Your TR Source
President Roosevelt details how Attorney General Bonaparte is to respond to United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick, using quotations from various correspondences.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-24
President Roosevelt relays to Senator Lodge that the objection to Judge William B. Sheppard is his successful handling of peonage cases. Roosevelt believes the charges against Sheppard by Horatio Bisbee are not serious, and occurred several years ago.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-19
President Roosevelt instructs Attorney General Bonaparte to stop investigating the matter involving William B. Sheppard, and to fill out his appointment as the judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Roosevelt has directed Special Assistant Attorney General Ormsby McHarg to continue the prosecution in New Mexico. While Roosevelt feels that McHarg lacks the experience to handle the case, he understands that halting the prosecution would likely result in the statute of limitations coming into play. He hopes to send Assistant Attorney General Alford Warriner Cooley to new Mexico to help take up the matter. Bonaparte should continue insisting on an immediate separate trial for Senator William Edgar Borah. The press continually attacks Roosevelt and Bonaparte.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-15
President Roosevelt tells Alexander Irvine that he intends to appoint William B. Sheppard as Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Roosevelt has sent Irvine’s letter to Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte, which should make Sheppard and his colleagues proud. Roosevelt says he will do anything he can for Frederick Cubberly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-02
President Roosevelt praises James Alfred Roosevelt’s political efforts and looks forward to discussing politics with him when he sees him. In the matter of the Tampa District Attorney, Roosevelt believes William B. Sheppard is the superior man to Edward R. Gunby.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-19
President Roosevelt is glad Florida Supreme Court Justice James B. Whitfield liked his message to Congress and appreciates Whitfield’s approval of Judge William B. Sheppard’s appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-11
President Roosevelt writes to Attorney General Bonaparte regarding the hasty Interstate Commerce Commission report. Bonaparte has received censure from the New York press for criticizing Standard Oil. Roosevelt discusses how he distrusts Senator Eugene Hale and is disgusted by his lack of patriotism in criticizing the Army and Navy. The postscript describes judgeships and appointments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-13
Former U.S. Marshal Walter P. Corbett suggests to Senator Lodge that Florida lawyer Ezra P. Axtell be considered for U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Florida. He lists Axtell’s previous positions and argues that candidate William B. Sheppard is unqualified for the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-13
Senator Lodge forwards President Roosevelt a statement from Walter P. Corbett, who recommends that Ezra P. Axtell be considered as a candidate to succeed Judge Charles Swayne. Lodge is impressed with Corbett but also discussed other candidates with Senator James Piper Taliaferro.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-16
Attorney General Bonaparte submits a detailed analysis of the case against Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah to President Roosevelt. Bonaparte believes, ultimately, that a postponement in the case against Borah will be necessary. Bonaparte has received reports of charges against Florida judge William B. Sheppard. In North Carolina, Bonaparte believes the situation between the legislature, the railroad, and the Federal government has been resolved, but in future would prefer to let local authorities do their own negotiating.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-01
Attorney General Bonaparte returns a speech with minor suggestions to President Roosevelt, and discusses his strategy in finding a case in which the government could convict and sentence the head of an industrial trust. In North Carolina, Roosevelt could not have altered the dispute between Federal and State authorities in the railroad rate case. Bonaparte passes along some clippings related to the case against Senator William Edgar Borah of Idaho. Bonaparte relates the progress in vetting William B. Sheppard for a judgeship in Florida. In New Mexico, Bonaparte says he has examined the charges against New Mexico District Attorney William H. H. Llewellyn, and believes he must be removed from office. Bonaparte will be in Oyster Bay on Friday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-05