Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt responds to Colonel Lyon in the affirmative. He also tells Lyon that he suggested him for a position on the Advisory Council of the Legion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-05
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Jacob J. Lesser that he will help Michael Schaap but does not think a recommendation letter to the mayor will help as none of his previous recommendation letters has landed appointments. Roosevelt will meet with the mayor in person and thinks Schapp is ideal for City Magistrate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-12
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Judge Ben B. Lindsey’s policies and states that the people would revolt if Lindsey’s movement were to succeed. Roosevelt encourages Lindsey to continue his work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-12
Theodore Roosevelt replies to Herbert Drake’s letter to say that he has read Coit’s book. If Drake would like to know what Roosevelt thinks about the Monroe Doctrine, Drake should go to the public library and read his presidential speeches on the topic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-25
Theodore Roosevelt tells Meyer Lissner that Victor Murdock is now the Chairman of the National Committee and the recognized spokesman for the Progressive party. Roosevelt encourages Lissner to write to Murdock directly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-13
Theodore Roosevelt would like Langdon Elwyn Mitchell to spend a night at Sagamore Hill, along with Thomas Robins, Owen Wister, and Dr. White. Roosevelt agrees with Mitchell’s view about President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan and would rather have Boies Penrose in their place while also believing William H. Taft to be just as bad as Wilson and Bryan. Roosevelt asks Mitchell if he has read Roosevelt’s book America and the World War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-13
Theodore Roosevelt supports progressive and “well-nigh expropriatory taxation of swollen inheritance.” He does not care for the income tax and dislikes taxes on small incomes and inheritances. Roosevelt objected to Amos Pinchot and George L. Record because they took positions “too far off to one side.” He views the Industrial Workers of the World as representing destruction, not advancement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-06
The only changes Theodore Roosevelt would make to Dwight B. Heard’s letter to Matthew Hale is that Heard is too favorable towards President Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt does not believe that Wilson represents progressive ideals and considers him reactionary. Wilson, Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, and Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels have brought the country “lower than it has been for a century.” Some of Wilson’s financial policy may be successful but his policies regarding Mexico and the European war have been “beneath contempt.” The Progressive Party represented principles to which the country should aspire, but the country did not. The party became identified with reform and not prosperity; the people chose prosperity. Roosevelt agrees that they should wait for a year and see what happens to the political situation. He doubts there will be another opportunity to run a nationwide, straight Progressive ticket.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-29
The policies of the Wilson administration have placed the United States in a humiliating position and risk the country drifting into war while unprepared. The armed forces should have been brought into good shape and the country should have lived up to its obligations. The public has grown sick of reformers and simply seeks a return to prosperity. The best course of action for the Progressive Party is to “sit tight and await events.” Roosevelt continues to believe that progressive principles will eventually triumph.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-22
Theodore Roosevelt expresses his admiration of Chester H. Rowell and says he suggested Rowell as a candidate for chairman of the Progressive Party’s national committee. However, the general feeling favored a candidate from the geographic center of the country. Roosevelt agrees that the reaction against the Progressive Party was temporary, a “stomach vote.” He says there are many opinions on the future of the party and that he has received contradictory advice ranging from continuing the fight to rejoining the Republican Party. He does not want to abandon “forward movement” through the Progressive Party, but admits it is currently impossible in many areas of the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt met with Frances Kellor and Cornelia Bryce Pinchot regarding the Progressive Service. He agrees with their proposal to separate the Progressive Service from the Progressive Party. Many people are in sympathy with the Progressive Service but do not want to be associated with the party. Roosevelt hopes that Kellor can continue to run the Progressive Service, with the same name, as an independent organization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-19
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the work that E. A. Smith has been doing involving the Progressive cause.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-16
Theodore Roosevelt wants to discuss the Progressive Party with J. Franklin Fort.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt feels the correct path has been taken by the Progressives and is glad Bird has control of the records.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-04
Theodore Roosevelt cannot advise Clarence Phelps Dodge on the best action to take in Colorado. He does say that they must stay true to the principles established in 1912. Every state must have liberty to work out problems as its needs demand.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-30
The Progressive Party has shown itself to be no better than a third party, and east of Indiana the situation is hopeless. The success in California is primarily due to the influence of Governor Johnson and shows that Californians are interested in progressivism but not the Progressive Party. The primary issue is the economy, and voters that were disappointed in the Democratic administration turned to the Republican Party and not the Progressives. The Progressive Party is also limited due to ingrained party affiliation and a “general revulsion against reform.” Roosevelt is unsure about the future of the party but he remains loyal to the Progressive Party platform of 1912. However, he does not believe he can serve any longer as a party leader.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-16
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Progressive National Committee Member Pearl Wight for a letter, and offers assistance to Progressive Party Congressman Whitmell P. Martin. Roosevelt further empathizes with Wight’s depression, admitting that the Progressives cannot accomplish much in Louisiana unless they gain nationwide. Roosevelt congratulates Wight on the work he has done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-17
A letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Bonaparte regarding Progressive Party politics, a recent article Roosevelt wrote for The Outlook, as well as a potential future meeting in New York. His article reflected on recent events on Mexico, where Roosevelt took the liberty of using some of Bonaparte’s ideas as well as his own. He explains in the letter that he thought it better these declarations be made by a Protestant rather than a Roman Catholic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-19
Theodore Roosevelt discusses the Progressive vote in various states and thanks Leslie Combs for his hard work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-07
Theodore Roosevelt encourages David R. Ulmer to reach out to professor Charles McCarthy to get the help Ulmer is looking for.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-24