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Letter from Herman Geschke to William H. Taft

Letter from Herman Geschke to William H. Taft

Herman Geschke sends a rambling, profane letter to William H. Taft accusing him, Theodore Roosevelt, and Robert M. La Follette of conspiring to murder him to conceal his “six year wrongful impressment.” According to the letter, Geschke was warned by the Madison, Wisconsin, chief of police not to send Taft more letters full of “insanity,” but Geschke was not arrested as threatened.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-18

Letter from Moses E. Clapp to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Moses E. Clapp to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Clapp has been in Massachusetts and New Hampshire where he found great enthusiasm for Theodore Roosevelt. President Taft recently said that his is a “government of all the people by a representative part of the people” which Clapp believes is the perfect quote to describe an oligarchy and attack Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-12

Letter from Herbert S. Hadley to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Herbert S. Hadley to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Hadley expresses the concerns of Missouri Republican leadership over Theodore Roosevelt’s support for the recall of judges and judicial decisions. While they are in favor of the initiative and referendum, the recall of judges threatens the independence of the judiciary. Hadley interpreted Roosevelt’s recent speeches as a warning that the recall of judges could be a last resort and suggests that Roosevelt clarify his position to lessen the “popular alarm.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-03

Letter from Herbert S. Hadley to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Herbert S. Hadley to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Hadley met with Frank Knox regarding whether Theodore Roosevelt should make a public statement on his willingness to accept the Republican presidential nomination if offered. In Missouri, a statement is not necessary as the party has inferred that Hadley’s support for Roosevelt means that Roosevelt will accept the nomination. Hadley and Knox have concluded that the ambiguity of Roosevelt’s position is out of place with the frank way he has dealt with political questions in the past. They also believe that a lack of direction is preventing potential leaders of the Roosevelt campaign from acting. Hadley suggests that a letter signed by several supportive governors would be a “dignified and proper method” of announcing Roosevelt’s position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-29

Letter from Herbert S. Hadley to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Herbert S. Hadley to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Hadley offers his views on the presidential situation in Missouri. He believes that Theodore Roosevelt could secure a majority of delegates from Missouri but the ambiguity of Roosevelt’s candidacy is allowing President Taft’s supporters to secure the state convention by default. Hadley understands Roosevelt’s difficult situation but is confident that the majority of the Republican Party would prefer Roosevelt over Taft as a presidential candidate. If Roosevelt agrees, Hadley believes that it is Roosevelt’s duty to announce that he will accept the nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-16

Letter from Herbert S. Hadley to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Herbert S. Hadley to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Hadley corrects an inaccuracy in his previous letter. New information shows that Republican leaders in St. Louis, Missouri now favor Theodore Roosevelt’s candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination and may pass a resolution to that effect at a meeting tonight. Hadley believes that these leaders are following the large public sentiment in favor of Roosevelt throughout Missouri and the nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-18

Letter from Hiram Johnson to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Hiram Johnson to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Johnson reflects on President William H. Taft’s visit to California. Taft gravitated toward the “higher ups” and political bosses. Johnson was distressed at Taft’s lack of humanity and apparent belief that the government only exists to increase business. Johnson believes that Roosevelt could be a successful presidential candidate and that Senator Robert M. La Follette will be unable to challenge Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-20

Letter from William Allen White to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from William Allen White to Theodore Roosevelt

William Allen White requests an inscription to be added to a copy of African Game Trails that will be given to White’s son, William Lindsay White. He has spent the summer working on a novel in Colorado. White does not believe that local politicians will support President Taft, as a Taft ticket will lose thousands of votes at the local level. He has seen a great deal of western support for Senator La Follette and Theodore Roosevelt but does not believe that La Follette’s nomination is feasible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-18