Political parties--Platforms

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to H. B. Jayne

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary communicates Roosevelt’s regrets that he will not be able to keep his appointment with H. B. Jayne. He also disputes Jayne’s statement that Roosevelt wants to “destroy the Standard Oil Company” and other trusts without preparing to replace it. Roosevelt’s position is to control “big business,” not to destroy it. The secretary also addresses Jayne’s statement that the Pacific Coast requires definite declarations, by giving specific examples of when Roosevelt did make specific declarations and requesting that Jayne read the Progressive Party platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Sheerin

Theodore Roosevelt details the difficulties of the fight ahead of him, and his opinion that the Progressive Party platform is the first platform since the Civil War to address the vital issues of the time. Roosevelt thinks that it is absurd that Woodrow Wilson’s proposal to change tariff policy could have any effect on real social issues. Roosevelt remembers and appreciates both of James Sheerin’s letters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Perkins

Theodore Roosevelt introduces John Adams Kingsbury to George W. Perkins. Roosevelt would like Perkins to discuss with Kingsberry what the social workers are doing for the campaign. Roosevelt believes that they provided the Progressive Party with the best plank in the party’s platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles E. Wortham

Theodore Roosevelt writes about the necessity of the canalization of Mississippi, one part of his progressive program.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-19

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Oscar K. Davis

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary requests that Oscar K. Davis send him copies of the Progressive platform, Governor Johnson’s record in California, and Woodrow Wilson’s record. The secretary also requests Davis re-schedule Roosevelt’s meeting with the moving picture man, and to arrange all of Roosevelt’s public meetings in halls rather than outdoors. Roosevelt wants Davis to discuss with Judge Hotchkiss, George W. Perkins, and Senator Dixon the matter of charging admission to public meetings.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt inquires about Ruth Moore Lee’s health, and tells about Kermit Roosevelt’s railroad work in South America. Roosevelt also explains his move from the Republican Party to the Progressive Party during the 1912 Presidential campaign and details issues in the party platform. Although Roosevelt expects that Wilson will win, he is happy because of his strong belief in the Progressive movement, his hope that it is the beginning of a new movement that will lead American democracy away from materialism, and his admiration for his colleagues such as Hiram Johnson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-14

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to A. G. Batchelder

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the maps and the spirit of the letter written by A. G. Batchelder. If Roosevelt has the opportunity, he will gladly take Batchelder up on his offer to assist him and his managers in planning a speech-making circuit. Roosevelt’s secretary praises William H. Hotchkiss’s organizing work; it was through Hotchkiss’ influence that a plank for good roads was added to the Progressive Party platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-15

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Frank C. Pierce

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks Frank C. Pierce for the letters and the suggestions. Roosevelt gave the suggestions to the committee in charge of the party platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-10

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Medill McCormick

Theodore Roosevelt’s seccretary encloses a letter and asks Medill McCormick to correspond with the writer regarding his concern over the “liquor question.” Roosevelt’s reply to this question is that neither the Republican nor the Democratic Parties have addressed it, and that the Progressive Party has undertaken enough and cannot add more to the platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Richard Van Hise

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Charles Richard Van Hise for his letter and is glad Van Hise liked his speech and platform. Roosevelt thinks that the “root of the matter” is not with Woodrow Wilson and that the Democratic Party is impossible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-13

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Watney

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary acknowledges Charles Watney’s letter and encloses a copy of the speech Roosevelt made before the Progressive Convention and a copy of the platform adopted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-09

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Harvey G. Hargrove

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks Harvey G. Hargrove for his letter, which Roosevelt gave to the men preparing the Progressive Party platform. The secretary asks Hargrove to keep in mind that there were hundreds of planks that could have been in the platform if not for limits of length.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-10

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Kirchwey

Theodore Roosevelt would like Peter Clark MacFarlane to receive a draft of the party platform once it is finished.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Peter Clark MacFarlane

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Peter Clark MacFarlane for a letter. Roosevelt has asked that MacFarlane be sent a copy of Roosevelt’s speech about his platform, and also the rough draft of the platform being prepared by George W. Kirchwey.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Heber Newton

Theodore Roosevelt is touched by Richard Heber Newton’s support. Roosevelt agrees with Newton’s position on the mineral lands and will forward Newton’s letter to George W. Kirchwey so that it can be added as a plank to the platform. Roosevelt would have included the position in his speech, but the speech has already been printed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Marshall Smith

Theodore Roosevelt sends thanks to Marshall Smith in receipt of his letter. Roosevelt relays that he is unable to shorten his platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred Ellsworth Wright

Theodore Roosevelt sends thanks to Reverend Wright in receipt of his letter and copy of the platform he drafted. Roosevelt believes Wright will appreciate his keynote speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles A. Prosser

Theodore Roosevelt relays to Charles A. Prosser that he believes in his speech suggestions, but that it is too late to incorporate his suggestions into his speech. Roosevelt will try to use them in his platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hamilton Fish II

Theodore Roosevelt has included most of the provisions Hamilton Fish mentioned in his party platform. Roosevelt looks forward to visiting with Fish and compliments Fish’s son.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to S. A. Thompson

Theodore Roosevelt thanks S. A. Thompson for a letter, which Roosevelt has passed on to the Committee on Platforms.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-30