Your TR Source
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt explains to Representative Mitchell that individuals are appointed in order of their registration and no exceptions are made except in emergencies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-18
James Sullivan Clarkson, Surveyor of Customs for the Port of New York, tells William Loeb that he will take the matter of Billy Wood’s potential employment up with collector of the port Nevada N. Stranahan when Stranahan returns. Clarkson also informs Loeb that he has arranged for James O. Wood to receive a three months appointment as special attendant, and encloses a note from James L. Gerry on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-17
Edward A. Winstanley asks Thomas A. Carter if any action has been taken regarding the appointment of D. H. Ross.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-24
President Roosevelt fires a gun with smoke coming out labeled “Cincinnati Federal Appointment” at Joseph Benson Foraker, who holds a knife labeled “Brownsville.”
The “Brownsville Incident” — a bartender shot dead and a policeman wounded in a nighttime melee near an Army barracks housing black soldiers in Texas — had occurred in August of 1906. It lingered as a scandal because President Roosevelt, asking any of the one hundred sixty-seven soldiers to provide any information about the evening’s activities, studied the available facts and dishonorably discharged the entire regiment.
Rudolph Forster confirms receipt of the memorandum from William Loeb, and has requested that the Department of the Interior appoint Amy Belle Cheney to a position in the Forestry Division. He expects the appointment to be made today, and will send Loeb the papers directly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-1904
President Roosevelt responds to Harriet S. Blaine Beale’s concern about the reason her ex-husband, Truxton Beale, was not given a government position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-29
William H. Taft informs William Loeb that Myron T. Herrick could not accept the position of treasurer to the Republican National Committee, so Taft took George Rumsey Sheldon on the recommendation of Cornelius Newton Bliss. Sheldon had been treasurer of the New York State Committee during the campaign of Charles Evans Hughes. Taft says they had been informed by William L. Ward that this selection was approved, so he apologizes if there was a misunderstanding.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-08
Senator Lodge encloses a letter from United States District Attorney Asa P. French, which explains itself. Lodge personally knows Assistant District Attorney William Howard Garland, who previously served as secretary for Senator George Frisbie Hoar. Although Lodge provides a positive assessment of Garland’s character, he cannot speak to his suitability for the position French recommends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-03
President Roosevelt assures Paul V. Bunn that he will help him, if there is some way he properly can. Vacancies at government agencies are not common, however, and this is especially true of government positions that pay well. Roosevelt has never, while president, written a request that could be construed as asking for a favor, but Bunn can show this letter to anyone, and Roosevelt will be happy to endorse Bunn as a man of integrity and skill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-14
President Roosevelt thanks Frank M. Chapman for the photographs, and thinks that Herbert Lang would be a perfect person to bring on his safari. Unfortunately, Roosevelt is going in service of the Smithsonian Institution, as he promised Charles D. Walcott, and guesses that the American Museum of Natural History would not care to lend Lang to the Smithsonian for this purpose. Roosevelt’s son, Kermit Roosevelt, will come visit soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-06
Frank H. Hitchcock, Secretary of War William H. Taft’s campaign manager, has allegedly been using federal patronage positions to drive political support for Taft’s candidacy. As a response to this, a number of United States Senators who oppose President Roosevelt have rejected federal appointments in Ohio, Oklahoma, and North Carolina in an effort to hinder Roosevelt and Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-16
President Roosevelt would like to help Nathaniel Ewing, but the only vacancy Roosevelt knows of has just been filled.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-14
President Roosevelt issues a memorandum on his personal relationships with several people, including Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, George H. Lyman, Francis C. Lowell, and Winthrop Murray Crane. Roosevelt seeks to add some additional context to a memorandum by Lodge, and comments on when he came to know these men, and how, if at all, his personal relationships shaped his actions in giving or not giving certain people positions in the administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-10
President Roosevelt issues a memorandum on his personal relationships with several people, including Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, George H. Lyman, Francis C. Lowell, and Winthrop Murray Crane. Roosevelt comments on when he came to know these men, and how, if at all, his personal relationships shaped his actions in giving or not giving certain people positions in the administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-10
President Roosevelt received Senator Lodge’s letter and has already sent a letter to McDonald, likely referring to William Jesse McDonald. He also encloses his letter to Secretary of War Elihu Root. He informs Lodge that Governor Brodie of Arizona appointed Ben Daniels as the warden of the Arizona Penitentiary, both men former Rough Riders. When Roosevelt told John Hay of that fact, Hay responded, “Set a Rough Rider to catch a thief!”
Massachusetts Historical Society
1902-06-04
Theodore Roosevelt will follow George von Lengerke Meyer’s advice as to the successor of Second Assistant Postmaster McCleary.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1908-09-11
President Roosevelt informs Postmaster General Meyer of a man, A. H. Stevens, who Senator Charles Curtis has recommended as being fit for promotion as an assistant postmaster general. Roosevelt also would like to discuss the possible appointment of Ross L. Hammond.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1908-02-03
President Roosevelt directs Postmaster General Meyer to consult Secretary of War Taft about any appointments of importance in Ohio.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1907-03-16
President Roosevelt wired Cornelius Newton Bliss and George B. Cortelyou as Charles Gates Dawes suggested. Roosevelt directs Dawes inform “people of the opposition” that if Roosevelt is running for president, Cortelyou will be Chairman of the Republican National Committee and that opposing Cortelyou is hurting the Republican cause.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-17
Theodore Roosevelt sent a telegraph to French Ambassador J. J. Jusserand on Gouverneur Morris’s behalf. Roosevelt encloses a letter to Ambassador Sharp. Roosevelt criticizes any potential appointee of President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan. In a postscript, Roosevelt advises Morris to show this letter to the ambassador, but also to any Frenchmen and if it is presented to the ambassador, ask to retain it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-03