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President Roosevelt asks Postmaster General Meyer to send the appointments Representative-Elect John Motley Morehead has recommended for the postmasters in Mt. Airy and Elkin, North Carolina.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-15
President Roosevelt has spoken with Judge Jeter Connelly Pritchard about the judgeship in North Carolina’s Eastern District, and both have concluded that Spencer B. Adams is not fit for the position. Roosevelt reports that Pritchard also feels that Edward W. Timberlake, president-elect William H. Taft’s pick, is “not of the right caliber.” After consulting with Pritchard and Judge William Alexander Hoke, Roosevelt believes that H. F. Seawell is the best man for the job.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-14
President Roosevelt weighs in on who should be appointed as judge in North Carolina. He initially intends to advise against President-Elect Taft’s suggestion of Edward W. Timberlake, but, after hearing from a number of prominent southerners who back him up, agrees that Timberlake is the best choice for the job.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-07
President Roosevelt promises Alexander Jeffrey McKelway that he will ask that Judge Noah B. Feagin be invited to the conference as well. Roosevelt thanks McKelway for offering his opinions on candidates to be appointed to a judgeship. While Roosevelt has some reservations about Judge Robert M. Douglas’s age, he promises to look up Judge T. T. Hicks. He also appreciated McKelway’s views regarding Spencer B. Adams and Harry Skinner. Roosevelt is pleased by McKelway’s words about the development of the Republican Party in the South.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-30
President Roosevelt asks Thomas S. Rollins to give his hearty congratulations to Judge Spencer B. Adams. Roosevelt was delighted by Secretary of War William H. Taft’s speech, and is pleased that Rollins also liked it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-11
Alexander Jeffrey McKelway prizes Theodore Roosevelt’s letter thanking him for his “uniform kindness” in response to his protest against appointing either Spencer B. Adams or Henry Skinner as a federal judge. As such, he encloses a recent editorial on Adams. He requests a meeting before Roosevelt leaves for his southern trip or prepares his address for the Child Labor Committee meeting. While Roosevelt is well-informed about Southern issues, McKelway believes he has insight regarding child labor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-11
President-Elect Taft weighs the options of who to appoint as judge in North Carolina’s Eastern District. Taft muses that appointing a Democratic judge may be the best course of action, avoiding the impression of rewarding a fellow Republican with the position. However, he favors longtime Republican, Edward W. Timberlake, despite existing party opposition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-06
Assistant Attorney General Cooley recommends Harry Skinner, current Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, to President-Elect Taft for the appointment as District Judge. Cooley cites Skinner’s handling of Internal Revenue Service cases as evidence of his qualification and notes that he was an “outspoken Taft man” despite popular support for Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou. Cooley hopes he has not troubled Taft with the letter, as he has already communicated its contents to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-11
Alexander Jeffrey McKelway was not aware that he was going to be invited to a conference, but suggests that President Roosevelt also consider inviting Judge Noah B. Feagin, who may be able to contribute to the discussion as well. McKelway suggests several people, both Republicans and Democrats, to consider as possible replacements for the recently-deceased Judged Thomas R. Purnell of North Carolina. McKelway also comments on the development of the Republican party as an opposition party in the South.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-29
Postmaster General Cortelyou asks William Loeb to show the President the enclosed letter from Spencer B. Adams and then return it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-13