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William Allen White has heard that Representative Victor Murdock’s bill regarding mail rates will fail, and would like President Roosevelt to assist Murdock if he can, as the postal service is in great need of reform. White would visit Roosevelt himself, but his wife Sallie Moss Lindsay White is ill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-16
President Roosevelt tells Attorney General Moody that he does not like the effect that commuting sentences of the post office criminals will have, but if Moody believes that the services George E. Lorenz provided by turning state’s evidence warrant such a commutation, he will grant it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-22
President Roosevelt promises to discuss the case of Post Office Inspector James with Postmaster General Robert John Wynne. Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Joseph L. Bristow is opposed to James because he says James is a friends of George W. Beavers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-01
District Attorney William J. Youngs has expressed concern to President Roosevelt that indictments of Senator George E. Green and George W. Beavers would result as the one against James N. Tyner did. Roosevelt asks Assistant Attorney General Charles Henry Robb to talk with Youngs about the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-20
President Roosevelt copies a letter originally written to James N. Tyner, but never sent. Tyner requested that the president right the wrong that has been done to him, in light of his recent acquittal of all criminal charges. Although Roosevelt respects the decision of the Grand Jury, he will not support Tyner’s re-instatement to office because of the moral charges against Tyner. Roosevelt provides evidence by copying reports and letters regarding Tyner’s actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-19
President Roosevelt is not in favor of himself or other involved parties making a statement to the press, including William Allen White’s Emporia Gazette, regarding accusations against Joseph L. Bristow, chief investigator into the ongoing post office scandal. Accusations have been made against everyone associated with the scandal and investigation, including himself. He has already taken strong action in New York to address the scandal, but the public, influenced by Democratic and mugwump newspapers, may confuse his actions as complicity with the wrongdoers. Roosevelt worries that this will damage Republican candidates in the fall elections.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-04
President Roosevelt has found Postmaster General Payne’s friends to be overly sensitive. Roosevelt’s published letter approved of the investigation conducted by Payne and it was unnecessary to also praise Payne for his honesty in the same letter. Roosevelt does not understand the interview with George W. Beavers mentioned by Lucius William Nieman. He was concerned about Payne’s health last summer but believes he has improved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-09
President Roosevelt encloses clippings about the case of Comptroller Robert J. Tracewell. Only Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw has spoken in favor of Tracewell. Roosevelt wants to make it clear to the public that he is not ignoring Charles J. Bonaparte’s report and suggests a supplemental report that makes it clear whether Tracewell’s offense is or is not on par with that of Heath or Beavers. Roosevelt wants to do “exact justice” and make it clear that he is not shielding anyone from punishment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-24
President Roosevelt is delighted that George W. Beavers has been indicted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-18
President Roosevelt informs Postmaster General Payne that the investigation into the Post Office Department has taken an unexpected turn with the resignation of George W. Beavers before evidence was even presented. August W. Machen is favored by the Civil Service Commission and many Congressmen, and Roosevelt has been annoyed at the newspaper efforts to show that Assistant Postmaster General Robert John Wynne is disloyal to Payne.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-31
Representative Parsons discusses the appointment of a postmaster in New York City, New York, with President Roosevelt. Parsons outlines his opposition to Edward M. Morgan as postmaster.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-08
Postmaster General Wynne writes to William Loeb regarding a Washington Post article that addresses Wynne and President Roosevelt’s involvement in the proceedings against George W. Beavers, Chief of the Salaries and Allowances Division of the Post Office Department. Wynne explains his role in the matter and asks Loeb to show Roosevelt a memo Wynne has written in Roosevelt’s defense.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-01
The writer comments on statements attributed to Robert John Wynne regarding President Roosevelt’s involvement in the proceedings against George W. Beavers, a former employee of the post office who was convicted of conspiracy. The article suggests that, as Wynne has a very good reputation, his recent statements were likely misreported, or there are some facts of the case that are not yet clear to the general public.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-01
The Beavers case will not be decided until fall since the court adjourned without any agreement being reached on the propositions submitted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-10
Postmaster General Payne updates President Roosevelt on the state of the post office investigation. Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad have been away for the summer, and have not been consulted yet, although the investigation has proceeded in the meantime. Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Joseph L. Bristow has a large number of cases pending in the District Attorney’s office, waiting to go before a grand jury. Indictments are expected, and Payne does not believe that it would be wise for the government to publicly release information on the investigation before the grand jury has finished.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-08
Postmaster Frank Wyman had a daunting task, to clean up the “spies and lies” when he took over the St. Louis post office. Wyman’s actions, firing one of former Postmaster F. W. Baumhoff’s close associates and closing many of the substations, show a new regime is in place.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03
Postmaster General Wynne discusses the post office investigation that occurred from 1903 to 1904, during which he discussed the issue of how to handle George W. Beavers with President Roosevelt. Wynne states he understands why Roosevelt was interested in the investigation, and that it was worthy of Roosevelt’s attention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-01
Lucius William Nieman asks President Roosevelt to send word to Joseph L. Bristow, Fourth Assistant Postmaster General, to issue a statement concerning Postmaster General Henry C. Payne, whose reputation came under scrutiny during the post office scandal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-11
Concerned for Postmaster General Henry C. Payne’s failing health, Lucius William Nieman hopes that President Roosevelt will issue a statement vindicating him from the post office scandal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-06
Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad, Special assistants to the Attorney General, submit a supplementary report regarding accusations by Postmaster John A. Merritt against Seymour Wilcox Tulloch, who, for many years, was cashier of the Washington Post Office and Secretary of the United States Electric Light Company, which gave the appearance of a conflict of interest. In their opinion, Merritt’s charges against Tulloch were unsubstantiated. They pointed out, however, that several questionable postal practices should be discontinued.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-11
Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921; Conrad, Holmes, 1840-1915