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Senator Hanna’s conference with President Roosevelt likely included a discussion of the Republican National Committee chairmanship. It is unlikely that Hanna will serve again as chairman due to health concerns. Likely successors include Senator Fairbanks, Senator Lodge, and Postmaster General Payne.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-27
Senator Hanna’s protest against the appointment of Judge Wright as judge of the District of Columbia indicates that Hanna’s alliance with George Barnsdale Cox is both offensive and defensive. Hanna will likely leave the Republican National Committee and focus on Ohio politics. The Hanna-Cox alliance will be a force in the realignment of Republican politics in Ohio.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-27
Newspaper article faulting William Michael Byrne for supporting “Addicksism.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11
Katharine Roosevelt congratulates President Roosevelt on his succession to the presidency. She admires Roosevelt and looks up to him as a great leader.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-22
Joseph Bucklin Bishop has been assured by prominent individuals that President Roosevelt will have no problems with the Republican Party in Colorado. He compliments Roosevelt’s recent successes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-24
Horace White provides advice on how to deal with the Republican political machine of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which White describes as “the plague spot of the universe” and compares to New York’s Tammany Hall. He suggests that Roosevelt discuss the issue with trustworthy residents of Philadelphia, such as reformer Herbert Welsh.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-27
Ella Howard Bryan thanks President Roosevelt for the kind words regarding her verses. She is comforted that Roosevelt is leading the nation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-29
Nicol W. Craw believes that the appointment of George H. Roberts, a member of the county’s Republican executive committee, as postmaster of Kings County, New York, will damage the party’s relations with constituents and give the impression that there is a powerful political machine being built.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-19
James B. Belford details who in the Colorado Republican Party has gone past patronage into the areas of corruption and ballot box stuffing. He would like President Roosevelt to remove the corrupt officials who are ruining the reputation of the party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-07
James B. Belford claims that federal officer holders have taken over the leadership of the Republican Party in Colorado and are damaging the party. “Decent representatives of the party” need to be appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-07
John S. Wise describes the creation of the current Republican Party organization in Virginia and its leadership. He argues that the current Republican machine of Virginia is corrupt and wants their recognition and patronage to be withdrawn.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-15
As requested, John Watson Yerkes read the letters from John S. Wise. He considers Wise to be knowledgeable about Virginia politics but also prejudiced against several Virginia political leaders. Yerkes agrees that federal patronage should be withheld from Virginia and concurs in the individuals recommended by Wise as worthy of President Roosevelt’s confidence. If a change needs to be made in Virginia Republican leadership then an announcement should wait until after the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-16
J. R. Waddy agrees that Virginia needs a genuine Republican Party with proper leadership. He tries to convince his reader to return to Norfolk and help the party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-12
A. P. Gillespie agrees that the Republican Party in Virginia needs to be changed and he wishes that John S. Wise would return to lead the party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-14
Census Director William Rush Merriam should not be trusted in state matters. He has a “small, malicious” following and is bankrupt. Le Grand Powers is a good statistician in the census bureau. Mr. Noyes is a “thoroughly bad man” and can be removed without repercussions. (The latter may be Arthur H. Noyes, district judge for Alaska, who was removed from office in February 1902.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-14
Richard Henry Rawles agrees that the public is ready for a change and that the Republican machine in Virginia should be challenged. He believes a strong leader could make the state solidly Republican. Rawles has removed himself from “active politics” but is willing to help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-14
The Republican leadership in Virginia is too well entrenched to challenge through conventional means so John S. Wise is seeking, with the approval of President Roosevelt, to create a new party that will supplant the old system. As per Roosevelt’s wishes, they will be holding a small council after the pending election. Until then, Roosevelt has directed that there be no appointments in Virginia until he is consulted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-14
A. M. Dickenson is impressed with the enthusiasm of the rank and file Republicans of Virginia, but political leadership is lacking. The state leaders seem more interested in retaining what they have than in bringing Virginia into the Republican fold. Dickenson urges John S. Wise to look into this matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-06
B. Frank Mebane believes that President Roosevelt’s next great achievement will be breaking the “Solid South” by attracting young Republicans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09
Charles G. Washburn states that William McKinley’s death has “cemented the Union” and is therefore a triumph. Washburn always expected that President Roosevelt would someday be president. He is grateful that a united party and country are behind Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-22