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Various forms of graft, fraud, and bribery were committed by San Francisco mayor Eugene Schmitz and members of the Board of Supervisors. Following trials of many offenders, a report is published on the causes of the corruption and recommendations made on how to prevent municipal corruption in the future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-01-05
Postmaster General Payne updates President Roosevelt on the state of the post office investigation. Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad have been away for the summer, and have not been consulted yet, although the investigation has proceeded in the meantime. Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Joseph L. Bristow has a large number of cases pending in the District Attorney’s office, waiting to go before a grand jury. Indictments are expected, and Payne does not believe that it would be wise for the government to publicly release information on the investigation before the grand jury has finished.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-08
Grand Jury indictment of Big Bill Haywood, Charles H. Moyer, George A. Pettibone, and John L. Simpkins for the murder of ex-Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03
President Theodore Roosevelt, Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte, and others have come to Muskogee, Oklahoma, to investigate a fraud case involving Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell. Haskell, along with J. George Wright and Dana H. Kelsey, are accused of scheduling land deeds to “dummy” persons. Governor Haskell has issued a formal statement rebutting these accusations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-22
Perry S. Heath has been implicated in the Post Office frauds. There is not sufficient evidence to convict Heath but Postmaster General Payne should have an inspector make a thorough investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-15
Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad feel that the District Attorney should have laid the case before the Grand Jury. President Roosevelt would like to discuss the matter with Attorney General Knox and asks that Morgan Beach and Charles Henry Robb be invited to attend if possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-10
President Roosevelt has received Charles J. Bonaparte’s letter regarding Mr. Beach and reconvening the grand jury. He will discuss the matter with Attorney General Philander C. Knox.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-10
President Roosevelt notes Holmes Conrad’s advice that there is insufficient evidence to convict Perry Heath or recall the Grand Jury. Roosevelt would like to know if Charles J. Bonaparte shares these views.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-06
President Roosevelt will tell Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte the substance of District Attorney Stimson’s letter. District Attorney Daniel W. Baker believes that the grand jury would refuse to indict anyone if he declined to present Joseph Pulitzer for indictment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-13
President Roosevelt informs Douglas Robinson that he will be called as a witness in the upcoming grand jury trial against the New York World and the Indianapolis News in Washington, D.C., and invites him to stay at the White House during the trial. Roosevelt believes Robinson will not have much to testify about, but finds his testimony important regardless.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-12
President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Bonaparte to tell him the facts of a grand jury investigation concerning Charles F. Brooker. Roosevelt is concerned for his friend and Assistant United State Attorney, Alford Warriner Cooley, and asks Bonaparte if he can be given sixty days pay before ending his service. Roosevelt also asks for Bonaparte’s opinion on a letter from Emory Speer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-14
President Roosevelt discusses how a letter from Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis changes the possible prosecution of the Chicago and Alton Railroad and Standard Oil cases. He asks Attorney General Bonaparte to investigate the testimony in question.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
President Roosevelt informs his son Ted that he has written him a letter about the incident with the policemen and believes both Ted and his friend conducted themselves well under the circumstances.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03
President Roosevelt tells Police Commissioner O’Meara to disregard his letter concerning his son Ted’s arrest. Roosevelt was unaware of his son’s appearance before the grand jury, and believes the letter should never have been written.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03
President Roosevelt encloses Charles Bonaparte’s letter and agrees that it would have been better if the District Attorney laid the whole case before the grand jury. Roosevelt would like to discuss the matter with Philander C. Knox and others.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-10
President Roosevelt has received Charles J. Bonaparte’s letter recommending reconvening the grand jury if Mr. Beach cannot explain his position. Roosevelt will take up the matter with Attorney General Knox.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-10
President Roosevelt encloses documents related to the case of Perry S. Heath. He requests Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad’s opinion whether Heath can be found guilty of violating the law. If so, Roosevelt intends to reconvene the grand jury.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-06
Referring to the libel case against the New York World, District Attorney Stimson agrees with President Roosevelt’s view that it is important to prosecute the “man at the top.” However, Stimson feels that even though Joseph Pulitzer can be suspected as knowing about the libel, there is not enough evidence to actually indict him. If the federal government’s case against Pulitzer is thrown out by the courts, it would cause any future successful prosecutions against the company or the actually responsible individual to lose its significance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-11
Richard H. Taylor provides details to William Loeb about the investigation and court case about Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell. Haskell has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the government concerning town lots sold in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1902. Taylor has several character witnesses lined up to testify against Haskell. In association with this case, William T. Hutchings has confessed to forging the names of relatives and friends to thirty-one deeds. Haskell issued a statement to defend himself to the Associated Press. Taylor is concerned with President Roosevelt’s decision to align with William Randolph Hearst to “defame” Haskell while Roosevelt is enmeshed in a libel suit. Taylor believes that unless there is a “great miscarriage of justice,” Haskell will be sent to a Federal prison.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-24
Douglas Robinson accepts President Roosevelt’s invitation to stay at the White House while he is in Washington, D.C., for his upcoming grand jury trial. Robinson, a receiver of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, is on trial for ignoring the orders of the New York State Public Commission. He is not optimistic about the trial because of the strong legal team the commission has assembled and expects to be in jail “in a short time.” Robinson discusses his plans for traveling down to the White House and congratulates Roosevelt on his handling of Senator Benjamin R. Tillman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-13