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President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about the funeral of former President McKinley’s widow Ida McKinley. He then describes his trip on the train out west as he passed through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan. Roosevelt closes by saying he needs to talk to Kermit about his hunting trip.
1907-06-01
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Dudley Foulke about the Progressive League. He sympathizes with their purpose but does not think the platform is efficient. He would like Foulke and Lucius B. Swift to come to Oyster Bay sometime to consult with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-10
President Roosevelt believes the statements made by Delevan Smith in the Indianapolis News are patently false, and that refuting them will bring them undue attention. Because William Dudley Foulke insists that a reply be made, however, Roosevelt writes to refute the charges of a scandal involved in the purchasing of the Panama Canal zone from France. Roosevelt particularly refutes the charge that the affair has not been transparent, as documents related to it have been freely available. Roosevelt has refuted other false charges leveled against his administration, but the newspapers continue to print them, so he doubts whether his denial will be effective.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
President Roosevelt tells William Dudley Foulke that he is “amused” by the attacks the Civil Service Reform Association is making against him. He clarifies that the only instructions he gave officers and civil servants regarding the nomination for the presidency is that they should not nominate him again. President-elect William H. Taft was nominated fairly. He asks if Foulke would like him to write a “perfectly colorless statement of facts” regarding Panama, in response to statements made about the canal since the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-23
William Dudley Foulke and Lucius B. Swift told President Roosevelt that they have put papers before Attorney General Bonaparte that justify the removal of Assistant Attorney Joseph B. Kealing. Roosevelt wishes to know the facts in the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-21
President Roosevelt thanks William Dudley Foulke for recounting his phone conversation with the editor Delavan Smith. He agrees with advice from Foulke and Lucius B. Swift that he should not take any public notice of Smith and others like him. He is sorry that Swift cannot come see him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-09
President Roosevelt informs William Dudley Foulke that Lucius B. Swift does not believe that he should respond to falsehoods by Delavan Smith. Roosevelt agrees and notes that Smith knew that he was lying about the Panama controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-07
While President Roosevelt agrees with William Dudley Foulke that Delavan Smith of the Indianapolis News is bad, the publishers of the New York Sun, New York World, and Evening Post are just as bad or worse. Certain newspapers publish so many lies about Roosevelt that if he were to respond to all of them, he would spend most of his time refuting lies. Roosevelt outlines several lies that have been printed about him in various papers, and invites Foulke to visit and look over the papers that prove them false. Roosevelt would like to speak with Foulke and Lucius B. Swift about whether or not he should respond to Smith and other publishers like him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-30
President Roosevelt does not think there is any use in publishing the letter. However, he hopes that William Dudley Foulke and Lucius B. Swift will visit after the election to discuss if it is worth writing a letter to settle the matter. In such a letter, Roosevelt would take on all of the newspaper editors he takes issue with at once.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-26
President Roosevelt responds to William Dudley Foulke’s request to call the Indianapolis News to account for the falsehoods they are spreading. Roosevelt explains that he does not believe it will do any good, because the paper is simply on par with other papers like the New York World, New York Sun, and New York Evening Post. Such papers will simply repeat their falsehoods and spread new ones if they are corrected. Roosevelt believes that it is useless to deny false stories in the news because papers do not attempt to prove their assertions. In particular, Roosevelt mentions false stories about his raising campaign funds and the purchase of the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-24
President Roosevelt explains to William Dudley Foulke that he does not think that it is worth responding to the three false editorials in the Indianapolis News. This paper, under editor Delavan Smith, is just as bad as the New York Sun and New York Evening Post. Roosevelt refutes these editorials, but does not think it is worth making public; if he were to deny all of the falsehoods and stories based on rumors that were printed about him, it would take him all day, every day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-24
President Roosevelt forwards to William H. Taft a letter he received from Lucius B. Swift. Roosevelt notes that he admires and agrees with Swift and thinks Taft will, as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-16
President Roosevelt praises William Dudley Foulke and Lucius B. Swift, and says that he does not have any objection to an investigation of whether he has influenced local civil service appointments, so long as the investigation is conducted honestly. He suggests that whoever does the investigation cooperate with the Department of Justice, as Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte is familiar with the topic. Roosevelt also suggests several departments where it may be profitable to begin such an investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-25
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about the funeral of former President McKinley’s widow Ida McKinley. He then describes his trip on the train out west as he passed through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan. Roosevelt closes by saying he needs to talk to Kermit about his hunting trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-01
President Roosevelt is disappointed by Ella Lyons Swift’s message.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-29
President Roosevelt sends Charles F. Francis, Ambassador to Austria, a letter of introduction for his friend Ella Lyon Swift, who is the wife of Lucius B. Swift.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-21
President Roosevelt refers William Dudley Foulke to the letters written by Charles J. Bonaparte on the Philippines and Panama. Lucius B. Swift does not seem to understand the situation. Roosevelt requests that Foulke speak in Indiana, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and perhaps Massachusetts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-31
Vice President Roosevelt forwards a letter and his response to George B. Cortelyou. He thinks that they should be liberal with Chinese immigrants because he hopes for more merchants and students.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-05
The Indiana Progressive Party convention was very successful with a full delegation from every county. A bull moose was selected as the party emblem.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-01
William Fortune has recently received a phone call from Lucius B. Swift saying that Theodore Roosevelt told him he would be glad to meet with Kee Owyang.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-11