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Solomon W. Seeman and Clarence E. Deal ask Secretary of the Interior Garfield to delay Frank C. Bramwell’s appointment as registrar of the land office at La Grande, Oregon, and promise explanatory materials will follow.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-19
Methodist minister James D. Gillilan believes that political appointments have been influenced by a powerful official in the Mormon Church. He informs Secretary of the Interior Garfield that the appointee for the La Grande, Oregon land office, Franklin C. Bramwell, is the son of the president of the Mormon Church “‘state,'” and therefore a “stick in the nostrils of the law abiding element.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-12
An investigation by the Department of the Interior has yielded a list of some 200 individuals hired to the Technologic Branch of the United States Geological Survey without the certification of the Civil Service Commission. The Commission will comply with the Department of the Interior’s request that these irregularly appointed employees’ certifications be fast-tracked, but expresses several reasons for why such a decision may not be wise.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-14
While he does not wish to interfere in political appointments, Representative Longworth testifies to President Roosevelt regarding the character of his friend Richard Pretlow Ernst and his faith in Ernst’s judgments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-09
Paul Morton has heard rumors of Senator Francis Marion Cockrell’s retirement from the Interstate Commerce Commission. If they are true, Morton recommends James A. Peabody as a potential successor and can attest to his qualifications.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-09
Alexander Lambert asks President Roosevelt to enlist Cornelius Newton Bliss and Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou to recommend Lambert’s brother Adrian V. S. Lambert for a vacant position at the New-York Hospital. Lambert describes the feeling in New York after the Knickerbocker Trust Company failed and recommends that President Roosevelt take the legal steps he needs to, but that he refrain from talking about it in the press. Lambert has received bear skins and has sent them to John Murgatroyd, a taxidermist.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-29
Douglas Robinson thanks President Roosevelt for his letter and his kind words. Robinson’s new job brings great responsibility with little thanks. He did not ask for the appointment and did not anticipate it, but will put forth his best efforts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-28
Charles William Anderson has learned that New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes is helping Charles W. Farnham seek employment with the state. Farnham has given Anderson information about Hughes’s candidacy for the presidency. In a postscript, Anderson adds that Farnham has secured a job working for the New York Public Service Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-21
Secretary of the Interior Garfield informs William Loeb of an addendum to his letter about Thomas Ryan’s resignation. Ryan requests that the change take place on October 31, 1907, and that a public announcement not be made until then. Garfield plans to advise Frank Pierce of his appointment so that he can make arrangements to begin soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-12
Secretary of the Interior Garfield informs President Roosevelt that Assistant Secretary of the Interior Thomas Ryan has resigned, and he will be replaced by Frank Pierce, a Williams College man. While Garfield is sad to see Ryan go, he needs a man “who can do hard work this winter.” Garfield also asks Roosevelt about the Friends School in Washington because he is thinking of sending his son James Abram Garfield there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-12
John Burroughs writes to Theodore Roosevelt to advocate for the professional advancement of his friend, a war veteran, Aaron Johns. Burroughs previously advocated for Johns to be Justice of the Peace. Burroughs would like to call his book Camping and Tramping with Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-01
Civil Service Commissioner McIlhenny thanks President Roosevelt for the consideration has shown Putnam Bradlee Strong, whom Major George W. Goethals of the Isthmian Canal Commission has recently hired as a foreman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-20
Senator Beveridge defends his stance on moving an office to Indianapolis. He states that it would be beneficial to the state, comparing it to Collector of Revenue Elam H. Neal moving his office from the Lawrenceburg district to Indianapolis. He claims it would “completely change the face of affairs in that badly honeycombed service.” Beveridge would like to state his opinion on the topic to the president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-04
Senator Beveridge answers President Roosevelt’s letter regarding a successor to Internal Revenue Commissioner John Watson Yerkes. Beveridge had hoped for someone from his own state of Indiana, but acknowledges that Roosevelt has a better man from Kentucky. Beveridge adds in a handwritten postscript that Lieutenant Governor Hugh T. Miller is to be the next governor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-05
John F. Stevens informs Secretary of War Taft that Colonel Goethals will become the chief engineer in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-21
John F. Stevens informs Secretary of War Taft that he will stay on in Panama to help Colonel George W. Goethals train as his replacement. Stevens recently resigned as head engineer of the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-28
John F. Stevens informs Secretary of War Taft that he will stay on to thoroughly advise Colonel Goethals until Stevens leaves Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-28
Frank W. Tucker, Chairman of the Arkansas Republican State Committee, notifies President Roosevelt that he is satisfied with the appointment of W. Scott Smith as Superintendent of the Reservation at Hot Springs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-12
John F. Stevens cables Secretary of War Taft that he is unfamiliar with those parties, but he judges their bids to be less than perfect.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-08
Chief Engineer Stevens was surprised to learn of Chairman Shonts’s resignation and President Roosevelt’s acceptance. He had understood that Roosevelt was not going to take action without consulting Stevens. Stevens does not desire to be the only one in charge of the Panama Canal construction; he had wanted the post in the Philippines instead and only accepted the position in Panama reluctantly. Stevens wanted to be in charge of construction and not a political actor. He complains that his salary is too low and the “honor” of the position is not enough. Stevens worries that the upcoming election might change the plan for construction, and he expresses particular concern for the future of the Republican party. He argues on behalf of the Isthmian Commission. He is not anxious to continue in the service, and wishes to return to railroad work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-30