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

John Appleton Stewart, President of the New York State League of Republican Clubs, asks William Loeb if Secretary of War Root might be interested in replacing Senator Thomas Collier Platt. The State League supports it. Stewart discusses the electoral situation in New York, and complains that Frank H. Hitchcock, Timothy L. Woodruff, and others in the Republican state and national committees are not supporting the League or any associated clubs. Stewart points out that in the past, the League and its clubs have done good work for the party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Representative Longworth is worried about press coverage of something he said in a speech in Illinois that alludes to “presidential succession.” He hopes that his comments have not hurt the campaign or given the Democrats ammunition against them. Longworth describes another incident where a Democratic newspaper twisted his language.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-08

Secretary of State Root presents his thoughts on matters discussed in President Roosevelt’s previous letters. Topics include whether to send a minister for Abyssinia, Japan’s rescheduling of their planned exposition, Ambassador William Woodville Rockhill’s report on the Lamas, the situation on the Mexican frontier, and the renomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-23

Frederick L. Chapman, owner and editor of the Home Herald, and his readers commend William H. Taft’s position on the subject of personal temperance. However, the liquor interests claim he is friendly to their cause. Chapman warns that Taft will lose votes if this idea persists. The presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ religious status has become a significant factor in the campaign. As such, Chapman advises Taft to write a letter for publication, as the other candidates have done, stating his beliefs, and suggests a sample statement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Douglas Robinson, President Roosevelt’s brother-in-law, looks forward to his and Edith’s visit and deeply appreciates them coming. He lays out travel plans and the day’s itinerary leading to the program at the library. Robinson has said nothing about Roosevelt’s attendance at the event.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

William H. Taft is glad to see the rough draft of President Roosevelt’s letter to Representatives Henry C. Loudenslager and William Brown McKinley. He has not seen George W. Alger’s article. The New York situation concerns Taft, and he hopes Roosevelt will secure Governor Charles Evans Hughes’ renomination. He has no intentions of making the guaranty of bank deposits an issue and believes the system is erroneous.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-01

William H. Taft writes to President Roosevelt that he is glad Governor Charles Evans Hughes will be nominated, and to even out the ticket he suggests Job Hedges for Attorney General. Taft agrees to “take the stump” as it will enliven the Republican party. William Jennings Bryan will gain momentum while traveling the East, but Taft believes this will only alarm and mobilize Republicans to action. He recently had a lovely dinner with Alice Roosevelt Longworth and Nicholas Longworth, who will soon go on to stump with Representative J. S. Sherman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-11

Douglas Robinson discusses the details and scheduling of President Roosevelt’s trip to Herkimer County, New York, for the dedication of a library in the name of Robinson’s parents.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-11

William H. Taft waits to hear President Roosevelt’s opinion of William Jennings Bryan’s speech. He feels the nominating of Governor Charles Evans Hughes grows more important. He will not speak on the subject, however, as he does not want to offend the organization of New York. If anything should be done, Taft believes Representative J. S. Sherman is best suited to the task. Secretary of War Luke E. Wright is coming to visit, and Taft will assist him with matters of the War Department. He comments on the “not at all good” situation of political bolting in West Virginia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-15

William Nelson Cromwell feels it is the duty of “all men of means” to contribute to the campaign fund to elect William H. Taft, especially considering the National Republican Committee’s policy to not accept contributions from corporations. Cromwell therefore sends George Rumsey Sheldon a check for $50,000.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-29

Senator Lodge updates President Roosevelt on the status of several issues at the Republican National Convention, including several planks in the party’s platform, and the status of the vice presidential nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-16

Senator Lodge wishes that he could speak with President Roosevelt in person, but as he is traveling to Europe shortly, he sends a letter instead. The Republican National Convention went well, and both nominated Secretary of War William H. Taft and endorsed a platform that is faithful to Roosevelt’s policies. Lodge thinks that J. S. Sherman’s nomination for vice-president was the best they could do, as none of the Western men suggested would have been good. Lodge praises the actions of Senator Winthrop Murray Crane who, while he did not want Lodge on the National Committee, used his influence well and for good purpose. Lodge believes his speech was a success, and feels that the convention overall was a success both personally and for the Republican Party as a whole.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-22

Senator Lodge has received the letter which President Roosevelt wrote to Judge Alston Gordon Dayton, which he has instructed Lodge and Chairman of the Republican Committee Frank H. Hitchcock to show to delegates if necessary. Lodge does not believe it will be necessary. Lodge discusses the nomination for the Vice-Presidency. Although he believes that the candidate should be from New York, he is obligated to nominate Massachusetts Governor Curtis Guild. In a handwritten postscript, Lodge writes that he feels sorry for Guild and will do his best for him. He also read about Roosevelt’s fall in the paper, and is glad that no harm was done.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-03

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-04

Creator(s)

Ross, Napoleon

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

The committee of the Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly protest against President Roosevelt’s declaration of Charles H. Moyer and Haywood as “undesirable citizens.” These men’s only “crime” is “standing for the principles they represent.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-21

Representative Loudenslager sends President Roosevelt the data gathered by the Republican Congressional Committee regarding districts and their favorability towards the Republican Party or the Democratic Party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-03

John Warne Gates shares with President Roosevelt his assessment of the upcoming New York gubernatorial election. The Republican Party finds itself financially limited by the new law on corporate contributions. According to Gates, “one man, and one alone . . . can come into this campaign and turn the tide for Hughes,” and thus he entreats that man—Roosevelt—to join the campaign in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-17

Timothy L. Woodruff, Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, updates President Roosevelt on the campaign for the 1906 New York gubernatorial election between Republican Charles Evans Hughes and Democrat William Randolph Hearst. Woodruff agrees with Roosevelt that campaign events should not feature Republicans with national reputations, with the exception of Secretary of State Elihu Root, who is from New York. Woodruff says he attempted to prevent Speaker of the House and Illinois Congressman Joseph Gurney Cannon from campaigning for Republicans in New York and, that having failed, has asked that Cannon avoid discussing national Republican issues like tariffs or labor unions. Woodruff includes a letter from a local Democratic lawyer whom Woodruff feels represents many Democrats who oppose Hearst enough to cross party lines to vote for Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-13

Representative Parsons has conferred with Timothy L. Woodruff, Representatives Olcott, Bennet, Calder, and Sherman, and Charles Evans Hughes about the matter in President Roosevelt’s previous letter. Parsons would like to bring in out-of-state speakers to enliven the campaign but hopes they will not discuss tariffs or labor unions. There was general agreement to have Joseph Gurney Cannon, Speaker of the House, give his scheduled speech but many think it unwise to have Secretary of State Elihu Root speak in New York because of his connection to Thomas Fortune Ryan, the “Equitable matter,” and corporations in general, and how William Randolph Hearst would portray it in his papers. Edward R. Finch agrees with Parsons that Root should still come and speak about stable government ensuring good business conditions, but would like Secretary of War William H. Taft to be his substitute if the Congressmen decide against Root.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-15

John Clay Davies apprises President Roosevelt of the contentious and complex circumstances surrounding the Senate race in New York. Davies will travel to the county convention in Rome and attempt to enact Roosevelt’s suggestion, which he deems “an excellent one.” Though Davies tries to stay out of the current political fight, he feels compelled to tell Roosevelt that some of the federal employees in Davies’ county have aligned themselves against Roosevelt’s ideals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-07