Richards, William A. (William Alford), 1849-1912

Francis P. McManamon examines the origins of the Antiquities Act of 1906 that President Theodore Roosevelt and his successors used to safeguard natural and scientific sites across the United States. McManamon asserts that it was threats to ancient archaeological sites across the American Southwest that led to calls for greater government intervention, and he highlights the case of the Casa Grande ruins in Arizona. McManamon notes the work of private organizations, government agencies, individuals, and members of Congress, most importantly Congressman John F. Lacey of Iowa, who worked to save important sites before the passage of the Antiquities Act. McManamon traces the slow path to passage of the Antiquities Act, and he highlights its important text and provisions. He notes how Roosevelt used the act to set aside eighteen national monuments, and he asserts that Roosevelt’s actions, especially in regards to the Grand Canyon of Arizona, set important precedents for his successors, especially President Bill Clinton.  

Two photographs and two illustrations supplement the text. 

Gifford Pinchot offers conservation themed speaking points that President Roosevelt can use in Wyoming during his western trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-30

President Roosevelt writes to Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock about Commission of the General Land Office William A. Richards. Roosevelt addresses complaints against Richards from Edward B. Linnen, also of the Department of the Interior concerning things Richards may have done in 1885. Roosevelt feels that the complaint was adequately addressed during the Cleveland administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-01

President Roosevelt has no intention to remove Joseph H. Kibbey as Governor of the Arizona territory, despite the efforts of Senator Albert J. Beveridge and his supporters. While Roosevelt is disappointed that some public officials make accusations that cannot be backed up by facts, he will protect anyone making serious accusations as long as there is sufficient evidence to support those accusations. The next time he sees Lincon Steffens he would like to review what Steffens has found out about Government officials in the West before anything is made public. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-26

President Roosevelt forwards Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock correspondence he received from William A. Richards, Commissioner of the General Land Office. Richards’s has concluded that the charges made by Chief Inspector Edward B. Linnen towards the Red Bank Cattle Company are fictious and unfounded.  Roosevelt would like to hear Linnen’s response to Richards’ findings.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-25

President Roosevelt has heard of several newspaper reports alleging charges against General Land Office Commissioner William A. Richards. Roosevelt asks Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock to submit any charges against Richard to him and would like to meet with Richards.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-28

Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock’s letter to Commissioner of the General Land Office William A. Richards will get President Roosevelt the information he needs. Roosevelt inquires about illegal fencing in Wyoming. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-12

President Roosevelt believes that the allegations of fraud concerning Senator Francis E. Warren and Commissioner of the General Land Office William A. Richards, both of Wyoming, should be thoroughly and impartially investigated before any public statement is made from the Department of the Interior on the matter. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-09

President Roosevelt sends Senator Carter some letters about Crosby showing why he cannot appoint him. He additionally sends a report about Receiver John E. Lewis at Kalispell, Montana, showing that he should be replaced. Roosevelt asks Carter to return the letter so that he can return it to Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock to give to the Department of Justice.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-01

President Roosevelt regrets that John H. Fimple is resigning from his position as Assistant Commissioner of the General Land Office, as he has rendered excellent service in that office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-11

President Roosevelt encloses a further report on the Rosebud lands, which he asks Frank Basil Tracy to return when he is finished with. So far, not a single accusation from William R. Lighton has proved true, and most have been conclusively proven false.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-08

President Roosevelt tells Stewart Edward White that he will be named a special inspector for the California Forest Reserve. He then comments on various hunting adventures. Ted Roosevelt went camping with a friend in the Canadian backwoods and killed a moose with a 56-inch horn spread. President Roosevelt was impressed with White’s description of a hunting trip where 105 pigs were killed in two weeks. He would like White to write a “really first class hunting book.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-08

President Roosevelt will see about Stewart Edward White’s appointment. Roosevelt hopes White enjoys his hunting trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-19

President Roosevelt will sign the bill if he can. The land on the Rosebud Agency has been raised from $3 to $4, which the agent, Assistant Secretary Ryan, and Commissioner Richards believe is enough.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-21

President Roosevelt appreciates Baldwin’s public spirit and encloses a confidential letter from Commissioner Richards of the General Land Office to show the difficulties under which they work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-11

Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock relates to President Roosevelt the circumstances which led to Hitchcock’s order that any land available for purchase must be inspected by a federal agent before the deed is granted. Hitchcock recalls that Roosevelt asked him to modify this order, and provides two options: one order that modifies the previous order, and another – which Hitchcock prefers – that replaces the previous order.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-19

George C. Stewart testifies to his experiences with corruption in the General Land Office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-03

Benjamin F. Sparhawk of the General Land Office testifies in court as to certain “wrong and irregular” acts by colleagues in his department, including improper approvals of land lieu selections and favoritism in the selection and promotion of employees. Sparhawk particularly implicates John McPhaul, his division chief.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-19

Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock writes President Roosevelt with his advice on the complicated matter of withdrawing coal lands. On Roosevelt’s direction, the Department of the Interior and the General Land Office began surveying and drafting a list of townships that contained rich coal lands with the intention of withdrawing them from homestead exemptions, and the Department is working quickly to wire all of Roosevelt’s orders to appropriate land offices around the country. However, it is apparent that oil industry men can use many loopholes to obtain the land.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-17

This report summarizes allegations by Inspector Edward B. Linnen related to the construction of a canal in Wyoming which was fraudulently used to claim desert land as having been reclaimed. A second canal was constructed by the company which acquired title to the lands from the original company. In order to effectively irrigate the lands, the second canal had to be constructed in a materially different manner than the first, proving that the first project was a fraud.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-01