Corruption

President Roosevelt invites Lincoln Steffens to come see him at Oyster Bay. Roosevelt thinks that if Steffens’ theory is correct, the government would have to own the saloons, refuse to collect customs duties, while owning every possible corporation and industry where there would be the chance of bribery. Steffens is somewhat wrong regarding Europe, as not every government owns the saloons, and many of them have subsidies for industries. Roosevelt agrees with Steffens in the necessity of fighting against privilege, but thinks that Steffens is attacking a symptom instead of the cause.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-12

President Roosevelt concurs with Elihu Root that the attacks against Judge Lebbeus R. Wilfley are insubstantial and have come about because of the effectiveness of Wilfley in attacking vice and crime in Shanghai. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Robert E. Lewis, who has recently returned from Shanghai after living there for ten years, and who reflects positively on Wilfley’s character. If attacks on Wilfley go forward, the beneficiaries will be those people who traffic in vice and corruption.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-02

President Roosevelt takes exception to Clarence H. Esty’s criticism of his administration and policies. Roosevelt states that thus far no one has pointed out to him a single policy or action that should not have been done. The issues stem not from his administration, but the problems the administration is attempting to eliminate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-15

President Roosevelt thanks Eugene W. F. ReQua for the letter, and asks for the name of the government land inspector that ReQua mentioned, as he wishes to write to him privately and get all the facts. Roosevelt admits that he knows “how very much wickedness there has been in the Indian and public land work in the past,” but believes that the government is making progress in eliminating crookedness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-21

President Roosevelt takes the charges of corruption against Charles P. McClelland seriously, and asks Charles Evans Hughes for specific evidence and testimony to prove his guilt or innocence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-12

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-04

President Roosevelt would like to see Ernest E. Baldwin, Assistant District Attorney in New York, removed for his actions in the Post Office cases. It appears that there is a large group of politicians, connected politically and financially, protecting State Senator George E. Green. President Roosevelt would like drastic action taken to secure Green and bring him to trial.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-21

President Roosevelt is impressed with Ray Stannard Baker’s article. Capital and labor howl about each other but never admit their own wrongdoing. Roosevelt believes in corporations and trade unions but when corruption or indifference to the rights of others develops then they must be fought regardless of public sentiment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-21

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt does not disagree with Senator Lodge or Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long about the docks. He does not think Wilson can return to his old position just yet. Roosevelt updates Lodge on his difficulties with “the patronage” and some of the men from Pennsylvania, who complain about the wage increases for clerks. He discusses the “muss” of New York politics. In a postscript, Roosevelt shares that he heard that Winfield Scott Edgerly cannot be promoted to foreman except through a competitive examination. He recently spoke to Long about increasing the Navy. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-09-29

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt is interested in the Police Commissioner Board and feels for Police Commissioner Andrews in this crisis. He is surprised by Police Commissioner Frank Moss’s efforts to reconcile with Police Commissioner Andrew D. Parker. Andrews can show Moss the rest of the letter if he wants. Roosevelt hopes promotions will be made in a way that will not hurt civil service reform. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt commends Police Commissioner Moss for his work in his new position. He warns Moss that Andrew D. Parker will try to trick him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-04-28

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt enjoyed Lincoln Steffens’s letter and regards him and Jacob A. Riis as the bright spots of his police work. He comments on the tickets. Roosevelt is grateful for what Steffens did for Minnie Gertrude Kelly and Frank Rathgeber. Police Commissioner Frank Moss has made an admiral beginning in his new position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-04-28

Mrs. C. A. Bush is grateful for men like Theodore Roosevelt and encloses a clipping expressing her thoughts. She trusts that Roosevelt will do his duty and accept the nomination should it be given. It is time for Roosevelt to use the “big stick” to “crush utterly the Hydra-headed monster of special privilege.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-03

G. V. Harding expresses his opinions about the overlap of money, power, legislation, and corruption to Theodore Roosevelt, who he says should “lead [the American people] to firm ground” since he believes William H. Taft will not be re-elected.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-17

George E. Megee gives Theodore Roosevelt an extensive history of himself, including his financial troubles revolving around a steam boat vessel which was destroyed in an incident involving night watchmen. Megee feels he has been unjustly treated, and is frustrated with how his local authorities and his country broadly-speaking have handled the situation. He asks Roosevelt for advice and/or assistance in this matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-31

William R. Harr has investigated the charges against United States Attorney Robert W. Breckons that have been brought by E. W. Thwing, and gives Attorney General Bonaparte a thorough report of his findings. Harr addresses both Breckons’s personal character and his professional involvements and associations. Harr concludes that while he believes Breckons has worked efficiently and well, “his desire to serve his friends and increase his fortune has led him into a number of acts of questionable propriety and into some of unquestionable impropriety.” Harr understands from Breckons that he does not plan to stay in his position much longer, as the workload has increased to such a degree as to prevent additional private practice, which is necessary to supplement the income from the government position due to the high cost of living in Hawaii.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-01

Lawrence Abbott acknowledges President Roosevelt’s return of the China article payment, and appreciates his attitude in the matter. There will be editorial reviews in The Outlook on the situation between Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker and Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell, which Abbott finds fascinating. Abbott worries that related corruption would permeate other areas of government if William Jennings Bryan is elected President.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

Hans A. Koenig questions President Roosevelt about his actions while serving as Governor of New York, as described in Charles Edward Russell’s book Lawless Wealth. Koenig asks for an explanation regarding the allegedly suppressed reports on investigations into the State Trust Company and into illegal bank deposits made by “prominent men.” Specifically, Koenig states that if the charges made in the book against Secretary of State Elihu Root are true, then he is not fit for his position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-06

Representative Jenkins, Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, informs President Roosevelt that the committee has been directed to investigate Lebbus R. Wilfley, judge of the United States Court for China. Jenkins understands that Roosevelt has independently started an investigation, and mentions that the committee would be pleased to have the information that this other investigation has produced, if such a thing is agreeable to Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-24

Louisa Lee Schuyler thanks President Roosevelt for the letter he wrote for the recent anti-tuberculosis meeting, and tells him some of the details of the proceedings. She praises Roosevelt for his efforts to root out corruption, and compares him to President Washington and President Lincoln as one of the great leaders in American history. She quotes the bible verse Ephesians 6:12-14, which she says has been coming to mind throughout Roosevelt’s presidency, exhorting him to stand against the darkness of the world and put on the armor of God.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-15