Republican National Committee (U.S.)

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

William H. Taft describes the reception of his acceptance speech in Cincinnati to President Roosevelt, which was well attended and generally met with great approval. Taft mentions that he is having trouble with Frank H. Hitchcock, who is headstrong and has appointed his executive committee without any of Taft’s input. Taft was pleased that Frederick Dent and Ida Grant attended the speech. William Jennings Bryan has taunted Taft in the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-31

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the events that led to the naming of Senator Julius C. Burrows as temporary chairman of the Republican Convention. General Clayton Powell wants to avoid the impression that he was involved in a movement against Roosevelt’s administration, and states that he was not involved in the election of Burrows over Senator Albert J. Beveridge. Taft asserts that this proves that the appointment was purely the doing of Harry S. New.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-19

Letter from Albert Shaw to Theodore Roosevelt

Albert Shaw sends President Roosevelt proofs of an article that will appear in the July issue of the American Monthly Review of Reviews. He cautions Roosevelt against letting a ruling clique in the Republican National Committee set the agenda for the convention, as it will be ruinous to William H. Taft’s candidacy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-21

Letter from William H. Taft to Harry S. New

Secretary of War Taft tells Harry S. New that, subject to approval of the Subcommittee on Arrangements and the National Committee, the Chairman of the National Committee names the temporary chairman. Taft also sends the enclosed note to Senator Nathan Bay Scott, so there is no misunderstanding of his attitude on the matter, who discussed the matter of the Temporary Chairman of the Republican Convention. Taft believes Scott is out of town and will send a copy of the note to New.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-25

Letter from Harry S. New to Theodore Roosevelt

Harry S. New agrees with President Roosevelt’s recommendation regarding the temporary chairman of the Republican National Convention, and will put forth Senator Albert J. Beveridge’s name for the subcommittee to consider.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Letter from Cecil Andrew Lyon to Theodore Roosevelt

Texas Republican National Committee Chairman Lyon is certain that assistant postmaster Frank H. Hitchcock did not direct any southern state Republican committee members to renominate Roosevelt, as the enclosed newspaper article reports. He would like President Roosevelt to personally confirm the article’s account of Roosevelt’s meeting with Hitchcock and Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer about the rumors. Lyon contacted Secretary of War William H. Taft’s campaign manager, Arthur I. Vorys, to confirm that he did not need to worry about Texas Republicans supporting him, provided Roosevelt still endorses Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-14

Letter from William H. H. Llewellyn to William Loeb

William H. H. Llewellyn informs William Loeb that New Mexico is displeased at the reduction of delegates to the National Convention, attributing the failure to Solomon Luna. Since President Roosevelt is not a nominee, Llewellyn will be a delegate and hopes Loeb will be in the convention. No one will be allowed on the New Mexico delegation that does not support Roosevelt’s chosen successor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-16

Newspaper article about Clayton measure

A newspaper article discussing reasons why President Roosevelt unexpectedly reiterated his decision not to run for a third term. Pen marks emphasize a rumored plot involving three southern Republican politicians and the assistant postmaster Frank H. Hitchcock to renominate President Roosevelt as a candidate in an effort to retain political power.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-11

Letter from James Bronson Reynolds to William Loeb

James Bronson Reynolds tells William Loeb his letter and the morning newspaper headlines have brought a hard blow to those supporting a third term for President Roosevelt. Reynolds believes the race will now be between Secretary of War William H. Taft and New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-12

Letter from William H. Taft to William Loeb

Secretary of War Taft acknowledges receipt of William Loeb’s letter and the enclosures. Taft returns the envelope marked “Boss Loeb” and teases that people are “getting on to” the power that Loeb wields. Taft lists the members of the Republican National Committee about whom his presidential campaign wants to know more. He is interested in what will happen in regards to the New York Post Office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-09

