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President Roosevelt tells Senator Proctor “the question is now academic,” as Major Eugene Frederick Ladd was recommended for a vacancy, which has “from the beginning” put him second to Captain Benjamin Alvord.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-05
President Roosevelt regretfully informs Captain Parker that Benjamin Alvord has been selected for the promotion. If Roosevelt had “consulted [his] personal feelings,” he would have chosen Parker, but he did not want to fill the position on grounds of favoritism. Alvord’s recommendations all came from his superiors and his promotion was recommended by the army staff.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-31
President Roosevelt explains to Senator Proctor why he chose Captain Benjamin Alvord to be promoted to Assistant Chief of the Record and Pension Office. Roosevelt personally wanted to appoint his friend John H. Parker, while Proctor suggested Eugene Frederick Ladd. However, in order to avoid the appearance of favoritism, Roosevelt asked Secretary of War William H. Taft to have the general staff evaluate all the candidates and make a recommendation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-31
A memorandum detailing the circumstances for the removal of Colonel William F. Stewart from command of the Coast Artillery Corps and explaining the reasoning behind his placement at Fort Grant, Arizona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-09
Senator Proctor continues to argue that Major Eugene Frederick Ladd was worthy of receiving “the first appointment,” and he encloses letters from several others to support his assessment of Ladd.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-02
Senator Proctor disagrees with President Roosevelt about the selection of generals from among the ranking captains of the Army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-31
Redfield Proctor believes that Theodore Roosevelt is free from favoritism. Roosevelt has never agreed to a single request regarding the Army that Proctor has made. Proctor has also never asked for an Army appointment because the person was from Vermont, but due to their qualifications.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-20
Senator Proctor sends President Roosevelt correspondence from the President of Cuba, Tomás Estrada Palma. Proctor believes Major Eugene Frederick Ladd deserves the promotion more than Benjamin Alvord, but notes Roosevelt has promised General Grenville Mellen Dodge that he will appoint Hugh John Gallagher to this position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-25
Senator Proctor is concerned that none of the three Vermont officers he has recommended have been promoted. Proctor outlines the three cases: Colonel Miller, Colonel Stephen Perry Jocelyn, and Major Eugene Frederick Ladd, and asks Roosevelt to see things from his point of view. Proctor believes that his acquaintance with the army and his support of Elihu Root entitles him to “a little consideration.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-06
Senator Proctor continues to protest President Roosevelt’s promotion of Benjamin Alvord to an officer position over Eugene Frederick Ladd. Proctor says that the position was only kept by the appropriations committee because they believed that the spot had been promised to Ladd.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-05