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Secretary of the Treasury Shaw met with William Williams, Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island. Shaw directed Williams not to release any further papers requested by Edward F. McSweeney, and to institute a search of papers recently removed from the immigration office by McSweeney.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-30
Henry Loomis Nelson encloses some papers from Edward F. McSweeney, Commissioner of Immigration, port of New York, which McSweeney sent in response to the announcement that Terence V. Powderly was being removed as U.S. Commissioner General of Immigration due to corruption. The papers are McSweeney’s effort to defend his integrity against growing allegations against his conduct in immigration services. Nelson adds that he wishes to help President Roosevelt in a case involving Captain William Crozier.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-09
J. M. Sears encloses an article and believes that Senator Platt and Terence Vincent Powderly are behind the charges against Edward F. McSweeney.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-07
Thomas Roberts Slicer is making the case that Edward F. McSweeney has performed admirably at his position in the United States Industrial Commission and quotes a letter from Albert Clarke to do so. McSweeney has other supporters including Jacob Riis and Arthur Von Briesen. Slicer thinks that McSweeney should resign, but only after he has had the opportunity to answer the charges against him as an civil servant should.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-11
President Roosevelt has heard many statements for and against both Terence Vincent Powderly and Edward F. McSweeney. He is inclined “to have a clean slate and start entirely afresh” at the Bureau of Immigration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-01
Horace White believes the removal of Commissioner of Immigration Edward F. McSweeney will be “a serious mistake” and that public opinion is with McSweeney.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-27
Before disposing of the “McSweeney matter,” Eugene A. Philbin wants President Roosevelt to know that McSweeney’s official conduct has the approval of the Protestant societies. He adds that he has something interesting to tell Roosevelt concerning the Catholic side of “the Philippine matter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-26
Jacob A. Riis supports replacing Commissioner McSweeney due to charges of corruption within the Immigration office but he does not want Mr. Marsh to have an important position within the new administration. He criticizes Governor Odell for violating the New York Tenement House Act and “playing into the hands of the builders.” Riis concludes by lamenting that he “disgusted a lot of women” by opposing a bill to build Boys Clubs in all New York boroughs at taxpayers expense.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-24
Mayor-Elect Low requests information on Edward F. McSweeney of the Immigration Bureau. Low has a position in mind for McSweeney but wants to make sure that he is “honest, clean, and altogether reliable.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-19
Special Immigrant Inspector Robert Watchorn has investigated “the matter at Buffalo” and the report will be complete soon. The report will show that John R. De Barry has “stirred up all this commotion himself” and Commissioner General Powderly recommends De Barry’s removal from office. The investigation at Ellis Island has shown poor management by Assistant Commissioner Edward F. McSweeney with immigrants being “ill-fed, ill-treated, and robbed.” McSweeney has been protected by the civil service and influential friends. Powderly hopes that President Roosevelt will reserve judgment about McSweeney until the report has been completed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-10
Archbishop Corrigan vouches for Edward F. McSweeney’s competency and integrity. He would consider it a favor if President Roosevelt would send a trusted individual to investigate the Barge Office and Ellis Island.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-28
A disagreement between Samuel Marks and John Lederhilger at the immigration offices on Ellis Island, New York, ended when Marks collapsed due to “heart trouble.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11
William Alexander Gaston supports the reappointment of Edward F. McSweeney and suggests that President Roosevelt investigate McSweeney’s record before making a decision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-04
William Alexander Gaston supports the reappointment of Edward F. McSweeney and suggests that President Roosevelt investigate McSweeney’s record before making a decision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-04
Nicholas Murray Butler has received and will be returning the two letters. He believes that “Young Weber” could be useful to President Roosevelt as a possible replacement for Mr. Fitchie.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-16
Nicholas Murray Butler does not believe that J. Pierpont Morgan controls the New York Sun. Paul Dana and William M. Laffan appear to be influential and Butler recommends they be contacted. Butler claims that Edward F. McSweeney is the “ablest man” in the Immigration Bureau and recommends that President Roosevelt investigate the immigration matter further.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-12
Nicholas Murray Butler is concerned about the immigration service which he believes is one of the most important offices in the government. Butler agrees that Superintendent Fitchie should not be retained and also suggests an investigation into the New York office and the Washington, D.C., office under Commissioner Powderly. Butler believes that Edward F. McSweeney is the strongest man in the immigration service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-07
Senator Platt writes to New York Superintendent of Immigration Fitchie on reports of “extreme partisan conduct” on the part of Ellis Island Commissioner Edward F. McSweeney. Fitchie suggests that McSweeney be removed and replaced with a “good Republican.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1898-02-17