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William D. Washburn is willing to come to Washington, D.C., to inform President Roosevelt on the public sentiment he has observed in the eastern states and in his own home state. He believes that there is a widespread movement in the Republican Party that is not friendly to Roosevelt’s interests.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-18
Theodore Roosevelt confirms Senator Lodge’s recollection of Roosevelt’s actions after the 1880 Republican National Convention. The story from J. Henry Harper is “pure fabrication.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-26
Theodore Roosevelt believes that the Progressive Party will be permanent and must avoid any cooperation with the “crooked bosses” who helped to steal the 1912 Republican National Convention. Roosevelt wants a party at all levels; nation, state, and local.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-12
There is a difference of opinion on whether Theodore Roosevelt’s supporters bolted the Republican National Convention. Taft partisans support this accusation. However, from the viewpoint of a Roosevelt supporter, the convention was illegally constituted and Roosevelt’s delegates left to hold a convention of legally elected delegates. With this in mind, his secretary suggests that Dickerson McAfee and his friends call their bet off.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-03
Theodore Roosevelt denies a rumor that he agreed to run on the Republican platform adopted at the Chicago convention and to be nominated with the help of fraudulently seated delegates. Roosevelt announced at the convention that he would not recognize anyone’s nomination unless the delegate roll was purged.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-04
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes for not being able to help Representative Mott with his situation. He thanks him for being the only eastern Congressman to support him. Roosevelt believes President Taft’s nomination is fraudulent, and he fears what would happen if Taft is elected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-29
Frank Harper is sending a signed photograph of Theodore Roosevelt under separate cover in appreciation of the work done by F. J. Luettich at the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-24
The reason a previous letter was marked “private” was because the matter was finished, most likely referring to the controversy over delegates at the Republic National Convention. Theodore Roosevelt states that it is not possible to grant permission to print the letter, as it was intended for Charles McCormick’s personal information.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-19
Theodore Roosevelt inquires about Ruth Moore Lee’s health, and tells about Kermit Roosevelt’s railroad work in South America. Roosevelt also explains his move from the Republican Party to the Progressive Party during the 1912 Presidential campaign and details issues in the party platform. Although Roosevelt expects that Wilson will win, he is happy because of his strong belief in the Progressive movement, his hope that it is the beginning of a new movement that will lead American democracy away from materialism, and his admiration for his colleagues such as Hiram Johnson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-14
Theodore Roosevelt is dealing with concerns about the U. S. Territories of Hawaii and Alaska in the Progressive Party, linked to the use of Territorial delegates to “smash” the Republican Party, referring to the Republican National Convention’s nomination of President Taft. However, Roosevelt believes that sentiments will be fixed for the Territories.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-12
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary writes for Charles McCormick’s private information that a majority of Southern delegates sent representatives to Roosevelt stating that they would vote for Roosevelt’s nomination if he would allow his name to go before the Republican National Convention. Roosevelt stated that he would not allow his name to be included until all the fraudulent delegates had been removed from the roll. If that happened, Roosevelt would have accepted either his nomination or that of someone else.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-09
Theodore Roosevelt describes in detail the challenging issue of race in the Progressive Party, as well as the Republican and Democratic Parties. He says, “We have made the Progressive issue a moral, not a racial issue.” Roosevelt concludes that the Progressive Party, as well as Southern black men, will be best served by appealing to Southern white men who support civil rights.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-01
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks James Bronson Reynolds for his letter and suggestions. Roosevelt is unable to meet with Reynolds and his friends until after the convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-26
Theodore Roosevelt relays to G. T. Taylor that he is unable to attend his convention. Roosevelt conveys his hope that Taylor will support the Progressive third party ticket and discusses Tennessee Governor Ben W. Hooper’s support for William H. Taft for president. Roosevelt describes Taft as an unscrupulous politician.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-26
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates New Jersey Governor Fort on his speech and the success of his meeting. Roosevelt implores Fort to join him in Chicago and invites him to lunch at The Outlook office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes that he will incorporate pieces from Arthur Lee’s bill on the white slave business into his Chicago speech. Roosevelt sends his love to Mrs. Lee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-27
Theodore Roosevelt is sorry that Booker T. Washington supports President Taft. Roosevelt explains the failure of the Republican Party to gather the support of African Americans in the South for forty-five years, to the detriment of Southern blacks and whites and the Republican Party itself, culminating in the failure in Chicago in June, presumably referring to the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-30
Theodore Roosevelt pledges to William Henry Maxwell that he will take up the cause of equality for African Americans. Roosevelt reminds Maxwell of the history of the Republican Party in the South and discusses how African American delegates as well as Southern white delegates were responsible for nominating President Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-30
Theodore Roosevelt does not approve of Governor Hadley’s plan to combine the electors of the Republican Party and the Progressive Party in Missouri. Roosevelt affirms his belief that President Taft unfairly won the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention and asserts his wish that Progressive Party electors be composed of reformed Republicans and Democrats.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-23
Theodore Roosevelt respectfully declines an invitation to speak before the State Convention as proposed by Medill McCormick. Roosevelt asserts that he is not presently making any speeches as he prepares for his speech before the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Roosevelt mentions Illinois Governor Deneen as a point of contention and claims that he is indebted to The Evening Post and The Tribune.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-23