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George B. Cortelyou forwards to Secretary of the Navy Moody an inquiry from the Senate about the case of Apolinario Mabini, along with a memorandum from Secretary of War Elihu Root. President Roosevelt would like to discuss Moody’s response to the Senate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-16
Theodore Roosevelt would like to change the election of United States senators from the legislature to the popular vote. However, he does not want to force the direct election of senators on the states and is comfortable with a provision that would allow the people of each state to decide how their senators will be elected. Roosevelt would like Congress to give the states the power to put the change in place according to the desires of their electorate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-20
Theodore Roosevelt believes that his proposal regarding arbitration is feasible. He understands William Jennings Bryan’s proposal on the direct election of United States senators. This will give people the power to elect senators while allowing a state to return to the present plan for a time not to exceed ten years. If this is correct, Roosevelt approves of such a plan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-10
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks George J. Joyce for his letter. Roosevelt will attempt to take up the matter noted by Joyce with an unnamed senator.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-07
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs John Mulholland that Roosevelt cannot choose who goes in front of the Senate Committee investigating the political contributions Standard Oil gave the Republican Party in 1904. Roosevelt only wants the facts to be known in the case. The secretary encourages Mulholland to continue talking with Walter F. Brown in order to do good work together.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt requests that Senator Clapp confer with Senator Dixon and Oscar K. Davis to determine an appropriate date for Roosevelt to appear in front of Clapp’s Senate committee. Roosevelt would like to appear in front of the committee as soon as his schedule will allow.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-01
As the Senate committee was unable to see him, Theodore Roosevelt offers his testimony in writing. He denies knowledge of requests for campaign funds directed at the Standard Oil Company for his presidential campaign of 1904. These requests supposedly promised lenient treatment and favors in exchange for large contributions. Roosevelt offers documentary evidence that in 1904 he instructed any money received from Standard Oil to be returned. Furthermore, according to campaign records, no funds were ever received from Standard Oil.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt encloses two letters. Roosevelt thinks that the Progressive Party should not associate with Senator Penrose’s gang in Pennsylvania. Roosevelt also remarks upon the Senate committee’s “contemptible trick” of not allowing him to appear before them; instead, he has sent them every letter connected to Standard Oil.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt is sorry to hear of Governor Bass’s health; however, he is pleased to have a straight ticket (referring to Winston Churchill’s decision to run for governor of New Hampshire). Roosevelt sends separately the Senate report on Barnes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-21
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased by Albert Shaw’s writing in the Review of Reviews. Roosevelt discusses his views of the Progressive Party as a new party comparable to the Republican Party after it broke away from the Whig Party. Roosevelt discusses the Progressive Party running as a third party and also agrees with Shaw about the Vice-Presidency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-03
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Mathew Hale about the position in the United States Senate and hopes to meet with Hale, Hill, and others soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-31
Theodore Roosevelt thanks R. M. Nevin for his letter and expresses regret at not having been able to see Nevin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-16
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs W. D. Jackson that the Compensation Bill has been approved by the United States Senate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-13
As requested, Theodore Roosevelt sent a letter to Senator Dixon encouraging him to influence the progressive senators in favor of the battleship legislation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-13
Theodore Roosevelt discusses his recollection of the Bureau of Corporation’s investigation into the Harvester matter, and tells Oscar K. Davis that it is comparable to Charles J. Bonaparte’s remembrance. Roosevelt writes that he will not appear in a moving picture with Boy Scouts or anyone else as he feels it would be a cheap thing to do.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-11
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks Charles Howard Thompson for the letter confirming the telephone message giving the election figures. Roosevelt hopes for the passage of the direct primary bill for the election of senators.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-09
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary acknowledges N. T. McGrane’s letter to Roosevelt, his letter to T. W. Hardwick, and a copy of Senate Bill no. 1412.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-04-11
Theodore Roosevelt does not want the Senate to pass the arbitration treaties without “an addendum that emasculates them.” He would prefer that this was done with an amendment but it could also be accomplished with an interpretation as suggested by Senator Elihu Root.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-12
Theodore Roosevelt approves of Senator Lodge’s speech and the action taken by the Senate. The difficulties with the arbitration treaties extend from the Taft administration’s attitude. Roosevelt will send the article he wrote for next week’s Outlook regarding the Russian arbitration treaty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-23
Theodore Roosevelt is sending an advance copy of his article on the abrogation of the Russian treaty. He approves of speeches made by Senator Lodge and Senator Root. Roosevelt would have preferred an announcement from Root opposing the treaties; instead Root supported the treaties with an interpretation opposite of their real sense.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-27