Smith, Jackson, 1862-1910

President Roosevelt thanks Joseph Bucklin Bishop for his letter and believes Colonel George W. Goethals is glad that Bishop has come to the Isthmus. Roosevelt concurs with Bishop’s letter and states he will “back up the Colonel on all points.” The president also informs Bishop of some political business in New York State and asks Bishop to send “a not too long rough draft” about the Panama Canal that Roosevelt could include in his annual message.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt sends reactions to three letters from Secretary of War Taft. Roosevelt approves of an address Taft is preparing concerning the Brownsville Affair. The president is also pleased by what Taft tells him of the proposed Constitution for Oklahoma in preparation for admittance to the union. Roosevelt believes Jackson Smith will have to be let go from his position as Head of the Department of Labor, Quarters, and Subsistence in the Panama Canal. Finally, the president approves of Taft’s letter to Clarence Ransom Edwards regarding opium and believes Lebbeus R. Wilfley has “made good.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Isthmian Canal Commission Secretary Bishop updates President Roosevelt on his family. Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission Colonel George W. Goethals requested Bishop’s presence on the Isthmus to have a channel of communication to Roosevelt, and Roosevelt’s recent letter pleased him. Bishop says the only major issue is the arrogant behavior of Jackson Smith, the Head of the Department of Labor, Quarters, and Subsistence on the Panama Canal Commission. Additionally, the engineer Joseph Ripley created incorrect blueprints and has been proven to be no expert on locks, but Major William L. Sibert is excellent. Bishop thinks the Republican Club of New York’s motives for disparaging Roosevelt’s canal policy are political. In response to Roosevelt’s suggestion to include local events in the new paper, Bishop explains that it may be hard to keep current, but he will try his best.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-03

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Foley reports to Theodore P. Shonts, chair of the Isthmian Canal Commission, regarding a visit of the Commercial Clubs of Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis to the canal. The guests asked extensive questions and were impressed with the progress of the project. Many of the staff expressed concern over the resignation of John F. Stevens as chief engineer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-02

Creator(s)

Unknown

Secretary of War Taft relays a telegram to John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the Panama Canal construction project, that his telegram was received.  Taft informs Stevens that he will be made Chairmen of the Isthmian Commission on March 5th and “will exercise supreme control” until his departure.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-28

Creator(s)

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

Fred W. Carpenter, private secretary under the direction of Secretary of War William H. Taft, instructs Theodore P. Shonts, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, to relay a telegram to Chief Engineer John F. Stevens that his telegram was received.  Carpenter informs Stevens that he will be made Chairmen of the Isthmian Commission on March 5th and “will exercise the supreme control” that the position entitles to him.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-28

Creator(s)

Carpenter, Fred W., 1873 or 1874-1957

Secretary of War Taft requests Commissioner Shonts forward the following dispatch from President Roosevelt to Chief Engineer John F. Stevens. After serious review, Taft asks Shonts whether to accept a bid for the construction of the Panama Canal under the present contract or to reject all bids entirely. Taft cites that the two most desirable bids, McArthur Syndicate then William J. Oliver and Anson M. Bangs fit all the requirements with exception to “the least expense of the Government.” Taft informs Shonts of the resignation of Stevens, Chief Engineer of the project, and solicits to have him replaced with Major George W. Goethals. In the meantime, Taft requests that the Commission reject the two bids aforementioned. In a typed postscript, Taft informs Stevens that Goethals will replace him as Chief Engineer and Chairman of the Commission. Roosevelt expects him to use every attempt to assists Goethals with “as little friction and as little loss of efficiency” as possible.

President Roosevelt tells Joseph Bucklin Bishop that he does not need to worry because Jackson Smith is leaving the Isthmian Canal Commission. Regarding the “scandalous articles” Bishop enclosed, Roosevelt notes that those types of articles are bound to appear, but he does not “care a snap of [his] fingers for them.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt authorizes Secretary of War Taft to warn Panama President Manuel Amador Guerrero that the United States will intervene and install Jose Domingo de Obaldia as president if the election is fraudulent. He also approves Taft’s proposed action regarding Jackson Smith.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

