Sheldon, George Rumsey, 1857-1919

William H. Taft seeks advice from President Roosevelt regarding an advisory committee being set up by several Republican Party operatives. Taft is concerned that accepting a large donation from William Nelson Cromwell would work against his campaign, as would Cromwell’s work with corporations, though Taft has never had a negative experience with him in that regard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-05

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

William H. Taft is grateful to receive confirmation from President Roosevelt regarding a matter concerning George Rumsey Sheldon. Taft thinks a letter from Roosevelt would be better if it came after Taft’s letter of acceptance, rather than after his speech of acceptance. Taft is uncertain about what to address in his speech. William Jennings Bryan has introduced so many ideas, some of which may have merit but all of which are untried, and the Republican party has taken no stance on them yet. Taft has not been enjoying running for president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-13

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

William H. Taft has read the New York Times editorial that President Roosevelt sent him, and agrees that some portions of it could be used. He is glad that Roosevelt agrees with his choice of George Rumsey Sheldon for a position with his campaign. Taft has been enjoying his time at Hot Springs, Virginia, and has been golfing and riding horseback frequently, in addition to carrying out the business of the campaign. He is very nervous about his acceptance speech, and expects to begin drafting it in earnest soon, now that both parties have released their political platforms. Taft emphasizes that the Republican Party wants to control the trusts, while the Democratic party seems to want to destroy them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-12

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

William H. Taft is glad to hear that he is not alone in having troubles selecting a campaign chairman, and comments on recent developments he has had in selecting people to fill positions in his campaign. Taft anticipates some trouble with fundraising due to the fear of publicizing the sources of donations, but he thinks that the possible loss of contributions from large corporations will be made up in smaller donations from individuals across the country. William Jennings Bryan’s political platform appears to be quite radical, and Taft believes that the introduction of a jury in contempt cases will impede the functioning of courts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-10

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

William H. Taft writes to President Roosevelt about the issue of monetary contributions to his presidential campaign. While Taft knows it will likely decrease the amount of money available for his campaign, he feels strongly that he should follow New York’s publicity law for donations nationwide, which he hopes will ultimately contribute to reducing the power of money in politics. Taft also writes about other issues that have been arising in his campaign, including the selection of certain people to his campaign staff.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-09

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Timothy L. Woodruff, chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, requests a campaign contribution from Ernest Harvier, an editor at The Sunday Democrat. The letter, probably returned to Woodruff by Harvier, includes a handwritten note from Harvier dated two days later, telling Woodruff that he served as a delegate from New York County at the Democratic State Convention in Buffalo, New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-29

Creator(s)

Woodruff, Timothy L. (Timothy Lester), 1858-1913

The article reviews opinions on who should be New York’s Republican national committeeman. Governor Benjamin B. Odell supports William L. Ward or William C. Warren. Senator Thomas Collier Platt supports George W. Dunn. It has been reported that the Roosevelt administration supports George Rumsey Sheldon or George B. Cortelyou.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-07

Creator(s)

Unknown

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

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-03

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-10

Creator(s)

Carson, W. A. (William A.), 1862-

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Frank S. Witherbee reports that everyone is “harmonious and enthusiastic,” including prominent New York Republican George Rumsey Sheldon and Benjamin B. Odell, Governor of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-20

Creator(s)

Witherbee, Frank S. (Frank Spencer), 1852-1917

William F. King mentions George Rumsey Sheldon’s connection with the ship-building trust, the economic problems faced by hotel managers in Florida, and talking with Colonel Dick, anthracite coal operator in Pennsylvania.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-01

Creator(s)

King, William F. (William Frederick), 1850-1909

William F. King informs Governor Odell that he sent a copy of his recent letter to Odell to President Roosevelt. King mentions George Rumsey Sheldon’s connection with the ship-building trusts. Sheldon was being considered as treasurer of the Republican National Committee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-01

Creator(s)

King, William F. (William Frederick), 1850-1909

James R. Sheffield informs President Roosevelt of plans to gather a group to meet with Commissioner of Immigration William Williams. The invitees include Stuyvesant Fish, Nevada N. Stranahan, Joseph Bucklin Bishop, Mr. Seul, Mr. Greene, Nicholas Murray Butler, and George Rumsey Sheldon. Sheffield extends a hopeful invitation for Roosevelt to attend the dinner at the University Club.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-06

Creator(s)

Sheffield, James R. (James Rockwell), 1864-1938