Vorys, Arthur I. (Arthur Isaiah), 1856-1933

President Roosevelt sends William H. Taft a copy of the letter he sent to Treasurer of the Campaign Committee George Rumsey Sheldon regarding campaign contributions, after a complaint from Frank B. Kellogg. Roosevelt asks Taft to take more aggressive action against William Jennings Bryan, perhaps giving a speech like the one recently given by New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Many have suggested that T. Coleman DuPont should not be in charge of the Speakers Committee, and if it were up to Roosevelt he would be removed. Roosevelt has given the press a copy of a letter from Taft to Arthur I. Vorys in which Taft’s independence is full display, to counteract the press coverage of the supposed reconciliation with Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Roosevelt advises Taft, in his speech, to speak about the connection between William Randolph Hearst and the Democratic National Committee. In a postscript, Roosevelt advises Taft to remove Sheldon if he did in fact solicit the donations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt heartily approves of Representative Longworth’s speech and hopes it will be distributed widely. Roosevelt is pleased that his fight for the nomination of New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes paid off, but he is disappointed in the way William H. Taft’s campaign is going, and lists a few of the men he thinks could be responsible. He is anxious to see Taft show more investment and take a swing at Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, but he does not want to steal the spotlight by interfering too much.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt would not have advised Secretary of War Taft to take the position of refusing to compromise with Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker but, upon reflection, considers it “one of those fine and manly things” he expects from Taft. Roosevelt recommends changing one sentence in his letter, which reads, “It may be quite true that a Senator may act on his own conscience.” Roosevelt believes it would be better to use the specific example of the rate bill where Foraker “acted so as to outrage the consciences of all the best men.” If Taft is not to be the president, Roosevelt hopes he will be Chief Justice or a senator from Ohio.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Walter Allen Rice asks Theodore Roosevelt whether he supports federal supervision of fraternal insurance societies. Rice outlines the challenges these organizations face under inconsistent state regulations and argues that national oversight would reduce administrative burdens and benefit millions of members.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-12

Creator(s)

Rice, Walter A. (Walter Allen), 1858-

University of California President Wheeler tells President Roosevelt that most Californians are eager to show their support for Secretary of War William H. Taft’s presidential bid. The Alameda County, California, political machine generally opposes Taft, but William F. Herrin has instructed these men to support Taft. Wheeler praises Roosevelt’s skillful handling of the Berkeley, California post office matter, which Wheeler believes has secured California’s delegation for Taft. He updates Roosevelt on other happenings in California state politics and advises him to do nothing for now.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-20

Creator(s)

Wheeler, Benjamin Ide, 1854-1927

University of California President Benjamin Ide Wheeler sends William Loeb information regarding Secretary of War William H. Taft’s recent trip to Washington state. Wheeler discusses a letter from Judge Henry A. Melvin to Arthur I. Vorys in which Melvin says the existing political machine in Alameda County, California, will support Taft in the upcoming primaries. Wheeler believes Melvin wrote this letter because he is indebted to William E. Dargie and George W. Reed for his judgeship. Wheeler feels that these men are truly in opposition to Taft and Roosevelt, but are supporting Taft because his victory seems inevitable and they want to be on the winning side.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-19

Creator(s)

Wheeler, Benjamin Ide, 1854-1927

Charles Dewey Hilles informs William Loeb that the “rank and file” of New Jersey Republicans are loyal to President Roosevelt and William H. Taft but that prominent officials are not. Francis Hendricks believes that if Charles Evans Hughes becomes an active candidate, he will have a large following even though Taft is regarded highly right now.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-19

Creator(s)

Hilles, Charles Dewey, 1867-1949

William H. Taft has asked the Kentucky lawyer William Marshall Bullitt to write to William Loeb regarding the situation with Internal Revenue Collector Edward T. Franks. Taft has visited Colorado and outlines the situation there for Loeb: Archibald McNichol Stevenson has attempted to manipulate both Chairman of the Republican City Organization John F. Vivian and Taft’s campaign manager Arthur I. Vorys, and he has advocated for the removal of Internal Revenue Collector Frank W. Howbert. Taft has had positive meetings with both Vivian and Governor Henry Augustus Buchtel. They will support whoever President Roosevelt supports.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-31

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Secretary of War William H. Taft is depicted in the attire of various countries: Japan, France, China, Russia, and Germany. At the top of the cartoon is State of Colorado Executive Office letterhead and a handwritten note that reads, “This is the most delicious of all the Taft cartoons.. I have sent one to Mr. Vorys for Secretary Taft.. This one is for the President.. With compliments, Henry A. Buchtel.. October. 31, 1907..”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-26

