Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates Harwood E.O. Fish on becoming the first Progressive Party mayor elected in the country. Roosevelt also thanks Fish for his promise to conduct his job in line with the principles of the party by being a trustworthy and good faith actor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-12
Theodore Roosevelt encloses several items for Senator Bristow and expresses displeasure at the “many small and mean things” carried out by President Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-13
President Roosevelt tells George Curry that when he takes office as governor of New Mexico Territory, he will find the situation “much confused.” Although former Governor Hagerman did some good things for the territory, some of the things he did were “reprehensible,” thanks to bad advisers. Roosevelt requests that Curry conduct himself with a sense of duty, just as he did during his service as a captain in the Rough Riders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-02
President Roosevelt declines to take up the offer from his cousin, William Emlen Roosevelt, to arrange for the President to apply for a grant of land extending from the shoreline of his property.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-18
President Roosevelt agrees with William Allen White that most politicians in Congress are financially honest, saying that White’s estimate that one percent are dishonest may be an over estimation. He mentions, however, that there are many more “who act from motives of demagogy, or from base self-interest,” which Roosevelt feels is as bad as dishonesty. On the whole, Roosevelt agrees that most men in government are trustworthy when it matters. He wishes White could come visit soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-12
President Roosevelt thanks Naval Chaplain Gleeson for his letter, and explains that the trouble with wanting to appoint William S. Cowles as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation is that there is no way for Roosevelt to do so without people accusing him of nepotism, as Cowles is his brother-in-law. This sort of situation is the same with his good friend General Leonard Wood, as well as his other brother-in-law Douglas Robinson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-24
President Roosevelt asks Lyman Abbott what he knows about Thomas Taggart, chosen to run the campaign for Democratic Presidential candidate Alton B. Parker. Roosevelt insists he appointed George B. Cortelyou to run his own campaign to be “handled on a high plane.” Conversely, Roosevelt is critical of Taggart who he believes has “succeeded in politics by his finished ability in purchasing votes” and has questionable ethics when dealing with reporters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-01
President Roosevelt expresses concerns to Charles J. Bell about a prior discussion they had with Governor Benjamin B. Odell and Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson regarding the possible appointment of Elliott B. Norris to a prominent position shortly before the election. Although Roosevelt “took a great fancy to him,” he is concerned that since Norris ran for political office in New York just two years prior as a Democrat, appointing him at this time would “look too much like bargain and sale.” It would leave Roosevelt’s actions open to misinterpretation, and the opposition would be sure to use it during the current campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-01
President Roosevelt forwards Senator Proctor a copy of correspondence between Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw and Olin Merrill demonstrating that Shaw was acting in good faith. Roosevelt has no problem with Shaw’s action or the correspondence being published.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-02
Secretary of War Taft responds to Bishop Thomas Augustine Hendrick’s letter on the situation in the Philippines. He agrees that Hendricks is out of line in his accusations. Taft denies that the government is purposefully appointing followers of Gregorio Aglipay y Labayan. He suggests that Hendricks and other prelates should go through the courts if their wish is to obtain property for the Catholic Church. There is great confidence in Philippine courts but no Catholic prelate has submitted a case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-04
President Roosevelt will not reinstate Converse J. Smith to his position in the Department of the Treasury, especially now that Senator Proctor has threatened to publish a letter written by Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw which casts Shaw in a negative light if Smith is not reinstated. Smith was thoroughly investigated and found to be “inefficient.” Shaw has no recollection of writing the letter Proctor threatens to publish, and Roosevelt requests that Proctor present the original letter and any other evidence against Shaw.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-26
President Roosevelt is enjoying Archibald R. Colquhoun’s book, Greater America, and plans to share some of Colquhoun’s views about the Philippines with Secretary of War William H. Taft. Roosevelt does not agree with Colquhoun on everything, but believes it would be utterly wrong to govern Filipinos based on “the obvious untruth that they should be treated as, for instance, the Swiss or Norwegians, or men of Vermont and Iowa can and must be treated.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-15
President Roosevelt regrets that he cannot attend the event. He is afraid it would be seen as campaigning on his part.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-11
President Roosevelt contacted Admiral Walker regarding a Panama Canal position for John F. O’Brien’s brother. Unfortunately, the Isthmian Canal Commission may have been influenced by press reports that an appointment for O’Brien’s brother was being pursued for only political reasons. Walker stated that he did not believe his brother was suitable for secretary. The commission makes all appointments and everyone should remember that the canal should be built without regard to politics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-14
President Roosevelt does not believe it to be appropriate for himself or Secretary of State Hay to serve on the Henley memorial committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-01
President Roosevelt commends Postmaster General Payne, the Post Office Department, and the Department of Justice for their work on the postal frauds.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-27
President Roosevelt will look into the circular matter. He does not feel that all office holders should be prevented from attending the convention but would like to see as few as possible. Roosevelt does not want office holders to neglect their duties and create a scandal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-21
President Roosevelt was pleased with Henry Means Pindell’s letter and values when good citizens, without respect to party, regard his actions “as a good citizen should act.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-24
President Roosevelt wants Frank Hinchman Platt and an unnamed senator to know that he did not dictate Attorney General Knox’s opinion in the case. He finds it funny that they cannot understand the idea of “prosecuting a rascal because he is a rascal.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-04
The only factor in awarding government contracts should be the “business interests of the Government” and the involvement of a United States Senator must be ignored.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-13