United States. Congress. House

Postcard showing the Hall of Representatives in the United States Capitol building consisting of an assembly room with desks and chairs arranged in a semi-circle around a central desk flanked by portraits of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Additional seating on the second story overlooks the area.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is an interior view of the Hall of Representatives. This room is 139x93ft with a 30ft ceiling. At either side of the Speakers desk are the portraits of Washington and Layfaette [sic].”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Congressman Monrad C. Wallgren has proposed legislation to establish a national park on the Olympic Peninsula, superseding and expanding the present Olympic National Monument. The Emergency Conservation Committee urges its readers to send letters in support of this measure to Congress.

Collection

Olympic National Park

Creation Date

1935-06

The Emergency Conservation Committee outlines twelve problems that it views of immediate importance, and provides suggestions of who to contact to help encourage action on the various matters.

Collection

Olympic National Park

Creation Date

1935-05

This bill, introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Raker, repeals section 5 of the act establishing Lassen Volcanic National Park, which restricted the amount of money able to be appropriated for the park.

Collection

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Creation Date

1922-02-21

Cartoon shows Republican House Majority Leader Sereno Elisha Payne sitting on the Republican side of the U.S. House of Representatives chamber dangling a fishing line over the Democratic side. The fish hook is labeled “Fake Tariff Reduction.” Payne sits on a book with a page protruding, “Dutch Standard [paragraph] 209” which refers to the Tariff Law of 1897.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

Cartoon shows Republican House Majority Leader Sereno Elisha Payne sitting on the Republican side of the U.S. House of Representatives chamber dangling a fishing line over the Democratic side. The fish hook is labeled “Fake Tariff Reduction.” Payne sits on a book with a page protruding, “Dutch Standard [paragraph] 209” which refers to the Tariff Law of 1897.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

Brief remarks by Congressman Gerald R. Ford of Michigan on October, 25, 1967 honoring Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1976

A rich vein of ore has recently been discovered in the Olympic National Monument, leading to an effort to convert the area into a regular forest reserve, which would allow prospectors to mine the vein–something they are currently prohibited from doing. Theodore Roosevelt reserved the area while president, but President William H. Taft supports the effort to allow mining. The area in Canada nearest to Washington is home to some very productive mines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-25

Letter to the editor of Public Ledger. Thomas H. Ball represents the Woolen Industry of Philadelphia by writing of the impact the proposed Underwood tariff bill would have on the woolen and worsted industries throughout the United States. He believes that the tariff would “annihilate” the industry and supports his analysis with examples.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-12

President Roosevelt holds the “White House” and the “House of Representatives” as he rides a Republican elephant. In the background, a man—likely “Babcock”—says, “Hey!”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08

Pennsylvania Representative George Albert Castor stands on “Randall’s chair.” Caption: “And what judgment would step from this to this?” —Hamlet.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-26

President Roosevelt holds a “veto” burning match about to light the “pork bill (public buildings)” cannon aimed at the “Senate” and the “House.” Roosevelt says, “Pass my anti-injunction bill or I’ll let ‘er go!” The “Senate” and “House” say, “He looks serious.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

There are two lessons for researchers of a later day studying this political cartoon by Clifford Kennedy Berryman. The first is a very frank depiction of President Roosevelt as a practical politician who frequently used the weapons at his disposal to have his way in policy disputes. He is remembered by history — and frequently depicted by cartoonists — as a fervent idealist and a president who utilized speeches, articles, public tours, and diplomatic charms when he encountered Congressional opposition. Berryman portrays Roosevelt as a hard-nosed political leader who could, and did, employ threats, tactics like withholding patronage, and as in this cartoon, the possibility of vetoes of favored legislation to return serves from Congress.

President Roosevelt tells Representative Cousins that he is hoping the navy can get two battleships.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-23

An article in The American Review of Reviews reflects on the current political situation in Congress, especially lamenting that both houses are controlled by powerful cliques who work in their own interests, often at the expense of legislation that would benefit the people. In particular, tariffs and appropriations for the construction of battleships are discussed. The author also speculates about the outcomes of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and the upcoming presidential campaign, as well as the necessity of a good man to run the Republican convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-21

While Attorney General Bonaparte wishes to remain neutral in this matter, he suggests that President Roosevelt consider the most likely outcome of attempting to impeach Judge Peter Stenger Grosscup. Because of the current “temper” of the House of Representatives, a successful impeachment seems improbable, which Grosscup may take as vindication. If Roosevelt does submit the report on Grosscup along with one on Judge Alexander J. Boarman, Bonaparte would like him to make the identity of the investigating examiner less prominent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-08

As President Roosevelt’s presidency comes to an end, he faces resistance from the House of Representatives over his request to increase the budget of the Secret Service and backlash from the Senate for not trust busting the United States Steel Corporation’s acquisition of the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-08

During a speech given at the Methodist Episcopal Church of Africa’s diamond jubilee, President Roosevelt praises white imperialism. Roosevelt in particular eulogizes British imperialism in India, claiming the British administration to be a greater feat than any of the Roman Empire. Roosevelt states that English control prevents tyrannical leaders from oppressing the common masses. The second portion of this article describes the outrage incited by the summoning of the editors and correspondents of the New York World to testify in a case against Joseph Pulitzer for libeling the United States Government. Representative William F. Willett, of New York, went on an angry tirade against President Roosevelt. Once Willett was declared out of order and prevented from continuing, Senator Isidor Rayner, of Massachusetts, explained that the outrage was due to concerns over violation of the freedom of speech and press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-19

David Starr Jordan tells Representative James Carson Needham that he is reluctant to advise Gifford Pinchot because the latter has superior knowledge of what to do with the forest around the Pinnacles. Jordan feels that the Pinnacles would benefit from remaining government property as it would prevent someone from enclosing them and “making a peep-show of them.”

Collection

Pinnacles National Park

Creation Date

1908-05-11

Governor General of the Philippines Taft writes to Secretary of War Root about the tariff bill that is currently in the Senate. Taft asserts the necessity of passing the bill, as the situation in the Philippines is serious, especially regarding the sugar and tobacco industries. All political parties in the Philippines are petitioning for the bill, and if it fails it will be very discouraging.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-02-26

This bill designates certain lands in various national parks and other national lands as wilderness areas. Theodore Roosevelt National park is among those included.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1972-10-04