President Roosevelt tells William H. Taft that he considers David Decamp Thompson’s position to be preposterous, and compares it with returning to the Republican platform of 1856 and 1860 regarding slavery. He says some people are all right for state level politics, but are incompetent when operating at the national level. Roosevelt sympathizes with Taft, who is not enjoying the campaign. If Taft were able to come visit, Roosevelt would invite Elihu Root and they could all discuss the party platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt understands the troubles that William H. Taft faces in selecting people to help run his campaign, and comments that it is very rare to find people who are both disinterested in advancing themselves and interested in providing efficient service. Roosevelt reflects on many of the people and appointments that he has had to deal with through his political career.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt denies the rumors of his seeking renomination at the convention, and points out that he has steadfastly supported Secretary of War William H. Taft. He also tells Lyman Abbott that he approves of the articles on immigrants that Edward Alfred Steiner has written in The Outlook. Roosevelt has tried to make his Cabinet representative of all types of Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt responds to Secretary of War Taft regarding a recent letter from Charles Phelps Taft. Roosevelt appointed Bernhard Bettmann to the position of Ohio Collector of Internal Revenue, first district, on the suggestions of Charles and Ohio Insurance Commissioner Arthur I. Vorys, against the wishes of Ohio Senators Joseph Benson Foraker and Charles Dick. If the Taft people cannot control Bettmann, then actions against Commissioner of Internal Revenue John G. Capers will not solve it. Roosevelt admired Taft’s speech, even if it could not reach the crowd affiliated with the morning’s editorial in The Sun.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-31

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is glad Alice Roosevelt Longworth is feeling better. He agrees that the political conditions in Ohio hurt the presidential campaign of Secretary of War William H. Taft. However, he believes Taft will likely still be nominated, but it will take careful action. As such, while he prefers Taft succeed him, Roosevelt will not openly declare his support. Besides Cleveland, the election results were good, and he enjoyed his hunting trip down the Mississippi.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he approves of Philippines Governor James Francis Smith’s action regarding the Japanese consul. Roosevelt will talk to Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte about appointing John K. Beach to the federal judgeship in Connecticut. Roosevelt approves of Beach’s knowledge of and sympathy with labor unions. After talking with William Loeb, Roosevelt has instructed Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer to follow Taft’s instructions regarding postmaster appointments in Ohio.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

William H. Taft introduces John Donovan, president of the Army Tournament Association, to President Roosevelt. Taft explains that he cannot attend the tournament Donovan is organizing because he must stay in Ohio but encourages Roosevelt to attend as Commander-in-Chief.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-12

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

William H. Taft is glad to hear that he is not alone in having troubles selecting a campaign chairman, and comments on recent developments he has had in selecting people to fill positions in his campaign. Taft anticipates some trouble with fundraising due to the fear of publicizing the sources of donations, but he thinks that the possible loss of contributions from large corporations will be made up in smaller donations from individuals across the country. William Jennings Bryan’s political platform appears to be quite radical, and Taft believes that the introduction of a jury in contempt cases will impede the functioning of courts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-10

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

William H. Taft had thought that he had figured out an issue pertaining to Ohio, but now realizes that any move he makes will leave some faction discontented with him. Arthur I. Vorys is upset at Frank H. Hitchcock being made Chairman of Taft’s campaign. Taft has been in contact with many people, asking them to come visit him in order to discuss strategy. He has also been golfing and working on a draft of his acceptance speech, which he plans to submit to President Roosevelt for advice before he actually gives it. Taft also briefly remarks on an ongoing investigation into the Brownsville incident.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-04

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

West Virginia Governor Dawson informs Secretary of War Taft that two men from his state, Generals George W. Curtin and Charles F. Teter, will attend the convention intending to follow their orders to renominate President Roosevelt for the presidency. Dawson discusses several people in the state who might have influence with Curtin and Teter who could convince them to do otherwise.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-26

Creator(s)

Dawson, William Mercer Owens, 1853-1916

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on a matter to which Roosevelt had called his attention. Taft contacted Arthur I. Vorys about the article that had appeared in the Sun and the Herald, and says that Vorys was not aware of the article and repudiated it. Vorys investigated the matter, and found that one of his subordinates had sent out the articles from a Columbus newspaper, and that the employee had been fired.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-09

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930