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President Roosevelt informs Representative Bartholdt that he will see Representative James A. Tawney on Monday and do all he can. Senator Albert J. Beveridge wants Roosevelt’s support for his child labor bill, but Roosevelt believes the only way forward with that bill is for Bartholdt to get his bill through the Senate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Samuel W. Church expresses his support for Paul V. Collins to run for Congress, emphasizing the need for a representative who will advocate for farmers. He criticizes past politicians and assures Collins that the farming community will support his candidacy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Chief Engineer Stevens writes Secretary of War Taft about a misunderstanding which arose during the visit of a Congressional delegation to the Panama Canal Zone. Members of the delegation complained bitterly about what seemed to them an arbitrary enforcement of the quarantine procedures intended to prevent the spread of yellow fever. Some even suggested that the delay was orchestrated to keep them from reviewing conditions in the canal zone. Stevens explains that, on the contrary, he and his colleagues were prepared to receive the party and accompany them over “all or any part of the work to explain details.” Both the visiting delegation and the receiving party are very disappointed with what occurred.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-28
George B. Cortelyou, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, tells President Roosevelt that following a discussion of the matter with Elihu Root, he believes it would be fine for Roosevelt to issue the statement he outlined in his recent letter after making the suggested changes. Senator Philander C. Knox, on the other hand, advises against making the statement, so Cortelyou will discuss the matter further with Root. Root will give a speech attacking Democratic presidential candidate Alton B. Parker regarding his recent speeches. Reports from across the United States seem to be in Roosevelt’s favor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-03
A list of Republican and Democratic Representatives, probably related to some piece of legislation under consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-05
President Roosevelt explains to Representative Bennet that the figures presented by Representative James A. Tawney, chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, about the government’s appropriations for the secret service are gravely misrepresented. Roosevelt encloses an analysis of Tawney’s numbers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-09
President Roosevelt advises Senator Knox, who will be president-elect William H. Taft’s secretary of state, on the importance and fragility of the relationship between the United States and Japan. Roosevelt explains why he believes that there is a real possibility that Japan will declare war on the United States, although this is by no means certain. Currently, many Americans are pursuing ineffectual and offensive strategies in an effort to prevent Japanese immigration to the United States. Roosevelt supports their goal but not their means. In Hawaii, meanwhile, Roosevelt disapproves of sugar planters encouraging large numbers of settlers from China and Japan to come work on their plantations. Roosevelt feels that the settlement of Hawaii by individuals from Southern Europe should be encouraged. His more general policy is threefold. He wants the government to prevent Japanese citizens from settling in America, while treating Japan “so courteously that she will not be offended more than necessary,” and building up the navy as a preventative measure. Although the value of this policy should be self-evident, Americans “are shortsighted and have short memories.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
President Roosevelt is pleased with Alford Warriner Cooley’s health improvements. Roosevelt will have Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte send in Cooley’s name soon. Roosevelt wishes Cooley could have been there for the “fight over the Secret Service,” and notes that he will not be there when Cooley assumes his duties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-26
President Roosevelt has recently spoken with John Callan O’Laughlin about possibly appointing him Assistant Secretary of State, and that O’Laughlin believed that when William H. Taft was inaugurated as president he “would ‘see what could be done about retaining him.'” Roosevelt informed O’Laughlin that he was mistaken, and that while he would be pleased to appoint him, it would be with the understanding that it would only be until March 4, 1909. Roosevelt has spoken with Philander C. Knox, and is confident that he will accept the position of Secretary of State in Taft’s cabinet. Roosevelt additionally discusses a possible appointment of Beekman Winthrop. In a postscript, Roosevelt mentions a rumor that Taft is considering appointing John W. Weeks instead of George von Lengerke Meyer to a cabinet position, which Roosevelt advises Taft against doing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-15
President Roosevelt informs President-Elect Taft that Representative James A. Tawney recently visited him and wished to arrange an interview between Taft and Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon. Roosevelt thinks this meeting is important, and would like to speak to Taft when he gets to Washington, D.C., to present the facts as he sees them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-28
President Roosevelt agrees with William H. Taft about Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon. He believes that the ideal result in the election would be a Republican majority so small that neither Cannon nor James A. Tawney can be Speaker. Roosevelt discusses election prospects in Ohio and New York, where he believes Governor Charles Evans Hughes will win re-election. He is angry about the attacks on Taft’s religion by certain Protestants. Roosevelt does not believe he needs to do anything else in the campaign, unless he needs to speak to labor men. He invites Taft to stay at the White House when he is in Washington, unless he and his managers think it will hurt his campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
Representative James A. Tawney of Minnesota has questioned whether the Isthmian Canal Commission should “dispense with the audit” on the Isthmus, and whether the government ought to audit the disbursements of the railroad company. President Roosevelt asks whether the Commission might write to Tawney on this matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-11
President Roosevelt informs Census Director S. N. D. North that despite North’s protests, the Census Bureau will investigate the labor of women and children. Roosevelt claims that this is revenge for the investigation of the packing houses in Chicago.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-02
President Roosevelt tells Fitzhugh Lee he was fond of both of the uncles in question and wants to speak with Lee about the president’s experiences with Representative James A. Tawney in connection with the Jamestown Ter-centennial Exposition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-02
President Roosevelt hopes that Thomas E. Byrnes can influence Representative James A. Tawney and Mr. Stevens towards favoring Cuban reciprocity. Roosevelt speaks of a kind letter from Mr. Mellen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-12
Peder O. Evensen believes President William H. Taft and Secretary of State Philander C. Knox need to “press the peace plan to European nations”; otherwise, they “shall forget their promises.” He is certain that war between European nations will occur. Evensen comments on the “standpatters” and their dishonorable reliance on the nation having money rather than armaments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-30
Samuel V. Leech assures Theodore Roosevelt he will abide by his decision not to be a candidate for 1912. With the nomination, President William H. Taft will carry the Republican Party to defeat. Leech discusses Taft’s various failures.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-08
George E. Miller sends Theodore Roosevelt a news release by the Detroit News, which he thought Roosevelt might like to read. The News reports the interaction of the House Committee on Appropriations with administrators of the Smithsonian Institution in a slightly humorous manner, focusing on the preoccupation of several representatives with whether any money would be going to fund Roosevelt’s safari expedition. While the hearings were going on, the Smithsonian institution issued its annual report stating that Roosevelt’s expedition was financed by private sources.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03
Joseph Bucklin Bishop thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the “grateful and sustaining words” given at Harvard. Colonel George W. Goethals is also pleased with Roosevelt’s tribute to Bishop and wishes he could appoint him as his executive officer. However, President William H. Taft thought it unwise but assured Bishop of a worthy position once he ensured the bill abolishing the Isthmian Canal Commission passed. Yet, like with most of his promises, Taft changed his mind, and the bill will not be passed. Bishop discusses the disturbing reports of political scheming regarding appointing a new commissioner and governor of the Canal Zone. Goethals declared such things would not happen if Roosevelt were president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-02
Joseph Bucklin Bishop reports widespread pleasure at Theodore Roosevelt’s remarks in his Omaha speech about the canal. Colonel George W. Goethals hopes Roosevelt will visit Panama and renew the public’s interest in the canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-09-26