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President Roosevelt has heard good things about Colonel Patton, but is not yet prepared to say who is the best man for the position. He tells Senator Platt that he will take the issue up with Secretary of War William H. Taft in the fall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-17
President Roosevelt feels it is necessary to send Senator Platt one more letter on the matter of appointing a judge to the Southern District of New York, given Platt’s previous letter. William Loeb has not written to friends of J. Addison Young on the necessity of saving face for Herbert Parsons, and would not have had any authority from Roosevelt if he had done so. Roosevelt was concerned with pleasing Parsons, but was more concerned with Platt’s opinion, and would have been pleased if the facts had shown J. Addision Young to be a better candidate than Charles M. Hough for the position. Roosevelt emphasizes, however, that he has put no one’s opinion on the matter above getting the best candidate, and has not been trying to humiliate Platt in any way.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-18
President Roosevelt asks what Senator Platt’s objections to Judge Charles M. Hough are, as he has been recommended to Roosevelt “in the highest terms by the lawyers and judges who should be particularly well qualified to speak.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-13
President Roosevelt was impressed by Robert C. Morris’s straightforward letter to Senator Platt explaining he did not want to be considered for a Federal judgeship. The sentiment in New York is in favor of appointing Charles M. Hough. Roosevelt has looked into Hough’s connections with the Pennsylvania railroad and has not found anything objectionable, and so feels that he ought to be appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-06
President Roosevelt agrees with Senator Platt that Thomas I. Chatfield is a good candidate, but he is not from the correct district in New York, which could cause problems if he were appointed. Concerning the other candidates, Roosevelt believes that Charles M. Hough best meets the requirements. While there had been concern regarding Hough’s connection with the Pennsylvania Railroad, Roosevelt has come to the conclusion that they do not impact Hough’s qualifications for the position, and that he can be trusted to deal with corporations fairly. Roosevelt encloses three letters supporting this position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-08
President Roosevelt wishes he could have seen Senator Platt before Platt left on vacation, as he would have liked to discuss the question of the New York judgeship with him. Roosevelt does not believe Robert C. Morris fits the requirements of the position, but is reluctant to appoint Charles M. Hough because of his ties with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Roosevelt comments on some other candidates as well, and guesses that he will be able to write to Platt on the matter more definitively in a couple days.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-02
President Roosevelt promises to take the matter of Bishop Thomas Augustine Hendrick’s brother up with the State Department at once, and assures Senator Platt that Hendrick should not need to worry about anything.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-15
President Roosevelt has received Senator Platt’s letter recommending Colonel Edward S. Fowler for appointment as Appraiser of New York City, and agrees with Platt’s assessment of him. He will submit his name soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-18
President Roosevelt confirms receipt of a letter from Senator Platt’s son Frank Hinchman Platt, and has given it to Secretary of State Elihu Root. Roosevelt has heard conflicting reports about William H. Ellis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-18
President Roosevelt confirms receipt of Senator Platt’s letter regarding the New York appraisership. Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw has asked for some time before making the appointment as he wishes to make sure that the correct person is appointed. Roosevelt has heard good things about George W. Wanmaker, who has done well as deputy appraiser, but does not know if he has the special qualifications for the office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-08
President Roosevelt informs Senator Platt that he has investigated the record of Lieutenant-Commander John Allen Dougherty, and has found a uniformly excellent record. After consulting with Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte, Roosevelt has directed that Dougherty be assigned as Naval Attaché at the United States Embassy at Tokyo.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-23
President Roosevelt promises Senator Platt to take up the case of Lieutenant Commander John Allan Dougherty to see if he can be detailed where Platt wishes. Regarding a federal judgeship in New York, Roosevelt promises to consider Robert C. Morris with Platt, as well as with Secretary of State Elihu Root and Attorney General William H. Moody. He comments that, “it is the kind of appointment in which we really cannot pay heed to my personal feelings or those of anyone else, but only to the consideration of getting the very best man that is to be obtained.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-20
President Roosevelt explains his recent actions to Senator Platt, saying that he understood that Platt wished for John A. Merritt to be made Collector of Customs at Niagara, and that he appointed Benjamin F. Barnes to succeed Merritt as Postmaster of Washington, D.C., on the recommendation of Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou. If he had known that Platt would take an interest in who would replace Merritt in this position, Roosevelt would have waited.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-01
President Roosevelt informs Senator Platt that on Monday he will nominate Charles S. Francis for ambassador to Austria-Hungary. He asks Platt not to mention this in the meantime.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-16
President Roosevelt is glad to do as Senator Platt desires concerning Lang and Einstein. He sends a copy of the letter he sent to Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte. It is time to submit Platt’s recommendation for Naval Director.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-07
President Roosevelt has written to Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte saying that he hopes that he can do what Senator Platt wants regarding “young Lang.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-26
President Roosevelt asks Senator Platt to tell Frank that he is relieved that they were able to give Lewis Einstein a post with the diplomatic service in Turkey. He believes that Einstein is “exceptionally able,” and does not think that the trouble with him reflected upon him personally, even though it made it impossible for him to stay in his current post.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-27
President Roosevelt informs Senator Platt that it is not possible to do what he wants for “young Lang.” Lang had also requested that Roosevelt designate him to take the examination to be an officer in the Marine Corps, and Roosevelt will do so if there is a vacancy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-28
President Roosevelt tells Senator Platt that too many men are currently entitled to diplomatic or consular posts ahead of George C. Tarler. He will talk about the matter with Secretary of State Elihu Root to see what can be done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-19
President Roosevelt informs Senator Platt that it is impossible to give Herbert G. Squiers a definite answer about when and where he will be restored to the diplomatic service. He notes that Squiers was separated from the service due to his own offenses, but the government intends to restore him to service because his removal was an excessive punishment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-10