United States. Congress. House

Letter from J. S. Sherman to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Sherman is certain the House will stay in Republican control in the outcome of the election and that Charles Evans Hughes will win the gubernatorial election in New York. The speech Secretary of State Root gave in Utica and President Roosevelt’s own message helped turn the tide in their favor in recent weeks. Sherman thanks Roosevelt for his early and continual support during the campaign and promises to keep Roosevelt updated about the results of the election on Tuesday night.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-03

Letter from Warner Miller to Theodore Roosevelt

Warner Miller warns President Roosevelt that in manufacturing towns, there may be a secret movement among employees to vote for William Randolph Hearst in the New York state election. He is concerned that the present state campaign is ignoring the national issues and believes that only Roosevelt can change the present condition of the campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-16

Candidate Lane’s announcement

Daniel W. Lane, a candidate to represent the 11th congressional district in Massachusetts, has announced that President Roosevelt desires the “redemption” of that district. If this were true, it would be important, the author suggests. However, it may be more complimentary to assume that Roosevelt will not meddle in the election and that he would want the best candidate to win.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-21

Letter from James E. Watson to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Watson describes for President Roosevelt the stump speaking situation in preparation for the November House of Representatives election and focuses on the need for more strong speakers. Watson asks if Roosevelt can give John Lewis Griffiths a leave of absence from his position as Consul to Liverpool because Griffiths’ speaking abilities make him helpful on the campaign trail. Watson also notes that Roosevelt’s letter dismissing the issues in the controversy is the “most effective campaign weapon.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-19

Letter from Joseph Gurney Cannon to Theodore Roosevelt

Speaker of the House Cannon agrees with President Roosevelt that Samuel Gompers should not be “magnified by name or by personal attack” unless his policies and demands affect local districts. Cannon mentions politicians blacklisted by Gompers, and the power in numbers he has in members of the American Federation of Labor. Cannon will devote time to the matter in October and strike if necessary. Cannon notes Secretary of War William H. Taft’s willingness to campaign and speak for him but will only ask if necessary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-22

Letter from Joseph Gurney Cannon to William Loeb

Representative Cannon hopes John Mitchell does not sympathize with the attacks by Samuel Gompers on Republican candidates for Congress. Cannon thanks William Loeb for including a copy of Mr. Sargent’s letter. Cannon feels he has gone out of his way to treat Gompers with courtesy. He has discussed the demands of Gompers related to the Pearre bill and finds them “unwise” for labor and is glad railroad leaders agree.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-22

Letter from James Rudolph Garfield to Theodore Roosevelt

James Rudolph Garfield tells President Roosevelt that the Cuyahoga Convention was “overwhelmingly in favor” of Theodore E. Burton and he was pleased with the tariff plank adopted. Garfield also mentions that Leonard Paul Howland was nominated for the House of Representatives.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-10

Letter from Frank P. Sargent to Theodore Roosevelt

Commissioner General of Immigration Sargent heartily endorses Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon and lists several of his positive qualities. He also informs President Roosevelt that he intends to visit Milwaukee for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen convention, and will better learn about the opinion of the “railroad boys” regarding Cannon and also “how labor in general is acting.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-07

Letter from Leslie M. Shaw to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Treasury Shaw responds to a request from President Roosevelt to review a letter from Representative Ebenezer J. Hill. Shaw is skeptical of Representative Hill’s conclusions about denatured alcohol’s potential as fuel. Shaw discusses the proposed McCleary bill, which would adjust American tariffs on German goods, and the potential impact of tariff adjustments on the upcoming midterm election. He believes that Roosevelt could maintain the confidence of the American people by advocating a tariff that ensures American-made goods receive the same treatment as similar goods from any other country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-09

Letter from Leslie M. Shaw to J. S. Sherman

Leslie M. Shaw informs J. S. Sherman that there is no longer doubt about their victory in the congressional campaign after Speaker Cannon’s speech, President Roosevelt’s letter, and Col. Bryan’s acceptance. Shaw recommends sending Republican speakers through neglected Democratic districts in the South where the margin of victory was small to begin cultivating support that might lead to Republican victories in 1916.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-05

Letter from Frank P. Sargent to William Loeb

Commissioner General of Immigration Sargent writes that while he would be happy to oblige President Roosevelt and campaign for Representative Charles E. Littlefield of Maine, Sargent believes that doing so would actually harm Littlefield. Sargent argues that sending him would look like the Republicans were trying to placate organized labor without actually doing anything to help them. The disagreement between the American Federation of Labor and Littlefield is purely personal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-31

