Prohibition

Letter from Peter W. Shute to Theodore Roosevelt

Peter W. Shute tells Theodore Roosevelt he is the only man to unite the Republican Party, but also suggests a new political party be formed, the Union Party. Shute believes there should be more focus on prohibition and temperance in politics, and less in the Church. Shute shares his grievances regarding William H. Taft and Robert M. La Follette and hopes Roosevelt will step up and save the party and the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-12

Creator(s)

Shute, Peter W. (Peter Wilkes), 1843-1921

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Alsworth Ross

President Roosevelt writes to Edward Allsworth Ross to say once again how much he appreciates Ross’s Sin and Society. He finds it relevant to some of the current political situations, such as the frenzy over racetrack betting in New York and support of the reactionary Representative Charles E. Littlefield in Maine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George B. Cortelyou

President Roosevelt is uncertain what to make of Representative William S. Bennet’s letter but sends it to Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou because of what it says about laborers. Roosevelt has also received a letter from the Kansas Law Department concerning the federal government’s role in regulating the sale of liquor. He asks Cortelyou for his opinion on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lawrence F. Abbott

President Roosevelt congratulates Lawrence F. Abbott and his wife Winifred Buck Abbott on their automobile and wishes he could have attended the fair. Since he is writing for Scribner’s Magazine while in Africa, Roosevelt does not think he should write anything for The Outlook. He will, however, accumulate materials to write about for The Outlook at a later time. He recommends both Lawrence F. Abbott and Lyman Abbott read Holman Day’s article on prohibition, which he says shows the need for a local option.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gifford Pinchot

Theodore Roosevelt will be very glad to use Cupp if possible. Roosevelt will speak out on the brewers and distiller proposition the first chance he gets.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-04-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to La Verne W. Noyes

Theodore Roosevelt is not prepared to go for national prohibition yet, because he does not think that would mean an advance for temperance. Roosevelt thinks the immediate questions before the U.S. are about international relations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Walker

Theodore Roosevelt congratulates Joseph Walker on his fighting spirit, but he questions whether National Prohibition would do good at this time.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt approves of William H. Taft’s position regarding prohibition. The people who advocate for a law so drastic that it cannot be enforced have “a wicked attitude,” and such extreme measures would lead to contempt of the law. Roosevelt suggests, however, that Taft express his sympathy with the people who seek to decrease the influence of alcohol, as so many bad things come from it. Roosevelt favors allowing local governments to prohibit the sale of alcohol where there is support for doing so, but encourages Taft not to get into discussions with prohibitionists.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Davis Long

President Roosevelt cannot say that he endorses prohibition, but agrees with former congressman and governor of Massachusetts John Davis Long that “every effort” should be made to “diminish the evils of intemperance.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Eugene Hale

President Roosevelt informs Senator Hale he will take up the matter regarding Collector of the Port George A. Curran but will wait on the St. John issue until he sees Secretary of State Elihu Root and Hale. He is disheartened by the Maine election and the implications of William Randolph Hearst’s nomination for governor of New York. The situation in Cuba continues to be a struggle.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Wilson

President Roosevelt is pleased with how Secretary of Agriculture Wilson is handling the packing men. The Congressional situation in Iowa concerns him. He comments on the political conditions in various states, concluding that upsets in local matters will lead to suffering in the general government. He feels Congress was unwise in its treatment of the labor people. Roosevelt believes “in refusing any unjust demand on labor just as quickly” as any such demands on capital.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ansley Wilcox

President Roosevelt wishes the letter Ansley Wilcox sent to the New York World had been published. Roosevelt reflects on the upcoming elections, noting that he expects a favorable result but cannot be sure. Maine has had some troubles regarding the prohibition issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Daniel Edgar Sickles

President Roosevelt thanks General Sickles for his speech and work on the campaign. Roosevelt is concerned that Maine will not do as well as Vermont in the election, knowing its history of voting differently than the rest of the country. He is also concerned that the debate over prohibition will impact the vote in Maine. On a hopeful note, Roosevelt is optimistic about his chances in Missouri because of their success in Arkansas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot urges Theodore Roosevelt to take the Prohibition side of the liquor question. Pinchot feels it is important to prevent the brewers and distillers from using grain that is needed for food during World War I.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-04-18

Creator(s)

Pinchot, Gifford, 1865-1946

Letter from William Allen White to Theodore Roosevelt

William Allen White reviews the recent election in Kansas. Although the Progressives were not successful in Kansas, White is continuing to organize the party and looks forward to success in 1914. He is also working towards the completion of a novel.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-14

Creator(s)

White, William Allen, 1868-1944

Letter from Ward B. Short to Theodore Roosevelt

Ward B. Short greatly admires Theodore Roosevelt, but has not been able to ascertain his opinion on the liquor question from his speeches or writings. He feels that as Roosevelt is so prominent and knowledgeable a figure he must be aware of the issue, and asks for his opinion on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-24

Creator(s)

Short, Ward B. (Ward Beecher), 1868-1930

Letter from Annis L. Nethery to Theodore Roosevelt

Annis L. Nethery asks Theodore Roosevelt for his opinion on whether Texas should institute a statewide prohibition on alcohol.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-01

Creator(s)

Nethery, Annis L. (Annis Lee), 1871-1937

Telegram from George F. Goodwin to Theodore Roosevelt

George F. Goodwin, Chairman of the Salt Lake City Anti-Liquor League, informs Theodore Roosevelt that his name is being used by liquor interests to oppose anti-liquor legislation, and asks for his opinion on the principle of prohibition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-23

Creator(s)

Goodwin, George F. (George Francis), 1849-1918

Letter from George A. Owen to Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

George A. Owens inquires of Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary if he would promote purchasing Palestine, making it an international Sacred Protectorate, and amending the Constitution to prohibit manufacturing intoxicating drinks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-23

Creator(s)

Owen, George A., 1851-1940

Letter from John B. Martin to Theodore Roosevelt

John B. Martin praises Theodore Roosevelt’s leadership and work to improve the civic health of the country, but wonders why he does not take a stronger stance against liquor and for prohibition. Martin describes his own experience working in politics as a prohibitionist candidate, and believes that if Roosevelt agreed to run for president as a prohibitionist, he would be very successful.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-14

Creator(s)

Martin, John B., 1839-1925