124 206
WOULDYOU RATHER HAVE ATAMMANYTIGER OR ATEDDY BEAR?
184
●
ROOSEVELT, THEODORE. Typed Letter Signed, as Assistant Secretary of the
Navy, toWilliam Sturgis Bigelow (“Dear Bigelow”), expressing the excitement caused by a
“Tammany Tiger” [statue or doll?] which he added to his household furniture, predicting
that the smile on the tiger’s face would grow until [Republican U.S. Senator Thomas] Platt
sees the light, and blaming the Republican factionalism on Platt’s followers. 1
1
/
4
pages,
square 8vo, written on the first and third pages of a folded sheet, “Navy Department” sta-
tionery; smudging to text of first page (but still legible). (TFC)
Washington, 16 November 1897
[700/1,000]
“
The advent of the Tammany Tiger caused great excitement at the office, and an equal amount
at home.Yes, the smile
is
on the face of the tiger; and unless Mr. Platt sees a great light it will
continue to grow broader and broader for some years to come. Of course there is blame on both
sides in the faction fight among the NewYork republicans; but overwhelmingly the greater share
belongs to the Platt people.
“
We promptly utilized the Tiger as an addition to our household furniture. . . .”
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
LOTS 184-206