Stillman, James, 1850-1918

President Theodore Roosevelt stands on a reviewing stand, holding hat in raised right hand as a large group of capitalists, industrialists, and financiers wearing the tattered clothing of tramps, march past the stand. Some carry placards with such statements as: “Irrigate the Trusts,” “No place to go but the Waldorf,” “We want the earth,” “Free quick lunches,” “Pity the poor banker,” “Dividends or we perish.” At the front of the group, J. P. Morgan carries a wooden bucket labeled “The full water pail.” Caption: “Aggregated wealth largely represented among Parker’s Supporters”–New York Tribune.

comments and context

Comments and Context

It might be said now, as it was in 1904, that the Republican Party is the home of the wealthy class, industrialists, and plutocrats. And then as now, cartoonists have fed that stereotype. Also then as now, major figures of Wall Street have supported the Democratic Party in great numbers, whether from agreement on social and political issues or frank self-interest.

President Roosevelt assures Lawrence F. Abbott that he was not at all annoyed by the New York papers’ stories about The Outlook‘s alleged association with Standard Oil. Abbott’s father, Lyman Abbott, explained to Roosevelt last summer that James Stillman, who is associated with Standard Oil, had helped him purchase The Outlook from Henry Ward Beecher thirty years ago. He believes the story originated in The Sun, and expresses his distaste for William MacKay Laffan, that paper’s editor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-14

President Roosevelt suggests sending copies of Congressman Hill’s currency bill to several individuals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-05

Letter noted as canceled. President Roosevelt is unable to accept the invitation from the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-15

Lawrence F. Abbott is sorry for any annoyance caused by the “sensational and mendacious story” that New York papers have published about Outlook investor James Stillman, who has connections to Standard Oil. He would like to explain the facts of the case to President Roosevelt. Stillman and Lawson Valentine helped his father, Lyman Abbott, purchase the magazine from Henry Ward Beecher, but have never taken any editorial interest in it. Stillman does not own a majority of shares; most shares are owned by people “daily and actively engaged” with The Outlook.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-13

Herman Henry Kohlsaat received information from James Stillman to pass on to President Roosevelt. Kohlsaat will be visiting during the weekend.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-21

President Roosevelt tells Lawrence F. Abbott of The Outlook that he is not at all concerned about reports that the magazine is controlled by the Standard Oil Company. Roosevelt also recalls his friendship with Lyman Abbott, and he lambasts William M. Laffan of the New York Sun whom Roosevelt believes started the story about The Outlook and Standard Oil.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1908-11-14

J. Rhinelander Dillon encloses an article reprinted from the Galveston News. Dillon describes a conversation he had with Wall Street stock broker and “Radical Democrat” James R. Keene, who believes President Roosevelt will be re-elected by a large majority if Democrats continue the “Wall Street chatter” about him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-12

President Roosevelt discusses the business problems in the country over the last three months, which he believes are a result of an overconfidence in the use of credit that cannot be solved by adjusting the banking policy. Roosevelt insists that the American currency system is strong and needs minor legislation rather than an overhaul.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-08-26

Nicholas Murray Butler discusses the recent mayoral election in New York. Butler conveys the public’s positive reaction to President Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington, and the public’s negative reaction to George B. McClellan, Mr. Murphy, and Seth Low. In regard to his recent conversation with Cornelius Newton Bliss concerning campaign tactics, Butler suggests that Roosevelt invite Mr. Kennedy, James Speyer, and James Stillman for lunch or dinner. Butler writes about the Panama Rebellion and editorials on the topic running in The Evening Post and The Times. Butler also discusses the involvement of Marcus Alonzo Hanna, John Edward Addicks, General James Harrison Wilson, and Wayne MacVeagh in the Maryland and Ohio elections. Butler suggests Roosevelt become a professor of American History and Politics in Morningside Heights.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-09

Secretary of the Treasury Shaw responds to a letter from James Stillman which President Roosevelt forwarded to him. Stillman and Shaw agree that national banks should be allowed to issue an amount equal to 25% of their capital stock. Shaw is opposed to Stillman’s suggestion, however, that the “restriction to the retirement of national bank circulation should be removed.” Shaw provides analysis supporting his position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-21

Treasury Secretary Shaw discusses several bills and legislative acts pertaining to financial matters, especially bonds and public revenues. In particular, Shaw believes that a bill detailing securities for government bonds needs to be amended and the role of the secretary in providing security for them needs to be clarified. Shaw also discusses legislation about customs receipts and the charging of interest on customs and internal revenue receipts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-28