Your TR Source
Sheet music for “That’s Politics,” a song from the stage play A Broken Idol. The lyrics cynically look at politicians, including a verse about Theodore Roosevelt and his decision to not run for election in 1908.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1908
President Roosevelt argues that the federal government must regulate interstate commerce and the railroad corporations, especially to stop over-capitalization. However, he affirms that he is against the Sherman Anti-Trust Act notion that all corporations are bad, and he opposes the arbitrary reduction of rates or government direction of railroad operations, especially considering the need for private investment in railroad infrastructure. He states that his views on these matters have not changed since he was the Governor of New York, and that his executive actions and all laws passed by Congress regarding the issue of interstate railroad commerce in the past six years have been positive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906
President Roosevelt has come to the conclusion that Chairman Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Commission has not come up with any legislation to address the complaints of car shortages and fears shippers are expecting immediate action. Roosevelt feels Knapp should make a statement on the matter explaining why legislation is not being introduced to Congress at the moment. Roosevelt believes the problem could be solved with administrative action by the Interstate Commerce Commission, rather than judicial action, and if it is not possible to work primarily as an administrative body then the Interstate Commerce Commission should be dismantled and replaced with another administrative body.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-24
These draft resolutions of the Republican party in the state of Ohio endorse President Roosevelt’s administration. They describe his enforcement of Inter-State Commerce and Anti-Trust Laws, advancing the Panama Canal project, passing the Hepburn Act regulating railway rates and a bill on meat inspection, and his foreign policy. The resolutions urge Congress to pass a “stringent immigration law” to ensure that only the most industrious immigrants are allowed to enter the United States. They discuss the country’s industrial progress and condemn dishonest business practices. They close by reaffirming support of a protective tariff.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906
George Roland Malby recounts for William Loeb his sixteen years of service in the New York Legislature, in the Assembly, and Senate. Malby hopes Loeb will pass on to President Roosevelt congratulations for taking a stand and acting in the interest of the people in recent bills relating to railroad rates, Arizona and New Mexico joint statehood, and agriculture. Malby offers his continued support to the president and sends wishes to the Roosevelts from his wife Lucy A. Malby.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-04
Maurice S. Fitzgerald shares with Theodore Roosevelt his opinion on the current state of railroad regulation and the Panama Canal. He believes the current administration has not continued Roosevelt’s railroad regulation policy, and attention has been diverted from the railroads to profit. The Interstate Commerce Commission is acting as a referee between Big Business and railroad interests. A thereat of an appeal to the Interstate Commerce Commission is no longer a deterrent to Big Business. The focus on profit is evidenced by a threatened raise in rates that have stayed consistent for twenty years. Fitzgerald suggests a threatened government regulation to avert attention away from the Panama Canal as a solution.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-23
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on a variety of cases the Administration has in courts. First, Civil Service Commissioner Alford Warriner Cooley is reluctant to travel to Colorado or Oregon because two cases relating to civil service law will be tried in the Supreme Court soon. Second, Bonaparte has sent a report about a scandal involving New Mexico judge Daniel Hugh McMillan to New Mexico, as the report damages only McMillan. Bonaparte has also arranged for Thomas Carl Spelling and L. Allison Wilmer to prepare and conduct cases against coal-carrying roads under the Hepburn Act. Finally, Bonaparte encloses a communication relating to matters regarding the Alaska Syndicate and the Morgan-Guggenheim interests in Alaska. A dispute between Senator Simon Guggenheim and Governor Wilford B. Hoggatt over land rights of railroads has led to bloodshed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-08
Judge Jones defends his use of injunctions preventing Alabama from enforcing legislation that permits the state to regulate rates charged by railroad companies in a letter to William Loeb. Jones has read in the Birmingham Age-Herald that while on a visit to Washington, D.C., Governor B. B. Comer, who is in favor of regulation, met with President Roosevelt allegedly to discuss the situation, so as to avoid a potential conflict between state and federal troops. Jones requests that Loeb inform Roosevelt of the reasoning behind Jones’s actions, as he was appointed by Roosevelt. He asserts that the injunctions were administered in accordance with the Constitution and were invoked to protect the interests of Alabamians.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-07
John A. Sleicher writes to President Roosevelt to make his support known for Roosevelt’s handling of the railroad legislation. Sleicher mentions recent public opinion regarding the topic as well and includes a public caricature featuring Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-27
James A. Finch writes to President Roosevelt by direction of Senator Philander C. Knox to send the enclosed memorandum of provisions in State Statutes wherein the right of appeal or review of the action of State Railroad Commissions is expressly provided.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-19
A. J. Cassatt writes to President Roosevelt about the Dolliver-Hepburn Act and its impact on railroad ownership and interstate traffic. Cassatt urges Roosevelt to address this issue promptly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-19
Senator Long writes to President Roosevelt to detail his suggestions regarding railroad rate legislation and the Hepburn Bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-03
Paul Morton writes to President Roosevelt to discuss proposed railroad legislation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-02
Nicholas Murray Butler writes President Roosevelt concerning two topics. The first is the choice of a new judge to preside over the Oregon Land Fraud case after the death of the District Judge. Butler recommends Judge Hanford from the Washington District. Secondly, Butler informs Roosevelt Senator Dolliver will support Roosevelt’s railway rate program. Butler also assures Roosevelt that if Senator Millard’s vote can be changed Roosevelt will have majority support among Republicans for the program.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-29