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Albert Henry recounts a previous interaction with Theodore Roosevelt while he was police commissioner. Lately, he has been unable to get work and asks Roosevelt’s assistance in securing employment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-26
Representative Bennet reports to Senator Lodge from Greece on the practices of steamship companies taking immigrants to the United States. In light of current restrictive health inspections at Ellis Island, Greek officials and heads of steamship companies are carrying out more stringent health inspections before the ships depart. This has drastically reduced the number of immigrants turned away in the United States. Bennet suggests that it may be an opportune time to cooperate with Greece to exclude “undesirable” Greek immigrants from coming to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-03
Secretary of Commerce and Labor Cortelyou asks that President Roosevelt be alerted that Commissioner John A. Shields dismissed the case against Edward F. McSweeney.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06
Chronology of the daily life of Theodore Roosevelt from January 1892 to December 1898. Notable events include the death of Elliott Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt is appointed New York City Police Commissioner, his tenure as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, the Spanish-American War, and Roosevelt’s gubernatorial campaign.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
1985
Walter E. Davenport, in a newspaper article, discusses issues pertaining to immigration, the challenges of immigrating to the United States, and the challenges facing immigrants searching for jobs in the United States.
Arthur von Briesen is preparing invitations for a meeting on April 30 and forwards President Roosevelt a copy for his review. Von Briesen expresses disappointment that he is not going to Europe to settle the Ellis Island matter. Von Briesen informs the President that he has signed up five New York bankers as members of his Roosevelt League.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-11
Two newspaper articles describe a seder service held at Ellis Island for ninety detained Russian Jewish immigrants. The supplies and cost for the religious service were paid for by the private catering company that held the Ellis Island contract.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04
This pamphlet advertises the 1912 candidacies of Theodore Roosevelt and Hiram Johnson, as well as the platform of the Progressive Party. Emphasizing Theodore Roosevelt’s past success and popularity as president, the pamphlet outlines some of the Progressive Party’s beliefs–particularly with regards to immigrants and immigration–and compares them to those of the Republican and Democratic parties. It also includes a substantial excerpt from Woodrow Wilson’s American People’s History as an example of Wilson’s views on race and immigration. The pamphlet closes by reminding everyone of their duty to vote, and urges them to vote for Roosevelt and Johnson.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
Several artists identified as “Lawrence, Gainsborough, D. Teniers, Rubens, Raphael, Da Vinci, Titian, Duerer, Velasquez, Van Dyke, Reni”, and the friar Girolamo Savonarola as “S,” are being held in a holding pen labeled “Prohibitive Tariff on Art” at Ellis Island Immigration Station.
The year 1908 was a watershed year in American fine art. It was little recognized at the time — as cultural paradigm shifts seldom are — nor today, but the perceptual revolution attributed to 1913 and the landmark Armory Show in New York City sprouted from seeds planted in 1908. The Post-Impressionist and Expressionists known as “The Eight” and “The Ashcan School” collectively mounted an exhibition at New York’s Macbeth Gallery. Their work was in rebellion against academic painting, and in their ranks were several cartoonists, including William J. Glackens, whose brother Louis was on the staff of Puck.
Eugene A. Philbin informs President Roosevelt that the Ellis Island Commission has carefully gone over their report and removed all ambiguities about the administration of immigration laws at Ellis Island. Philbin believes that George B. Cortelyou’s criticisms were unnecessarily harsh but hopes that their revisions meets with Roosevelt’s approval.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-25
Eugene A. Philbin apologizes for giving information to the Post concerning the Ellis Island Report without President Roosevelt’s permission. He had done so in hope that the paper would then be less unfair and unjust to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-19
Eugene A. Philbin of the Ellis Island Commission writes to President Roosevelt following meetings with commission members, Thomas W. Hynes and Ralph Trautmann. Philbin responds to Roosevelt’s criticism that he did not adequately commend Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island William Williams’ administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-01
Arthur von Briesen writes to President Roosevelt to express his distress over Eugene A. Philbin, member of the Ellis Island Commission, disclosing confidential findings of the Commission to an Evening Post reporter, who published the abstract in the paper. Briesen comments on why the Commission’s report did not more strongly commend the administration of the Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island, William Williams.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-04
Arthur von Briesen writes to President Roosevelt regarding the Ellis Island investigation. Briesen relays that the Ellis Island Committee recently discussed the process of selection and exclusion of immigrants into the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-01
Ralph Trautmann, who was born in Germany, offers to represent President Roosevelt’s views at an upcoming Ellis Island Committee meeting. Referencing Grover Cleveland’s previous bill restricting immigration, Trautmann expresses concerns that a similar bill proposed by Senator Lodge may negatively affect Roosevelt’s presidential campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-30
William Williams discusses filling laborer positions at Ellis Island and consultation with Matthew Linn Bruce. Williams recommends Street Cleaning Commissioner of New York John McGaw Woodbury for sanitary engineering work in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-25
James R. Sheffield informs President Roosevelt of plans to gather a group to meet with Commissioner of Immigration William Williams. The invitees include Stuyvesant Fish, Nevada N. Stranahan, Joseph Bucklin Bishop, Mr. Seul, Mr. Greene, Nicholas Murray Butler, and George Rumsey Sheldon. Sheffield extends a hopeful invitation for Roosevelt to attend the dinner at the University Club.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-06
Arthur Von Briesen writes to President Roosevelt regarding the Ellis Island investigation. Briesen relays that the Ellis Island Committee recently discussed the process of selection and exclusion of immigrants into the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-04
Eugene A. Philbin writes to President Roosevelt following a conference at Ellis Island with Arthur von Brisen and Emil von Schleintz regarding the immigration conditions at Ellis Island. Philbin requests additional time to prepare a final draft of their report.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-02
Arthur von Briesen responds to President Roosevelt’s request for a report regarding the Ellis Island investigation. Briesen extends belated birthday wishes to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-30