The information President Roosevelt has received corroborated reports he already had. Reports on the Panama Canal’s construction and engineering are overwhelmingly positive, while those on the living and subsistence conditions of the workers are poor. Roosevelt fears they are on the verge of an “ugly scandal” in this regard and recommends taking up the measures outlined by Secretary of War William H. Taft. Roosevelt thinks it would be wise for George W. Goethals to ask for the resignation of Jackson Smith and put General William Penn Duvall in charge of labor and quarters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks Representative Longworth for his report on the prospects of Secretary of War Taft’s nomination for the presidency in 1908. In Roosevelt’s opinion Senator Foraker is only damaging relations with African Americans, though after the congressional report is released African Americans will realize that Democrats are not their friends. Roosevelt agrees to see Jackson Smith, Julius Fleischmann, and Fleischmann’s brother.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he will have Frank H. Hitchcock come to see him about comments he had made against Taft’s candidacy for president. Roosevelt says William Loeb has the same suspicions Taft does, but on the other hand, an enclosed clipping reports Hitchcock being attacked for appearing to promote Taft’s candidacy. Roosevelt will appoint Taft’s selection for Quartermaster General, James Buchanan Aleshire. In a lengthy postscript, Roosevelt says he is annoyed with complaints that the construction of the Panama Canal is being mismanaged, and reminds Taft to send him information about John K. Beach.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt encloses a letter from John F. Stevens. Roosevelt worked closely with Jackson Smith while in Panama and believes he should be put on the commission as his engineering skills are similar to Stevens’s.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt details and debunks several complaints by machinists about working conditions, wages, and food at the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President-elect Taft describes his pleasant journey to Colón to inspect the construction of the Panama Canal. He informs President Roosevelt that changes among the engineering staff have resulted in clear improvements. The committee is not inclined to change the plans for the canal’s locks and dams. They worry that too much money is being spent on safety precautions, but Taft disagrees. He approves of Roosevelt’s decision to widen the canal, and is optimistic that it will be finished before the projected completion date. Additionally, Taft discusses cabinet and diplomatic appointments he is considering.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-01

Creator(s)

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

Alfred Nobel has considered President Roosevelt’s wish for him to travel to Panama to inspect the canal there, but does not believe he can in good conscience leave his current project in its current conditions. Nobel does not believe there is any new information that would change his opinion that building the Panama canal with locks is preferable to a sea level canal. He agrees with the views of Major Cassius E. Gillette, and suggests adding John Ripley Freeman or Isham Randolph to the proposed board of engineers. Nobel does not believe that any of the names suggested by Theodore P. Shonts, John F. Stevens, or Jackson Smith would strengthen the board, although they are all capable engineers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-22

Creator(s)

Noble, Alfred, 1844-1914

Secretary of War Taft reports to President Roosevelt on his visit to the Panama Canal Zone. Taft was investigating reports of poor conditions in the Subsistence Department to head off a scandal. As a result, Jackson Smith has resigned from the Commission, and Taft suggests personnel and organizational changes. Taft also reports on attempts to rig the upcoming election in Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-16

Creator(s)

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

Secretary of War Taft relays conditions in the Canal Zone, detailing two main points. First, he describes the self-serving actions of Jackson Smith and recommends he be removed from service. Second, Taft outlines the political situation in Panama and a plot by Manuel Amador Guerrero and his supporters to steal the election from Jose Domingo de Obaldia, creating the risk of another revolution.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-09

Creator(s)

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

Representative Longworth informs President Roosevelt of his and Alice Roosevelt Longworth’s upcoming travel plans but says that he wants to be back in Ohio in the fall for the electoral campaign. He believes Secretary of War Taft’s campaign for the Republican nomination for President is going well, but Senator Foraker is still dangerous. Longworth mentions two men who would like to meet Roosevelt. One is Jackson Smith, a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission and head of the Department of Labor, Quarters, and Subsistence. The second is Julius Fleischmann, whose brother has just returned from a big game hunting expedition in Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-22

Creator(s)

Longworth, Nicholas, 1869-1931

Secretary of War Taft reports on his progress and assessment of conditions on the campaign trail. He is traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, and from there to Idaho. He has had success in Ohio, but the state elections there may be in jeopardy because of disputes between two factions of Republicans. The situation in Illinois is good. Although Taft thinks his trip may do some good, it is more from his presence than his speeches, as he does not feel comfortable with the short talks he has to give. Taft also writes about the possibility of receiving the Republican presidential nomination in 1908, and thinks that the people would prefer to nominate Roosevelt again, with Taft a very distant second. He believes the Democratic party is rather apathetic about the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-31

Creator(s)

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