Taft, Charles Phelps, 1843-1929

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.

comments and context

Comments and Context

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.

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

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?

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1912-04-17

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.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-04-20

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.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-04-11

Ferdinand Jelke discusses the status of Cincinnati newspapers concerning President Roosevelt’s nomination as Republican presidential candidate in 1904, and the support of the Ohio delegation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-28