Sheldon, George Rumsey, 1857-1919

President Roosevelt pushes off the “big stick” and says, “Don’t flinch; don’t foul” as he leans on Timothy L. Woodruff who leans on George Rumsey Sheldon who leans on Secretary of State Elihu Root who leans on J. S. Sherman who leans on Frank H. Hitchcock who ultimately leans on William H. Taft who is fighting against William Jennings Bryan. On the other side William Randolph Hearst pours a “Standard Oil” can and says, “I’ll make ’em slip.” Meanwhile, Norman Edward Mack leans against Herman Ridder who leans against William James Conners who leans against Charles Francis Murphy who leans against John Worth Kern who leans against Bryan. Uncle Sam referees.

comments and context

Comments and Context

It was impressive cartoon that readers of the Brooklyn Eagle beheld in the Election Day edition of the paper. It was, properly, not partisan or biased toward a candidate or party, published as it was on Election Day when political argumentation traditionally ceased.

President Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan use a big stick and knife—each labeled “publicity of contributions” respectively—to kill the “corporations” goose. Herman Ridder and George Rumsey Sheldon each hold money bags. The United States Capitol building is in the background.

Comments and Context

The remarkable cartoons of W. A. Carson — detailed, informed, always in bright colors — were major attraction of the Utica, New York, weekly Saturday Globe. Invariably on the front page, above the fold, and centered under the paper’s masthead, his cartoons were more incisive than editorial cartoons reflecting current events, yet hewed to an independent stance. The Globe was a regional paper that desired to serve readers of all persuasions.

In this cartoon, in fact, it is well-nigh impossible to gauge the cartoonist’s personal point of view. After a period in American politics, though Muckrakers’ exposures and congressional hearings, and especially heated during the previous four years, both political parties committed themselves to electoral reform.

President Roosevelt tells Charles H. Young, President of the Republican Club of the City of New York, that he wishes he could be at an upcoming dinner honoring Frank H. Hitchcock, George Rumsey Sheldon and William L. Ward, but he will not be able to attend. He asks Young to convey his congratulations and thanks to the three men for their efforts during the recent election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-26

William H. Taft informs William Loeb that Myron T. Herrick could not accept the position of treasurer to the Republican National Committee, so Taft took George Rumsey Sheldon on the recommendation of Cornelius Newton Bliss. Sheldon had been treasurer of the New York State Committee during the campaign of Charles Evans Hughes. Taft says they had been informed by William L. Ward that this selection was approved, so he apologizes if there was a misunderstanding.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-08

Article discusses the Roosevelt-Harriman controversy in which Theodore Roosevelt was said to ask for campaign funds from certain donors while running for his second term as president. With quotes from George B. Cortelyou and George Rumsey Sheldon, it concludes there was no impropriety on behalf of Roosevelt.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1911-12-24

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Abram M. Tillman for his letter and states he is glad George Rumsey Sheldon published the statement he did.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-27

President Roosevelt encloses a copy of the letter he sent to Republican National Committee Treasurer George Rumsey Sheldon. He asks Frank B. Kellogg for suggestions of things that he should add in a supplemental letter to Sheldon. He praises Kellogg’s work and service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-24

President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Judge John Campbell. The Republican National Committee seems to be running smoothly and Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon has been aiding Treasurer of the Republican National Committee George Rumsey Sheldon. Roosevelt outlines his optimism about the campaign, but admits that New York may be difficult and that he has received a worried letter from Representative Theodore E. Burton about Ohio. Roosevelt does not plan on speaking, other than potentially on labor, and he asks for William H. Taft’s input on postmaster appointments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-06

President Roosevelt understands that Republican National Committee Chairman Hitchcock has been affected by low funds. Republican National Committee Treasurer George Rumsey Sheldon will likely appreciate Roosevelt’s response to William Jennings Bryan’s proposal to publish campaign contributions, as he used an idea which Sheldon had previously given him. When Hitchcock and Sheldon come to visit, Roosevelt will have them over for lunch or dinner. Roosevelt suggests collecting small popular subscriptions to assist the ticket.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-28

President Roosevelt writes to Chairman Frank H. Hitchcock of the Republican National Committee regarding T. Coleman Du Pont, head of the National Republican Committee Bureau of Campaign Speakers. Roosevelt believes Du Pont’s resignation would have had a better effect if it had happened when initially suggested. He instructs Hitchcock to guard against the opposition’s use of the situation in their campaign and explains the differences in the seemingly similar cases of Du Pont and Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell. There has been distressing feedback from New York State, especially concerning the renomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes and the dissatisfaction of the labor crowd, and Roosevelt outlines persons who should be brought in to assist with securing New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-26

