Wright, Luke E. (Luke Edward), 1846-1922

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-09-29

Creator(s)

Baker, Bernard Nadal, 1854-1918

Language

English

President Roosevelt opens his cabinet, which features busts of his cabinet members, and tells them, “Come now, all of you must take the stump.” In the foreground is the “Taft campaign stump” and the following cabinet members are depicted as busts: Secretary of Commerce and Labor Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou, Bureau of Corporations James Rudolph Garfield, Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of War Luke E. Wright, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer, Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf, and Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The cabinet as a cabinet: two factors attest to the appropriate characterization of events pictured by P. B. McCord’s political cartoon during the last week of the 1908 presidential campaign.

President Roosevelt looks out of his office at members of his cabinet standing on stumps: Secretary of Commerce and Labor Oscar S. Straus, Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte, Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf, Secretary of War Luke E. Wright, and Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock. Roosevelt says, “Durn the luck.” Caption: Every member of his cabinet on the stump and he can’t get into the game.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The long-time political cartoonist of the Minneapolis Journal (and remembered as founder of a successful correspondence school of cartooning), Charles Lewis “Bart” Bartholomew pictured a situation that was known to all citizens, and regretted by many, not least President Roosevelt himself. There was a strict precedent and tradition against presidents campaigning in person — with few exceptions for themselves (somehow seen as not dignified), but never for candidates down the ballot lists; and certainly not for candidates in elections where a successor would be chosen.

Major General Bell issues orders making graduates from the Mounted Service School instructors in horsemanship and equitation in their units.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-23

President-Elect Taft tells President Roosevelt that he did not approve including money to buy two ships in the appropriation bill, and was surprised to find that provision in the bill. Taft approved the resolution passed by the Senate, which directed that everything being carried to Panama should be transported in American bottoms. The later form of the provision was passed during Taft’s absence, and he assumed that Congress intended to buy the two ships. Taft believes that Senator Henry Cabot Lodge’s recollection of the matter may be better than his own.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-24

Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt a letter from Archbishop John Ireland and a confidential telegram from Governor General of the Philippines Luke E. Wright. Taft asks Roosevelt to return Ireland’s letter after he reads it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-04

President Roosevelt informs Senator Culberson that he is already discussing the expulsion of cadet William J. Nalle from West Point with Secretary of War Luke E. Wright. Roosevelt finds that the case is entirely different from that of midshipman James M. Haralson, who was recently expelled from the Naval Academy. Nalle should be disciplined, but his career should not be ruined over it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-01

Addison B. Atkins reports that, amid fears of the schism caused by Gregorio Aglípay y Labayán and general anti-Catholic sentiments in the Philippines, Catholics are supporting Republicans over Democrats following candidate Alton B. Parker’s letter stating his belief that the United States should leave the islands and grant Filipinos self-government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-06

Addison B. Atkins reports that, amid fears of the schism caused by Gregorio Aglípay y Labayán and general anti-Catholic sentiments in the Philippines, Catholics are supporting Republicans over Democrats following candidate Alton B. Parker’s letter stating his belief that the United States should leave the islands and grant Filipinos self-government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-06

Ambassador Barrett’s recommendation letter for James Andrew Drain has been referred to the Governor General of the Philippines, Luke E. Wright.

Collection

America

Creation Date

1905-03-13

Secretary of War Taft relays to President Roosevelt a letter he received from Governor-General of the Philippines Henry C. Ide. Ide will soon be relinquishing control as acting Governor-General to James Francis Smith. Ide suggests that they give him a leave of absence until Smith takes over, in order to save money much like was done when Luke E. Wright stepped aside for him. Taft disagrees with Ide and does not think saving six months salary is economical.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-30

President Roosevelt addresses an audience at the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition, commonly known as the Charleston Exposition. Roosevelt feels that the invitation for him to speak at the exposition emphasized how completely the United States has been reunited. The unity of the Nation became “instantly and strikingly evident” during the Spanish-American War and Roosevelt felt it was satisfying to see the sons of Union soldiers and Confederate soldiers serving together. Roosevelt details the accomplishments of several former Confederate soldiers within his own administration. He also praises South Carolina’s efforts to engage the West Indies in an industrial exposition, as the West Indies should “occupy a far larger place in our national policy” in the future. Roosevelt also praises the work the U.S. has done in Cuba, which will soon be a free public.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-09

President Roosevelt remarks on the unification of the northern and southern states after the Civil War. He discusses several ex-Confederate officers who have been named to important positions in the federal government. He also discusses the importance of international relations with Puerto Rico and Cuba, and commends the Charleston Exposition for reaching out to the West Indies. Finally, Roosevelt discusses the various problems faced by American industry, and the role of the government in addressing those problems.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-09

President Roosevelt praises Justice John Marshall Harlan’s service as a justice of the Supreme Court. Roosevelt notes that Harlan is a Kentuckian, and he praises the patriotism of the citizens of Kentucky, who sided with the North during the Civil War. He notes that their position as a border state made it much more difficult to remain loyal to the Union than it was for those further north. Roosevelt closes by praising Harlan as embodying the qualities requisite for being a good citizen and statesman, and noting that Harlan’s strength of personality and quality of character stand as examples for all Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-09

President Roosevelt honors General Luke E. Wright on his return from the Philippines. Roosevelt praises both the state of Tennessee and Wright. Roosevelt gives several examples of how the United States is once again a whole entity, using especially Wright’s conduct as acting governor of the Philippines. He also discusses the United States’ actions and duties in the Philippines, and addresses charges of wrongdoing against the U.S. Army. He notes that while the U.S. has made some steps towards allowing self-government for the Filipinos, it would be more dangerous to move too quickly towards self-rule than to move too slowly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

President Roosevelt honors Luke E. Wright on his return from the Philippines. Roosevelt praises both the state of Tennessee and Wright. Roosevelt gives several examples of how the United States is once again a whole entity, using especially Wright’s conduct as acting governor of the Philippines. He also discusses the United States’ actions and duties in the Philippines, and addresses charges of wrongdoing against the U.S. Army. He notes that while the U.S. has made some steps towards allowing self-government for the Filipinos, it would be more dangerous to move too quickly towards self-rule than to move too slowly. This is the press copy of Roosevelt’s speech with edits and applause noted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-19

President Roosevelt honors General Luke E. Wright on his return from the Philippines. Roosevelt praises both the state of Tennessee and Wright. Roosevelt gives several examples of how the United States is once again a whole entity, using especially Wright’s conduct as acting governor of the Philippines. He also discusses the United States’ actions and duties in the Philippines, and addresses charges of wrongdoing against the U.S. Army. He notes that while the U.S. has made some steps towards allowing self-government for the Filipinos, it would be more dangerous to move too quickly towards self-rule than to move too slowly. This is the press copy of Roosevelt’s speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-19

Theodore Roosevelt begins his speech by identifying himself as a son of a southern woman. He also praises General Luke E. Wright and his work in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-19

President Roosevelt praises General Luke E. Wright’s service in the Philippines. Roosevelt wants the governance of the Philippines to be kept on a “plane of patriotic efficiency.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-19

President Roosevelt says General Luke E. Wright has succeeded in the Philippines by displaying the virtues of good citizenship: courage, honesty, consideration for others, and common sense.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-19