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Irvin Rittenhouse follows up on a conversation with William Loeb regarding Francis J. Heney’s request for signed photographs of President Roosevelt. Rittenhouse sends the photographs to be signed and offers to personally mail them to Heney.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-18
Attorney General Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt about several matters he did not have time to speak with him about today. First, he has “serious objections” to Senator William Edgar Borah’s suggestion of a temporary judicial appointment. Until Bonaparte knows more about the situation, he will have “grave misgivings” about Judge Frank Sigel Dietrich and Judge Edward Whitson. However, Bonaparte does believe that N. M. Ruick will not cause a scandal as long as he does not know or suspect that he will lose his position. Second, Bonaparte spoke with Alford Warriner Cooley about Roosevelt’s desire to appoint Samuel L. Williams, a black man, as district attorney in Chicago, per Booker T. Washington’s recommendation. Edwin Walter Sims, the U.S. Attorney in Chicago, reported favorably about Williams to Bonaparte, and he recommends the nomination. Finally, Timothy L. Woodruff spoke with Bonaparte about Wyoming Senator Frank W. Mondell’s draft of a bill that would amend the coal-land-laws. Bonaparte entertains “very grave doubts” about giving amnesty to large corporations that break the law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-27
Attorney General Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt about a number of matters, including the situation in Oregon surrounding the appointment of a new United States Attorney, and a current case involving railroad rebates in Kansas. Bonaparte will remain in Baltimore on Monday, unless he is called back to Washington, D.C., by any unexpected developments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-15
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on a variety of cases the Administration has in courts. First, Civil Service Commissioner Alford Warriner Cooley is reluctant to travel to Colorado or Oregon because two cases relating to civil service law will be tried in the Supreme Court soon. Second, Bonaparte has sent a report about a scandal involving New Mexico judge Daniel Hugh McMillan to New Mexico, as the report damages only McMillan. Bonaparte has also arranged for Thomas Carl Spelling and L. Allison Wilmer to prepare and conduct cases against coal-carrying roads under the Hepburn Act. Finally, Bonaparte encloses a communication relating to matters regarding the Alaska Syndicate and the Morgan-Guggenheim interests in Alaska. A dispute between Senator Simon Guggenheim and Governor Wilford B. Hoggatt over land rights of railroads has led to bloodshed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-08
Attorney General Bonaparte provides President Roosevelt with notes and suggestions on his upcoming message. In particular he suggests modifications on portions relating to labor liability laws and employee compensation for injuries. Bonaparte also suggests removing the words “good” and “bad” from the portion on trusts, as certain trusts are claiming to be “good” trusts to avoid injunctions. He also provides comments on changing wording to avoid accusations of naming specific individuals, and on the language in the delicate sections about judges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-22
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on the outcomes of several Supreme Court cases. The Court has ruled against the Roosevelt Administration in the employers’ liability cases. Bonaparte provides a summary of the judges’ opinions in the event that he wants to send a special message to Congress urging a passage of the law that the court would deem constitutional based on the case. The Court ruled against the administration in the Williamson case, but on grounds that allow it to be tried again. As expected, the Court overturned the conviction of Major Carrington, who was sentenced in the Philippines to 40 years. Bonaparte asks Roosevelt’s advice on waiting to take action on Christian Schuebel’s nomination as Senator Fulton has requested. Finally, Bonaparte writes that Tracy C. Becker will help with prosecutions in Oregon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-06
Lincoln Steffens informs William Loeb that after Francis J. Heney visited him in Washington, he is clear on the matters relating to W. C. Bristol, United States Attorney for Oregon, and Colonel Stewart, who has been accused of being unfit to lead. As a potential successor to Bristol, Christian Schuebel’s competence had been questioned, but the suggested alternative, William Simon U’Ren, would not accept the appointment. Regarding Stewart, the president should know that though Stewart’s colleagues may see him as unfit, there is not sufficient evidence for discharge, and he hopes Roosevelt will review General William Penn Duvall’s malicious behavior surrounding the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-28
