Your TR Source
President Roosevelt appreciates the service of Judge Tracey. Roosevelt approves of Tracey appointing Catholics to positions in the Philippines. In fact, one reason Filipino Governor Forbes was appointed to his position was because he was Catholic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-27
President Roosevelt denies the rumors of his seeking renomination at the convention, and points out that he has steadfastly supported Secretary of War William H. Taft. He also tells Lyman Abbott that he approves of the articles on immigrants that Edward Alfred Steiner has written in The Outlook. Roosevelt has tried to make his Cabinet representative of all types of Americans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-29
President Roosevelt corrects Eugene A. Philbin on a sentence in his letter regarding the administration’s treatment of Catholics in Puerto Rico. Catholics in the administration in Puerto Rico say that they are being treated fairly, and Roosevelt objects to the assertion that on a national level they are treated unfairly. He notes that Catholics often seek political appointments and promotions on the grounds that they are Catholic more often than other groups.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-15
President Roosevelt introduces Vice Governor of the Philippines Smith to Charles Cuthbert Hall, and asks that Smith provide Hall with all the information about the Philippines that he requests. If possible, Roosevelt would like Hall to meet Judge James F. Tracey, currently a Justice on the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and asks Smith to arrange such a meeting if possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-12
President Roosevelt does not believe he can appoint John Thomas McDonough to the position Thomas M. Mulry inquired about. Roosevelt regards McDonough highly, and previously appointed him to the Supreme Court of the Philippines, but McDonough resigned that position. When the president appoints a person to a position, Roosevelt, writes, but “the man resigns the appointment or thinks it is not quite up to his deserts, it becomes trebly hard to help him thereafter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-09
President Roosevelt has passed Robert J. Gross’s letter concerning Judge John T. McDonough along to New York Governor Frank Wayland Higgins. Roosevelt wishes to make a point, however, that he has previously recognized McDonough by appointing him to a high position in the Philippines, but also that he did this not out of some desire to influence McDonough for his political advantage, but because of McDonough’s ability. If he thought McDonough were the kind of person to be influenced by such appointments, it would have been cause for Roosevelt to not appoint him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-19
Governor-General of the Philippines Smith provides his analysis of the upcoming formal establishment of the Philippine Assembly to Secretary of War Taft. This includes a brief description of the history and political affiliations of the country’s governors, the party leanings of each province, and the number of votes for each party from the most recent election. Smith also reflects on how the United States can improve upon Spain to ensure better relations with the Philippines. Smith considers self-government to be the ultimate goal of American involvement in the Philippines, but cautions that granting independence too quickly could leave the country vulnerable to dictatorships or foreign invasion. Smith ends the letter with a report on the status of various government projects across the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-07
Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt a letter from Judge James F. Tracey. Taft hopes matters will improve when Judge Smith arrives and the finance functions are separated from the justice functions in the government of the Philippiines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-21
At the request of Secretary of War William H. Taft, Fred W. Carpenter returns to Benjamin F. Barnes a letter from Judge James F. Tracey. Taft thanks President Roosevelt for the opportunity to read the letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-27
Secretary of War Taft discusses details for Judge James F. Tracey’s appointment to the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-07
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson informs President Roosevelt that Attorney General Philander C. Knox said Wilson’s position is right, and he wanted him to know before Roosevelt saw Mr. Tracey.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-18
Judge Parker provides his opinion on James F. Tracey for Secretary of War Root. He points out that Tracey has a very good reputation in the community, but that he does not have much courtroom experience. His reputation in Albany is fair because they do not like lawyers who are not in the courtroom. Although he is a Democrat, Tracey voted for President William McKinley. His wife also has a good reputation and her father was on the King’s Bench in Montreal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-15