Your TR Source
President Roosevelt agrees with Richard F. Pettigrew’s opinion about Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson. Roosevelt could not put Wilson in another department because he is doing such excellent work in his current department. On the other hand, while Roosevelt has a “high regard” for Marion Butler, he cannot give him the position he desires.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-03
President Roosevelt thanks Senator Beveridge for his assistance in Indiana during the presidential election. Roosevelt believes that Aaron Jones would be the best candidate to be appointed as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, but asks for Beveridge’s opinion on the topic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-11
President Roosevelt acknowledges Walter Preston Brownlow’s letter and says he has misunderstood. Roosevelt only supports the national government experimenting here and there in the Department of Agriculture with different materials for building roads, not undertaking actual construction of roads.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-11
President Roosevelt agrees with the statements made in Ernest Harold Baynes’s letter. He has sent the letter to Secretary of Agriculture Wilson and will bring it up in his annual address.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-16
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Gurney Cannon, Chairman of the Notification Committee, to formally accept his nomination as the Republican presidential candidate and to approve the platform adopted by the Republican National Convention. In the letter, Roosevelt provides a comprehensive defense of his foreign and domestic policies and outlines what he believes are the major differences between the Republican and Democratic parties in the upcoming election. Roosevelt discusses, among other topics, his position on international relations, antitrust legislation, tariffs, the gold standard, pensions for Civil War veterans, the military, civil service, commerce, agriculture, taxation, and self-government in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-12
President Roosevelt would like to appoint the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture from New York. If this is not possible, he would like to make the appointment from Indiana. Roosevelt asks Charles W. Fairbanks about Aaron Jones for this position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-01
Three members of the National Grange–Aaron Jones, Charles J. Bell, and Elliott B. Norris–have approached President Roosevelt about their objections to G. Howard Davison as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. Roosevelt asks for Governor Odell’s opinion on this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-01
President Roosevelt had not considered Gifford Pinchot for the position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture until Secretary of Agriculture Wilson recommended him. Roosevelt wonders if Pinchot is interested in the position and if he feels his agricultural knowledge is sufficient. Although Roosevelt has already partially committed himself to G. Howard Davison, he will put the appointment on hold until he hears from Pinchot.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-16
Gifford Pinchot expresses his concerns on public lands, land settlement, and land reclamation in this memorandum. He proposes “better administration” by reorganizing the Department of the Interior and “better law” by repealing the Timber and Stone Act, revising the Homestead Law, and improving agricultural prospects on desert land through several proposed measures by the Department of Agriculture.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-1909
President Roosevelt would like to meet with Secretary of Agriculture Wilson to discuss matters raised by Senators Aldrich and Wetmore, and Congressman Wadsworth.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-04
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Clifford Richardson regarding a memorandum sent by Richardson that has led to charges against Mr. Chamist of the Agricultural Department. Chamist had no connection with the matter. Roosevelt believes it is a misunderstanding and no charges should be filed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-08
President Roosevelt hopes that C. Hart Merriam’s division can be made a bureau in the Department of Agriculture. He knows that Senator Proctor will fight to secure funding for the transfer and guarding of the last herd of California elk.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-20
Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson had no intention of attacking Cornell University but was trying to justify the Department of Agriculture’s efforts on behalf of the university. The testimony was supposed to be for the private information of the committee. Wilson regrets the incident.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-08
President Roosevelt will have the Attorney General personally look over the letter, but this will delay the matter for several weeks. Roosevelt will not put the Crane matter before the Department of Agriculture.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-09
President Roosevelt has agreed to meet with C. Grant La Farge regarding the Lord & Hewlett case. However, Roosevelt doubts that the case can be reopened as the Department of Justice has ruled both protests in favor of the Department of Agriculture.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-27
President Roosevelt sends an enclosure for Secretary of Agriculture Wilson’s attention and asks him to contact Daniel Hudson Burnham in the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-28
President Roosevelt has doubts on the architectural knowledge of the committee dealing with the new Agricultural building. Roosevelt would like Daniel Hudson Burnham, the Chicago World’s Fair architect, consulted before plans are made.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-19
President Roosevelt was pleased with Secretary Wilson’s letter and feels fortunate in having him as a Cabinet officer and friend.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-25
President Roosevelt would like to give “a first-class white man from North Carolina” a position of at least $3000.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-05
After receiving a letter from Caspar Whitney, President Roosevelt would like to know if he can do anything to help protect game in Wyoming.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-08