Press and politics

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles M. Harvey

President Roosevelt informs Charles M. Harvey that he has not seen James Creelman’s article. While Creelman likely does not quote Roosevelt directly, he did say something to that effect. He stated he had as much difficulty with James Wallace Van Cleave, David M. Parry, and their association as he did with Samuel Gompers and his association. It concerns Roosevelt that the National Association of Manufacturers opposes measures benefiting workingmen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Luke E. Wright

President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Wright that Governor Charles E. Magoon never said anything about bringing about the withdrawal of Cuban Liberal leader Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso. He suggests Wright inquire of Magoon what his reasons are. Additionally, Roosevelt instructs it is not their business to interfere for or against either Cuban political party. He does not care what the press says and will respond to any formalized statement about Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt advises William H. Taft on how to respond to religious attacks by the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Underwood Johnson

President Roosevelt agrees with Century Magazine editors Robert Underwood Johnson and Richard Watson Gilder that it is best not to publish the article until after the election in November.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank H. Hitchcock

The leaders of New York have ridiculous misapprehensions about Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee. President Roosevelt dismisses their story that Hitchcock is in league with The Sun. Roosevelt knows Hitchcock’s qualities will endear him to the leaders, and he directs Hitchcock to develop a better relationship with them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. Sloat Fassett

President Roosevelt assures Representative Fassett that he does not want to force the nomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes. There will be heavy loss regardless of whether Hughes is or is not nominated. Roosevelt believes the loss will be heavier if Hughes is not nominated, but will support whoever the convention chooses.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James R. Sheffield

President Roosevelt is glad to receive James R. Sheffield’s letters. He decided to publish the letters from Grover Cleveland “to put a stop to the yapping of the dishonest scoundrels” of the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank H. Hitchcock

President Roosevelt directs Frank H. Hitchcock, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, to meet Daniel L. Cease to review the question of William H. Taft’s labor decisions. Roosevelt regards Cease as a valuable contact.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt believes it is unwise to give an interview to the newspaper. He agrees with William H. Taft’s opinion of the speeches given by J. S. Sherman and Secretary of State Elihu Root. Although he does not care for him, Roosevelt feels Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated. Roosevelt wants Taft to show his personality and offers words of encouragement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Eugene A. Philbin

President Roosevelt endorses Governor George Curry as an ideal candidate for a position in the Philippines if one is available. Roosevelt draws Eugene A. Philbin’s attention to The Independent’s campaign against William H. Taft for supporting the church in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Parsons

President Roosevelt informs Representative Parsons of his recent meeting with New York representatives J. S. Sherman; William S. Bennet; Isaac H. Cocks; George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee; Michael J. Dady, chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee; and Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Parsons’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly, but wantonly. Unfortunately, there is no better candidate, and “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him.” Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion in this matter, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Raines

President Roosevelt informs Representative Raines of his recent meeting with New York representatives J. S. Sherman; William S. Bennet; Isaac H. Cocks; George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee; Michael J. Dady, chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee; and Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Raines’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly, but wantonly. Unfortunately, there is no better candidate, and “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him.” Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion in this matter, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis J. Hendricks

President Roosevelt informs Francis J. Hendricks of his recent meeting with New York representatives J. S. Sherman; William S. Bennet; William W. Cocks; George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee; Michael J. Dady, chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee; and Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Hendricks’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly but wantonly. Unfortunately, there is no one else, and “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him.” Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion in this matter, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. Sloat Fassett

President Roosevelt informs Representative Fassett of his recent meeting with New York Representatives J. S. Sherman, William S. Bennet, George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee, Michael J. Dady, Chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee, Isaac H. Cocks, and Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Frank H. Hitchcock. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Fassett’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly but wantonly. Hughes has alienated voters, and if there were a better candidate, Roosevelt would nominate him. However, there is no one else, and, “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him” as such damage will extend outside of New York. Roosevelt believes the Republican Convention should renominate Hughes. Those he consulted with likewise agree. Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Barnes

President Roosevelt informs William Barnes of his recent meeting with New York representatives J. S. Sherman; William S. Bennet; Isaac H. Cocks; George J. Smith, member of the Republican State Committee; Michael J. Dady, chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee; and Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He has carefully reviewed the matter of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes and appreciates Barnes’s arguments against Hughes. Roosevelt does not enjoy supporting a man who has not only behaved poorly but wantonly. Unfortunately, there is no better candidate, and “while it will do damage to renominate Hughes, it will do more damage not to renominate him.” Although Roosevelt has not announced his conclusion in this matter, his statement has appeared in the papers, leading him to believe someone spoke to the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George C. Buell

President Roosevelt reproachfully replies to George C. Buell’s comments concerning John C. Carpenter’s foul during the 400-meter dash at the 1908 Olympics. Roosevelt disagrees with statements he has read in British papers and believes the British judges treated Carpenter unfairly. However, Roosevelt tells Buell his comments are private only and not for public distribution. Roosevelt aims “to refrain from every statement which will tend to cause international bitterness, and simply to congratulate the American team.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Fred L. Gray

President Roosevelt has not seen the attack on him in Harper’s Weekly to which Fred L. Gray refers, but he pays no more mind to what Charles M. Harvey writes than anything in the New York Sun or Post.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Reuterdahl

President Roosevelt is interested in what Henry Reuterdahl has to say about the attitudes of the Sun, Herald, and Post towards the navy, and discusses his opinion on the stances of each paper. In a postscript, Roosevelt says he has received the painting of the Great White Fleet Reuterdahl has sent and is delighted with it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt updates Henry Cabot Lodge on personal and political matters. Roosevelt feels obligated to enjoy a series of essays by Westerlick because his wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, assumes he would not care for them; the puzzling problem of the re-nomination for Charles Evans Hughes for governor of New York; the plans for Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari, and his desire to tour Europe on the way home as a private citizen without pomp; his plans to write for Scribner’s and The Outlook post-presidency, and his reasoning for selecting those offers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt encourages William H. Taft to accept a substantial campaign contribution from William Nelson Cromwell, and to have him serve on an advisory board. Roosevelt points out that Elihu Root made a large contribution to his campaign in 1904, but that did not stop him from appointing Root Secretary of State when the opportunity arose.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-07