Your TR Source
President Roosevelt is entertained by the editorial James Speyer sent in which he is accused of lawlessness for his behavior towards the railroads. The Sun is a tool used by Wall Street, and Roosevelt feel that those who run it would rather have chaos than law, and would rather rig the system than get ahead on merit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-30
Benjamin Ide Wheeler thinks that to avoid the situation with the “railroad gang” there should be a move to confirm Clarence S. Merrill as Postmaster of Berkeley, California.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-30
Representative Jenkins is concerned that the railroad industry wants to remove President Roosevelt from office. He does not believe they understand the legal process involving congress. Jenkins is monitoring the situation and believes that organizing interstate commerce under federal regulation will help the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-05
Brooks Adams writes to President Roosevelt to express his concern and offer advice in regards to Roosevelt’s attempt to “force through a new policy” that is opposed by titans of industry, finance, and the press. Adams also details how opponents support making Joseph Benson Foraker president by capitalizing on the Brownsville Affair. Adams’s primary advice for Roosevelt is to fight relentlessly at every opportunity to eventually force a popular vote on the issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-06
Benjamin Ide Wheeler writes that Frank P. Flint has won the Senate seat. Wheeler recommends Flint as an honest man, and a supporter of President Roosevelt’s administration, though not of “supreme ability or thorough education.” Flint was “selected” by the Southern Pacific Railway and so will not take issue with “railroad interests.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-13
President Roosevelt looks forward to receiving The Journal of Latrobe. He liked Seth Low’s article on national control of interstate railways. Roosevelt is glad he does not have to take a stand on fusion, even though Low presents a strong case. However, Roosevelt will inevitably have to look into the matter, a prospect that makes him melancholic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-15
Returning from a recent trip, Thomas J. Dolan informs President Roosevelt that while he heard “a certain class of people” criticize Roosevelt, the average citizen still fully supports him. Despite an increase in business, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad company laid off 300 travel agents within the last three days, as have other companies. Dolan believes the reason is to cause public discontent with Roosevelt’s administration. As he considers Roosevelt a friend, Dolan does not want to see him blamed for matters he does not control.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-11
As a souvenir of their friendship, Seth Low has sent President Roosevelt The Journal of Latrobe. He also sends an edition of The Outlook, containing his article on national control of railroads. Additionally, he sends a copy of his letter to Representative Herbert Parsons that contained a misprint.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-13
President Wheeler of the University of California gives President Roosevelt an update on the San Francisco Graft Trials. Wheeler also gives Roosevelt a summary of the candidates for the 1906 California gubernatorial race and relates how California schools are segregating Chinese, Japanese, and Korean students.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-31
Secretary of War Taft explains why the Democratic Party platform regarding the railroad situation in the Philippines is misguided, and decries Alton B. Parker’s telegram wherein he came out in support of the gold standard at the St. Louis Democratic Party convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-16
Simon Cordery examines the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and the nation’s railroads. Cordery highlights some of the significant episodes in Roosevelt’s life made possible by train travel like his trip to the Dakota Badlands in 1883, his exhausting campaign tour as a vice-presidential candidate in 1900, and his “Great Western Tour” as president in 1903. Cordery notes Roosevelt’s affection for the railroad workers and his disdain for their employers. Roosevelt saw the employees, with their difficult and dangerous jobs, as embodying the strenuous life while he wanted to curb the economic and political powers of their bosses. Cordery highlights the Northern Securities Case which dismantled a combination of railroads on the northern Great Plains and the debate over whether the railroads should provide free travel to the president.
The article features nine photographs, including three of Roosevelt and trains, and two political cartoons.
The state Republican Convention in Connecticut adopted a resolution supporting President Roosevelt for renomination and named its delegates to the National Convention in Chicago. The fact that the president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, Charles S. Mellen, and two directors, Charles F. Brooker and Edwin Milner, were named delegates proves that not all railroad interests are against Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-12
Roosevelt stands in the middle of the image with outstretched arms, holding a dove in one hand and an olive branch in the other. Above him are the words “No extra session. Peace.” To either side of Roosevelt are figures, one representing Uncle Sam, and the other a locomotive headed figure labeled “the railroads.” Uncle Sam holds an eagle-headed cane, while the figure representing the railroads holds a large club labeled “rebates.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-06-12
John Byrne apologizes and explains to President Roosevelt why he did not submit a list of names for possible appointment to a Commission to deal with railroad financial systems. Byrne states that the selection was more difficult than he first thought and that great care must be taken with the Commission idea so as not to offend Congress and reflect unfavorably on the Administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-26
Jacob H. Schiff is concerned that if the government loses the suit against the Northern Securities Company that President Roosevelt’s prestige will suffer and new more repressive legislation will follow. However, a judicial decision against the Northern Securities Company could adversely effect the railroad industry and “shake the structure upon which our existing prosperity rests.” He asks that his comments be communicated to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-24
J. G. Hutchison is disappointed with the appointment of Governor Shaw as Secretary of the Treasury. He believes that Shaw is too connected with the railroad companies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-24