Attorney General Bonaparte forwards President Roosevelt messages exchanged between Oregon Attorney General William C. Bristol and himself, as well as reports from those involved with the land fraud cases that demonstrate Bristol’s negligent behavior in performing his job. The Department of Justice has received many complaints about delays in the proceedings of the land fraud suits, and Bristol has repeatedly ignored official communications. Bonaparte does not recommend Bristol be renominated as Attorney General of Oregon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-10
Lincoln Steffens encloses a letter written by his friend Charles Stewart defending his brother Colonel William F. Stewart, who has been sent into “exile” at Fort Grant, in the hopes that President Roosevelt will intervene on the colonel’s behalf. Steffens also assures Roosevelt that he is looking into the matter of Supreme Court Justice William H. Moody and District Attorney Francis J. Heney.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-29
Journalist Lincoln Steffens will talk to Francis J. Heney concerning Supreme Court Associate Justice William H. Moody, and Heney will explain the situation to President Roosevelt. Steffans claims a friendly relationship with Moody. Whereas, the issue he wrote about was “thrashed out” with Roosevelt and Cabinet attorneys in favor of Heney concerning the letter from William C. Bristol. Roosevelt may disagree with Steffans, but they can agree it is easy to misunderstand what a man has said. While generally right, gossip is merely a guide for investigation since Steffans intends his articles to be correct and truthful. He will further discuss the issue with Roosevelt and promises to correct any injustice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-11
Attorney General Bonaparte reviews “several matter of importance and delicacy” with President Roosevelt, including Special Assistant Attorney General Ormsby McHarg’s handling of the New Mexico situation, Senator William Edgar Borah’s trial, and the progress of the Republican Convention. He shares how the press attacks him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-15
Benjamin Ide Wheeler is glad to hear of Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon’s positive report on John W. Garrett. Wheeler updates William Loeb on the local political climate in San Francisco, which he finds very confused. The “stable elements” of society are now in opposition to several formerly popular leaders, though it is hard to say exactly why. Wheeler believes it has to do with indictments against the men. Wheeler encloses a series of editorials from The Argonaut examining the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-03
President Wheeler of the University of California gives President Roosevelt an update on the San Francisco Graft Trials. Wheeler also gives Roosevelt a summary of the candidates for the 1906 California gubernatorial race and relates how California schools are segregating Chinese, Japanese, and Korean students.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-31
Henry Martyn Hoyt summarizes a report on U.S. District Attorney William C. Bristol’s alleged involvement in the Oregon land fraud scandals. Hoyt concludes that were the government to continue to retain Bristol’s services, its position in the land fraud cases would be weakened. While there may be a scenario where all of Bristol’s actions were legitimate, the author finds Bristol’s position to be precarious.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-16
Judge Robb tells Solicitor General Hoyt that Francis J. Heney’s telegram does not add anything to a letter from William C. Bristol, and Robb is not satisfied with Bristol’s explanations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-16
Solicitor General Hoyt wonders why lawyer Francis J. Heney sent such an “exhaustive and costly telegram” concerning William C. Bristol. Hoyt asks Judge Robb to read and decipher the telegram’s message and whether it “means anything or adds anything which is satisfactory explanation.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-15
Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock forwards a telegram from Francis J. Heney to the White House. It addresses the issue of William C. Bristol’s removal from office following the investigation against him. Heney asks that President Roosevelt hear him before action is taken.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-20
Henry Martyn Hoyt writes to William Loeb concerning the investigation of William C. Bristol and Francis J. Heney’s involvement in the investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-08
Senator Fulton writes to President Roosevelt regarding District Attorney Heney’s report that charges Fulton with supporting John Hicklin Hall for district attorney in return for his agreement not to prosecute Senator Brownell. Fulton discusses errors in the report and affirms that he believed Brownell was being unfairly persecuted, but states he never bargained with Hall. Furthermore, much of the evidence comes from letters by Senator Mitchell, which Fulton claims he did not see. Fulton includes copies of the correspondence between Brownell and himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-12
William Henry Hunt describes the land cases he has been following in Portland. Hunt also says that J. H. Causten would like to be considered for governor of Alaska and recommends him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-09