Your TR Source
President Roosevelt apologizes but under the rules of the War Department, it is impossible to detail Cooper as requested by General Bell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-28
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from the War Department and wishes that a more satisfactory answer could be found. Roosevelt will show John Thomas McDonough’s letter to Secretary Root as soon as he returns.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-27
Judge Wright’s nomination will be presented by Attorney General Knox. President Roosevelt is confused by reports in Ohio newspapers about the nomination and claims that he has always stated that the matter would not be taken up until after the election. Roosevelt has a “curious experience” he would like to relate to Hanna about John McCook’s candidacy for Secretary of War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-04
General Palmer needs to be informed that the Cabinet is selected by the President and that no President will accept unasked suggestions from an outside source. President Roosevelt believes that William H. Taft is the ideal candidate to succeed Secretary Root and Taft accepted the position long before Alexander McCook’s name was suggested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-29
President Roosevelt has been astounded by the public’s reaction to the fact that Nelson Miles was not singled out for praise upon his retirement. The War Department is working well, except for Henry Corbin who is trying to get Roosevelt to associate with people more than he wishes. Kermit is enjoying the camping equipment Root sent him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-03
William H. Taft’s eventual appointment as Secretary of War has unexpectedly been made public due to some of outgoing Secretary of War Elihu Root’s business arrangements. Luke E. Wright will become Governor General of the Philippines, Henry C. Ide will become Vice-Governor, and Beekman Winthrop will be the new commissioner. There has been a “hysterical howl” from much of the public and the Grand Army of the Republic over the fact that the retirement letter sent by Root to General Nelson Appleton Miles did not single Miles out for praise. Roosevelt finds the situation very odd.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-03
Luke E. Wright will succeed William H. Taft as Governor of the Philippines when Taft becomes Secretary of War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-03
President Roosevelt is opposed to Alford Cooley’s appointment to the Lake Level Commission and asks Senator Hopkins to recommend another “first-class engineer.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-04
President Roosevelt holds Colonel Alexander McDowell McCook in high regard but believes that William H. Taft is the right man for the position. Plus, Taft should not stay any longer in the Philippines due to his health. The head of the army should be familiar with Philippine policy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-19
President Roosevelt sends Secretary Root’s letter about the Miles incident. The letter must be kept private but the information can be used. The incident was handled within the War Department and Roosevelt approves of Root’s action.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-20
President Roosevelt regretfully accepts Secretary Root’s resignation as Secretary of War and commends his public service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-24
President Roosevelt will let Granville Fortescue know about the War Department’s response. Roosevelt went out yesterday on Bleistein for an hour and a half. Consequently, he is rather uncomfortable due to his skinned legs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-06
President Roosevelt regrets that Assistant Secretary of War Sanger is resigning and thanks him for his service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-16
President Roosevelt quotes a flattering letter from Governor General of the Philippines William H. Taft regarding Secretary of War Root and his handling of the War Department. Roosevelt also provides instructions for the promotion of several officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-17
The War Department would like General Oliver, the incoming Assistant Secretary of War, to familiarize himself with the work of the department before Secretary of War Elihu Root travels to Europe as a member of the Alaskan Boundary Tribunal. President Roosevelt asks Oliver when he can start.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-09
In consultation with Secretary of War Elihu Root, President Roosevelt has decided that the War Department can wait until September 1 for General Oliver to take up the position as Assistant Secretary of War. Roosevelt would like Oliver to meet with Root and Assistant Secretary of War William Cary Sanger in August to get a feeling for the department and Root’s ideas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-13
President Roosevelt reviews upcoming appointments and promotions in the War Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-14
President Roosevelt offers Robert Shaw Oliver the position of Assistant Secretary of War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-29
President Roosevelt suggests Mr. Sands as chairman of the county committee. Assistant Secretary Sanger is resigning and Roosevelt would like to appoint a New Yorker as Sanger’s successor. He asks if Senator Platt has any objections to the appointment of Robert Shaw Oliver.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-29
President Roosevelt would like to know when Assistant Secretary of War Sanger would like to resign as it might affect General Oliver’s ability to accept the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-02