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President Roosevelt advises Major Moore to only apply for positions for which he is qualified. Appointing relatives on any other basis is seen as “much worse than a mistake.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-27
Postmaster General Cortelyou explains to President Roosevelt that he discouraged his brother, James T. Cortelyou, from joining the Postal Service and denied requests for James’ promotion soon after George’s appointment in order to avoid accusations of favoritism.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-19
Theodore Roosevelt expresses to George W. Wallis that he is confident his nephew has done nothing dishonorable, dismissing any negative reports as falsehoods likely spread by political opponents in Herkimer County.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Alban B. Butler explaning that is not a good idea for him to speak on Dan T. Moore’s behalf. Roosevelt cites the main reason as him being related to Moore, and thus such a request would likely harm Moore’s situation rather than improve it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-01
Theodore Roosevelt declines Robert Erskine Ely’s request to endorse a series of lectures being given by David Jayne Hill, as it would set a bad precedent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-22
President Roosevelt thanks Supreme Court Associate Justice Harlan for the note, and promises to read the article he sent. Roosevelt confesses to trouble with trying to appoint Harlan’s son, James Shanklin Harlan, to the Interstate Commerce Commission, as there is resistance to him appointing someone to the Commission, “whose father on the Supreme Court will pass on his actions.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-28
President Roosevelt thanks Naval Chaplain Gleeson for his letter, and explains that the trouble with wanting to appoint William S. Cowles as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation is that there is no way for Roosevelt to do so without people accusing him of nepotism, as Cowles is his brother-in-law. This sort of situation is the same with his good friend General Leonard Wood, as well as his other brother-in-law Douglas Robinson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-24
Although Representative Burton stated in a letter that he was unaware that Mr. West has been charged with irregularities in his conduct, President Roosevelt says that the memorandum accompanying the letter proves that West is charged with improperly aiding his brother in fraudulent activity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-11
President Roosevelt is surprised by Representative Patterson’s message regarding William S. Leib, an assistant treasurer in Philadelphia who has been accused of violating civil service laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-26
President Roosevelt contacted Admiral Walker regarding a Panama Canal position for John F. O’Brien’s brother. Unfortunately, the Isthmian Canal Commission may have been influenced by press reports that an appointment for O’Brien’s brother was being pursued for only political reasons. Walker stated that he did not believe his brother was suitable for secretary. The commission makes all appointments and everyone should remember that the canal should be built without regard to politics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-14
President Roosevelt instructs Ridgely to hold up the appointment of his brother until further notice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-02
President Roosevelt does not know what can be done and feels it is a delicate matter to appoint relatives of himself or his wife. He is considering the whole matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-05
Senator Lodge returns some letters from Prescott F. Hall to President Roosevelt and reports on his findings regarding Hall’s allegations. Lodge’s Commision on Immigration found that appeal reversals did not increase under Secretary of Commerce and Labor Oscar S. Straus. Lodge has found no proof that Leslie M. Shaw’s personal views have affected governmental operations. Lodge has visited Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, and can find no evidence of what Hall alleges. Lodge found evidence of immigration enforcement corruption in California, but believes it has been remedied. In Chicago, Lodge found evidence of police corruption in enforcing laws against prostitution. In the southern states, Lodge has found problems with nepotism. Lodge emphasizes that it will take a great deal of time to collect evidence and create reports of his investigations. Lodge is pleased to hear of President Roosevelt’s African safari plans, but warns him to be careful of flies carrying sleeping sickness. He writes about the impressive dike engineering in the Netherlands, and of a book by Maurice Maeterlinck he believes the Roosevelts will enjoy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-26
Theodore Roosevelt does not think that one brother should serve under another, as accusations of favoritism are inevitable. He requests that Archibald B. Roosevelt write occasional letters to Robert Perkins. Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt is delighted to be pregnant and is leaning toward the name Dabney if the baby is a girl. Roosevelt delivers speeches occasionally and is having a difficult time fending off constant requests for patriotic speeches. He regrets that he was not allowed to raise troops and serve with them in France. Original and typewritten copy.
1917-08-23
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt regretted sending the order from the Bureau of Navigation but did not want any appearance of favoritism. He was pleased to meet with Captain Cowles’s brother the other day.
1897-08-09
Secretary of War Elihu Root has informed President Roosevelt that the military engineer in charge of the works has corroborated General Leonard Wood’s statement. However, Roosevelt has called for a full report from the War Department concerning Oswald Garrison Villard’s communications about Wood.
1903-12-07
George Calbert, whose true name is George Caldwell, has been pardoned by Governor Odell after the intercession of President Roosevelt and Edward Henry Harriman. Caldwell had been arrested during a raid on the Ariston Baths. Caldwell is a member of a prominent Kentucky family and his sister, Margaret, used family connections to secure his release.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-29
A rumor within naval circles indicates that a message was sent from a “high authority in Washington to a member of the court on the Missouri–Illinois collision.” Secretary of the Navy Moody denied any knowledge and approved the court’s recommendation that no further proceedings be taken. Opinion remains divided on the responsibility for the accident.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-02
Commissioner McSweeney encloses a letter from Albert Clarke, President of the United States Industrial Commission, which supports McSweeney’s claims that Representative Livingston was not in a position to bring charges against the Immigration Bureau. He concludes by suggesting an inquiry to determine whether any relatives of Livingston’s had ever been placed in immigration services positions due to Livingston’s friendship with Terence Vincent Powderly, the Commissioner General of Immigration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-08
Douglas Robinson is interested in purchasing the land for the site of a new post office in New York and the land for a potential expansion of the navy yard. However, he will not make an effort if it will embarrass President Roosevelt or bring charges of nepotism.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-20