Your TR Source
Governor Roosevelt writes State Architect Heins and mentions a case being reviewed by the Civil Service Reform Association. Roosevelt also encloses a letter of complaint and asks Heins to make a statement regarding the matter.
1899-09-20
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
Robert Watchorn thanks President Roosevelt for elevating him to the position of Commissioner of Ellis Island’s immigration inspection station. Watchorn recounts how he came to work at Ellis Island as an inspector, and reflects on how he has made himself useful thus far in bringing about reform, and the importance of the position to which he is now appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-21
Report of the Executive Committee and text of address from James Rudolph Garfield.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-31
This article suggests issues that Judge Parker should address in his letter of acceptance, such as trades-unionism in the public service, equal rights, and civil service reform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-19
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about a political dinner that he and wife Edith recently attended and his feelings toward a Senator. He has been doing quite a bit of horseback riding and has made good progress in his Baltimore investigation. His history of New York manuscript has been well received.
1891-04-19
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about recent happenings in Washington. He and wife Edith have been socializing quite a bit. His favorite dinner was at Charles J. Bonaparte’s where he got meet Cardinal James Gibbons. He continues to fight for civil service reform.
1891-02-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about recent happenings in Washington, and in a second, private letter, the status of things with their brother Elliott. There is a fight over Civil Service reform in the House of Representatives. Roosevelt received a letter from Elliott and worries he will relapse again. He feels it is foolish for his wife Anna and the children to continue living with him. He asks if their brother-in-law Douglas Robinson told Anna about the woman claiming to have had an affair with Elliott.
1891-02-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna about recent happenings in Washington. Roosevelt has begun to vary his civil service work, with his “chief ally” being Charles J. Bonaparte. He recently spent a few days in New York visiting friends. Their sister, Corinne Roosevelt Robinson, is having difficulty with her in-laws.
1891-04-05
Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt tells his sister Anna that he is on his way back to Washington, D.C., after dealing with the Custom House people. He is looking forward to the release of his book. He is trying to teach his son Ted to say “Dear Aunt Bye.”
1889-06-02
Theodore Roosevelt rides a bucking horse called “Spoilsman” wearing a saddle inscribed “Civil Service Reform.” In the background is a cabin titled “Uncle Sam’s Ranch, U.S.A.” Roosevelt’s hat has flown off his head, and a paper slips from it which says, “The Commission means business. T.R.” At bottom right is the caption, “Stick to your saddle and don’t be bounced.” While the cartoon was drawn and signed in 1889, at bottom left the artist has written, “With compliments of Th. Nast, 1896.”
1896
Theodore Roosevelt remarks on the interesting piece written by a friend of Florence Bayard Lockwood La Farge. In particular, he is struck by the writer’s understanding of the breakdown of Civil Service law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-15
President Roosevelt tells William Dudley Foulke that he is “amused” by the attacks the Civil Service Reform Association is making against him. He clarifies that the only instructions he gave officers and civil servants regarding the nomination for the presidency is that they should not nominate him again. President-elect William H. Taft was nominated fairly. He asks if Foulke would like him to write a “perfectly colorless statement of facts” regarding Panama, in response to statements made about the canal since the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-23
President Roosevelt encourages Rudolph Spreckels not to get downhearted in his struggle against political corruption and to keep up the fight.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-30
President Roosevelt laments that his implementation of civil service reform principles means that he cannot grant Ernest McGaffey’s request. He encloses a copy of the regulations, which state that entry into the service must start at the lower grades. Should McGaffey want such a position, he will need no recommendation from Roosevelt, provided the Senators from his state agree to confirm him. However, Roosevelt does note that most lower level positions are in hot and unhealthy regions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-08
President Roosevelt provides Richard Henry Dana with his thoughts and details on the case surrounding Archie Dovell Sanders, a New York civil servant who refuses to stop his political activity while in office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-02
President Roosevelt tells Frederick Palmer of the difficulties of reform and how it prevents him from appointing Palmer to the position he desires. Roosevelt encourages Palmer to apply to a lower-grade position, but doubts it “would be worth your while.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-20
Though he cannot write the requested letter, President Roosevelt can send Pennsylvania State Representative Scott copies of the messages on civil service reform he has given to Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-14
President Roosevelt cannot write the letter Governor of Porto Rico Winthrop has requested. Were Roosevelt to write one such letter, he would have to write many, as demonstrated by an identical request received earlier this week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-14
President Roosevelt objects to Secretary of the Treasury Shaw about areas of public service being taken away from the Civil Service Commission, as has been done in the case of the Revenue Cutter Service. According to the bill, examinations will be done under regulations set out by the Secretary of the Treasury, and Roosevelt suggests that Shaw direct that the board of officers grading examinations should do so in conjunction with the Civil Service Commission, and following their rules.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-25