idaho to be admirable and gives his word careful consideration. Roosevelt believes that the worst thing he can do is to be seen as shielding Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah from prosecution, but if what Davis says about the grand jury proceedings is true, he will remove District Attorney N. M. Ruick at once. Roosevelt will bring up the matter with Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-20
President Roosevelt is somewhat surprised by the news Nicholas Murray Butler shares with him about the immigration service. While he was aware of the testimony surrounding the inefficiency of New York Superintendent of Immigration Thomas Fitchie, he had received the impression that Edward F. McSweeney was corrupt and that Terence Vincent Powderly was a good man, and asks to see the letter Butler has that argues to the contrary. Roosevelt hopes to find a good man to succeed Fitchie, and has been considering John McMackin, currently chief of the labor bureau at Albany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-09
A. W. Graves expresses sorrow upon hearing of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s accident and hopes she is well recovered by now. Graves also shares concern for corruption in local government and hopes Theodore Roosevelt will accept the Republican Nomination for President as Graves believes Roosevelt is the only man who can bring harmony as president.
Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt had been thrown from her horse on September 30, 1911, causing her to hit her head and remain unconscious for several days.
William Kent informs Theodore Roosevelt that President William H. Taft is unfit for office, citing his veto of the Arizona statehood bill, poor treatment of honorable men, and weak leadership. Kent urges Roosevelt not to support Taft’s reelection, warns against endorsing an unworthy candidate, and calls for Republican Party reform to end special privilege legislation and protective tariffs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-13
William A. Dana informs Theodore Roosevelt that he should be nominated for president in 1912, criticizing the Sugar Trust for raising prices and urging Roosevelt to use the “big stick” to lead Republicans to victory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-13
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Hawley, James O. (James Overton), 1840-1914
Herbert Parsons informs President Roosevelt that a few “fights” in the Republican organization at the primaries are very important, particularly in the First Assembly District. Parsons believes that Rocco Dalessandro is the better candidate for the party and notes that his brother, Antonio Dalessandro, is “the strongest republican amongst the Italians of the lower part of the city” and has done good work as chief watchman and immigrant inspector in New York. Parsons notes that Rocco’s opponents have leveled charges against Antonio, but Parsons does not believe them and encourages Roosevelt to go over the matter carefully if they are seriously entertained.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-18
Benjamin Ide Wheeler is sure Senators George C. Perkins and Frank P. Flint will agree on confirming a highly regarded man as postmaster in Berkeley. Wheeler thanks William Loeb for his assistance, and explains that the current situation has been organized to benefit Representative Joseph R. Knowland at the expense of the federal government. Unfortunately, Wheeler has recently realized that Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf was partially responsible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03