Your TR Source
President Roosevelt is interested in what Maurice Francis Egan, minister to Denmark, says about the socialists and British diplomat Rennell Rodd. He has requested the British Embassy notify him when Rodd arrives so they can dine at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-07
Paul B. Jenkins knows that Theodore Roosevelt is unlikely to recognize him despite their previous meetings, but wants to inform Roosevelt of news from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He tells Roosevelt that a recent editorial in the Outlook condemning prize-fighting inspired Socialists in Milwaukee to speak against prize-fighting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-15
John Graham Brooks relates to President Roosevelt a conversation he had at one of the recent meetings of Economic Clubs from all over the New England area. At the Portland, Maine, meeting, the leader of the Massachusetts socialists criticized Roosevelt and his policies. The gentleman claimed that Roosevelt was “embarrassing,” criticized his “new attitude on taxation and coal lands,” and added that the socialists hope a “safe man” becomes his successor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-23
A “Foreign Socialist” is being fêted and toasted by high society. An inset at left shows a jail cell full of the types of anarchists who are now being welcomed to America.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1906-05-09
Theodore Roosevelt is concerned that James Rudolph Garfield is not part of the Ohio Constitutional Convention as it makes a great difference in “the cause of decency.” He comments that the insolence of the reactionary plutocracy has started a revulsion that helps the Socialist cause and gives the progressive leadership to the radicals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-10
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Governor Johnson for the letter. He agrees with Johnson that the people are entitled to an open primary to express their views for the presidential nomination. Roosevelt discusses his thoughts about President William H. Taft in absolute confidence. Despite his misgivings, Roosevelt will support Taft if nominated since he sees no ground for permanent hope in the Democratic Party. He comments on the other presidential candidates and considers himself a weak candidate. Roosevelt examines how the New York judges’ decisions strengthen the Socialist Party. He reviews why he disagrees with Johnson’s estimate of the public’s opinion of himself and why he does not want to be nominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
President Roosevelt is interested in meeting H. G. Wells, and asks Richard Watson Gilder to let him know when he is coming so that he can invite him to lunch. He also remarks that, regarding socialists, “so far as they represent an extreme type, I have less and less respect for them as time goes on.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-09
Ralph M. Easley sends Theodore Roosevelt his correspondence with Morris Hilquit concerning the socialist attacks against the National Civic Federation. Although initially a personal reply, President Seth Low has forwarded Easley’s statement to the Federation’s executive committee and other friends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-10
Maurice H. Cole shares his views with Theodore Roosevelt regarding a number of topics, including public lands given to trusts and special interests; progressive reform measures like the initiative, referendum and recall; the influence of Catholics and socialists on the United States; and relations between labor and capital, and how the government can help arbitrate conflicts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-26
J. Ernest Paxson shares several anecdotes that he feel serve as examples disagreeing with Theodore Roosevelt’s recent editorial in the Outlook on “White Slavery.” Several women Paxson interacted with seemed to be in poor circumstances through their own choices, and did not take offers of help to remove them from their situation. He also comments briefly on socialists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-16
H. Hunter believes The Outlook would be less critical of Harrison Gray Otis’s attitude towards labor unions if it understood the circumstances connected with the dynamiting of the Los Angeles Times building. Hunter is a fan of several politicians, including Theodore Roosevelt, for the enemies they have made of socialists, labor unions, and “undesirable citizens.” Hunter points the finger at Catholics and the Irish as being involved with these undesirable causes as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-01
Inspired by a recent article in the Wichita Daily Beacon, C. H. Isely writes to Theodore Roosevelt in the hope that he will act on an issue as former president Ulysses S. Grant did, rejecting an invitation to attend a Socialist concert on a Sunday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-22
Susan M. Theall recently heard Theodore Roosevelt speak, and while she agreed with everything he said, she feels that even more radical measures must be taken in order to help the people of the nation. Theall has suffered many hardships through her life, but she has been active in charity and public work. She wishes for him, “for justice and right to humanity to become a Christ Socialist.” Theall states “the good [he could] then do for the world [would] be unlimited.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-29
A. George wishes to introduce Theodore Roosevelt’s father, former president Theodore Roosevelt, to J. Stitt Wilson, the socialist mayoral candidate in Berkeley, California. He is convinced that Wilson has a significant chance of winning the position, and believes that the socialist party will have great success in the future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-13
Ambassador to Great Britain Reid has received photographs of President Roosevelt show jumping a horse, and will present them to King Edward VII when there are fewer dignitaries in town. Reid is amused by Roosevelt’s remark that he was not sure if his “encounter” with labor leaders and socialists was covered in the English papers – Reid describes the coverage as mostly in Roosevelt’s favor, adding his thoughts on the danger of anarchist ideas infiltrating labor movements in the United States and abroad. Reid discusses the similarity between the conflict between California and Japan and Newfoundland and the United States. Finally, Reid comments on the ongoing talks at the International Peace Conference at the Hague.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-07
F. Deelfaut, a socialist, assures President Roosevelt of his sincere regard for Roosevelt’s honesty, especially regarding the Charles H. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood affair. He wants Roosevelt to know that not all socialists are “subjects of” Eugene V. Debs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-25
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt of the political situation in Idaho where he was sent to campaign for the reelection of Governor Gooding. Gooding is confident that he will win the gubernatorial race, but he faces significant opposition in response to the arrest of Charles Moyer and William Dudley Haywood and the efforts of the Western Federation of Miners to defeat him. Senator Dubois has been trying to make Mormonism another central issue in the campaign and to portray Taft in a negative light by associating him with the religious group. Taft concludes by stating his admiration for Secretary of State Root’s speech on William Randolph Hearst.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-04
Ambassador Meyer agrees with everything President Roosevelt said in his letter and appreciates the opportunity to be in St. Petersburg during the peace negotiations. Meyer is honored to join Roosevelt’s cabinet next winter. Meyer discusses conditions in Russia he has witnessed like Russians living conditions, their oppression, their lack of education, and the difficulty the Socialists or Anarchists will have in convincing the people that the Tsar is not “their little Father.” Meyer expresses his concern that the Revolutionists want everything at once and that none among them is a stand out leader. Meyer discusses the progress of his cure in Bavaria but assures Roosevelt that he is ready to return to St. Petersburg at a moment’s notice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-02
Andrew Dickson White discusses the political turmoil in Russia and the problems Russians cause in the United States and abroad. White thinks it wise that Richard Watson Gilder, editor of The Century Magazine, has avoided involvement with Maxim Gorky, and he wishes that Mark Twain and William Dean Howells had done the same.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-18
Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt comparing the situation in Russia to events in France during the French Revolution. Meyer goes into detail about the current political crisis in Russia, mentioning the need for reform, the need for improved conditions for the military, and the public opinion of the czar. Meyer describes the shutting down of newspaper offices, the imprisonment of editors, and strikes that could take place. He suggests that an American military attache could be of great help to him, as communication and media in St. Petersburg are not reliable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-20