“A signal triumph for the cause of good government”: rooting out scandal in the TR-era postal service
Subject(s): Berryman, Clifford Kennedy, 1869-1949, Conrad, Holmes, 1840-1915, Corruption investigation, Groff, Diller B., 1841-1910, Groff, Samuel A., 1847-1907, Lorenz, George E., 1845-1916, Lorenz, Martha J., 1845-1938, Machen, August W. (August William), 1861-1919, Mailboxes--Design and construction, McGregor, Thomas W. (Thomas Wallace), 1873-1937, Payne, Henry C. (Henry Clay), 1843-1904, Postal inspectors, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, United States Postal Service, Upton, Columbus E. (Columbus Ellsworth), 1861-
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James Bruns describes the corrupt practices, investigation, and trial of August W. Machen, a high ranking official of the Post Office Department. Bruns details the various schemes, bribes, and kickbacks that enabled Machen to become a rich man on a meager salary, and he covers the 1904 trial that led to Machen’s conviction, along with others involved in his schemes. Bruns highlights President Theodore Roosevelt’s pleasure in the outcome of the investigation and trial.
The essay is illustrated with seven courtroom drawings by Clifford Kennedy Berryman and one political cartoon.
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Creation Date
2007
Creator(s)
Language
English
Period
Theodore Roosevelt and Public Memory (1919-present)
Page Count
8
Production Method
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
No permission is required from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to use items in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal collection for educational purposes. For permissions, contact William Tilchin at (516) 921-6319 or by email at wnt@bu.edu.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
“A signal triumph for the cause of good government”: rooting out scandal in the TR-era postal service. [2007]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308257. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Bruns, James. “A signal triumph for the cause of good government”: rooting out scandal in the TR-era postal service. [2007]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. August 3, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308257.
APA:
Bruns, James., [2007]. “A signal triumph for the cause of good government”: rooting out scandal in the TR-era postal service.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308257.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. August 3, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
APA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
