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President Roosevelt informs Frederick C. Stevens that William Loeb has taken over the investigation of John A. Merritt, but Loeb is away on holiday, so Roosevelt has sent Stevens’ letter to Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou with instructions to take “immediate and drastic action” in the case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-11
William Jennings Bryan returns President Roosevelt’s attention to a topic on which they had previously had a cursory discussion: civil service appointments. Bryan contrasts the bipartisan principle of civil service appointments with the non-partisan one because he feels that civil service employees are currently afraid to have political opinions, especially those contrary to the present administration. He suggests that the government should instead encourage political activity among civil servants as it does with all citizens. Bryan urges that this issue will become even more important as cities move toward municipal ownership and that it will be “absolutely necessary” in the event that railroads become publicly owned.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-04
Postmaster General Payne offers guidance to postal employees regarding political activity in the classified and unclassified service. Relevant sections of the Postal Laws and Regulations are printed after the letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-01
Theodore Roosevelt was touched and puzzled by Herbert Knox Smith’s letter. He is not sure of his prospects in the presidential election or whether Smith would be most helpful in or out of office. Roosevelt asks Smith to contact Joseph W. Alsop.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-03
Theodore Roosevelt was willing to support the Republican National Convention, excluding President Taft’s nomination, if the rolls were thoroughly purged. He would not support Taft because his representatives were trying to steal the nomination. Senator Dixon will support these statements. He also denies accusations that he is a heavy drinker. Roosevelt does not have high hopes for the presidential campaign and views it as a “forlorn hope.” He warns Paul A. Ewert against joining the fight as it would be too damaging to Ewert’s present position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-05
President Roosevelt instructs Treasury Secretary Cortelyou to get an immediate report from John A. Merritt regarding his political activities while holding public office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-07
President Roosevelt instructs Postmaster General Payne to work with the Civil Service Commission and investigate “letter carriers’ conventions.” Members of the classified service should not go as delegates to conventions or take “offensive political action.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-16
President Roosevelt goes over his thoughts on the Executive Order issued by President Cleveland that limits the political activity of public servants. Roosevelt finds the wording of the order to be exceedingly vague and it implementation uneven. Roosevelt would like there to be a distinction between the activity allowed to public servants within the classified service and those outside the classified service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-13
Senator Dixon forwards a message he sent to President Taft claiming that several Taft supporters in Kentucky who were in charge of recording primary results signed their certificates for Taft even though Theodore Roosevelt won a majority. Dixon believes that civil service regulations were violated and implies that Taft will be implicated in these crimes unless he publicly repudiates these actions and punishes the perpetrators.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-04-08
Acting Secretary of the Treasury Taylor informs William Loeb that three men—Park Agnew, E. P. McLean, and Thomas Lowry—have been asked to resign from the Republican State Central Committee of Virginia and to review requirements about “political assessments and undue political activity.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-23
This document summarizes legislation and orders regarding federal employees and their participation in political activity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08