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Porritt, Edward, 1860-1921

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Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Porritt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Porritt

Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt answers journalist Edward Porritt’s letter by sending him copies of reports dealing with the Civil Service Act and Rules, addressing the abuses and consequences of the spoils system. Roosevelt responds to a paper written by Porritt by saying there is no basis for a charge of favoritism in the working of the Civil Service Law at Washington. He adds that the belief appointments and removals are based on favor and influence was perpetuated by the spoils system that prevailed for sixty years.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-01-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Porritt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Porritt

Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt tells journalist Edward Porritt he will send him half a dozen reports of the Commission. He insists “probably not one percent” of jobs in the classified service are influenced by politics and asks Porritt to give him the names of his informants so Roosevelt can speak with them. He admits the spoils system of the last sixty years leaves the impression favoritism is used in classified service appointments but that it is no longer the case.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-01-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Porritt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Porritt

Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt is glad to help journalist Edward Porritt obtain the “correct impression of the merit system in this country.” He draws parallels between the experience Great Britain went through in the reform of their civil service and the reforms in America. He explains what type of person should be hired and the results of using an examination.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-01-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919