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The article grapples with the paradox of President William H. Taft’s loyalties and personal ethics. Taft appears to be honorable, but influences from his brother Charles Phelps Taft and others are hindering his ability to carry out the Progressive promises that elected him. The advisors are the cause of many of the scandals in the administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-19
Following William H. Taft’s election as president, President Roosevelt responds to James C. Martin’s letter stating that many voters would not support Taft because of his Unitarian religion and perceived sympathy with Catholics. Roosevelt takes the opportunity to broadly state that he believes that the faith of political candidates is a personal matter that voters should not take into account. He believes that voting for candidates based on their religion violates the principles of religious freedom that America is founded upon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-06
The Indianapolis News defends its previous statements raising the question of payments related to the Panama Canal which President Roosevelt has vigorously denounced. Other newspapers have also raised questions related to this matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-28
Ohio Senator Theodore E. Burton looks at Charles Phelps Taft who appears forlorn as President-Elect William H. Taft pulls at a string tied to Charles Taft’s coat. Charles Taft says, “I guess I’ll be goin’!” Beside Taft and Burton is a bubble with several men fighting in it and a sign that reads “Ohio Senatorial Field.” Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker runs away. Caption: What was expected.
For years the state of Ohio was known as the Mother of Presidents (and vice presidents, and presidential candidates), rival only to Virginia, especially in the years between the Civil War and, roughly, World War I. The 1920 presidential contest featured the unusual circumstance of two Ohio newspaper owners running against each other.
George Barnsdale Cox hands his card to the “door boy” at the “headquarters of the political big 4.” Cox says, “In order to cause no consternation in that crowd or have any of them die from palpitation of the heart, just present this card as quitely [sic] as possible to the bunch.” Four men sit at a table: Norman G. Kenan, Charles Phelps Taft, Ohio Representative Nicholas Longworth, and Julius Fleischmann. Longworth holds a letter from President Roosevelt that suggests the “Ohio problem” can be solved by electing Fleischmann as governor of Ohio. Fleischmann says, “My, Nick, but how your father-in-law does flatter me.” Meanwhile, Kenan says, “That letter of Teddy’s is music to my ear. We’ll have a ticket this fall that will win sure, and that’s not gas.” Taft replies, “It certainly has a very fine gingle, Norman. Isn’t it nice to be good.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09
William Nelson Cromwell issues a press release attempting to quell rumors surrounding payments made by the United States government for the Panama Canal. Cromwell states that he has previously made a full report on how the money was paid and vehemently denies that there was any corrupt American syndicate that bought Panama Canal securities at a low price to sell back at a profit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
Douglas Robinson was advised by friends several weeks ago not to respond to the false story in the New York World about his involvement in an alleged Panama Canal Syndicate. He has heard from James R. Sheffield that such a syndicate does not exist. If President Roosevelt would like Robinson to make a statement, he will, but would like advice about how to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-26
President Taft balances a cone of papers, labeled “Administration” and showing the Republican elephant, on his nose. Struggling to get in the cone is “Ballinger” while already inside are “Elkins, Hitchcock, Wickersham, C. Taft, Crane, Dalzell, Cannon, Payne (holding on to a large question mark labeled “Tariff”), Aldrich, [and] Sherman.” Rolled-up papers in the cone are labeled “Standpat Legislation” and “Cost of Living Investigation.” Also in the cone, a dog labeled “Regulars” and a cat labeled “Insurgents” are fighting.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1910-08-31
President Taft sits on the seashore with a cluster of seashells around him that are labeled “H. Taft, Sherman, Knox, Aldrich, Ballinger, Root, [and] Cannon.” He is holding two labeled “Chas. Taft” and “Wickersham” to his ears, listening for the sound of waves. A large wave, labeled “The People” and showing the face of Uncle Sam, rolls toward shore. Caption: Shells give a good imitation; but, just for a change, why not listen to the real thing?
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1910-07-27
A group of Native Americans on horseback, including “Dixon, Teddy, Perkins, [and] Pinchot,” circle a water hole labeled “The Presidency,” which is being guarded by two men labeled “Taft” and “Brother Charlie.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1912-04-17
President Roosevelt praises his son-in-law Representative Nicholas Longworth’s interview and wishes the “professional Taft leaders” had Longworth’s sanity and judgment. He does not feel Joseph Foraker’s speech very telling but admits to knowing nothing of its effect in Ohio.
1907-04-11
President Roosevelt writes his son-in-law Representative Nicholas Longworth that his arguments are strong but nothing should be done until “Bill” comes back and goes over everything. Roosevelt shall ask Bill to see Longworth and go over the situation with his supporters of all shades before taking any action. He adds that Longworth can show this letter to Charlie Taft.
1907-04-20
President Roosevelt informs President-Elect Taft of what he has done about the Ohio senatorship. Taft’s brother Charles Phelps Taft recently remarked to Roosevelt that he nearly believes it would be better for Ohio to continue to have Joseph Benson Foraker as its senator than to have Theodore E. Burton. Roosevelt rebutted this belief, saying it is imperative that Ohio no longer have Foraker as its senator in order for Taft’s upcoming administration to succeed. Roosevelt later told Gustav J. Karger the same thing–that the most important piece of the Ohio senatorial contest was that Foraker lost.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-01
President Roosevelt sends Lyman Abbott, editor-in-chief of The Outlook, two more articles on which he would like feedback, and which he expects will be the last ones he sends. Roosevelt will do his best to have criminal libel suits brought against the New York World and the Indianapolis News. While Douglas Robinson or Charles P. Taft had clear cases for libel suits, it is difficult for private individuals to proceed against newspapers, which is why he is taking the lead.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-15
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 heartily approves of Representative Longworth’s speech and hopes it will be distributed widely. Roosevelt is pleased that his fight for the nomination of New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes paid off, but he is disappointed in the way William H. Taft’s campaign is going, and lists a few of the men he thinks could be responsible. He is anxious to see Taft show more investment and take a swing at Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, but he does not want to steal the spotlight by interfering too much.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-21
President Roosevelt discusses matters relating to the upcoming election with William H. Taft including campaign contributions, a talk he had with Frank H. Hitchcock, and the problem with the renomination of Charles Evans Hughes as governor of New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-12
President Roosevelt responds to Secretary of War Taft regarding a recent letter from Charles Phelps Taft. Roosevelt appointed Bernhard Bettmann to the position of Ohio Collector of Internal Revenue, first district, on the suggestions of Charles and Ohio Insurance Commissioner Arthur I. Vorys, against the wishes of Ohio Senators Joseph Benson Foraker and Charles Dick. If the Taft people cannot control Bettmann, then actions against Commissioner of Internal Revenue John G. Capers will not solve it. Roosevelt admired Taft’s speech, even if it could not reach the crowd affiliated with the morning’s editorial in The Sun.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-31
President Roosevelt sends Secretary of War Taft a marked editorial and notes that he still has a “patent on certain social, artistic, scientific, literary and other issues.” He also observes in a postscript that there is a campaign prepared against Taft due to the government covering the majority of his travel expenses. Roosevelt believes that they do not have a leg to stand on regarding Taft’s visits to the Philippines or Panama but encourages Taft to pay careful attention to all of his expenses as such accusations could be very detrimental to his campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-12
President Roosevelt believes Representative Longworth’s arguments are strong. Longworth ought to take no action until William H. Taft returns, because the latter’s support has to come from popular sentiment. Roosevelt will ask Taft to talk the situation over with Longworth and his supporters before taking any overt action. Roosevelt tells Longworth he can share this letter with Charles Phelps Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-20