Your TR Source
With Senator Tillman back in the Senate, President Roosevelt would like to take up the confirmation of William Demos Crum.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-13
President Roosevelt is not concerned about the article and professes an admiration for Tennessee and Tennesseans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-06
President Roosevelt recommends that Major Jenkins accept the sword, and if there is a problem he offers to have the Rough Riders get together and award Jenkins a sword.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-03
President-Elect Taft writes to President Roosevelt about the upcoming inauguration and legislative debates. Taft reiterates that he has not changed his mind about Fowler (presumably the Fowler Bill relating to financial reform, H.R. 12677) but will attempt to subvert any machinations by that bill’s sponsor, Representative Charles N. Fowler. Taft requests feedback on his inaugural address regarding relations with Japan, and shares that several prominent African American leaders, including Booker T. Washington, have evaluated his speech as it relates to African Americans. Taft concludes by warmly accepting an offer to stay in the White House during the last night of the Roosevelt administration, partially to undermine rumors that he and Roosevelt have been in conflict.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-25
William Wingate Sewall tells President Roosevelt what he thinks of Senator Benjamin Tillman, accusing Tillman of having an Ananias club and saying that “when he threw something at Dorr”–a land agent whom Tillman had accused of being a swindler–“he forgot it was a boomerang.” Sewall hopes the stockings he sent suited Roosevelt and hopes to see him while in Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-16
Prompted by Senator Benjamin R. Tillman’s rehashing of the Mrs. Morris incident of 1906, Edward MacInall offers his firsthand account of the incident. MacInall, who was in to see William Loeb that day, asserts that Laura A. Hull Morris was “not roughly handled” by the White House Office staff, and lends his support to President Roosevelt against the criticism.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-13
Douglas Robinson accepts President Roosevelt’s invitation to stay at the White House while he is in Washington, D.C., for his upcoming grand jury trial. Robinson, a receiver of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, is on trial for ignoring the orders of the New York State Public Commission. He is not optimistic about the trial because of the strong legal team the commission has assembled and expects to be in jail “in a short time.” Robinson discusses his plans for traveling down to the White House and congratulates Roosevelt on his handling of Senator Benjamin R. Tillman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-13
Vice President Fairbanks looks forward to seeing President Roosevelt later that evening and reports that Senator Benjamin R. Tillman’s speech has “fallen very, very flat.” Fairbanks also mentions the meeting to aid those affected by the recent earthquake in Messina, Italy, at which many praised Roosevelt’s role in the relief effort.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-11
Will Irwin discusses the corruption of the Tillman family, specifically surrounding the shooting of journalist Narciso Gener Gonzales by John H. Tillman. Irwin claims that Tillman’s uncle, Senator Benjamin R. Tillman, instructed members of the South Carolina Dispensary to pose as canvassers selling enlarged photographs to ascertain South Carolinians’ opinions on the shooting. Using this information, Irwin asserts, the jury was selected to be prejudiced in favor of James H. Tillman, which led to his acquittal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-11
Micah John Jenkins, a former Rough Rider, encloses a clipping from The Columbia State of a letter from Colonel John Julius Dargan, as well as a letter that Jenkins wrote Dargan. He would like to have a longer interview with Roosevelt, to allow Roosevelt to get to know him. He assures Roosevelt that he is a very strong supporter of his and intends to run against Senator Benjamin R. Tillman in four years.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-09
Postal Inspectors Clement and Riches send Inspector in Charge Linn details of their investigation into a case of alleged mail fraud involving Bryan R. Dorr and real estate agents Reeder & Watkins using the mail to solicit applications to purchase government land in Oregon. After a thorough investigation involving many different parties, Clement and Riches found no evidence that either Dorr or Reeder & Watkins were acting in bad faith, and that Dorr’s circulars stating that Senator Benjamin R. Tillman was an applicant for purchasing the land were not untrue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-27
Clement, Edland C. (Edland Clyde), 1863-1952; Riches, Oliver C. (Oliver Cromwell), 1868-1911
Ray Stannard Baker responds to President Roosevelt’s letter and clarifies that he is not standing by Senator Benjamin R. Tillman or others like him. Rather, as a journalist, Baker is “seeing and reporting the facts on which other men act.” Baker believes that Roosevelt asserted socialistic thought in his letter, and states that people have been moving toward socialism because, like Roosevelt, they have been emphasizing personal goodness and have found that it does not always lead to the betterment of man. Baker tells Roosevelt that he has articles coming out soon which will clarify his views on race and society. As Roosevelt suggested in his letter, he would like to meet with Roosevelt to discuss his views in depth.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-08
Albert L. Key wishes to reassure President Roosevelt that he was not disloyal to him during a recent encounter with Senator Benjamin R. Tillman in which Key insisted that William Sowden Sims be given a chance to make a full statement to an investigating committee. While he was visiting Tillman, Pay Inspector Samuel McGowan also visited and, Key later learned, urged Tillman to suppress Sims’s testimony. Key does not trust McGowan’s character, but says that Roosevelt can judge for himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-06
George von Lengerke Meyer recounts a series of telegrams sent back and forth regarding his requesting permission to take an after-cure in the mountains to help with his illness. If needed, he will return immediately; otherwise he will remain in Russia until Roosevelt calls on him. Meyer likens Russian’s prejudices against Jews to that of Benjamin R. Tillman’s views on the rights of African Americans. He thinks the next Duma will be radical and that the current quiet in Russia might not last.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21
William Barret Ridgely, Comptroller of the Currency, reports on his investigation into the loan practices of the Chicago National Bank. The bank and its President, John R. Walsh, were under investigation for granting loans above the legal limit to corporations. Walsh had repeatedly promised to improve banking practices and adhere to government regulations, but failed to do so. Ridgely believes that the affair was well handled by the bank examiners and his own office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-26
Senator Lodge writes to President Roosevelt sharing his opinions about a letter by Harvard President Eliot. Senator Tillman requested that Lodge contact Roosevelt for a discussion regarding Senator Cullom. Lodge goes on to mention thoughts on the Standard Oil Company and their monopoly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-22
William Wingate Sewall writes President Roosevelt hoping to find out when he is sending Kermit Roosevelt to visit Sewall; he also informs Roosevelt that Emlen Roosevelt is sending his youngest son, Philip James Roosevelt. Sewall says that there will be much hunting and fishing available for the boys throughout the summer and fall. Sewall wishes President Roosevelt could also visit, but understands that Roosevelt’s fight with the “corpulent corporations” takes precedence. Sewall is confident that Roosevelt can win though, as he is the only “man on earth today who has the confidence of the people not only of the U.S. but of the entire world.” Sewall also opines that Senator “Tillman ought to be choked” and he “would like the job” if Roosevelt does not wish to do it himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-10
Representative Wiley explains how a personal conversation was inadvertently relayed to Senator Joseph W. Bailey, who then made comments to the press. He regrets that he played a part in the matter making it to the press.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-17
Senator Lodge notifies President Roosevelt of the likelihood that certain key bills about pipe lines, trust regulation, and coal mines are likely to be defeated. There are organized efforts to defeat the bills. Lodge hopes that Roosevelt can step in and intervene to assist on the passing of the bills in any capacity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-29
Charles Stedman Hanks thanks President Roosevelt for the letter and criticism of the book on hunting. Hanks apologizes for not telling more about Senator Tillman as he thought Roosevelt already knew what Tillman was doing. Hanks also offers his services when the rate bill reaches the conference stage.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-17