Temperance

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt agrees with Senator Lodge about wanting an appointee who follows the tenants of Alexander Hamilton and John Marshall. He is pleased with the outcome in Maine given the previous harm caused by the issue of temperance and liquor laws. Roosevelt shares how he took “solid satisfaction” in taking a shot at journalist Norman Hapgood. Reading Winston Churchill’s biography of his father, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill, reaffirmed Roosevelt’s dislike of both father and son.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-12

A lamentable naval episode

Following an exhibition of drunkenness at an official banquet by Naval Paymaster George M. Lukesh, Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte has not dismissed the man, but rather endorsed the recommendation of the court-martial putting him to the bottom of the list of paymasters. The author of the article explains that this is because, while Bonaparte has the ability to punish, neither he nor President Roosevelt have the power to impose a more severe sentence. The author also believes when an officer disgraces the Navy in such a way, there should be a method for imposing stronger punishments against them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Percival J. Werlich

President Roosevelt has approved of Lieutenant Werlich’s promotion, despite his tendency to “have sometimes taken too much liquor.” Roosevelt feels Werlich’s naval record offsets this conduct, but encourages him to stop drinking and vow never to drink again for the sake of both Werlich and the Navy. This is not a condition of Werlich’s promotion.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-26

Letter from H. O. Williams to Herbert S. Hadley

Before the Republican National Convention there was a rumor being circulated by those opposed to Theodore Roosevelt in Independence, Kansas, that Roosevelt was a “very intemperate man.” At the convention, there were further rumors that Roosevelt was drunk during during most of the convention. H. O. Williams would like to know the truth of this matter and requests a statement from Governor Hadley.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-24

Letter from Ward B. Short to Theodore Roosevelt

Ward B. Short greatly admires Theodore Roosevelt, but has not been able to ascertain his opinion on the liquor question from his speeches or writings. He feels that as Roosevelt is so prominent and knowledgeable a figure he must be aware of the issue, and asks for his opinion on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-24

Letter from Bert B. Bunnell to Theodore Roosevelt

Bert B. Bunnell asks Theodore Roosevelt if he could write a few words of encouragement to be read at the upcoming “Temperance Sunday” event at Mount Blanchard, Ohio.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-06

Letter from Frederick W. Randall to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick W. Randall asks Theodore Roosevelt if he would be willing to write a message on the dangers of intoxicating beverages to be read to the boys and young men of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of New Haven, Connecticut, on Temperance Sunday.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-27

Letter from Micah John Jenkins to Theodore Roosevelt

Former Rough Rider Micah John Jenkins informs President Roosevelt that he has won his battle against alcohol, and has no desire to drink anymore. To mark the occasion, he sends Roosevelt a gallon of rye whiskey. He thanks Roosevelt for his example, which inspired him to stop drinking. Jenkins also sends a photograph from his young daughter, Ruth Darling Jenkins. He discusses the decorations for the room shown in the photograph, which includes engravings of Roosevelt, General Leonard Wood, and Napoleon I.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-16

Letter from Frederick L. Chapman to William H. Taft

Frederick L. Chapman, owner and editor of the Home Herald, and his readers commend William H. Taft’s position on the subject of personal temperance. However, the liquor interests claim he is friendly to their cause. Chapman warns that Taft will lose votes if this idea persists. The presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ religious status has become a significant factor in the campaign. As such, Chapman advises Taft to write a letter for publication, as the other candidates have done, stating his beliefs, and suggests a sample statement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Hearst and Hearstism

A commentary on the character of William Randolph Hearst in relation to how he has used his newspapers to shape public opinion about people in public office and current events. Focuses especially on the political cartoonists Hearst has employed, the editorials featured in his papers, and how he has used his ability to report and shape the news to aid his political efforts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-06

80,000 miners listening to President Roosevelt at the temperance convention, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

A crowd of mine workers stand listening to President Roosevelt’s speech at a temperance convention in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905

Newspaper article on temperance speeches

The article alleges that President Roosevelt followed up his “temperance speeches” in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and Jamestown, New York, by ordering two cases of Schlitz Export beer. It concludes that with such action, Roosevelt “does make a monkey of himself.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-25

The New Voice, vol. XVIII, no. 44

The New Voice is a periodical associated with the Prohibition Party. This issue includes state-by-state reviews of the advance of the temperance agenda, overviews of the issue in other news media, and an editorial directed at President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-31

Twenty years in a bar-room

“Father Knickerbocker” stands at a bar at the “Tammany Inn,” drinking “Irish Whiskey,” with Richard Croker as the bartender, standing behind the bar, offering “Mixed Drinks Croker Style.” A weeping young boy labeled “Reform Movement” has a hold of Father Knickerbocker’s arm, trying to get him to leave the bar and come home. Caption: “Father, dear Father, come home with me now!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-11-29

“Peanut Dave, the little defender”

David B. Hill sits on a large pail labeled “Growler” that is lying on its side, spilling the contents. Hill is using a rolled up paper labeled, “Let the Workingman Have His Sunday Beer” to swat a bat labeled “Blue Law Fanatic.” Caption: Here’s a splendid chance to make political capital, and he’s not missing it.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-08-07

Coming to the wrong shop

Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby holds a paper that states, “Petition for the Reduction of the Grog Shops in New York –Dr. Crosby.” He is standing in the “Council-Chamber of the New York Board of Aldermen,” facing a group of anthropomorphized liquor barrels, bottles, and jugs, some labeled “Rum Seller, Liquor Dealer, [and] Gin-Mill Keeper.” Caption: Chorus of Aldermen – “We will use our ‘very best judgement’ to assist this worthy movement.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1883-03-28

Between two evils

Print shows a shabbily dressed man labeled “Intemperate Drunkard” on the left, a well-dressed man labeled “True Temperance” drinking a mug of beer at center, and a man labeled “Intemperate Teetotaler,” wearing formal dress, on the right. Caption: The Temperate Man “I want nothing to do with either of you!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1882-04-19

Bottled politics

Print shows two old men, one of whom may be Uncle Sam holding a glass, sitting at a table in a saloon, on which is a large bottle of alcohol labeled “Regulated Ohio Brand.” On a shelf behind them are other bottles of alcohol and a notice that states “Ohio Cordials & Refreshments on Hand”, there is also a large container of “Ice”, and on the wall, a sign that states “Regulate Liquor Traffic by License and Tax Laws.” The man sitting opposite of Uncle Sam is reaching for the bottle to refill his glass; he is holding a paper with the headline “Prohibitory Amendment Defeated.” An old temperance woman, wearing the plumed hat of Blaine Republicans and shaking her fist, is visible through an open door. Caption: Not too much – just enough – pass the bottle!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1883-10-17

The gentler sex – charity for the drunken brother, contempt for the unfortunate sister

Print shows three fashionably dressed women helping a drunken man on the sidewalk, one holds a paper that states “Total Abstinence Pledge – Sign and Be Saved”; a pathway leads toward the “Drunkard’s Nursery and Palatial Asylum”. Behind them, up the sidewalk, a woman carrying an infant is turned away from the “Woman’s Home” where a window is labeled “Charity”. A young bootblack gestures toward her.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1881-09-21

The canteen or the dive – in the name of decency and common sense, which is best for the American soldier?

An Army officer stands in a doorway with a woman labeled “W.C.T.U.”, a clergyman, and a man labeled “Timid Legislator.” They are viewing scenes in a canteen, where soldiers are playing chess and reading, and a dive where soldiers are drunk, arguing, and consorting with prostitutes. Includes a lengthy caption about “W.C.T.U.” efforts to close canteens and the government’s unwillingness to reinstate them.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1913-02-19