Your TR Source
President Roosevelt thanks Representative Gardner for his dealing with Representative William F. Willett, whom he compares to Senator Benjamin R. Tillman for his foul language.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-20
President Roosevelt thanks Representative Hughes for calling Representative William F. Willett to order for his caustic speech in the House of Representatives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-20
John H. Luebbers finally decided to write to Theodore Roosevelt. He is satisfied to read about William F. Willett’s effort to be appointed to the Supreme Court, especially considering how he vilified Roosevelt as a representative. He regards Willett, McCovey, and Callahan as “an impressive triumvirate of ‘gargoyles.'” Luebbers requests that Roosevelt write an acknowledgment of receipt.
William F. Willett referred to Theodore Roosevelt as a “grinning gargoyle” in a 1909 speech.
In the first section of this cartoon, President Roosevelt hits a woman labeled the “Republican side of Congress” with his “Secret Service” message big stick. He says, “I’ll teach you that I’m boss here.” In the second section, the woman takes her “rebuke” broom and hits Roosevelt on the head. She says, “You’ll hit a lady, will you?” New York Representative William F. Willett watches from the doorway and says, “De lady needs help.” In the third cartoon, Roosevelt goes to hit the woman with his big stick again, saying, “I’ll fix you for that.” Willett punches Roosevelt in the face: “Gargoyle, unhand dat lady.” In the fourth cartoon, the woman holds a broom and watches Willett with stars around his head. She says, “Wretch, how dare you interfere in a little family affair.” Willett says, “Dat’s like a woman all right.”
The Boston Record provided posterity with a facet of the explosive Secret Service controversy between President Roosevelt and the Congress of the United States. What began as a presidential request that Congress expand the charter, duties, and budget of the Secret Service beyond protecting the president and chasing counterfeiters. Changing conditions in American life required a federal agency that could conduct investigations. Congress summarily refused Roosevelt’s request — actually the proposal and dismissal became a virtual cycle — and there was an escalation of earnest rhetoric, intemperance, imputations of corrupt motives, insults, and finally, in Congress, interminable angry debates and a resolution of censure.
President Roosevelt looks up words in the dictionary and reads, “polyglot,” “hay tedder,” and “gargoyle.” Roosevelt’s big stick is beside his chair, and Representative William F. Willett’s speech is on the ground.
“Turn about” might have been foul play in President Roosevelt’s eyes after the New York City Congressman William F. Willett delivered an intemperate attack on the president from the floor. Members’ remarks so delivered are considered privileged — free from punitive action — however, even during the bitter Secret Service dispute, Willett’s language was so offensive that the House voted to censure him and expunge the speech from the Congressional Record, by a vote of 126 to 78.
During a speech given at the Methodist Episcopal Church of Africa’s diamond jubilee, President Roosevelt praises white imperialism. Roosevelt in particular eulogizes British imperialism in India, claiming the British administration to be a greater feat than any of the Roman Empire. Roosevelt states that English control prevents tyrannical leaders from oppressing the common masses. The second portion of this article describes the outrage incited by the summoning of the editors and correspondents of the New York World to testify in a case against Joseph Pulitzer for libeling the United States Government. Representative William F. Willett, of New York, went on an angry tirade against President Roosevelt. Once Willett was declared out of order and prevented from continuing, Senator Isidor Rayner, of Massachusetts, explained that the outrage was due to concerns over violation of the freedom of speech and press.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-19
George H. Shields praises President Roosevelt for his conduct in office. Shields singles out Roosevelt’s challenge of “wrong in high places” and for elevating public consciousness against private and public graft. Shields disparages the “gargoylic” William F. Willett, a vocal critic of Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-03-02