Republican National Committee (U.S.)

President Roosevelt believes that Elihu Root is the best candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee, but Root is too busy to accept the position. John Kean is against Mr. Murphy, so Murphy will not be chosen if he will jeopardize Kean’s chances. Roosevelt confides in William Emlen Roosevelt that they do not know who to choose as chairman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-09

President Roosevelt thanks Governor Hunt and wants him to stay if he can. Roosevelt will change the lines mentioned by Hunt and attempt to get the National Committee interested in the paper.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-25

President Roosevelt congratulates Elisha Ely Garrison on the novel and looks forward to seeing it. Roosevelt thinks that Garrison’s suggestion about publishing a pamphlet of his speeches is admirable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-24

President Roosevelt hopes to discuss the whole situation with Powell Clayton at the meeting of the Repbulican National Committee next January.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-20

President Roosevelt doubts that Senator Lodge would even allow his name to be considered for chairman of the Republican National Committee. Nicholas Murray Butler’s last letter convinced Roosevelt to take an “open step” in the post office scandals. He would like to appoint Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad to investigate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-25

President Roosevelt would like Thomas Carter’s opinion on a letter from National Committeeman Stevenson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-06

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks Archibald Hopkins for the “‘Benjamin Franklin'” and is glad the Republican National Committee put it out. He also thanks Hopkins for the poem titled “Populism.” Roosevelt returns both to Hopkins. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-09-25

Victor Rosewater has called the Douglas County Republican convention with only four days notice so that conservative Republicans can appoint people from their own ranks to be the Douglas County delegates to the Nebraska state convention. Representative Norris will write to Robert Beecher Howell, a member of the Republican National Committee, so that a “genuine” convention and selection of state delegates can take place. He requests that Theodore Roosevelt also write to Howell.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-19

H. D. W. English claims to have reliable information that the Taft wing of the National Committee is planning to name a dark horse candidate after two ballots at the Republican National Convention. English does not know the name of the dark horse candidate but believes that the reasoning behind the plan is to have a Republican candidate that both the Taft and Roosevelt wings of the party can support. He believes that the key to success is to “hold Mr. Roosevelt’s delegates against all comers.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-14

Although Theodore Roosevelt supporters were clearly in the right, the Republican National Committee has recognized President Taft’s delegates from Michigan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-12

Governor Hadley believes that the majority of the Republican National Committee is opposed to Theodore Roosevelt and intends to control the Republican National Convention by ruling in favor of President Taft for all contested delegates. Hadley would like to influence the National Committee by challenging its membership. Several states elect National Committee members at the state convention which is contrary to the regulations for selecting committee members according the National Committee. Hadley believes that state conventions are a legitimate venue for electing National Committee members and would like these elected individuals to insist that they be seated on the National Committee at the Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-29

Lewis P. Shackelford, a member of the National Republican Committee for Alaska, has been ordered to return to Alaska in order to prosecute a case. Shackelford will now be unable to attend the convention and intends to name Wilford Bacon Hoggatt, who supports Theodore Roosevelt, as his proxy to the National Committee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-17

Henry Hurd Rusby writes to Theodore Roosevelt with a proposition that Roosevelt and Governor Woodrow Wilson run on the same presidential ticket, uniting in partisanship the Democratic and Republican parties, and refusing who the national party committees choose for them to vote for. Rusby says this, while improbable, would be revolutionary and would follow what Roosevelt has previously advocated for: for “the People” to select their nominees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-27

Michael McMahon writes to Theodore Roosevelt about politics, securities, printed money, and many other things. McMahon calls Roosevelt “The” Citizen and wishes him a merry Christmas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-16

George Rumsey Sheldon hopes to set the record straight regarding the Election of 1904 and the allegations that Roosevelt asked Edward Henry Harriman, former Director and Chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad, for campaign money. While Harriman did donate some money, it was to the New York State Committee to help the campaign for governor. He did not interact with Roosevelt’s campaign finances at all.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-15

James Rudolph Garfield tells Theodore Roosevelt he was sorry not to have seen him this week, but appreciated the demonstration Roosevelt gave on State Street. Garfield believes the Republican National Committee meeting set Senator Robert M. La Follette back and La Follette has missed his chance in Cleveland after postponing his speeches twice.

Comments and Context

Theodore Roosevelt attended a meeting of the Harvard Overseers in Boston on December 13, 1911. While leaving, a crowd of 5,000 gathered outside on State Street demanded that Roosevelt make a speech, though he refused.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Frank Knox writes Theodore Roosevelt of the newspaper interview he gave after returning from his visit to Oyster Bay and encloses the article. Knox shares recent statistics that place Roosevelt ahead of William H. Taft and Robert M. La Follette in the race for the presidency in Michigan. Knox also believes many states will come to the National Republican Convention without instructions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-14

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-10

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Herbert Parsons shares with Theodore Roosevelt that William L. Ward, the committeeman of the Republican National Committee, decided to support Roosevelt’s nomination and asked Parsons to join him. Parsons explains why he does not support this action, which rests primarily on grounds of the third-term tradition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-02

A. W. Graves expresses sorrow upon hearing of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s accident and hopes she is well recovered by now. Graves also shares concern for corruption in local government and hopes Theodore Roosevelt will accept the Republican Nomination for President as Graves believes Roosevelt is the only man who can bring harmony as president.

Comments and Context

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt had been thrown from her horse on September 30, 1911, causing her to hit her head and remain unconscious for several days.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division