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William S. Cowles discusses President William H. Taft’s recent speech in Connecticut regarding arbitration. He reports that the crowd was not enthusiastic and believes Taft should have spoken on reciprocity. Afterwards, Cowles and his son, William Sheffield Cowles, had the opportunity to meet Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
President Roosevelt whittles a “R. R. rate regulation” big stick to add to his pile of big sticks: “tobacco trust investigation,” “beef trust investigation,” and “Standard Oil investigation.” Uncle Sam hands him an “enforcement of existing laws” big stick. A man labeled “the trusts” stands behind a corner and watches.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-08
Uncle Sam, dressed as a woman and holding a switch of bound rushes in his left hand, talks to a young girl labeled “Philippines.” They are standing on a beach with the water labeled “Free Trade in Tobacco and Sugar.” Caption continues: “Oh, yes, my darling daughter! Hang your clothes on the hickory limb, but Don’t You Go Near the Water!!!”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1906-01-24
Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he has turned down another invitation to speak at a dedication. He only wants to speak on occasions that will reach a national audience rather than local communities. He enjoyed his time at Farmington, Connecticut. Roosevelt “tepidly favored” women’s suffrage but “did not regard it as a reform of much consequence.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-29
President Roosevelt informs Attorney General Bonaparte that he has directed the Department of Commerce and Labor to make the census of Oklahoma Territory that Bonaparte suggested. Roosevelt trusts Bonaparte’s judgement regarding a novel way to deal with the illegal tobacco trusts that had recently been proposed. Roosevelt would prefer to see the trust offenders put in prison, but thinks the seizure of businesses acquired against the law will be almost as effective.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-20
President Roosevelt wishes Senator Knox a happy New Year and asks when Knox can drop by to discuss current issues the Department of Justice is facing regarding anthracite coal, the tobacco trust, and the International Harvester Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-28
President Roosevelt hopes Senator Payne can push an amendment to the present Philippine bill in the House reducing the tariff to fifty percent. Roosevelt reminds Payne this is a compromise, as Secretary of War William H. Taft wants it to be reduced to twenty-five percent. New York Senator Thomas Collier Platt and beet sugar manufacturer H. T. Oxnard are both willing to accept fifty percent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-24
President Roosevelt sends Speaker of the House Cannon a copy of a telegram from Connecticut Senator Orville Hitchcock Platt discussing reducing the Philippine tariff to 50 percent. Roosevelt wants the House of Representatives to support this reduction and does not believe there will be “serious opposition” from the cigar and tobacco industry.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-23
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Lyman Abbott for the editorial on some of the campaign lies. Roosevelt also writes about his decision to take on the tobacco trust. After much consideration, he came to the decision that he must support the “independent tobacco men.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-07
Otto S. Jonas, secretary of the Independent Retail Tobaconnists Association, argues in favor of the Tobacco Trust litigation being put before the United States Supreme Court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-30
Governor Wilson thanks Edwin A. Van Valkenburg for the letter regarding the recent Supreme Court decisions in the Standard Oil and Tobacco Trust cases. He read the letter with deep interest and had intended to look into the English cases himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-28
Edwin A. Van Valkenburg presents arguments against the Supreme Court’s decisions in the Standard Oil and Tobacco Trust cases.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-21
Attorney General Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt regarding some upcoming cases to be heard by the Supreme Court. Bonaparte advises Roosevelt to mention to an unnamed Justice the danger of disqualifying himself, and brings up the difficulty of postponing the case. Bonaparte does not believe that the justices who are of an age to retire will do so until several cases are heard, and therefore doubts the chance of having them heard by a more favorable court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-18
Attorney General Bonaparte is not clear how seriously the attached letter should be taken, and as such cannot fully comment on it. The letter’s author, Benjamin B. Hampton, is an advertising agent unfamiliar with the laws related to the American Tobacco Company and has obtained his information primarily through communications with management of said trusts, but is certain that President Roosevelt has violated the law in his administration’s prosecution of the trusts and is acting on incorrect information. Bonaparte dismisses these allegations and does not believe Hampton to have any of the contextual or legal knowledge necessary to speak on the issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-11
Benjamin B. Hampton explains to Lindsay Denison his recent remarks in further detail. Hampton believes it would be better for President Roosevelt to deal with the tobacco companies directly, rather than through the courts, since it would be faster and potentially more beneficial for both parties. Hampton stresses that he is not well-versed in law or in a position to speak on behalf of the tobacco industry, although he is an advertiser for the American Tobacco Company. Hampton invites Denison to consider the shortcomings of his proposal and to enlighten him as to why it might be ill-conceived.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-24
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on several matters before him. Assistant Attorney General Alford Warriner Cooley has been investigating the situation in Alabama, where Bonaparte deems it necessary for Roosevelt to “call down” several politicians who are complicating judicial confirmations and the workings of the attorney general’s office with concerns over political patronage. In Arkansas, Cooley reports that there are many well qualified men to replace Assistant District Attorney Ulysses S. Bratton, who has been involved in improper conduct in a case involving postal inspectors. Bonaparte has recently met with Census Director S. N. D. North and explains the problems he has encountered with obtaining an accurate census of Oklahoma Territory, resulting in problems with representation of citizens there, and makes recommendations to solve the problem. Bonaparte has requested summaries for the injunction regarding the picketing of the Allis Chalmers company in Wisconsin, and is appointing a special counsel to take charge of litigation against a prominent official there. Bonaparte is ready to move against the Tobacco Trust and James Buchanan Duke.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-18
The attached letter by Benjamin B. Hampton regarding investigation into the American Tobacco Company betrays Hampton’s poor grasp of the situation and the law in general. Attorney General Bonaparte in particular notes a section where Hampton suggests that President Roosevelt and founder of the American Tobacco Company James Buchanan Duke settle the matter privately as gentlemen rather than through the court system.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-11
Transcript of a speech given by Secretary of Agriculture Wilson before the Americus Club of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Wilson examines the many ways that the United States is supporting agriculture. Both federal and state governments are conducting and supporting research to improve agricultural production and quality. They will also conduct research on promoting livestock health.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-27
Theodore Roosevelt shares with Anna Roosevelt Cowles his frustration with the number of invitations he receives to dedicate and/or deliver speeches at local institutions around the country, and the lack of understanding he encounters when he declines such invitations. He has spoken in almost every state since he returned from safari several months earlier, and while he wanted to do so, he has decided that he will speak only at occasions or for causes that will receive a national audience. He writes about his views on women’s suffrage, saying that he “tepidly” favors it where the majority of women desire it themselves. However, he does not believe it to be of much consequence, believing that it will do only a small bit of good, and none of the harm that its opponents insist it will.
1911-06-29
Secretary of the Treasury Shaw responds to William Loeb regarding an article in the American Economist about under valuations. The duty on silk is especially high. It is important to protect the silk and tobacco trade.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-17