Your TR Source
President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of War Taft and Secretary of the Navy Morton to investigate complaints about the payment methods to employees in the arsenals and navy yards.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-15
President Roosevelt was surprised at the reaction to his dinner with Booker T. Washington. He encloses payment to Philip Battell Stewart for his work with Roosevelt on articles published in Scribner’s Monthly and asks Stewart to meet with Mr. Kent regarding political appointments in Denver, Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-25
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt does not disagree with Senator Lodge or Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long about the docks. He does not think Wilson can return to his old position just yet. Roosevelt updates Lodge on his difficulties with “the patronage” and some of the men from Pennsylvania, who complain about the wage increases for clerks. He discusses the “muss” of New York politics. In a postscript, Roosevelt shares that he heard that Winfield Scott Edgerly cannot be promoted to foreman except through a competitive examination. He recently spoke to Long about increasing the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-29
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt sends Senator Lodge a pay rate schedule for watchmen at navy yards. Secretary of the John Davis Long has already promised command of the USS Enterprise. Brander Matthews wrote Roosevelt an enthusiastic letter about Lodge’s volume of essays.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-27
Everett Spring recounts Theodore Roosevelt’s aid in obtaining his current position with the Bureau of the Census. He believes his work is equal to that of a clerk earning a higher salary. His wife and son have recently required serious medical treatment, and his current pay is not enough. Spring asks Roosevelt to help him receive a salary increase.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-06
H. B. Jones thinks Theodore Roosevelt can do more in the present than ever before. He reflects on commercial competition and the harm it caused in leading to wage reductions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
Professor Lucius Hudson Holt asks Theodore Roosevelt if he would be willing to deliver a lecture to the history students of the United States Military Academy relative to modern political problems. He proposes several dates and times that would be most convenient, and mentions the offered stipend.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-06
Charles G. Washburn writes to Theodore Roosevelt that it is unfortunate that he could not accept George F. Booth’s invitation, but also that Washburn and his wife, Caroline Vinton Slater Washburn, would be glad to accept Roosevelt’s luncheon invitation. Washburn then moves on to discuss politics, and is pessimistic about what will come from the Tariff Board. He also believes that “the people” misunderstand how manufacturers operate, and that it is important for the Tariff Board to protect the home market from large quantities of foreign goods. Washburn argues that President William H. Taft is making a grave mistake by forcing a proposition that would split the Republican Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-31
Joseph L. Merrell reminds Theodore Roosevelt how he appointed him Keeper of the Reservation because of his conduct during the riot at the Carrollton, Georgia, county jail. He also recalls Roosevelt’s request to have his salary increased. Merrell received word that his salary will be decreased and asks Roosevelt to write to President William H. Taft requesting that his salary be maintained.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-19
Peter Twamley is surprised that Theodore Roosevelt is not interested in his case, especially since he heard it is illegal to demote a veteran without proven charges. The demotion from sampler to laborer will significantly decrease Twamley’s salary. He feels Roosevelt should make an exception for him, as he is a Civil War veteran.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-30
Peter Twamley, a Civil War veteran who has worked as a sugar sampler at the Port of New York, was recently demoted and had his salary decreased. He appeals to Theodore Roosevelt as a veteran, Republican, and fellow-Mason to have his position and salary restored.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-20
Joseph K. Van Denburg asks Theodore Roosevelt to denounce the proposed decrease in salary for male teachers in New York in his upcoming address. Van Denburg believes this proposition to be disastrous for male teachers in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-09
Claude H. Wetmore explains to Theodore Roosevelt that he is writing a children’s book on the American Navy. However, caring for his family prevents him from working on it and he asks Roosevelt to loan him $300 with the plan to repay the loan in ten dollar weekly installment. Wetmore also assures Roosevelt that a publisher has already given advanced assurance of publication.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-27
William Emlen Roosevelt sends Theodore Roosevelt a paper about an annual payment for Washburn. He asks Roosevelt to sign and send it to Edward M. Townsend.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-17
James W. Nickle, a “poor man,” wants to hire Theodore Roosevelt to get the money owed to him for selling books.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-11
Norman H. Blackmer has read the book produced by The Outlook on Theodore Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism,” and is pleased by Roosevelt’s advocacy of progressive topics. Blackmer compares the way in which a regular army depends on the availability of provisions to the way in which the “Army of Progress” in the “great War for the Wellbeing of Man,” relies on citizens being well provisioned and not left to “forage on charity, grafting and theft.” He agrees with Roosevelt that every citizen should receive fair wages, but emphasizes that this is only a first step towards being able to improve society, not an end unto itself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-20
Delia R. Powers, a widow working in the Boston Custom House, asks Theodore Roosevelt to help her get a raise so that she can support her young son. In 1905, Cardinal James Gibbons wrote Roosevelt on her behalf in an attempt to get her transferred to the postal service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-03
Chauncey E. Hackett has worked hard and faithfully since Theodore Roosevelt appointed him immigrant inspector. He asks Roosevelt to help secure an increase in salary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-21
Joseph Bucklin Bishop thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the “grateful and sustaining words” given at Harvard. Colonel George W. Goethals is also pleased with Roosevelt’s tribute to Bishop and wishes he could appoint him as his executive officer. However, President William H. Taft thought it unwise but assured Bishop of a worthy position once he ensured the bill abolishing the Isthmian Canal Commission passed. Yet, like with most of his promises, Taft changed his mind, and the bill will not be passed. Bishop discusses the disturbing reports of political scheming regarding appointing a new commissioner and governor of the Canal Zone. Goethals declared such things would not happen if Roosevelt were president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-02
Frank B. Kellogg urges Senator Nelson to support a revision of the tariff bill that will lower duties. Americans support such a bill, and Kellogg believes that its passage is essential to ensure the continued success of the Republican Party. Kellogg notes that lower duties on raw materials is beneficial to the country, and argues that the wages of laborers have not kept up with the increased cost of living.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-05-29