Your TR Source
Nicholas Murray Butler’s letters shows a “low tone of political morality” on Terence Vincent Powderly’s part. President Roosevelt asks if Butler can provide an opinion on Mr. Weber.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-14
Captain Cowles will not face a court-martial for the Missouri–Illinois collision even though the court of inquiry criticized Cowles. The decision goes against recent precedent that an officer should face a court-martial even if the court of inquiry recommends no further action. There is growing dissatisfaction among naval officers regarding the decision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-02
Charles J. Bonaparte sends President Roosevelt his resignation as Indian Commissioner. He allowed his name to be put on Maryland’s ballot as an elector for the upcoming presidential election without considering that he held office, and believes it would be simpler to resign his office than change the ticket, as doing that may be misconstrued. Bonaparte also has resigned from auxiliary positions in other cabinet departments to be safe, although he does not believe these technically count as official positions. He hopes to be able to cast his electoral vote for Roosevelt, but he believes that Roosevelt will be victorious in the election even if he does not carry Maryland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-01
President Roosevelt regrets to inform Douglas Robinson that Robinson should not become involved in the purchase of government property, lest they be accused of making money off Roosevelt’s position.
1902-01-22
Daniel H. Reese condemns the factionalism of Louisiana Republicans. He calls for unity around the platform of the national Republican Party and favors policies that would rotate federal appointments in Louisiana.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-07-16
Theodore Roosevelt tells George Henry Payne to see that no liquor of any kind is to be allowed on the Pullman car used for the Roosevelt campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-11
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary forwards to John Campbell Greenway a letter from Ben Daniels. He tells Greenway that Roosevelt will not compromise or accept a compromised candidate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-10
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary assures Fanny Morris Smith that there is no truth to the report about Roosevelt. He asks Smith to determine the source of the report.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-07
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary asks Pearl Wight to review a pamphlet sent to Roosevelt, which lists charges against President William H. Taft’s Civil Service record. The secretary asks Wight if there are any charges to which Roosevelt might call public attention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-06
Charles Fletcher Lummis praises President Roosevelt for maintaining the Cuban treaty and protecting giant redwoods. However, he believes that the United States was wrong in its rapid recognition of the Republic of Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased with J. S. Temple’s resignation and praises Judge Lindsey as a “tower of righteousness.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-10
Theodore Roosevelt had forgotten about the dispute over the Sac & Fox Nation claim. He is pleased with the court’s decision and fondly recalls Francis E. Leupp’s excellent work under the Roosevelt administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-09
Theodore Roosevelt explains to Miss S. S. Hunt that it is impossible for him to make a request on her behalf to Andrew Carnegie.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-17
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Edmond Haggard Madison for his letter. Roosevelt discusses the position of Progressive League leaders on reciprocity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-17
Theodore Roosevelt discusses the Mormon Church with Isaac Russell. Roosevelt responds to charges that he had negotiated secret deals with the Mormon leadership while President.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-17
Theodore Roosevelt responds to a letter Edward H. Lum wrote to J. A. H. Hopkins, charging Roosevelt with abandoning his commitment never to forsake the Progressive Party. From Roosevelt’s viewpoint, the Progressive Party forsook him. Most Progressives returned to the Republican Party in 1914. However, Roosevelt will never forget the men and women that fought for Progressive principles. He denies deserting the Progressive Party and believes that most people, including Progressives, expect him to support the Republican presidential candidate, Charles Evans Hughes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-26
During the libel suit, Theodore Roosevelt would like William Merriam Chadbourne to recall the circumstances of how Roosevelt entered the political fight with William Barnes. Roosevelt remembers meeting with Chadbourne who argued that the Barnes machine and Tammany Hall were working together to defeat Charles Evans Hughes. He recommended that Roosevelt side with Hughes and fight for the primary bill. They discussed general political corruption but not specific personal corruption by Barnes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22
Theodore Roosevelt thinks it is probable that in the course of his libel suit with William Barnes he will need to relate how the fight was undertaken. Roosevelt notes that it started at Cambridge, when Charles Evans Hughes asked him to do all that he could to get the Primary Bill through. Hughes had told Roosevelt that the “Barnes-Republicans” had joined with Tammany Hall to hold up the legislation, and that an appeal needed to be made to decent citizens to override the combination. Roosevelt cannot recall whether Hughes had used the term “Barnes-Republicans” or “Barnes-machine,” but he does remember Hughes using the word “Barnes.” Roosevelt does not remember Hughes using the word “Murphy” when speaking about Tammany Hall. Roosevelt writes simply to let Hughes know what his memory is in the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-13
Theodore Roosevelt feels that the public has tired of him and he has little hope for a permanent Progressive Party. Americans are wedded to the two party system and will only support a third party for temporary or local reasons. The Progressive Party failed to establish itself as the second party and the political situation will “sink back into the conditions that had been normal.” The party also attracted too many cranks and became associated in the public’s mind with the “lunatic fringe.” The country is tired of reform, reform leaders, and reform legislation. Roosevelt still believes they are fighting for righteousness and was pleased to campaign for his friends. However, he doubts his further political usefulness and believes his participation will likely hurt the causes he supports. The feeling against Roosevelt in New York amounts to a “mania” and the poor election results may help William Barnes win the libel suit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-07
Theodore Roosevelt understands that Arthur Dehon Hill sometimes regrets joining the Progressive movement and Roosevelt thinks that “nothing whatever more can be done with the Progressive party.” He regrets the result but has felt little hope for the party since the 1912 election returns. Roosevelt is consoled that they fought “for right, for democracy, for all that makes a democracy worth while.” He believes their 1912 political platform was the most “important constructive” platform since the American Civil War. The platform will eventually be picked up by others.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-09