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Postmaster General Henry C. Payne’s public admission that he declined to name a post office after Mississippi Governor James Kimble Vardaman in view of Vardaman’s statements about President Roosevelt’s mother, may provoke anger from those who support the governor. It is to be hoped that they will let the issue drop.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-03
This article discusses why Postmaster General Payne did not name a post office after Governor Vardaman. Payne says that Vardaman published an editorial which is “highly insulting to the President and his mother.” The article also includes a reply from Vardaman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-02
This report explains that Postmaster General Payne did not name a post office after James Kimble Vardaman because Vardaman published an article which contained indecent statements about President Roosevelt’s mother. The report includes a statement from Payne, an excerpt of the offending passage, an affidavit affirming that the language in the article is identical with that quoted by the Crits Club, and Vardaman’s reply when questioned about Payne’s assertion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-02
President Roosevelt desired a quick decision about the Alabama judgeship in order to prevent bitterness. He will not act on the southern appointments until he has had a chance to talk with Senator Hanna after the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-08
The memorandum discusses the improvements Postmaster General Payne has made to the selection and management of United States Postal Service employees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-24
An article in The Press lists President Roosevelt’s Cabinet as violators of the law and how they should be dismissed from their positions. This dismissal is based on the Conrad-Bonaparte report which states it is a violation of the law for “laborers” to do clerical work. The article states every department in Washington employs laborers to do clerical work, so the Cabinet should be dismissed. The writer also discusses how the attorneys Conrad and Bonaparte are breaking the law about office rental and should also be dismissed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-14
Attorney General Moody writes to President Roosevelt regarding funding sources for American Indian Day and industrial schools. Members of Congress declared that public money could not be used to fund sectarian schools, but the Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock can use certain money for American Indians held in trust in any way he saw fit, including assistance to sectarian schools.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-02
Republican National Committee Chairman Cortelyou returns a letter from Tennessee Representative Walter Preston Brownlow along with William Loeb’s note of December 2, 1904. Cortelyou states that it has been customary to do what Brownlow requested, and without other guidance, continuing the practice might be appropriate. Cortelyou suggests checking with Postmaster General Henry C. Payne whether he knows of any objection to such a plan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-14
James Kimble Vardaman criticizes President Roosevelt’s selection of black men as postmasters. He also criticizes the administration’s position in standing behind Minnie M. Geddings Cox as postmaster.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-10
President Roosevelt discusses the matter of the post office in Orlando, Florida. O’Neal’s nomination was sent to the Senate. Roosevelt asks Senator Beveridge if he sent a memorandum about Fletcher.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-07
President Roosevelt informs Joseph Bucklin Bishop that he has heard from Bishop Henry Codman Potter and thanks Bishop for everything he has done.Roosevelt also mentions an issue involving Henry C. Payne and his involvement in politics and the Northern Pacific Railway,
1902-01-02
On the occasion of his inauguration, the New York Times re-examines President Roosevelt’s record of the past three years, and asks, can the nation expect an even bolder Roosevelt in the years to come? Roosevelt’s policies and actions of the past three years are subjected to a critical analysis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-04
A newspaper article speculates on who will be named the postmasters of New York City and Washington, D.C. In New York, postmaster Cornelius Van Cott died and the office is vacant. It has been reported for some time that President Roosevelt does not intend to reappoint John A. Merritt as the postmaster of Washington, D.C., despite Merritt having support from Senator Thomas Collier Platt and the late Postmaster General Henry C. Payne.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-10
A telephone message from Elmer Payne explains that Postmaster General Henry C. Payne has fallen ill and Senator Nathan Bay Scott will take over Payne’s place in running the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-15
John Appleton Stewart received a letter from F. H. Whitney, Postmaster General Payne’s secretary, in response to the matters he brought to Benjamin F. Barnes’s attention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-10
George B. Cortelyou asks William Loeb to inform President Roosevelt that Postmaster General Payne “got the matter a little mixed” in a letter concerning the executive committee, since the suggestions which Payne says he made to Cortelyou were instead made by Cortelyou to Payne.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-19
President Roosevelt kneels on one knee and sings to an African American woman whose skirt is labeled “Negro Vote.” In the background, two dancers labeled “Payne” and “Crumpacker” assist in the performance; at Crumpacker’s waist is a sword entitled “For the South.” Item regards Roosevelt’s efforts to court African American voters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-30
Cartoon depicts President Roosevelt as Santa Claus delivering gifts to various stockings labeled after Cabinet departments. Caption: Santa Claus Roosevelt – Perhaps the little Crane boy would rather have this
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12
Draft of a memorandum which reviews the investigation into the Post Office Department, including a list of employees who were dismissed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-24
Postmaster General Payne selected Assistant Postmaster General Bristow to investigate the matter regarding Mr. Rand. President Roosevelt would like Bristow’s report and the preliminary report of Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad by August.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-25