Politicians--Conduct of life

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-31

President Roosevelt has been very pleased by the actions of Grover Cleveland in “this trying time.” He fondly remembers the trip taken with J. Sterling Morton the previous summer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-11

President Roosevelt held Cushman Kellogg Davis in extremely high regard and admired his ability, courage, and integrity.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-10

Reverend George W. Stone preaches a sermon for the dedication of Unity Church in Redlands, California. In this extract, he discusses the “prophetic” spirit of President Roosevelt and the importance of building character for the success of the church and the nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-08

Dr. Keen wants President Roosevelt to make an exception to his stance on non-interference in state politics. Keen is outraged by J. Edwards Addicks’s influence in Delaware and calls his career “shameless” and refers to his “baseness of character.” Keen is grateful that Dr. Abbott will present the matter to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-14

Theodore Roosevelt has read Joseph Benson Foraker’s two volumes with great interest (likely Notes on a Busy Life, Foraker’s autobiography, which was published in 1916) and compliments him on his courage, straightforwardness, and views on international relations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-28

Theodore Roosevelt has read Frederick Scott Oliver’s book and agrees that Oliver’s description of English politicians is equally relevant to American politicians. William H. Taft has been “floundering around in the professional pacifist mudpuddle” and President Wilson has failed to prepare the country for war. Roosevelt wishes that more public men had advocated on behalf of Belgium and military readiness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-16

Theodore Roosevelt has had a long running conflict with Norman Hapgood and George Creel who have told “deliberate falsehoods” about him. Roosevelt states that an examination of any public person will show the “occasional honest and necessary change of mind.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-07-10

Theodore Roosevelt shares what his son Quentin said about Charles Washburn’s son, Slater. He also believes that out of everyone close to him, Washburn understands how he had to operate politically in order to accomplish anything while he was in office. Roosevelt had to work with a diverse group of political leaders and had to get along with all of them. Roosevelt admits that concessions were made in order for working agreements to be reached, but he worked with them as long as he could and only broke with other politicians when working with them “meant a surrender of basic principles.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-31

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Wingate Sewall’s views on President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan. They shirked their duty regarding Belgium and their conduct in Mexico has been “atrocious beyond belief.” Roosevelt believes that the Wilson administration is attempting to court German American votes and he is angered that German Americans are using their American citizenship against the interests of the United States. Citizens should be “straight United States and nothing else.” Roosevelt is unsure about the future of the Progressive Party, and from a national standpoint, he would like to await developments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-06

Theodore Roosevelt encloses several articles he has written on the situation in Europe. Roosevelt disagrees with President Wilson’s and Secretary of State Bryan’s attitude toward foreign affairs. However, he is reluctant to speak out about what actions he would have taken as president because he is powerless to see anything done. He believes that England is “entirely right” and that there can be no peace until the wrongs against Belgium have been redressed. Roosevelt has not publicly addressed the “outrages against individuals” due to the large amount of conflicting testimony. He likes the German people and believes that many have been “influenced by genuine fear.” Roosevelt agrees that there is a danger to the United States but Americans that share this view are a minority and Roosevelt’s political influence is “nearly gone.” He requests that Rudyard Kipling keep his letter confidential and write frankly about the articles, as well as anything else he should speak out about.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

President Roosevelt feels the same as Frederick Landis about the division of powers and provides his opinion on the politicians who are “straight, decent, and fearless representative[s] of the people.” Roosevelt uses Abraham Lincoln as an example, citing his consistent tenacity and popularity before and after he took office. He claims the public stood by Lincoln “because he was right both times.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-14

President Roosevelt remembers a private conversation with Alabama Representative Hobson in which they disagreed whether there would be war with Japan. Regardless of who is right in the matter, Roosevelt finds two things clear: that it is the duty of the nation to be prepared for any conflict; and that making “raw, brutal statements” in the press about the matter is the surest way to make trouble. Roosevelt chastises Hobson for deliberately misquoting him to the press, and will protect himself in the future by having no further private conversations with him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-24

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-02

President Roosevelt returns Inspector James McLaughlin’s communication, as requested by Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock. In light of the statement, Roosevelt tells Hitchcock that all new appointments in Oklahoma will be suspended pending an investigation, and that Dr. Roger L. Hall will be required to substantiate his charges to an officer of the Department of the Interior. If Hall’s allegations are true, Oklahoma Governor Frank C. Frantz should be removed, but if they are false, Hall himself should have charges brought against him. Roosevelt also comments about allegations made against Cassius M. Cade, and says that if there are no objections to him other than those that have been disproved, he will remove his objections. The anonymous letter McLaughlin reported contain allegations against Frantz similar to ones previously made and then dropped against him by Dennis T. Flynn.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-27

President Roosevelt tells New York Collector of Customs Stranahan that in light of the testimony of James H. Hyde, it is clear that Governor Benjamin B. Odell has, directly or indirectly, used his office for personal gain and thus should not continue to be leader of the Republican party in the state. Roosevelt does not wish to make any public statement, as he “was elected President and not boss,” but he says that Stranahan can show this letter to New York Republicans Hamilton Fish and Frank Wayland Higgins.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-17

President Roosevelt agrees with Elihu Root’s comments regarding corruption in New York and he is pleased that the speech will be published. The Republican Party and the country benefited from the work of Senator Hanna and his death is “very sad.” The Panama treaty appears set to pass and the cooperation with Germany on securing the neutrality of China was a success.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-16

President Roosevelt quotes a flattering letter from Governor General of the Philippines William H. Taft regarding Secretary of War Root and his handling of the War Department. Roosevelt also provides instructions for the promotion of several officers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-17

Alonzo H. Cox writes that somebody should “muzzle” Senator La Follette. Cox believes that La Follette is jealous of Theodore Roosevelt and that Roosevelt should remain steadfast and remember that he has the support of the public. Cox thinks Roosevelt has as good a chance as Governor Wilson in the upcoming election, maybe even better, and has bet $5 that President Taft will not get as many votes as the socialists.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-16

While maintaining that he has always been a consistent supporter of Theodore Roosevelt, A. V. Boswell has heard that Roosevelt has spoken disapprovingly of Prohibition, and asks for the truth of these reports. Boswell also questions Roosevelt’s actions relating to the Tennessee Coal and Iron concern. Boswell writes as a representative of several thousand Missouri voters who similarly wish to know the answers to these questions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-10-10

Creator(s)

Boswell, A. V. (Ammy Victor), 1867-1945