Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt is greatly concerned about Judge Speer’s letter, but feels that it is out of the question for him to write to President William H. Taft about office-holders or prospective office-holders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-19
Theodore Roosevelt read Glenway Maxon’s article on the Supreme Court decision with great pleasure. Roosevelt is glad that the Civil Service law was sustained.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-08
Theodore Roosevelt is unable to assist Delia R. Powers with her request. He has not spoken on behalf of a single person regarding a position or promotion in the civil service since he left the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-09
Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Henry Cabot Lodge “slashed into Dana,” regarding Richard H. Dana’s advocacy of a civil service reform measure that would principally affect Washington, D.C. Roosevelt also compliments Lodge for his latest speech and believes they have to “openly attack” the militia if they continue to let themselves be misrepresented.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-07
Theodore Roosevelt was told by a man with first-hand information that Britain’s Civil Service may be one of their greatest handicaps. The “bureaucratic mind” cannot grapple with the emergency, likely referring to the ongoing world war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-17
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Arthur James Balfour has gone into office and wishes him success, most likely referring to his appointment as First Lord of the Admiralty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt write to Alexander Smith Cochran, founder of the Elizabethan Club, to inquire about employment opportunities for poet Bliss Carman. Roosevelt mentions that when he was President, he angered the “ultra-civil-service Reformers” by encouraging a similar poet, Arlington Robinson, to pursue writing instead of his work at a millinery store.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-04
President Roosevelt writes to Gifford Pinchot concerning Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield. Garfield has been an “invaluable public servant,” excelling in all positions to which Roosevelt appointed him. Roosevelt notes that Garfield has “sacrificed much” for the good work he has done, and it will not be easy for him to resume a profitable law practice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-24
President Roosevelt cannot honor Senator Borah’s request since exams will take place after Roosevelt leaves office. However, Roosevelt is confident that William H. Taft will appoint Mr. Whitehouse.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-18
President Roosevelt acknowledges receipt of William Dudley Foulke’s letter and does not have anything to add to it. Roosevelt announces the classification of all fourth class post offices in Eastern and North Central states, as he thinks it would be good to get it done as soon as possible. He also returns a letter regarding Delevan Smith, and asks that Foulke wait to publish it until after his message goes to Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-02
President Roosevelt received Elliot H. Goodwin’s letter, and William Dudley Foulke explained the matter thoroughly. Roosevelt was pleased to act on the matter of fourth class post offices.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-02
President Roosevelt thanks Alexander Irvine for the letter and politely declines Irvine’s recommendation of Frederick Cubberly. Although Roosevelt thinks highly of Cubberly, he believes the incumbent is doing satisfactorily and therefore does not require a replacement. Roosevelt recalls the Russian proverb, “Once in ten years you can help a man,” and apologizes that it is so difficult to find positions to award efficient service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-02
President Roosevelt is glad that Richard Henry Dana was pleased about what was done with the fourth class postmasters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-03
President Roosevelt approves of “needed reforms,” but their implementation can occasionally bring about minor irritations. For instance, he is now unable to appoint William Bayard Hale to the position where he feels that Hale could do the most good. Roosevelt muses that it may be possible to use Hale as a special agent for Haiti, but it is not likely. The trouble is not that the government does not know what to do for Haiti, but that many people refuse to accept that it is necessary for the United States to “exercise some kind of supervision over the island.” He cites several other instances in which the United States intervened in countries in the Caribbean or Central America, “in each case for the immeasurable betterment of the people.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-03
President Roosevelt has spoken with the Civil Service Commission to try to carry out Ansley Wilcox’s suggestion. He is glad that Wilcox approved of the action he took regarding fourth class postmasters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-03
President Roosevelt tells Charles E. Hunter that it is out of the question to appoint Mr. Wright, due to some of the editorials that he has published in his paper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-15
President Roosevelt forwards Attorney General Bonaparte a telegram from former Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock, and admits that his prejudice against Pliny L. Soper may have been a holdover from Hitchcock’s time in office. Roosevelt also encloses an unsigned letter that Secretary of War William H. Taft and Frank B. Kellogg discussed, and asks that Bonaparte discuss it with Milton Dwight Purdy and Kellogg. Roosevelt has heard of the matter, but thinks that little good would come from pursuing the matter currently, as it would get twisted to political purposes. Roosevelt will tell Senator Jonathan Bourne and John D. Archbold that they have to stop wasting time trying to negotiate through Roosevelt and comply with the opinion of Bonaparte and Kellogg.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-29
President Roosevelt has received George P. Messervy’s letter regarding William P. Colgate, but as president he cannot act. He advises Messervy to take this letter to Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou. Roosevelt acknowledges the difficulty that can arise between subordinates and their chiefs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-04
President Roosevelt expresses concern that government employees are working both at the navy yard, while also reportedly working two shifts a day at the Firth-Sterling plant. This is bad both from a public policy standpoint, but also because of the ongoing presidential campaign, which is happening in the context of an industrial depression. Roosevelt instructs Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry to to see Labor Commissioner Charles Patrick Neill about the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-02
President Roosevelt tells the United States Civil Service Commission that it does not seem right to remove Philip W. Reinhard from his position, even though it is in violation of the civil service rules, as he has already served in the position for nine years and has a positive statement by Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou. Roosevelt asks whether he needs to make an executive order, or if the commission can act on its own account.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-29