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“WHATWILL BETHE RESULT OF ROOSEVELT’S GOINGTO CHICAGO”?
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TAFT, WILLIAM HOWARD. Two Typed Letters Signed, “W.H.T.” or
“WmHTaft,” as President, each to Yale classmate Clarence H. Kelsey (“My dear Old Kels”
or “My dear Kels”).The first, explaining that the dignity of the presidency compelled him
to dismiss [Forestry Service Chief Gifford] Pinchot.The second, with holograph “affection-
ately” in the closing, speculating that he would win [the nomination for the Republican
presidential candidacy in 1912]. Each 1 page, 4to,White House stationery; each with mod-
erate fading to signature, moderate marginal discoloration from prior matting, horizontal
folds, minor loss to lower left corner of first letter. (TFC)
Washington, 10 January 1910; 17 June 1912
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1910: “It is very satisfactory to . . . know how clearly you weigh the conditions which confront me.
“
I would not have removed Pinchot if I could have helped it, but . . . if I were to maintain the dignity
of my office at all I must do so.”
1912:“. . .All the news I receive from [personal secretary to the president Charles D.] Hilles is encour-
aging, and I believe we shall win. . . . No one can tell what will be the result of Roosevelt’s going to
Chicago, but I don’t think it has yet had the effect he and his friends anticipated.”
It was the 1912 Republican National Convention—which opened the day after the 1912 letter was
written—at which Theodore Roosevelt failed to receive the party’s nomination and consequently
formed the Progressive Party, dividing the Republican party into supporters of Taft on the one hand,
and of Roosevelt on the other.