Sherman, J. S. (James Schoolcraft), 1855-1912

President Roosevelt congratulates Senator Lodge on his speech, as well as one from former Governor of Massachusetts John Lewis Bates. Roosevelt recently gave a speech in Harrisburg, and although he would not denounce his opponents by name, he calls out the “demagogs” and “agitators.” Roosevelt is concerned that the “corporation men” are swayed to vote for the Democratic candidates, believing the Republican party is likely to impose government regulations opposed to their interests. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-08

President Roosevelt sent Speaker of the House Cannon’s letter to Frank P. Sargent and Edgar E. Clark. He suggests Cannon write to Senator Boies Penrose about the John Mitchell matter. Going forward, Roosevelt directs Cannon to be careful about directly attacking labor leader Samuel Gompers and instead emphasize the administration’s recent accomplishments on behalf of labor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-17

President Roosevelt requests Secretary of State Root speak at a reception in his honor immediately after he returns. A “rousing speech” would help the Republican party and the administration, especially with the current struggle for control of Congress and the New York governorship.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-17

President Roosevelt hears positive remarks about Secretary of the Treasury Shaw’s visit to North Carolina. He strongly agrees with Shaw’s view about “planting the seed in the South” and helping “our Rocky Mountain friends.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-17

President Roosevelt follows up on a few matters. He requests Senator Knox speak during the current campaign citing that it is Knox’s duty as a political leader.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-22

President Roosevelt asks Secretary of the Treasury Shaw if he can visit Colorado following his speech in Kansas City, Missouri. In Colorado, the fight for governor and three congressmen will be close. Roosevelt compliments Shaw’s letter to Sherman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-08

President Roosevelt thanks Representative Watson for his willingness to help the Congressional Committee in the upcoming election, and outlines what he thinks are some of the major accomplishments of Congress and relevant points of the Republican platform. Roosevelt believes that the “real evils in our industrial and economic system” have been and will continue to be addressed by “resolute and intelligent legislation and executive action.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-18

President Roosevelt sends Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock letters from Representative J. S. Sherman and Fulton and requests Hitchcock provide a statement about the Cherokee payment. He chastises Hitchcock and Governor Frank Wayland Higgins for publishing his correspondence with them and discusses the potential political fallout.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

President Roosevelt explains his reasoning for keeping his speech as it currently is rather than making the change Speaker of the House Cannon suggested, as he feels that the paragraph may help senators whose states wish for a revision of the tariff. Roosevelt believes there is a sentiment against the words “stand pat,” and advises Cannon to avoid them in his speeches, as well as possibly including an explanation of the possibility of tariff reform. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge suggested Roosevelt say something about the immigration bill, but Roosevelt is not sure if doing so is wise. Roosevelt feels the same about Representative Charles E. Littlefield as Cannon does, and will do what he can to assist him in his reelection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-15

President Roosevelt does not believe it would be wise for him to discuss immigration in the letter he is writing for James E. Watson, as the purpose of the letter is to influence votes rather than influence Congress. Roosevelt has discussed the tariff issue with several congressmen, and while he wants to work with the people responsible for the House campaign, he disagrees with the use of the phrase ‘stand pat.’

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-15

President Roosevelt tells Representative Watson that he will gladly write the letter that Watson asked for, but recommends that he collaborate with Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon and Representative J. S. Sherman to determine when the letter would be most beneficial. He wonders if it would be better to write the letter as a response to a letter from Watson, rather than appearing to be of his own initiative, which Roosevelt worries may make it appear like he is attempting to interfere.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-25

President Roosevelt promises to take up the matter of the floating dry dock Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte mentioned with Representative J. S. Sherman, but is not sure whether he will pay any attention to him. Roosevelt is sorry that Bonaparte is still feeling weak, and admonishes him to not try to come back to Washington, D.C., until he is feeling healthy again.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-14

President Roosevelt discusses with Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock the authority for granting contracts for educating Native Americans in denominational schools as presented in the January 31 letter from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Francis E. Leupp.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-03

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that he has received a letter from Henry Scanlan Kerr through Taft’s brother, Henry W. Taft. Kerr’s letter is about his conversation with William Jennings Bryan while they were in the Philippines; Bryan adheres to the Jefferson model while Kerr adheres to the Hamilton one. Taft asks Roosevelt to discuss with Kerr his views on the Philippines and his desire to prevent a “Democratic House now or a Democratic Administration in two years.” Henry Taft has written to J. S. Sherman to introduce Kerr who would like to be useful in the present Congressional campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-01

Elijah E. Knott would like Theodore Roosevelt to read his “humble efforts” to defend Roosevelt and has enclosed several letters. He wanted to vote for him and President William H. Taft but could not vote for the Republican party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-03

Creator(s)

Knott, Elijah E. (Elijah Edward), 1855-1923

James F. Brown asks for Theodore Roosevelt’s advice and help with his application to the Secret Service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-12

Representative Cocks assures Theodore Roosevelt he will have no difficulty being selected as a conventional delegate. He recently spoke to President William H. Taft, who shared information about a situation. John F. O’Brien regrets the State Committee’s action regarding Roosevelt being Temporary Chairman. Cocks recently spoke to William Loeb, who thinks Vice President J. S. Sherman will duck, but it is unknown what information he has.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-08-30

Members of the Appomattox Post No. 50 of the Grand Army of the Republic sincerely appreciate the sentiments of loyalty to Civil War veterans that Theodore Roosevelt expressed in his speech at Ossawatomie, Kansas. They hope the nation will adopt the policies Roosevelt outlined.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-09-05

Gifford Pinchot writes to Theodore Roosevelt in Africa to provide a recap of current events. An investigation into Secretary of the Interior Richard Achilles Ballinger and the Forest Service will begin shortly. Pinchot believes that special interests control Congress and President William H. Taft’s administration, whose actions are characterized by “a most surprising weakness and indecision.” Taft has abandoned many of Roosevelt’s policies, and Pinchot sees a rift emerging between Taft and the more progressive elements of the Republican party. Pinchot sends his love to Kermit Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-12-31

Timothy L. Woodruff updates President Roosevelt on the state of the election in Livingston County, New York. Woodruff believes that people there are likely to vote against Governor Charles Evans Hughes because he twice attempted to remove Superintendent of Insurance Otto Kelsey from office. A lack of votes for Hughes could hurt the prospects of James Wolcott Wadsworth, a young rising star in the state party. In a postscript, Woodruff says he spoke with Kelsey on the telephone, and Kelsey is going to go to Livingston County to urge his friends and supporters to vote for Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-28