Your TR Source
President Roosevelt advises Emilio L. Scharf not to publish a letter at the beginning of the congressional campaign. He points out that religious bigots exist in a variety of creeds, and it is rarely useful to give them the attention they desire.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-06
President Roosevelt is concerned about what Lucius B. Swift writes, because he is “absolutely committed” to nominating Leopold G. Rothschild for the position in question and has already told Senator Albert J. Beveridge that he would appoint him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-26
President Roosevelt recommends that the Right Reverend Yates not attend a particular service during the political campaign. Recently, Roosevelt’s minister preached a sermon on peace, and Democratic newspapers misconstrued the sermon as an attack on the President. Roosevelt believes that they would be likely to use the same tactic again. Roosevelt will confine himself to his own ordinary church services until after the election when “our opponents return to the ordinary customs of morality and decency.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-16
President Roosevelt is pleased that William P. Reilly supports him, and he sends Reilly two letters that he believes confirms what Reilly has written about him. One letter was written by Roosevelt as Police Commissioner in response to a complaint about his treatment of Catholic church leaders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-03
President Roosevelt will not accept the resignation of James Francis Smith as Secretary of Public Instruction for the Philippine Commission. Roosevelt believes Smith is contributing the greatest possible service in the Philippines. Smith’s attitudes toward Protestants and Catholics makes Roosevelt feel proud of him as an American, as Smith is treating everyone equally without regard to religion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-11
Secretary of War Taft responds to Bishop Thomas Augustine Hendrick’s letter on the situation in the Philippines. He agrees that Hendricks is out of line in his accusations. Taft denies that the government is purposefully appointing followers of Gregorio Aglipay y Labayan. He suggests that Hendricks and other prelates should go through the courts if their wish is to obtain property for the Catholic Church. There is great confidence in Philippine courts but no Catholic prelate has submitted a case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-04
President Roosevelt will not recommend Mr. Waring to the Philippine Commission until he knows if they will accept his recommendation of Dominick I. Murphy. The petition to give the Filipinos ultimate independence which was recently signed by Cardinal Gibbons places Governor Wright, Bishop Hendrick, and the other American bishops in a bad position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-26
President Roosevelt wanted to appoint a Catholic to the judgeship in Puerto Rico and offered the position to Charles F. McKenna.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-26
President Roosevelt sends Secretary of War Taft a copy of Bishop Thomas Augustine Hendrick’s letter. He asks Taft to write a reply so that they may both respond to what Roosevelt found to be a disrespectful tone concerning independence in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-29
President Roosevelt sends greetings to the general conference of the African Methodist Episcopal church.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-02
President Roosevelt does not know to what Bishop Thomas Augustine Hendrick is referring, but he will send a note to Secretary of War William H. Taft. Roosevelt will also look into the matter. He believes that Hendrick should have spoken with Governor General of the Philippines Luke E. Wright and Commissioner James Francis Smith.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-20
President Roosevelt congratulates Reverend Lucas and remarks that the influence of Methodism has profoundly shaped the “social and religious growth of our people.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-08
President Roosevelt received Seth Low’s letter from Rome, Italy, and is pleased to learn that the archbishop is friendly. Things are going well in the United States with the usual row within New York politics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-09
President Roosevelt would like to discuss Nicholas Murray Butler’s suggestions. Roosevelt is not familiar with the case but is surprised at the Catholic opposition towards Mr. Draper (probably Eben Sumner Draper, who ran for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts and was elected that year).
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-25
President Roosevelt admires Archbishop John Ireland but warns Ambassador Storer against advocating for Ireland’s cardinalship. In the popular mind it is impossible to separate what Roosevelt says as president from what he says as an individual. As such, he cannot interfere for or against the advancement of any man in any church.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-27
Secretary of State John Hay is indignant that Bellamy Storer wrote to Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna, regarding what Storer perceives as an injustice in Carlton Bailey Hurst’s dismissal. Storer’s letter amounts to an attack on the Roosevelt administration, as well as the Secretary of State and President under which Storer serves. Hurst’s removal was justified, but even if it was not, Storer should not have written to Hanna. President Roosevelt also reminds Storer that while serving as an American ambassador he should not discuss or interfere with the affairs of the Catholic Church. Draft with handwritten edits.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-30
President Roosevelt has been informed that Bishop Blenk is being alienated from native Puerto Ricons. He asks if Father Vattmann should be informed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-24
President Roosevelt is pleased with developments in the Philippines and views the people controlling their church as a major accomplishment. Roosevelt is increasingly opposed by the “biggest capitalists in New York” but everyone eventually learns that he will “administer the law without fear or favor” and attempt to give justice to everyone. In the future, Roosevelt will continue to act just as he did in the past.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-26
Bishop Rooker has requested that the bishops’ houses in the Philippines currently controlled by the government be returned. President Roosevelt would like to help the bishops and considers friendly relations with them to be important in “securing good civil government and order and peace.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-15
President Roosevelt introduces Bishop Dougherty, the new bishop of Nueva Segovia. Dougherty is concerned about church property and insurgents in his diocese. Roosevelt trusts Commissioner Smith’s judgment in the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-05