Beschreibung:

ROOSEVELT, THEODORE, President . Typed letter signed ("Theodore Roosevelt") as President, to Benjamin Wheeler, President of the University of California, Oyster Bay, N.Y., 29 August 1907. pages, 4to, on White House stationery. PARTY CONTROVERSY OVER A FEDERAL APPOINTMENT.: "...the recommendations are such that, in the absence of protests, would make me feel that an unusually fit man had been selected. As I evidently have a fight on the matter, will you please furnish me as much information as possible...If the Senators won't confirm Merrill, of course there is no use of my sending his name to the Senate; but equally, of course, the nomination lies in my hands...I will not nominate Thomas unless it can be shown that the protest of you and your colleagues is unwarranted..." -- ROOSEVELT. Typed letter signed as President, WITH AUTOGRAPH POSTSCRIPT to the same, 11 September 1907. 3 pages, 4to, White House stationery , marked "Private": "I have decided to appoint Merrill...but the appointment may of necessity be only temporary. There is no use of sending in his name...if the Senators are going to reject him....I want it understood that it may not be possible for me to send in his name for the permanent appointment....You have no conception how difficult it is for me from this distance to judge what the real feelings are...Thomas had as fine a set of recommendations as any man could have..." In an autograph postscript, the President adds: "Do let your community speak out, emphatically!" In a lengthy typewritten postscript Roosevelt confesses that "I do not want to feel that I have jeopardized the selection of Taft delegates without ample reason. The Taft people have been very urgent that I should appoint Thomas. As I need not say, it is very unwise to let this fight in any way or shape rest on factional preference between two good men..." -- With a carbon (on White House stationery) of a letter to Senator Knowland on the same matter. Together three items. (3)