United States. Department of the Interior

Francis P. McManamon examines the origins of the Antiquities Act of 1906 that President Theodore Roosevelt and his successors used to safeguard natural and scientific sites across the United States. McManamon asserts that it was threats to ancient archaeological sites across the American Southwest that led to calls for greater government intervention, and he highlights the case of the Casa Grande ruins in Arizona. McManamon notes the work of private organizations, government agencies, individuals, and members of Congress, most importantly Congressman John F. Lacey of Iowa, who worked to save important sites before the passage of the Antiquities Act. McManamon traces the slow path to passage of the Antiquities Act, and he highlights its important text and provisions. He notes how Roosevelt used the act to set aside eighteen national monuments, and he asserts that Roosevelt’s actions, especially in regards to the Grand Canyon of Arizona, set important precedents for his successors, especially President Bill Clinton.  

Two photographs and two illustrations supplement the text. 

Assistant Secretary of the Interior Sweeney confirms receipt of the letter from Secretary of Agriculture Houston stating that officers of the Forest Service have been directed to continue maintaining the lands within the boundaries of the newly created Lassen Volcanic National Park until the Department of the Interior can assume their maintenance, and thanks him for the action taken in this matter. He hopes Congress will appropriate funds allowing the Department of the Interior to take control over the park before the present session adjourns.

Collection

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Creation Date

1916-08-21

Secretary of Agriculture Houston has learned that the bill to create Lassen Volcanic National Park was approved by President Woodrow Wilson recently, and informs Secretary of the Interior Lane that he has directed the local officers of the Forest Service to continue to protect the area from fire or injury until such time as the officers of the Department of the Interior can take over the work.

Collection

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Creation Date

1916-08-14

The author of the letter believes the report on Lassen Volcanic National Park embodies Secretary of the Interior Lane’s views on how his department should handle the matter. They had previously discussed the matter in connection with consideration of the report on the bill creating the Hawaii National Park.

Collection

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Creation Date

1916-02-12

Assistant Secretary of the Interior Mather confirms receipt of the letter from Roscoe J. Anderson, Secretary-Manager of the Northern California Counties Association, enclosing a resolution of his organization. Mather informs Anderson that the Department of the Interior has considered the measure, and made a favorable report regarding the bill submitted by the chairman of the House Committee on Public Lands.

Collection

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Creation Date

1916-02-21

Representative Raker submits a report recommending a small change to the wording of the bill H.R. 5588, which aims to repeal section 5 of the act entitled “An act to establish the Lassen Volcanic National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, in the State of California, and for other purposes.” The bill was referred to the Department of the Interior, which recommended that the bill be favorably reported due to the increasing costs associated with developing Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Collection

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Creation Date

1922-02-21

President Roosevelt would like Commissioner of Indian Affairs Leupp’s opinion of Assistant Attorney General James Clark McReynolds before deciding if the disagreement between the two should be referred to Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-15

Following a number of legislative items, including voting on an amendment to a bill and a motion to investigate participation in international expositions, Senator Robert M. La Follette delivers a speech beginning with proposed tariff reciprocity with Canada, but quickly turning to his view that President William H. Taft has abandoned his campaign promises to continue the progressive policies of his predecessor Theodore Roosevelt. La Follette excoriates Taft on his stances on taxes and conservation, among other issues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-15

Theodore Roosevelt recently wrote an article for The Outlook offering his opinion regarding what factors are slowing development there, and specifically addressing the action of the Department of the Interior in selling off the area around Controller Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-23

After much back and forth and strong opposition, Merwin Kimball Hart has finally been removed from consideration as assistant secretary in the Interior Department.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-19

William A. Richards tells President Roosevelt that, in acting upon the recommendations of M. A. Meyendorff, who was investigating land fraud in Colorado, he transferred special agent Max Pracht from Pueblo to Durango, Colorado. Pracht sent Richards a confidential letter, and took exception to Richards’s reply. Now, Pracht intends to come to Washington, D.C., to “place himself right,” and has told his political backers in Oregon “that he will resign as a special agent and then proceed to do some terrible things which he only hints at.” Richards forwards Roosevelt a copy of the offending letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-09

President Roosevelt shakes Uncle Sam’s hand just outside the “White House” door. Uncle Sam holds three rolled up papers—”Miller scandal,” “Isthmian canal question,” and “Interior Department”—as well as a “P.O. Scandal” mailbag. Caption: Home from his vacation and ready for work—and there’s plenty in sight!

