White, William Allen, 1868-1944

Theodore Roosevelt at the Library of Congress

Michelle A. Krowl of the Library of Congress presents twenty items from the library’s Theodore Roosevelt Collection. The material, consisting of twelve letters, four other documents, three political cartoons, and a campaign poster, encompass the years 1884 to 1934. Twelve of the documents were penned by Roosevelt, and Krowl provides context and background for each item while including quotes from the document in her description. The twenty items are preceded by a short introductory essay by Krowl which includes two photographs of the Library of Congress.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2021

Creator(s)

Krowl, Michelle A.

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt believes it is unwise to give an interview to the newspaper. He agrees with William H. Taft’s opinion of the speeches given by J. S. Sherman and Secretary of State Elihu Root. Although he does not care for him, Roosevelt feels Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated. Roosevelt wants Taft to show his personality and offers words of encouragement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt shares the same opinion as William H. Taft that governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated. Roosevelt feels that making a speech would do more harm than good. While William Jennings Bryan has a strong following for the “church vote,” Roosevelt believes Bryan’s approach is dangerous. He approves of Taft’s letter to John Wesley Hill and suggests that secretary of state Elihu Root review it before it is made public.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt updates Secretary of War Taft on his conversation with Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou in which he made clear that the nominee for president will be chosen based on what is best for the party. Men from various states have contacted Roosevelt attempting to convince him to run again and expressing whether they would support Taft. Evaluating the potential candidates, Roosevelt focuses on Governor Charles Evans Hughes, who is the biggest potential threat. Roosevelt says that Bishop Charles Henry Brent recently delivered a ridiculous sermon on the Philippines and that Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte has been doing well this summer despite his difficult work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt details how Attorney General Bonaparte is to respond to United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick, using quotations from various correspondences.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt introduces Secretary of War Taft to his friend and editor of the Emporia Gazette, William Allen White, whom he can trust implicitly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that his endorsement by the Republican Party of Ohio is already having an effect on the New York newspapers, which previously had been supporting New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes for president in the upcoming election. Roosevelt advises Taft to not hurry election matters too much, but after his return from the Philippines he should make an attack on Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Roosevelt complains about Senator Eugene Hale’s efforts to curtail the navy’s attempts to repair battleships, saying Hale thinks that by keeping the United States unfit for war with Japan, war will therefore be averted. In a handwritten postscript Roosevelt tells Taft to avoid talking about tariff matters for the time being.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt sends an editorial for Attorney General Bonaparte to comment on, as well as a rough draft of his speech for the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, which he asks Bonaparte to read and comment upon as soon as possible. Roosevelt discusses the railroad rate case in North Carolina, bemoaning the “yellow press” coverage of the situation. In the matter of the case against Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah, Roosevelt agrees with Bonaparte and the action that must be taken, but feels obligated to meet with Borah’s representatives.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Robert Gooding

President Roosevelt tells Idaho Governor Gooding that William Allen White, of the Emporia Gazette, made a similar suggestion to Gooding’s, for Roosevelt and Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte to meet with Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah to discuss his case. Roosevelt does not think meeting Borah himself is a good idea, but would like to meet with his lawyers and the attorney general, if possible by August 9.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Robert Gooding

President Roosevelt asks Idaho Governor Gooding to arrange a meeting between him, Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte, and Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah’s lawyers on August 9.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cyrus Leland

President Roosevelt thanks Cyrus Leland for the kind words and informs Leland that the Roosevelt administration is counting on Leland for its success.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Watson Gilder

President Roosevelt would like to speak to Richard Watson Gilder personally about the matter he refers to in the letter. Gilder should also talk to Owen Wister. Roosevelt believes the man who is to write about him should be someone “who has lived near the rough side of things,” such as William Allen White.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to Theodore Roosevelt

Postmaster General Cortelyou refers to William Allen White’s letter to President Roosevelt concerning the amount of money required for postage. He encloses a statement from the Post Master General’s Office and a letter from Indiana Representative Jesse Overstreet on the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-25

Creator(s)

Cortelyou, George B. (George Bruce), 1862-1940

It isn’t like Roosevelt

The unknown author raises doubts that President Roosevelt would have “snubbed” William Allen White at the request of Senator Platt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to Henry C. Payne

Secretary George B. Cortelyou encloses a letter from newspaper editor, William Allen White regarding the post office in Emporia, Kansas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-15

Creator(s)

Cortelyou, George B. (George Bruce), 1862-1940

Letter from Benjamin F. Barnes to Henry C. Payne

At the request of President Roosevelt, Presidential Secretary Benjamin F. Barnes encloses a letter from William Allen White and requests a confidential report on the matter discussed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-14

Creator(s)

Barnes, Benjamin F., 1868-1909

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph R. Baldwin

President Roosevelt writes to National Progressive Party Maryland elector nominee, Colonel Joseph R. Baldwin, confirming that Baldwin’s name will be printed and reminding him that he expects his vote in the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to F. P. Corrick

Theodore Roosevelt thanks F. P. Corrick for his letter, asking if his published letter to William Allen White might cover Corrick’s questions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Fred S. Willbur

Theodore Roosevelt sends a letter of thanks to Fred S. Willbur in receipt of his message. In response to Willbur’s letter, Roosevelt references a recently published letter written to William Allen White.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ida M. Tarbell

Theodore Roosevelt would be pleased to lunch at the Colony Club with Ida M. Tarbell and William Allen White on Thursday or Friday of next week, depending on White’s availability.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919