Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
US Capitol Visitor Center logo

E PLURIBUS UNUM —
OUT OF MANY, ONE

HISTORY OF CONGRESS
AND THE CAPITOL

Reining in the Speaker

President Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Cannon

President Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Cannon

 

Letter from President Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Cannon, May 29, 1905

This letter by President Theodore Roosevelt was among the contents of Speaker Cannon's trunk. The president delicately attempted to influence Cannon's committee-assignment decisions—a power that was exclusively the Speaker's at this time.

Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

 
History of Congress and the Capitol