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-04

President-elect William H. Taft holds a “cabinet appointment” pitcher in one hand and a “Sec’y of Interior” martini glass in the other. He offers the glass to Walter S. Dickey, who says, “It certainly was a hard old job swinging Missouri for you!” Charles Nagel looks on in horror and says, “Well——!.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

St. Louis was very political, and still one of America’s largest metropolises; and Missouri was an influential state in political, manufacturing, and trade. Once a bastion of the Solid South — and a thorn in the side of President Abraham Lincoln for its changeable loyalties — it broke with electoral patterns and voted Republican in 1904, helping Theodore Roosevelt’s reelection.

President Roosevelt asks Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock to issue an amendment to the orders withdrawing coal lands in the United States and Alaska from entry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-14

Rudolph Forster confirms receipt of the memorandum from William Loeb, and has requested that the Department of the Interior appoint Amy Belle Cheney to a position in the Forestry Division. He expects the appointment to be made today, and will send Loeb the papers directly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-1904

Francis J. Heney informs Henry Martyn Hoyt that Thomas B. Neuhausen of the Interior Department investigated William C. Bristol. Neuhausen reports that Bristol’s conduct is not questionable. Additionally, Judge Cotton and attorney Joseph Nathan Teal have given statements exonerating Bristol. Neuhausen will send the report to Hoyt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-07

Special Assistant to the Attorney General Richards responds to Attorney General Bonaparte’s notice of reports of his misconduct. The purported misconduct relates to suits against Senator Robert L. Owen’s cancelling of Native American land deeds. Richards describing his actions in the case, as well as those from the Interior Department and Owen. He asserts his innocence in the matter, and suggests that proceedings be brought against Owen due to his violation of Section 2111, R. S.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-18

Oscar S. Straus, president of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, presides over the ceremony transferring ownership of Sagamore Hill from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. Speakers include the Chair of the Sagamore Hill Committee Bertha Bartlett Benkard Rose, Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall, and Director Emeritus of the Theodore Roosevelt Association Hermann Hagedorn. Straus and Rose speak on the work the Theodore Roosevelt Association has done since its establishment, particularly the effort to restore Sagamore Hill to the condition it was in during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. Udall praises the contributions Roosevelt made in urging the nation to conserve its natural resources, looking to the good of future generations. Hagedorn reminisces about Roosevelt’s character and hopes that visitors to this historic home will understand what made Roosevelt great and take that lesson to heart. Udall concludes the ceremony by assuring attendees that the National Park Service will care well for the site, and by signing the order officially establishing the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace and Sagamore Hill National Historic Sites.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association

Creation Date

1963-07-08

Acting Governor of New Mexico James W. Raynolds reports that Ormsby McHarg, United States Special Assistant Attorney General, and his representative Ernest P. Holcombe arrived in New Mexico and informed him that he was there to investigate acts of territorial officials, though he did not present any credentials to prove he was indeed an official of the United States. McHarg stated that he would appear in the court case of Holm Olaf Bursum, the former superintendent of prisons. In the process of relaying his intentions, McHarg threatened to involve the Department of Justice, President Roosevelt, and the press, if his demands were not met. In this and subsequent communications, McHarg accused the territorial attorney general and other officials of incompetence, ignorance of the law, and corruption. Though McHarg insisted all his communications be treated as confidential, a story appeared in the press which seems to have been planted by him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-13

In a pre-printed form, President Roosevelt informs Secretary of the Territory of New Mexico Raynolds that he will be removed from office once his successor is named.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-27