United States. Congress. Senate

Herbert J. Browne sends Theodore Roosevelt Charles Roscoe Howland’s address to the court of inquiry in the Brownsville investigation, which summarizes the case and sustains Roosevelt’s initial position. After dedicating much time, Howland proved the gun was not in the arm’s chest. Browne reports, “the conspiracy is now fully, absolutely and legally proven and the case is closed.” He thanks Roosevelt for the suggestion to Governor of the Panama Canal Zone Charles E. Magoon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-26

Creator(s)

Browne, Herbert J. (Herbert Janvrin), 1861-1936

John Callan O’Laughlin reports he returned home and left business negotiations in Victor L. Mason’s control. This attempt to secure foreign finance taught him the “tremendous power of the Morgans.” He is excited about the results of Theodore Roosevelt’s trip and discusses what states each presidential candidate expects delegates from. O’Laughlin notes that President William H. Taft does not know how to handle the worsening situation in Mexico. Congress will approve the reciprocity bill in the coming week.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-18

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

William Kent regrets that he will not be able to show Theodore Roosevelt the area north of the bay himself while Roosevelt is in California, but he nevertheless invites Roosevelt to visit his house and drive into the woods while he is away. Kent strongly desires Francis J. Heney to be appointed as a United States Senator. He believes the senior senator, Senator George Clement Perkins, will not last long, and that Heney would be an ideal candidate to replace him. Kent suggests that if Roosevelt feels himself able to, that he write to California Governor Hiram Johnson to suggest this to him. The difficulties Heney has experienced following his work in the Oregon Land Fraud trial cause Kent a great deal of regret, and he would like to help him if possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-24

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

Archibald McCowan believes Theodore Roosevelt has some influence with the Republicans in the New York state legislature. He suggests that the Republicans vote for a “good Democrat” as a United States senator. McCowan speaks against machine and boss politics.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-07

Creator(s)

McCowan, Archibald

George L. Burr suggests that there is an excellent opportunity for the Republican party to elect Theodore Roosevelt as a United States Senator, and asks that Roosevelt consider the possibility.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-03

Creator(s)

Burr, George L., 1834-1912

John Callan O’Laughlin informs Theodore Roosevelt that Senator William Lorimer was cleared of any corruption or wrongdoing in securing a seat in the United States Senate, and claims that he was saved by the actions of lame duck politicians. Even though Lorimer is in the Senate, however, O’Laughlin believes he “is so badly besmirched he will be of no importance save as [an] object lesson to [the] country.” He thanks Roosevelt for his service to the government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-01

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

Senator Lodge would like to help Hannis Taylor but President Taft has already selected the commissioners. The tariff commission bill Lodge has been working on will not pass and he is doubtful that Senator Lorimer will retain his Senate seat. He continues to support reciprocity with Canada but the negotiations were poorly conducted and the potential treaty gives a great deal to Canada with nothing in return.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-21

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Frank W. Coolbaugh expresses his displeasure at Senator Lodge’s opposition to the direct election of United States Senators.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-07

Creator(s)

Coolbaugh, Frank W., 1848-1914

Senator Lodge received Theodore Roosevelt’s telegram but it was too late to make any changes to his speech. He was not interested in addressing the Lorimer case as the speech focused on the resolution intended to deprive the United States of controlling Senatorial elections, and a defense of the Constitution. Lodge is concerned about the direct election of Senators as this will increase expenditure and bribery in elections.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-06

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Charles D. Walcott, Secretary of the Smithsonian, is glad that Theodore Roosevelt agrees that the zoologist Edmund Heller should go accompany Paul James Rainey on a trip to South Abyssinia. Senator Thomas Henry Carter, chairman of the Senate Irrigation Committee, is writing a report of the committee’s investigation into reclamation projects in the west, which Walcott believes discredits work done during Roosevelt’s administration. If this is the case, Walcott is sure that the minority report by Senator Francis G. Newlands will dispute it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-04

Creator(s)

Walcott, Charles D. (Charles Doolittle), 1850-1927

The books have arrived and Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge is pleased with them. Senator Lodge would have supported free trade with Canada but is concerned with the proposed treaty due to certain concessions to Canada. He is still uncomfortable with the Lorimer case. Lodge is confident that Senator Lorimer’s Senate seat was secured through bribery but the proof that Lorimer had any knowledge of the bribery is extremely weak. In another Senate matter, he is troubled by Governor Wilson’s use of patronage to secure a seat for James Edgar Martine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-02

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Parker H. Sercombe argues that the Senate should be abolished as an aristocratic body that does not promote scientific thinking has no place in a democracy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-31

Creator(s)

Sercombe, Parker H. (Parker Holmes), 1860-1944

Senator Lodge was pleased with Theodore Roosevelt’s “clear and convincing” letter to Simeon E. Baldwin. A reciprocity agreement is being negotiated with Canada, which Lodge supports, but he is concerned about the agreement’s potential effect on the New England fishing industry. He does not view the Lorimer case as clearly as Roosevelt. Senator Lorimer’s election was certainly influenced by bribery but Lodge has not seen evidence that Lorimer knew of or participated in bribery.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-28

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Senator Lodge has won his re-election campaign and is overwhelmed with letters and telegrams. Governor Foss and the Boston American are raising questions about the election because some Democrats supported Lodge. Lodge has been unable to find the time to review the Lorimer case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-23

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Senator Beveridge writes to Theodore Roosevelt to discuss corruption in the elections for United States Senators.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-19

Creator(s)

Beveridge, Albert J. (Albert Jeremiah), 1862-1927

Senator Lodge’s senate election in Massachusetts remains close but he believes the odds are in his favor. Representative Ames gave an interview with numerous lies regarding Lodge’s work on a bill for the purchase of three colliers. Lodge has not had time to review the Lorimer case material but will do so soon. He has met with John Callan O’Laughlin and offered advice regarding O’Laughlin’s public statements.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-14

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Senator Lodge believes that Senator Lorimer must have known about the bribery that decided Lorimer’s election and considers “the good name of the Senate” at stake. He believes that the political situation is improving in Massachusetts and recently delivered a well-received speech to a large crowd in Boston, Massachusetts. Lodge will be delighted with the zebra skin and his wife, “Nannie” Lodge, has yet to receive Roosevelt’s book.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-07

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

President Taft has been looking into the Lorimer case and has consulted with several senators. He sees corruption in Senator Lorimer’s election and hopes to see Lorimer ousted. However, Taft cautions against speaking out regarding the case due to the “clubdom” and resentment of outside interference in the Senate. He suggests that Theodore Roosevelt withhold his article on the subject until after speeches have been made on the floor of the Senate. Original and copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-06

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Senator Borah fears that he may not be able to make his appointment with Theodore Roosevelt because of some matters that have arisen in Congress, and sends a note in case he is absent. If this is the case, he will try to visit Roosevelt another time that works for him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-08

Creator(s)

Borah, William Edgar, 1865-1940

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Taft asks Theodore Roosevelt for a statement of his views on the Japanese question. Secretary of State Philander C. Knox believes he has a solution regarding the treaty and has proposed it to Senator Elihu Root. He recently met with Governor-elect of California Hiram Johnson and believes he is content with a practical solution. Taft feels Congress would be headed in the right direction if it passed the Tariff Commission bill. The Senate passing Senator Albert Baird Cummins’ resolution would prove even more advantageous to exposing the Democrats’ wrong view to the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-09

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930