In “Polk and the Oregon Compromise of 1846,” Political Science Quarterly , September, 1911, Dr. R. L. Schuyler of Columbia University acquits Polk of sharp practice in connection with the settlement of the Oregon Question. “Because Polk refused to assume the responsibility of war with Great Britain, for the disruption of his party and for the failure of his administration—and these apparently would have been the result of rejecting the British offer—we need not infer that he had been playing a double game.” The paper is based chiefly upon Polk's Diary and the Works of Buchanan, both of which have but recently been published.

In Political Science Quarterly, March, 1912, Professor William A. Dunning reviews in a thoroughly interesting way the Diary of Gideon Welles (three volumes), recently published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company. “The value of these volumes as a source for the history of the times depends chiefly,” says Professor Dunning, “upon two factors: first, the candor and sincerity of the writer, and, second, the accuracy and completeness with which his record has been reproduced in print. In both respects the value of the Diary is unimpeachable.” Seward, Stanton, Chase, Sumner and Grant are heavily scored in the Diary, but Andrew Johnson is in general staunchly defended.

In the June number of Political Science Quarterly, Professor L. S. Rowe has a discerning analysis of the causes of the recent Mexican revolution.

The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, has published the following works relating to Texas. These volumes have not been examined sufficiently to form a critical estimate of their worth, but are mentioned for the benefit of students who may be interested in the sections to which they relate:

A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas . Captain B. B. Paddock , Editor. 1906. Two volumes.

A Twentieth Century History of Southwest Texas . 1907. Two volumes.

A History of Greater Dallas and Vicinity . 1909. Two volumes. Volume I is by Philip Lindsley ; volume II is edited by L. B. Hill , and has for its subtitle “Selected Biography and Memoirs.”

Historical Review of Southeast Texas and the Founders, Leaders and Representative Men of Its Commerce, Industry and Civic Affairs . Dermot H. Hardy and Ingham S. Roberts , Associate Editors. 1910. Two volumes.

A History of Central and Western Texas , compiled from historical data supplied by commercial clubs, individuals, and other authentic sources, under the editorial supervision of Captain B. B. Paddock . 1911. Two volumes.

The Los Angeles Examiner recently published a volume entitled “Press Reference Library, Notables of the Southwest, being the portraits and biographies of progressive men of the Southwest, who have helped in the development and history-making of this wonderful country. Los Angeles, California, 1912.” 4to. Pp. 500. The work relates almost exclusively to California, particularly Los Angeles; only eleven Texans are included. The work is an excellent piece of printing.

The Proceedings of the Navarro County Bar Association, held at the Carnegie Library, Corsicana, Sunday, September 24, 1911, in memory of Colonel Roger Q. Mills, have been published in a pamphlet of 32 pages. Not only the addresses delivered on the date named, but the tributes paid Colonel Mills by his friends far and near by the Texas press are included.

In The Numismatist (Brooklyn) for April, 1912, Mr. R. C. Crane has an illustrated article on the paper money of the Republic of Texas.

How to cite:
"Political Science Quarterly", Volume 016, Number 1, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 107 - 109. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v016/n1/review_23.html
[Accessed Fri Nov 21 13:27:30 CST 2008]