President Roosevelt sends Republican National Committee member Frank B. Kellogg a copy of the letter he sent to Treasurer of the Republican National Committee George Rumsey Sheldon, and asks if he has anything to add. Roosevelt thanks Kellogg for his actions and praises his character.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-24

President Roosevelt writes to Lyman Abbott that while they should not be aristocrats, they should be “gentleman democrats.” Roosevelt occasionally gets frustrated with the William H. Taft campaign, and argues for a more aggressive fight, especially against Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Roosevelt discusses Republican National Committee Treasurer George Rumsey Sheldon’s error in requesting a contribution from John D. Archbold. The China article will count towards what Roosevelt has agreed to write for the Outlook, and so he returns the check.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-22

President Roosevelt sends William H. Taft a copy of the letter he sent to Treasurer of the Campaign Committee George Rumsey Sheldon regarding campaign contributions, after a complaint from Frank B. Kellogg. Roosevelt asks Taft to take more aggressive action against William Jennings Bryan, perhaps giving a speech like the one recently given by New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Many have suggested that T. Coleman DuPont should not be in charge of the Speakers Committee, and if it were up to Roosevelt he would be removed. Roosevelt has given the press a copy of a letter from Taft to Arthur I. Vorys in which Taft’s independence is full display, to counteract the press coverage of the supposed reconciliation with Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Roosevelt advises Taft, in his speech, to speak about the connection between William Randolph Hearst and the Democratic National Committee. In a postscript, Roosevelt advises Taft to remove Sheldon if he did in fact solicit the donations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

President Roosevelt telegrams William H. Taft so he may expect a letter about the treasurer of the Taft campaign committee, George Rumsey Sheldon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

President Roosevelt has already written to William H. Taft about the matter concerning George Rumsey Sheldon, and cannot understand George W. Perkins’s objection to him. Roosevelt agrees with Taft’s conduct regarding contributions to his campaign. He has been looking over William Jennings Bryan’s campaign platform, and will write Taft a letter about it soon. Roosevelt also sends a letter from Lyman Abbott, and asks if there is anything he can do in the weeks following Taft’s speech. He agrees with Taft’s actions in the matter concerning James A. Hemenway. It appears that Bryan will base his presidential bid in the states in the Mississippi River Valley, and Roosevelt advises Taft to pick a vice presidential nominee who could help him in this region.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-11

President Roosevelt sends William H. Taft an editorial from the New York Times that he thinks is very good. Roosevelt also approves of the selection of George Rumsey Sheldon as treasurer of the National Republican Committee. Sheldon helped both Roosevelt and Charles Evans Hughes during political campaigns, and was recommended by Cornelius Newton Bliss, a former treasurer of the National Republican Committee. Appointing someone from Wall Street would have been a mistake.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-10

Nicholas Longworth encloses a letter from Wirt to Theodore Roosevelt and writes about The Evening Post and The World publishing about Longworth being present for the interview with George Rumsey Sheldon regarding the Edward Henry Harriman matter. Longworth ends the letter with his mental obsession about cutting down trees.

Comments and Context

The “Harriman matter” refers to when Edward Henry Harriman raised $200,000, which was used to turn 50,000 votes to the Republican Party in New York State for Theodore Roosevelt. Harriman raised the funds so Roosevelt would appoint Chauncey M. Depew as Ambassador to Paris, which Roosevelt refused to do.

(https://www.nytimes.com/1907/04/03/archives/roosevelt-hits-at-harriman-railroad-mans-tale-of-appeal-for-a.html)

After reading the letters of Theodore Roosevelt and George Rumsey Sheldon in the New York Evening Post, Roy W. Van Liew is compelled to share his plans for the future with Roosevelt. Van Liew is a law student and believes in being honest and just. After his law career he plans to own a newspaper and make it an honest paper with accurate reporting, unlike so much of what is reported now.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-24

United States District Attorney Abram M. Tillman expresses his relief to Theodore Roosevelt after reading George Rumsey Sheldon’s letter regarding the Edward Henry Harriman situation in the papers. He does not think the letter necessary, but believes it will further support truth and justice.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-23

Rear Admiral Mahan informs Theodore Roosevelt that the resolution passed at the end of his second term, but he suppressed it in the House. Mahan wrote to Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry to be prepared to express his opinion on the matter. He also wrote to Roosevelt with recommendations to President William H. Taft. He is glad Roosevelt likes his book, and he congratulates him on George Rumsey Sheldon’s letter, although he never doubted the falsehood of the claim.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-23