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Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919 to C. H. Betts

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06422 Author/Creator: Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Typed letter signed Date: 2 June 1911 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 24.1 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Responds to criticism from Betts over an article Roosevelt wrote in The Outlook denouncing the New York Court of Appeals for their decision to rule the workmen's compensation act unconstitutional. States that their conduct was, " ... a most flagrant and wanton abuse of a great power." Conveys his views on how the Court should be run, "My plea is for rational growth; my plea is that the court act with ordinary statesmanship, ordinary regard for the Constitution, as a living aid to growth, not as a straight jacket; ordinary regard for the laws, the rights of humanity, and the growth of civilization." Indicates that four Federal judges have written to him agreeing with his article. Refers to the fact that Lincoln wanted to reverse the Dred Scott decision just as he wants to reverse the workmen's compensation decision in New York. Typed in purple ink on Outlook stationery and addressed to Betts at the Lyon Republican, Lyon NY.

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Betts, Charles Henry, 1863-1929

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