Politicians--Conduct of life

In excerpts from two speeches, Theodore Roosevelt argues that the people must be held accountable if the nation has poor leadership, and he asserts that average citizens need to cultivate the virtues of honesty, bravery, and common sense, and if they do so, they will elect leaders who reflect those traits.

A picture of Roosevelt speaking at Sagamore Hill and a text box with a listing of the members of the executive committee of the Theodore Roosevelt Association supplement the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

In two quotes selected from the Theodore Roosevelt Cyclopedia, Theodore Roosevelt expresses his belief about how public officials should act. Public officials, Roosevelt writes, should not hesitate to do their duty out of a fear that it might jeopardize their future. Roosevelt additionally believes in the independence of public officials to stand by their conscience in the execution of their duty, while also recognizing that it is the duty of the public to make sure that public officials are responsible to the people in carrying out their jobs.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1899-1911

In two excerpted quotes from the Theodore Roosevelt Cyclopedia, Theodore Roosevelt highlights the importance of the character of politicians both in public and private life. While a respectable private life does not, in itself, make someone a good public servant, lacking these qualities “certainly does establish a presumption against any public man.”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1909-1911

This brief biography of Gifford Pinchot recounts his accomplishments as first Chief of the United States Forest Service, as well as later in life. Pinchot participated heavily in Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Party, and was later elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 1922 and 1930 as a Republican. Pinchot helped found many associations focused on forestry and conservation, and was additionally a founder of the Roosevelt Memorial Association.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1987

Indian Commissioner Leupp informs William Loeb that Oklahoma Representative Dennis T. Flynn told Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock about the “shocking” habits of Frank C. Frantz, who may be made governor of Oklahoma. Flynn said that he would tell President Roosevelt the same story and make the accusations to Frantz’s face. Leupp hastily suggests that, as Flynn is leaving town tonight and Frantz is arriving tonight, Roosevelt invite both men and have them face each other today.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-23

Booth Tarkington praises vice-president-elect Charles W. Fairbanks as sensible and practical, and writes that during the recently concluded campaign Fairbanks “was the ‘logical candidate’ of his party nationally for the vice-presidency.” This essay is accompanied by a portrait of Fairbanks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-09

Columbia University President Butler sends President Roosevelt his thoughts on revision of national currency policy. He feels that the current system is unable to meet the needs of businesses and creates constant problems. Butler evaluates the current state of politics in New York, including the popularity of Governor Charles Evans Hughes and unpopularity of Senators Thomas Collier Platt and Chauncey M. Depew.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-26

Acting Governor of New Mexico James W. Raynolds reports that Ormsby McHarg, United States Special Assistant Attorney General, and his representative Ernest P. Holcombe arrived in New Mexico and informed him that he was there to investigate acts of territorial officials, though he did not present any credentials to prove he was indeed an official of the United States. McHarg stated that he would appear in the court case of Holm Olaf Bursum, the former superintendent of prisons. In the process of relaying his intentions, McHarg threatened to involve the Department of Justice, President Roosevelt, and the press, if his demands were not met. In this and subsequent communications, McHarg accused the territorial attorney general and other officials of incompetence, ignorance of the law, and corruption. Though McHarg insisted all his communications be treated as confidential, a story appeared in the press which seems to have been planted by him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-13

Congressman Robert Bradley Hawley would like the torpedo boat flotilla and one additional ship to be in Galveston for George Washington’s birthday, February 22. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt hopes that Secretary of the Navy Long will consider this request as Hawley is a “a clean, straight, able Republican.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1898-01-03

Newspaper article reviewing the reasons why Theodore Roosevelt was elected governor of New York.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1898

Newspaper article featuring an extract from an article attributed to Benjamin Harrison that discusses President Roosevelt’s potential to be a successful president. Roosevelt’s exceptional character and varied life experiences are deemed to have given him the “proper metal” to be president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10

Theodore Roosevelt praises the accomplishments and spirit of the British Navy. He abhors the German cause but also admires their organization and daring. Roosevelt feels that he can separate gallantry and devotion from a side’s cause as members of his family fought for the Confederacy. He can admire their service but deplore the cause they fought for. The Progressive Party is seeking to run Roosevelt as a third party presidential candidate but he will support the Republican nominee, Charles Evans Hughes. Hughes is an upright man who will do better than President Wilson. Roosevelt has a low opinion of Wilson and the “professional intellectuals” that support him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-19

While president, Theodore Roosevelt owed the most to Elihu Root, Gifford Pinchot, and William H. Moody. Afterwards, Root sacrificed idealism for practicality and Pinchot sacrificed practicality for idealism. However, Moody’s views remained in “complete sympathy” with Roosevelt’s own. If Moody had not been appointed to the Supreme Court, his influence for “progress in the right direction” would have been the largest in the Roosevelt administration. Roosevelt wishes that Moody’s counsel, intelligence, and high purpose were influencing the current government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-18

Theodore Roosevelt takes no responsibility for the election of President Wilson. The men who were in control and manipulated the 1912 Republican convention are to blame. Roosevelt is not concerned with being nominated but wants the principles laid out in his Chicago speech to become the “living policy” of the country. He would like the Republican candidate to have a reasonable chance of winning and be the “antithesis” of Wilson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-10

Theodore Roosevelt will not appeal to President Wilson as he feels this would influence Wilson to do the reverse of what Roosevelt suggests. Roosevelt believes that Wilson is favoring Germany in order to secure the German American vote and because Wilson is afraid of Germany.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-03

Henry Loomis Nelson evaluates Governor Roosevelt’s integrity and details Roosevelt’s accomplishments during his tenure.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1900

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