Letter from Jonathan Bourne to William Loeb

Senator Bourne asks William Loeb to deliver a letter to Theodore Roosevelt on his behalf. He tells Loeb to watch out for Charles Evan Hughes, who he thinks would win the Republican nomination if Roosevelt dies, and questions whether he could beat the Democrat William Jennings Bryan. Bourne asks when he, Loeb, and Hibbs are going to meet up in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-02

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to William Loeb

Republican National Committee Chairman Cortelyou acknowledges receiving the letter from Elisha Ely Garrison. If Cortelyou were to continue as Chairman, he would expect the Committee might purchase copies of Garrison’s book for circulation as it did in the past; but since Cortelyou does not intend to continue, he cannot bind his successor to make such a purchase. Cortelyou then notes, in his capacity as Postmaster General, that no charges have been filed against the postmaster in Christmas, Arizona, mentioned by Garrison, but he will give the case full consideration if charges should be filed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-03

Letter from Walter H. Johnson to William Loeb

Walter H. Johnson writes to President Roosevelt’s secretary, William Loeb, asking for advice regarding whether the Georgia Republican State Committee should call for a state convention. Under current rules of representation, “three-fourths of the delegates will be colored,” which Johnson believes would “greatly intensify the race feeling.” John Marshall Ashley is calling for the committee to change the basis of representation so that a larger portion would be white, and if the change is not made Johnson expects the organization to splinter. Johnson does not think the Republican State Committee will have candidates for Governor or other State House offices, so he is mainly concerned about the impact of the current situation in 1908.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-24

Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson to William Loeb

James Sullivan Clarkson informs William Loeb that Secretary of State Elihu Root is “making such a splendid impression in South America.” He commends the South American ministers on their preparations for Root’s visit, suggests releasing photographs of the tour to the newspapers, and notes Uruguay’s desire to trade more with the United States and less with Germany and England. Clarkson relates his approval of the campaign finance changes proposed by President Roosevelt and speaks in detail of the Republican National Committee’s expenditures in the presidential elections of 1884, 1888, and 1892.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-19

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to William Loeb

Republican National Committee Chairman Cortelyou asks William Loeb to show the enclosed letter from National Committeeman Cassius M. Cade to President Roosevelt and then return the letter to Cortelyou.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-10

Letter from Cecil Andrew Lyon to Theodore Roosevelt

Cecil Andrew Lyon, chairman of the Texas Republican Committee, feels that the department erred with its recent post office appointment at Denison as it dealt the party a very severe blow in the state. Pressing business will keep Lyon from being in Washington, D.C., until the 12th or 15th of June. He asks that if any Texas appointments are to be considered contrary to his recommendations, these appointments be deferred until he has the opportunity to voice his concerns and opinions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-25

Letter from Cecil Andrew Lyon to Theodore Roosevelt

Cecil Andrew Lyon, chairman of the Texas Republican Committee, informs President Roosevelt that the party may wish to nominate for governor J. W. Ownby, the U.S. Attorney of Texas’s Eastern District. Lyon feels Ownby is a strong candidate due to his prestige, oratorical skill, and unique status as a former Democrat. As the nomination would impact the U.S. attorney’s office, however, Lyon wants Roosevelt’s input. Lyon has followed Roosevelt’s suggestion in asking Secretary of War William H. Taft to speak at the Republican state convention in El Paso on August 14, but should Taft decline, he intends to invite Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-12

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph M. Dixon

Theodore Roosevelt suggests a gathering of the national committeemen from the states that have declared for Roosevelt in order to review the contests where the Roosevelt campaign has been “robbed.” A statement on these contests could be helpful at the Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912

Announcement for the appointment of Stevenson A. Williams

Stevenson A. Williams is appointed to the Republican National Committee for Maryland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-11

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to William Loeb

Postmaster General Cortelyou announces the appointment of Stevenson A. Williams as a Member of the Republican National Committee for Maryland to replace a vacancy caused by the resignation of Louis E. McComas. Also, Cortelyou will be retiring from the committee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-11