Your TR Source
President Roosevelt informs Senator Allison of Iowa about his travels across the Midwest. Roosevelt will only be able to visit one town in each state. He tells Allison that he will visit Keokuk, Iowa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-27
President Roosevelt encloses a letter for his son, Kermit Roosevelt. They have the choice of fishing in Wisconsin or duck and chicken shooting in Minnesota or Dakota. Roosevelt describes the spring weather and scenery on a ride. He is dealing with friends pressuring him to run for a third term, which he does not want to do. Roosevelt thinks the Republican Party will be able to nominate Secretary of War William H. Taft, but it is too early to call since the election is so far off. He plays tennis with J. J. Jusserand and others on days that he does not ride horses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-15
President Roosevelt acknowledges the invitation of the governors of Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin, to make a trip on the Mississippi River with the Inland Waterways Commission. He reflects on the importance of the nation’s rivers as “highways” for products to supply any inadequacy of means of transportation over land. He intends to travel with the Commission down the Mississippi for three or four days in October. A note at the bottom of the letter indicates that it was sent to each of the governors who signed the invitation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-16
President Roosevelt describes to Mark Sullivan the considerations that have gone into his selections for federal judgeships. Roosevelt reviews his appointments in detail, noting that some were made at the request of the local organization and some against their wishes. The goal in each case was to appoint someone “of the high character, the good sense, the trained legal ability, and the necessary broad-mindedness of spirit…essential to a good judge.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-13
President Roosevelt tells Senator La Follette that in his view, La Follette’s bill would be less desirable than some alternatives. After speaking with the invested politicians and civil servants, Roosevelt believes that any action on the matter of leasing coal mining rights would be progress, and that they should not be overly selective in their attempt to pass such a bill. It is important that the representatives of the states affected by such a bill support it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-05
President Roosevelt sends Senator La Follette, of Wisconsin, a duplicate of a letter which he is also sending to Senator John C. Spooner. La Follette and Spooner have been in disagreement regarding which of them should make recommendations for government positions in Eastern Wisconsin, and which should make recommendations for Western Wisconsin. In the past, former Senator Joseph Very Quarles of Wisconsin made recommendations for the Eastern portion of the state, while Spooner made recommendations for the Western. Roosevelt has decided to keep this sort of framework, with Spooner continuing to recommend for the Western portion and La Follette taking up the Eastern portion. He emphasizes that while he will take their recommendations into consideration, he is the final judge of whether nominees are fit for the positions. Roosevelt also comments on the post office of Marinette, and likewise tries to set out rules for nominations in these cases, stating that he will accept recommendations of the Congressmen of the district.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-29
President Roosevelt sends Senator Spooner, of Wisconsin, a duplicate of a letter which he is also sending to Senator Robert M. La Follette. Spooner and La Follette have been in disagreement regarding which of them should make recommendations for government positions in Eastern Wisconsin, and which should make recommendations for Western Wisconsin. In the past, former Senator Joseph Very Quarles of Wisconsin made recommendations for the Eastern portion of the state, while Spooner made recommendations for the Western. Roosevelt has decided to keep this sort of framework, with Spooner continuing to recommend for the Western portion and La Follette taking up the Eastern portion. He emphasizes that while he will take their recommendations into consideration, he is the final judge of whether nominees are fit for the positions. Roosevelt also comments on the post office of Marinette, and likewise tries to set out rules for nominations in these cases, stating that he will accept recommendations of the Congressmen of the district.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-29
President Roosevelt requests Senator Spooner meet with him to discuss the treaty with Santo Domingo. Roosevelt would also like to discuss the diplomatic appointments of two Wisconsin men, John Hicks and Amos Parker Wilder.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-14
President Roosevelt explains to Frank Andrew Munsey that he would like to appoint Munsey’s candidate, Amos P. Wilder, to a diplomatic post, but cannot because there are already too many Wisconsin men in the diplomatic corps.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-24
President Roosevelt would like to appoint Henry W. Taft’s candidate, Amos Parker Wilder, to a diplomatic post, but he cannot appoint any other men from Wisconsin at this time.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-25
President Roosevelt sends Attorney General Moody a list of names that he wishes to consider for appointments to the Court of Claims and the Appellate Court of the District of Columbia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-20
President Roosevelt has spoken with George B. Cortelyou, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, about the subject in William Duncan Connor’s letter. Roosevelt believes that the Republican National Party should stay out of the “fight within the party in Wisconsin” and should only stand for the National Republican Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-06
In view of the recent Supreme Court decision, there should not be any favoritism toward the “stalwarts.” According to this decision, “any weakening of the La Follette ticket is a weakening of the National ticket.” Joseph Foraker also must be brought back from Wisconsin if he has gone as a member of the “stalwart” committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-06
President Roosevelt tells N. B. Scott that clerks have the right to go home to vote. Roosevelt realizes that New York is a difficult state to win and believes one of the best approaches may be emphasizing what the administration has done in foreign matters. Roosevelt is concerned about the situation in Wisconsin with the “bolting Republican organization.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-07
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of the Treasury Shaw that he should not go to Wisconsin in support of the Stalwart committee. If Shaw goes to Wisconsin at all, he may want to keep clear of both sides. Roosevelt is mourning his friend, United States Postmaster General Henry C. Payne. Roosevelt says Shaw’s telegram to Lydia Wood Van Dyke Payne was a comfort to her.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-07
Theodore Roosevelt has faith in Knute Nelson’s influence and wonders if he could speak in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-04
Theodore Roosevelt writes to George B. Cortelyou about making a new appointment to the First Assistant Postmaster General position. Roosevelt also lets Cortelyou know that it is possible for him to resign as Chairman of the Republican National Committee, yet still remain in control of the situation. Roosevelt closes by discussing the political situation in West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-05
Things are looking good for the election in November, but President Roosevelt believes there may be a problem in New York. Roosevelt is amused that he has received support from Robert Treat Paine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-20
President Roosevelt would like to send Charles W. Fairbanks to Wisconsin. He does not want Wisconsin to be so involved in local elections that they forget about the presidency. Roosevelt congratulates George B. Cortelyou on his accomplishments in Maine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-13
President Roosevelt thanks Medill McCormick and Mr. Patterson for their letter and appreciates their support.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-04