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Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt he spent three weeks out at Sagamore Hill playing with the children and working on his book. The political outlook is bleak and Roosevelt feels he will be legislated out of existence in a few months. The Democrats are under Tammany’s control and the Republicans under Thomas Collier Platt.
1895-11-16
Theodore Roosevelt’s handwritten account of two months (not five, as he wrote on the first page) in the New York State Legislature, including his often caustic assessment of some of his fellow legislators. The date range is January 2, 1882 to March 1, 1882.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
1882
Alfred Spring recommends appointing a new postmaster in Fredonia, New York. Spring is doubtful of Republicans carrying New York in the upcoming election. He recommends that President Roosevelt make national affairs and his administration’s policies the main issues of his presidential campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-02
The writer protests legislation being considered in New York which is in the interest of public service corporations, including the Consolidated Gas Company and the Interborough Rapid Transit Company. He references a statement, made by Lincoln Steffens in McClure’s Magazine, that the source of corruption is the bribe-giver, more than the bribe-taker. The captains of industry ought to be considered responsible and held accountable, and the writer therefore lists the names of the directors of the companies that will benefit from the legislation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-29
John Campbell discusses Colorado politics including its history in Denver, U.S. Senator from Colorado Thomas MacDonald Patterson, and Posey S. Wilson’s letter denouncing Edward Oliver Wolcott. Campbell says Wilson is not trustworthy and does not understand Wolcott’s strong hold on the Republican party in Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-30
Civil Service Commissioner Cooley discusses his reports, memorandums, and findings concerning scandal in the Philadelphia Post Office. Cooley also amends his report on the Indiana Post Office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-27
Marcus M. Marks discusses the Republican situation for the 1904 presidential campaign. Marks writes about a potential industrial depression, the economic impact of labor strikes, and the liberalization of liquor laws in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-23
Joseph Bucklin Bishop summarizes the politics involved in the New York State Senate election. Bishop discusses Mr. Merriman, who is a key-player in the Brooklyn Rapid Transit project, his support of Tammany Hall, and his association with William C. Whitney, Thomas Fortune Ryan, and August Belmont. Bishop conveys that Benjamin B. Odell holds a low public opinion in New York. Bishop congratulates President Roosevelt on his action in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-09
New York Police Commissioner F. V. Green discusses Tammany victory in the New York City elections. Green supports Governor Odell in opposition of Senator Platt, relaying Odell’s wish to break up corruption in the Republican Party and Tammany Hall, and recommends “purification of the Republican Party” by removing Platt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-04
Francis C. Travers discusses election results in New York and the impact of the Tammany machine. Travers writes of a generally negative attitude towards Governor Odell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-05
Elisabeth D. Nielson Riis explains that her husband, Jacob A. Riis, is traveling in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, which is why President Roosevelt’s letter remains unanswered. Riis relays that her son, Willie, is the acting president of the “Junior Republican Club of Boys” and extends warm wishes to Mrs. Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-06
Wardman discusses the Fusion ticket, employment cutbacks, and immigration. He advocates for having an organization like Tammany to “put the fear of God” into the machine leaders of the city.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-06
Jacob A. Riis confirms that he will join President Roosevelt on the train for Election day. Riis predicts that Roosevelt will secure the election in New York and Tammany Hall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-19
John A. Sleicher discusses editorials published in the Evening Post and the Sun regarding public scandals and which posit anti-Roosevelt sentiment. Sleicher writes of President Roosevelt’s potential removal of General Appraiser Henderson Middleton Somerville. In a handwritten note, Sleicher notes that he is sure New York Mayor Seth Low will be re-elected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-20
Charles H. Treat anticipates the reelection of Seth Low as Mayor of New York, citing canvass results from the New York World. Treat credits Low’s likely success to the Fusionist movement, mentioning Lemuel Ely Quigg and his cohort’s work to support Low’s ticket. As Treat reports, some Republicans support Democratic candidate George B. McClellan for Mayor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-29
Joseph Bucklin Bishop has read James Sullivan Clarkson’s letter and takes issue with many of Clarkson’s political observations. Regarding the Harriman matter, Bishop does not believe that President Roosevelt needs to do anything beyond stating that the message was sent without his approval. There will not be a “sweeping Tammany victory” in New York City and Mayor Low’s reelection looks promising.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-03
Francis C. Travers encloses a clipping which confirms what he told President Roosevelt about an unnamed person having “gone over to…Tammany body & soul.” He goes on to discuss the prospects of numerous Republican candidates in the upcoming election, including New York Mayor Seth Low.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-29
William Michael Byrne writes to Benjamin F. Barnes regarding a letter to be sent to Commissioner of Immigration William Williams about the ploy to misrepresent President Roosevelt to immigrants in order to garner favor for the opposing party. Byrne enjoyed Roosevelt’s speech to the Holy Name Society.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-18
Partial page of The Commercial Advertiser with articles on the Roosevelt campaign, an upcoming yacht race, support for Grover Cleveland’s candidacy, the Tammany Hall mayoral candidate, service pensions, and the cost of living.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-19
Martin suggests reviving the defunct New York Daily News as a “good, clean, enterprising newspaper,” that will “cut right into the heart of Tammany strongholds.” Handwritten notation warns that “a Tammany syndicate” was going to bid for paper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-31