Rare Autographs
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/9/2015
Theodore Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) was the 26th President of the United States (1901–1909)
Interesting and important letter dated March 19th, 1915, signed by Theodore Roosevelt to the Judge and friend and William L. Ransom. Ransom wrote a book with Roosevelt about Judiciary rule and the courts rights to make laws enlarging the federal government.
In the letter Roosevelt’s talks about recommending for the position of Magistrate a Michael Schaap who is applying for Magistrate. Roosevelt goes on to talk about the various positions he had held. From being an Assemblyman to Police Comissioner, to being a Governor to a private citizen and his experiences in working with the courts. Roosevelt talks about the intimate relationships he had in working with the courts when holding all of these government positions. He goes on to say if he was Mayor, he would esteem himself fortunate to have the chance to put Michael Schaap as Magistrate. He says he has the courage, legal training, common sense and sympathy as well as a wide knowledge of the needs of those coming in front of the courts.
Roosevelt was one of our most intereting Presidents. He held many political positions throughout his career. There is a slight fading to the type but the signature is dark with a slight halo effect, fascinating letter.
William L. Ransom: Ransom's book is grounded in the Progressive movement's belief that courts are a barrier to positive social change. In order to break this barrier he argues for the application of the "due process" clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Federal Constitution, which is also incorporated in several state constitutions, to all decisions by state courts affecting the general welfare of citizens, such as labor and consumer protection. By granting enforcement power to legislatures, the instrument of "majority rule," reforms within a state may be secured against intervention by its judiciary. Interesting for its insights into legislative-judicial relations during the early 1900s, it rehearses several points that would recur in Franklin Roosevelt's battles with the U.S. Supreme Court over parts of the New Deal.
Click above for larger image.