Temperance

Peter W. Shute tells Theodore Roosevelt he is the only man to unite the Republican Party, but also suggests a new political party be formed, the Union Party. Shute believes there should be more focus on prohibition and temperance in politics, and less in the Church. Shute shares his grievances regarding William H. Taft and Robert M. La Follette and hopes Roosevelt will step up and save the party and the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-12

Creator(s)

Shute, Peter W. (Peter Wilkes), 1843-1921

Roy A. Haynes asks Theodore Roosevelt to attend and speak at the Hillsboro Chautauqua during the week of August 12–18, 1912, highlighting the event’s role in promoting public thinking in rural communities and noting Hillsboro’s historic significance and past distinguished speakers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-11

Creator(s)

Haynes, Roy A. (Roy Asa), 1881-1940

A politician agrees with a woman labeled “W.C.T.U.” and a man holding a Bible, who are standing on the right. Behind them are the locked and barricaded doors to a cafe on which is a sign “Closed Sunday.” On the left, behind the politician, is an open door labeled “Family Entrance” from which the cafe owner is placing a bribe in the politician’s right hand. Further to the left is a police officer leaning against the building, pretending not to notice the illegal transaction. Caption: Politician (to Temperance Element) — You’re right! The sanctity of the American Sabbath must be preserved!

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902-02-12

Secretary of War Elihu Root holds up a lantern to illuminate a scene in an “Anti-Canteen Saloon” where soldiers have gone to drink and socialize in the absence of a canteen on the army base. It is over-run with drunkenness and violence. Caption: What the W.C.T.U. has effected by abolishing the army canteen.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-05-29

The Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt thanks William H. Anderson of the Anti-Saloon League of New York for his recent letter. The secretary notes that Roosevelt’s attentions are focused on the war, and although he supports banning the use of grain/corn to make liquor, only the National Government can enforce such a ban.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-11-28

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

In response to S. Janette Reynolds’s request, Frank Harper summarizes Theodore Roosevelt’s views on the temperance movement. Roosevelt supports the initiative and referendum which will allow a majority of each state to decide on temperance. He is opposed to the shipping of liquor into states that have prohibited it as he favors the “enforcement of every law on the statute book.” As an example, Harper points to Roosevelt’s enforcement of the blue laws when he was the Police Commissioner of New York City.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-10-02

Creator(s)

Harper, Frank, 1882-1971

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary assures Montaville Flowers that Roosevelt does not use tobacco and uses very little alcohol. The secretary writes that if people knew Roosevelt better they would be aware of his lovable nature and fine qualities. At Roosevelt’s request, the secretary has enclosed two pertinent letters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-09-10

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased by William Wingate Sewall’s letter, as well as the way Sewall handled a man who claimed Roosevelt was drunk.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt tells William J. Scott that the intemperance story is false.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Reverend Ferdinand Cowle Iglehart for his telegram. Roosevelt explains that he drinks a minimal amount of alcohol primarily for medicinal purposes, and refers to his drinking in Africa to treat a fever.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Carroll R. Reed that the statements of Roosevelt being drunk are false and slanderous.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt tells W. J. De Mauriac that he only takes alcohol in extreme moderation and the stories about him are false.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt tells George Henry Payne to see that no liquor of any kind is to be allowed on the Pullman car used for the Roosevelt campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt wishes John Lawrence Sullivan success in his lectures on temperance. Roosevelt believes that as an honest fighter he will be a good citizen in endeavors outside the boxing ring as well. Roosevelt also believes that young men will listen to Sullivan more than they would to professional lecturers about the consequences of drinking.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Dr. Stelzle’s work and supports the closing of saloons. He is particularly interested in the promotion of “adequate social centers” available to all citizens that can replace the recreation and socializing at saloons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is not prepared to go for national prohibition yet, because he does not think that would mean an advance for temperance. Roosevelt thinks the immediate questions before the U.S. are about international relations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt requests that Gifford Pinchot provide a statement regarding Roosevelt’s “sobriety and temperance” for his lawyer in a libel suit, James H. Pound.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks David Decamp Thompson for his letter and says that while they are not always in complete agreement about temperance, they concur on the evil of drinking. The president promises to do everything he can to help eradicate this evil.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt shares his thoughts on various topics with Cecil Spring Rice. Roosevelt is planning to swap foreign assignments between John B. Jackson and Richmond Pearson, mentioning that Pearson had trouble with missionaries in Persia. While Jackson has done well as Minister to Greece, Roosevelt does not approve of his strong pro-Russia feelings. Roosevelt thinks the Russian people are good, and feels badly that they oscillate between despotism and anarchy. Roosevelt is interested in what Spring Rice says about the movement of Islam in Persia toward more tolerance, and gives his opinion about progress in Islamic countries in relation to Buddhism and Shinto. The violent incidents in San Francisco towards Japanese immigrants concerns Roosevelt. Roosevelt thinks everyone should be in favor of peace and temperance, but he feels professional advocates of both talk a lot without ever getting anything done. At home, Roosevelt is trying to keep a balance between plutocrats and labor unions. Roosevelt hopes to see Spring Rice and his wife soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt cannot say that he endorses prohibition, but agrees with former congressman and governor of Massachusetts John Davis Long that “every effort” should be made to “diminish the evils of intemperance.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919