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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
President Roosevelt tells Senator Platt that he would like to do what he can for Mr. Skinner, but there are very few appointment opportunities at present.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-13
President Roosevelt informs Senator Platt that it is necessary to hurry the appointment of the new district attorney as he will have to begin his tenure by undertaking “one of the most important suits that has been undertaken” by the Department of Justice. Roosevelt believes that Henry L. Stimson is the best man for the position, and Stimson has said he will accept if he is offered the position. Roosevelt hopes that Platt can support him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-07
President Roosevelt informs Senator Platt that Attorney General William H. Moody has told him that his appropriation will not allow him to appoint another Assistant District Attorney. Further more, Francis J. Carmody is “strikingly unfit” to serve in that position, and appointing him would be a scandal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-21
President Roosevelt tells Senator Platt that he thinks he can place Cabot Ward. He asks Platt not to commit himself to the candidate Christopher Columbus Shayne favors, or to any other candidates, until Roosevelt has a chance to speak with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-18
President Roosevelt informs Senator Platt that several well-known Republicans in New York do not believe that Representative Jacob Van Vechten Olcott is the proper man to put forward for Chairman of the Republican county organization. Roosevelt makes it clear that he does not want to dictate who should be chairman and is merely providing his opinion. He believes that whoever is chosen should be “a man of the highest character and reputation” who possesses the independence necessary to conduct the affairs with efficiency and integrity. Roosevelt believes it is more important to focus on finding a man of this type, rather than on naming a specific person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-23
President Roosevelt frankly tells Senator Platt that he does not think it wise to continue supporting Representative Jacob Van Vechten Olcott for chair of the County Committee of New York if it becomes evident that most Republicans in the area do not support him. He believes that if Platt continues to fight for Olcott against a man as clean and broadly-supported as Representative Herbert Parsons, he could give the impression that Olcott’s election is “a machine triumph,” which is the very thing that they are trying to avoid.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-25
President Roosevelt believes that a bill like the one Senator Platt proposes has no chance of passing, and would “actually accomplish nothing whatever but mischief.” While in the North it might please “a few white and colored agitators,” Roosevelt believes that it would hurt the “colored” people in the South. He acknowledges the “righteous feeling” behind the proposed measure, but believes that the only practical effects of introducing it will be bad. Platt can choose for himself whether or not to introduce the measure, and Roosevelt will appreciate that his decision is based on his own best judgment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-22
President Roosevelt informs Senator Platt that he does not intend to appoint a New York man as Public Printer. He believes that he has identified the right man for the job but does not intend to make an announcement about it until he returns from his southern trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-17