Your TR Source
President Roosevelt would write for Representative Edwin Denby if he were to write for anyone, as Denby was a productive member of Congress. Unfortunately, Roosevelt can not make any exceptions without causing jealousy among other candidates for Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-03
President Roosevelt sends the telegram and letter from Senator Jonathan Bourne to William H. Taft. He warns Taft that Bourne’s relations with Standard Oil and his usefulness in Oregon are questionable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-01
President Roosevelt suggests that William H. Taft contact First Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon for any monetary or confidential matters regarding the campaign in New York. Roosevelt is done dealing with William Jennings Bryan and, quoting Grover Cleveland, says he will now “lapse into a condition of innocuous desuetude.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-28
President Roosevelt has followed William Kent’s suggestion and asked Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte to instruct District Attorney Robert T. Devlin as Kent wishes. Roosevelt has been working to put life into the campaign and to make sure that the public sees William H. Taft’s merit. Although William Jennings Bryan is nice enough, he is self-interested and not fit for presidency, as any bright individual would be able to see.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-28
President Roosevelt agrees with Dennis T. Flynn’s negative assessment of Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell. Roosevelt has responded to William Jennings Bryan’s letter, but believes it would be unwise to give a speech. He gets many requests for him to give speeches, but also receives many protests against him speaking.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-28
President Roosevelt agrees with Albert H. Walker’s assessment of, and disappointment in, Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Walker’s shot at Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell pleased Roosevelt
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-27
President Roosevelt sends Herbert Parsons an extract of Representative William S. Bennet’s letter. It is accurate, except that Roosevelt currently reserves judgement on the Independent League Alliance. Roosevelt applauds Parson’s work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-27
President Roosevelt agrees with Representative Bennet’s letter which praises Representative Herbert Parsons and his work with the County Committee. Roosevelt has shared some of the letter with Parsons because he deserves the encouragement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-27
President Roosevelt writes to Chairman Frank H. Hitchcock of the Republican National Committee regarding T. Coleman Du Pont, head of the National Republican Committee Bureau of Campaign Speakers. Roosevelt believes Du Pont’s resignation would have had a better effect if it had happened when initially suggested. He instructs Hitchcock to guard against the opposition’s use of the situation in their campaign and explains the differences in the seemingly similar cases of Du Pont and Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell. There has been distressing feedback from New York State, especially concerning the renomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes and the dissatisfaction of the labor crowd, and Roosevelt outlines persons who should be brought in to assist with securing New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-26
President Roosevelt has records related to Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell. He offers them to Lawrence F. Abbott, should he cover Haskell, and invites Abbott to come see him. Roosevelt reminds Abbott of an Oklahoma senator’s statement that Haskell is “Bryanism in action.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-26
President Roosevelt is sure Senator Lodge has seen his statement about Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker and his letter about William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt thinks Foraker’s situation is distressing, but corruption must be exposed. He is torn about William Randolph Hearst’s recent attitude. The amount of corruption in high places is shocking, but it has been natural for Roosevelt to fight it. Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park S. B. M. Young brought two such examples to Roosevelt’s attention, one regarding appointments tied to William McKinley’s election and one regarding the feelings of John Kean and Hamilton F. Kean about business interests.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
President Roosevelt responds to William Jennings Bryan’s telegram regarding Democratic National Committee Treasurer and Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell’s actions in Ohio, by discussing Haskell’s actions in Oklahoma, where he allowed the Prairie Oil and Gas Company to build against an attempted injunction by Oklahoma Attorney General Charles West. Roosevelt asks Bryan to contrast his actions towards Haskell with William H. Taft’s actions toward Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, and lists the reasons Haskell is unfit for any office. Such reasons include his actions on the child labor bill, land fraud cases, and educational taxes, all of which have been covered in the press. Roosevelt offers an analysis and criticism of Bryan’s “radical” propositions and plans for breaking up corruption, and concludes that it is Taft whose actions prove his ability to deliver for the American people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-23
New York Surveyor of Customs Sullivan encloses a letter from William E. Mason and asks William Loeb to decide whether to give it to President Roosevelt. Sullivan explains that he has known Mason for many years. Although he has redeeming qualities, Mason is stubborn and unlikely to succeed against stronger politicians.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-04
President Roosevelt does not believe that the message of congratulations should be sent and requests Secretary of State Hay’s view on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-04
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-16
President Roosevelt was pleased with Judge Kent’s letter regarding Governor Brodie, who is a “fine fellow.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-14
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-17
President Roosevelt has heard multiple reports about Cyrus Leland and is hesitant “to fight a Senator” over what appears to be factional bickering. He asks William Allen White his opinion regarding candidates and others he could consult.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-06
Hans A. Koenig questions President Roosevelt about his actions while serving as Governor of New York, as described in Charles Edward Russell’s book Lawless Wealth. Koenig asks for an explanation regarding the allegedly suppressed reports on investigations into the State Trust Company and into illegal bank deposits made by “prominent men.” Specifically, Koenig states that if the charges made in the book against Secretary of State Elihu Root are true, then he is not fit for his position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-06
William Jennings Bryan responds to President Roosevelt’s accusations against Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell and the Democratic party itself for connection with the trusts, in political support and in campaign donations. Bryan questions Roosevelt’s actions in letting a steel trust absorb a rival and refutes his statements on contributions during the 1896 campaign. Challenging Roosevelt’s opposition to the publication of campaign contributions before the election, Bryan argues that the voters have a right to know if William H. Taft has been supported by financiers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-29