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Francis Bennett Williams has heard reports President Roosevelt will recommend Captain Woodward for Postmaster at New Orleans. Though he supports General Behan, he leaves the matter in Roosevelt’s hands entirely and speaks to Woodward’s good standing and qualifications for the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-17
Francis Bennett Williams details the political situation in the last election, including voter participation and corruption by Democrats. He suggests possible replacements for Walter L. Cohen and gives a very bad report of H. Dudley Coleman. Finally, Williams states that the opinion of President Roosevelt in the American South is changing, largely due to the effectiveness of his policies and appointments there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-24
Francis Bennett Williams refutes Armand Romain’s criticisms of the Republican Party in Louisiana. Williams writes that Romain’s faction do not always support Republican candidates. He says Romain is angry because he was not appointed to a government job that he wanted and believes it was because he was a Major in a colored regiment. Williams returns Romain’s letter, written to President Roosevelt in November 1904, and encloses a letter Romain wrote to him in 1903.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-07
Francis Bennett Williams, Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Committee, informs President Roosevelt that he and Pearl Wight have received Roosevelt’s request that they carefully consider John Greene Skipwith for the position of Assistant Appraiser. However, Williams informs Roosevelt that he cannot recommend Skipwith, as Skipwith was a Democrat, did not vote for Roosevelt, and had boasted that he would get the position despite the opposition of Williams and Wight. Williams also informs Roosevelt that Senator Samuel McEnery also opposes Skipwith’s appointment, and Williams encloses a copy of a letter from McEnery that indicates this. Williams will hold a meeting to select a Republican to appoint for the post and will then inform Roosevelt of the selection. Williams also notes that, after Roosevelt’s recent visit to the city, Roosevelt could win the Democratic vote in New Orleans or even most of the whole South.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-16
Francis Bennett Williams writes to Theodore Roosevelt to ask that he arrange a leave of absence for Alexander B. Kennedy, receiver of public money in New Orleans, Louisiana, in order to attend the Republican National Convention. Williams encloses a letter from William A. Richards, commissioner of the general land office, in which he denied Kennedy the requested time off.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-28
Francis Bennett Williams assures President Roosevelt that there will be several African American delegates from Louisiana at the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-12
Francis Bennett Williams discusses the election of negro delegates at the Louisiana Republican Convention and the objections of some convention members to sit in the convention with negro delegates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-06
Francis Bennett Williams reports on the Republican Party organization in Louisiana. The State Central Committee started by Emile Kuntz has recognized Williams as legal chairman. The party will send a strong delegation to the Republican National Convention, including some African American delegates. Walter L. Cohen continues to cause trouble for the party, but Williams opposes removing Cohen right now.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-28
Francis Bennett Williams encloses letters from Louisiana Republican Emile Kuntz, which Williams had intended to enclose with an earlier letter to President Roosevelt. Among them are letters to W. T. Insley and O. V. Waggner, in which Kuntz expressed his intention to disband his committee and to be loyal to the Republican State Central Committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-28
Francis Bennett Williams discusses Republican politics in Louisiana. He replies to President Roosevelt’s request concerning a resolution adopted by the Equal Rights Association.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-17
Francis Bennett Williams reports that Louisiana will have a solid delegation supporting Roosevelt at the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-01
Francis Bennett Williams discusses the selection and appointment of Republican Party officials in New Orleans, Louisiana. Williams recommends the removal of United States Marshal Charles Fontelieu, to be replaced by Victor Loisel, and the removal of Registrar of the United States Land Office, Walter L. Cohen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-24
Francis Bennett Williams states that Mayer Cahen, Coiner of the Mint, has been asked for his resignation but does not wish to resign. Williams hopes that Secretary of the Treasury Shaw will appoint William J. Brophy at once.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-05
Francis Bennett Williams does not believe that H. Dudley Coleman is suitable for the position of postmaster of New Orleans, Louisiana. Coleman is not active in state politics and will not be helpful in building up the state party. He already has a position at the mint and will damage the party if appointed postmaster.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-17