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Although retiring New York postmaster William R. Willcox thinks highly of Edward M. Morgan, President Roosevelt ponders whether they can find a better man for the job.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-11
President Roosevelt thanks Paul Dana for his service to the New York Sun. The president explains to Dana that he cannot say what he will do regarding the postmastership of New York, and believes that Edward M. Morgan will be promoted. The only person publicly opposing Morgan is Representative Parsons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-04
President Roosevelt is pleased to hear that Representative Parsons has such a favorable opinion of the nomination of William R. Willcox to the chairmanship of the New York Public Service Commission by Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Naturally Roosevelt will consult with Parsons on the nomination of a new postmaster to replace Willcox. Roosevelt asks Parsons’s opinion of the suggestion by Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou’s suggestion of Assistant Postmaster Edward M. Morgan for the role.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-27
Isaac H. Cocks thanks William Loeb and President Roosevelt for their kindness to his son, Representative William W. Cocks. He is pleased Edward M. Morgan was appointed Postmaster of New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-16
William R. Wilcox informs William Loeb that he was unable to speak with Edward M. Morgan regarding the postmastership of New York City due to the illness of one of Morgan’s daughters, and his report to President Roosevelt will therefore be delayed. In the meantime, Wilcox has met with chief postal inspector Walter S. Mayer and Charles W. Dayton, a previous postmaster of New York, and has found nothing that would reflect negatively on Morgan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-28
New York Representative Parsons tells William Loeb that he had understood that he was to wait for President Roosevelt to determine if Edward M. Morgan or an “eminent citizen” would be appointed as postmaster of New York City. Parsons warns that the appointment of an “eminent citizen” will make the situation worse.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
New York Representative Parsons asks President Roosevelt if the postmaster situation could be resolved before the second week of September, in the event that Edward M. Morgan is not appointed. Parsons and his wife have been planning to travel West and have been putting it off; however, if the matter of the postmastership is “acute,” Parsons will not undertake the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-25
Postmaster General Meyer was surprised to learn of New York postmaster Edward M. Morgan’s report. Meyer sends President Roosevelt a letter he received from Secretary of War Taft and his reply to it. He urges Roosevelt to see Assistant Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock at the next opportunity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-21
Representative Parsons forwards several letters to William Loeb regarding Edward M. Morgan, postmaster of New York. Parsons agrees more with William G. Rull than what Elihu Root expressed in his Yale lectures. Parsons thanks Loeb for how he handled Max A. Mosle when he tried to visit Sagamore Hill recently and explains Mosle’s background.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-09
Secretary of War Taft is “conscience stricken” about two appointments President Roosevelt has discussed with him. Taft believes John K. Beach is the better man for a judgeship in Connecticut, but he is a personal friend so Taft asks Roosevelt to not consider his opinion in the matter. Taft also asks that his opinion not be taken into account regarding the postmaster of New York City, because he does not want Roosevelt to be criticized on his account. Taft is still “working on the Brownsville business.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-13
Representative Parsons discusses the appointment of a postmaster in New York City, New York, with President Roosevelt. Parsons outlines his opposition to Edward M. Morgan as postmaster.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-08
New York Representative Parsons returns some letters to William Loeb and describes his thoughts regarding the appointment of a new postmaster for New York City. In particular, Parsons does not support the appointment of Edward M. Morgan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-03
New York Representative Parsons confirms a scheduled appointment with President Roosevelt at Sagamore Hill. Parsons will be uncomfortable with New York City Postmaster William R. Willcox in attendance, as he will be naming Willcox’s successor. This topic has been the subject of negative press coverage and pressure from businessmen to appoint Edward M. Morgan. Parsons returns several letters to William Loeb.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-02
Representative Parsons believes that other men would have made better chairmen of the New York Public Service Commission than New York City Postmaster William R. Willcox. He expects Willcox to be ineffective and thus damage legislation’s chances for success as well as the Republican Party and laments the shortage of people to run for office. Parsons also advises against naming Edward Morgan as Willcox’s replacement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-29
William R. Willcox has accepted his nomination to the chairmanship of the New York Public Service Commission from Governor Charles Evans Hughes of New York and tenders his resignation from the postmastership of New York City. He will be glad to visit President Roosevelt soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-28
Congressman Parsons explains to President Roosevelt that he has written to Civil Service Commissioner Alford Warriner Cooley and expressed that he believes it would be “most unfair” to ask Deputy Surveyor Collin H. Woodward to withdraw at this late date. Parsons does not think Woodward’s leadership is as demoralizing as that of Assistant Postmaster Morgan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-07
Civil Service Commissioner Cooley informs President Roosevelt of William R. Willcox’s progress in depoliticizing the New York City Post Office and running it “on a business basis.” However, Willcox faces the challenge of wresting the office from the traditions of its prior administration and the inconsistencies between the rules for post office employees and those of the Treasury Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-04
President Roosevelt is concerned to hear about the sickness of George von Lengerke Meyer’s daughters. Roosevelt appreciates the tact with which Meyer approached the circumstances surrounding James N. Sutton’s death. Roosevelt approves the appointment of Edward M. Morgan as postmaster of New York. He appreciates Meyer’s faithful service in the position of Postmaster General.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1907-07-10
President Roosevelt writes to Postmaster General Meyer about the prospect of promoting Edward M. Morgan to head of the New York City Post Office. Roosevelt received a secret report about Morgan “of the most damning character.” Had he known about this report sooner, Roosevelt would have removed Morgan from the service altogether. Morgan has evidently “seen the error of his ways” and is “an efficient man of good sense,” but Roosevelt will not promote him unless the position cannot be filled from the outside.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1907-07-18