Letter from Theodore P. Shonts to William H. Taft

Chairman Shonts rejects the claims of George T. Kenly that the employee selection process for the Panama Canal project is politically biased. He encloses a copy of a letter from Chief Engineer John F. Stevens which outlines Kenly’s deficiencies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-23

Letter from William H. Fleming to Theodore Roosevelt

Politician and orator William H. Fleming believes President Roosevelt wishes “to do the best thing possible for the whole country, including our Southern white people, and not excluding the negroes.” Many Georgia locals agree with outspoken men like T. W. Hardwick though the South owes no allegiance to the 14th and 15th Amendment. South Carolina politician Coleman Livingston Blease has argued against education for African Americans and called for the university in Orangeburg to be torn down. Fleming asks Roosevelt if the government can make a statement of clarity regarding the amendments to help “check the riotous tendency down here.” Fleming believes that any man not willing to commit to the Constitution and its amendments should be stripped of their seat and discusses counter efforts against the passage of disenfranchisement laws.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-24

Letter from Herbert Parsons to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Parsons sends President Roosevelt a copy of a speech he gave to the 31st Assembly District. Parsons hopes that it is “up to date Rooseveltian” and meets his approval.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

Letter from Jesse Overstreet to Theodore Roosevelt

Congressman Overstreet thanks President Roosevelt for the letter he sent to Representative Watson. In the letter, which was recently made public, Roosevelt explains his position on tariffs in a way that Overstreet thought was especially effective. Tariffs had been a particularly contentious issue in Indiana, and Overstreet believes that Roosevelt’s letter will help to unify the party as they head into the midterm elections.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-22

Letter from William H. Fleming to Theodore Roosevelt

William H. Fleming writes to President Roosevelt about the possible disfranchisement of African American voters in Georgia. Fleming believes it would be a disaster if Hoke Smith, who advocates such disfranchisement, was nominated at the Democratic Convention. He is even more concerned about the conduct of Representative Thomas W. Hardwick, who has been decrying the 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution and publicly renouncing his allegiance to those parts of the Constitution. Fleming thinks that the question should be raised in the House of Representatives, whether a member is violating their oath of office by refusing to uphold these amendments. Such an inquiry would force Hardwick to either retract his statements or be removed from office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-17

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry Cabot Lodge is sorry that President Roosevelt does not agree with him about immigration but believes Roosevelt is likely right on the matter. Lodge has read Roosevelt’s letter to Nelson Appleton Miles and shares his views on the matter. Lodge has looked over the papers of the “Agricultural Implement people” and comments on lumber, cattle, manufacturing, and tariffs in the industry. Lodge has enclosed a letter regarding a civil service matter that he thinks should be looked into. Lodge praises Robert Bacon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-18

Letter from Robert Bacon to George von Lengerke Meyer

Assistant Secretary of State Bacon writes to Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer about the situation in Russia. The blame for the instability of the Duma should be evenly distributed between Tsar Nicholas II and his advisors. Bacon believed actual action and sacrifices mean more than words and sees the need for the formation of a constitutional government and a route out of bankruptcy as Russia’s highest concerns. The government is suppressing the distribution of the new Viborg Manifesto, created by former Dumas members.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-28

Letter from Edgar D. Crumpacker to Theodore Roosevelt

Edgar D. Crumpacker writes to President Roosevelt about rumors in the press that Roosevelt, House Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon, and other Republicans plan to take a “stand pat” policy which would mean any policy changes related to tariffs would be off the table. Rank and file Republicans seek revisions to tariff schedules and customs duties and may not vote with the party if no action is taken. Crumpacker feels this decision will likely turn the House democratic.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-28

Letter from Joseph Gurney Cannon to James Schoolcraft Sherman

Joseph Gurney Cannon recounts for J. S. Sherman his recent trip through Indiana with local Representative James E. Watson. Watson has recently returned from Missouri where he feels hopeful for the election of Frank B. Fulkerson and Cassius McLean Shartel, and recounts a political fight between Senator William Joel Stone and Governor Joseph Wingate Folk for the same seat. Watson went over the situation in Indiana as well, where demand for free hides like in Massachusetts are fueled by the independent press. Watson would like to take up President Roosevelt on his offer to write a letter on the matter. Cannon hopes the president will address the letter to Watson directly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-30