Your TR Source
President Roosevelt is pleased that there is an influential newspaper that is willing to publish “the truth in an abiding manner.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-14
President Roosevelt dismisses the slanderous articles regarding Evans’s departure because he knows that Evans resigned. Roosevelt also defends James Clarkson as an “honorable and capable man” even though Clarkson opposed civil service reform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-12
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from James Sullivan Clarkson that Roosevelt believes “shows a rather good spirit.” In the letter Clarkson declares his intention to follow civil service principles in the administration of his office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-10
Due to the overwhelming number of inquiries about the Peoples National Legal Ethics Society, Charles Freeman Johnson discusses its purpose and support in a letter to the editor of The Outlook. The organization seeks to cooperate with the American Bar Association through state advisory councils to adopt and enforce the Association’s code of ethics. Such enforcement throughout the country will significantly advance reform in legal procedures, and it is the type of movement President William H. Taft recommended in his speech in Chicago, Illinois. Johnson quotes lawyers and legal professionals who support the Society, which is expected to have 400,000 members within a year. He invites correspondence from interested parties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-18
Attorney General Bonaparte informs William Loeb what he has learned with regard to General James Sullivan Clarkson’s request to have his son’s deposition taken in New York. Bonaparte relays that although a deposition cannot be taken, Grosvenor Clarkson is not needed as a witness. If Clarkson decides to attend the trial he will have a United States Marshal assigned to him for protection, however, he should have a note from a physician sent if he chooses not to go.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-04
In response to William Loeb’s request, Robert Bacon has enclosed letters from James Sullivan Clarkson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-09
Leslie M. Shaw writes to President Roosevelt to discuss the appointment of a new postmaster in Yonkers, New York. Shaw believes it is bad practice for any special agent at ports to feel beholden for their appointment. He claims this encourages fraud and political deception. However, Shaw states that this is a matter of principle and does not apply in this specific instance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-20
Chairman Cortelyou is glad that President Roosevelt sent him Attorney General Moody’s letter regarding relations with the Republican Congressional Committee. Cortelyou reports that since his meeting with Chairman Babcock, Representative Hull, and Representative Overstreet, relations have been cordial. Governor Odell is pleased with the support and cooperation he received from the Republican National Committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-17
Nevada N. Stranahan informs William Loeb that he has arranged a meeting between himself, Charles W. Murray, and Governor Odell on the subject of appointing Byrnes to election commissioner. General Clarkson will not be able to attend the meeting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-12
Edward B. M. Browne informs Elihu Root that he is now an open opponent to President Roosevelt in the 1904 campaign for President. Browne insists that Roosevelt “hates the Jews” and that he can prove that Roosevelt protected Smith, Payne, and others. Browne also suggests that several of Roosevelt’s “friends” really want him to be defeated. Browne has sent letters to General James Sullivan Clarkson concerning Roosevelt, and he urges Root to phone Clarkson to see those letters, as the “campaign of 1904 may depend upon your and General Clarkson’s actions in the matter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-08
Union printer and labor advocate August Donath writes to New York Governor Odell recommending the appointment of William S. Waudby for Commissioner of Labor. Donath urges Odell to advocate for this candidate with President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-02
The undersigned individuals petition for the adoption and enforcement of a uniform code of ethics by lawyers and courts of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-18
New York Senator Thomas Collier Platt and Surveyor of Customs James Sullivan Clarkson fly in the air as they try to stop Uncle Sam who is driving a “Post Office investigation” car toward the “P. O. Dept.” The car crashes through “politics” barriers and throws a “politician” off to the side.
In this awkward cartoon about the beginnings of the Roosevelt Administration’s efforts to discover corruption in the Post Office department and reform the service, Uncle Sam is featured instead of President Theodore Roosevelt. It is a reminder that one of the unique aspects of cartoonists’ treatment of Roosevelt is that he largely supplanted the iconic symbol of the United States, so vivid was in personality. In this cartoon, although seem only from behind, Uncle Sam drives the car — an indiscriminate, road-busting flivver, then often viewed as a menace.
Another interesting figure is James S. Clarkson, still identified with the Post Office. When Roosevelt was appointed Civil Service Commissioner under President Benjamin Harrison in 1889, Clarkson of Iowa was appointed First Assistant Postmaster General, charged with responsibility for fulfilling local Republican patronage jobs. He replaced Democrat postmasters and officials at an annualized rate of 30,000.
Alexander Walters, the President of the National Afro-American Council, endorses James S. Clarkson as the spokesman for the Roosevelt administration. Walters also encloses a circular and requests President Roosevelt’s approval.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-18
Nevada N. Stranahan encloses a letter from Senator Platt to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-18
Senator Platt believes that the “irrepressible conflict” is coming and he must make an effort to “preserve the integrity” and “promote the efficiency” of the Republican Party in New York. Platt trusts that Nevada N. Stranahan and his districts will support Platt in saving the party from ruin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-16
Several men are on a ship at sea, with a waterspout labeled “Western Republican Silver Sentiment” and looking like Thomas H. Carter bearing down on the ship. At the helm, labeled “Sound Money,” is John Sherman. Others on deck are “Platt, Allison, Reed, McKinley, Quay, Morton, Hackett, Wellington, Chandler, Burrows, Clarkson,” and an unidentified man who may be George F. Hoar.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1896-03-25
Postmaster General Payne has received James Sullivan Clarkson’s letter regarding the letter carrier conventions that endorsed William Randolph Hearst for president. Assistant Postmaster General Bristow and his investigators are looking into the matter. Depending on Bristow’s findings, the Civil Service Commission can investigate individual cases or start a general investigation into the whole matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-04
Summary of the annual meeting of the Civil Service Reform Association. President Roosevelt was named a vice president of the organization but was also censured for several inconsistencies, particularly the appointment of James Sullivan Clarkson, an enemy of civil service reform, and a special order allowing the appointment of Joe Murray without examination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Addison Wimbs encloses an article about “one of Mr. Bingham’s henchmen” who is opposing President Roosevelt’s nomination, but Wimbs assures Roosevelt that Alabama’s delegates will support him at the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-10