Police administration

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William S. Cowles

Commissioner Roosevelt is working hard to organize the New York Police Department as he might be “legislated out of office.” He believes that he has accomplished a great deal. Roosevelt agrees with Captain Cowles that if Great Britain accepts arbitration or peacefully settles with Venezuela then European nations will recognize the Monroe Doctrine. Corinne Roosevelt Robinson has been staying with Roosevelt. Her health is poor but everyone is enjoying her company.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about his relief over William McKinley having won the presidential election over William Jennings Bryan. He discusses the overwhelming majority by which he won in different parts of the country. Roosevelt feels he has done all he can as Police Commissioner and would welcome being legislated out of office.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-11-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt about how busy he has been with his work as Police Commissioner. He gets so many requests to speak that he has had to decline them all. He has more to accomplish as Commissioner but cannot do so until more legislation is passed. Roosevelt also criticizes his colleagues Andrew D. Parker and Frederick Dent Grant.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-12-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes how absorbing his work as Police Commissioner is to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. He feels he could do more if he had absolute power rather than being part of a four person commission. He finds the work hard and often disagreeable but feels he has accomplished a lot. Roosevelt also gives updates on the children, recent visitors, and his opinion on upcoming elections.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-06-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles of C. Grant La Farge’s wife Florence having twins. He also lists recent house guests and how he spends his time with wife Edith. Roosevelt says he is trying to get New York City Mayor William Lafayette Strong to remove Police Commissioner Andrew D. Parker.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-06-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes riding ponies and rowing with wife Edith. He had dinner with New York City Mayor Strong and says he is on good terms with him. Uncle Jimmie Roosevelt and others have visited.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-06-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about petty fights he is having with his colleagues on the Police Board and how difficult the work of reform is. Roosevelt inspected the ship Indiana and describes his recent social activities with Senator Lodge, his wife Anna, and others.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-05-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles he will soon find out if the legislature will eliminate his position as New York City Police Commissioner. His colleague Andrew D. Parker has been very “irritating” and he does not trust him. Roosevelt recently gave two speeches and describes Hermann Speck von Sternburg’s visit.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-04-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes his cousin J. West Roosevelt’s funeral for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. C. Grant La Farge has pneumonia. His work as Police Commissioner is hampered by colleague Andrew D. Parker. Sister Corinne and her husband Douglas Robinson visited and she is feeling better.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-04-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles it appears he will retain his position as New York City Police Commissioner for another year. He calls his colleague Andrew D. Parker “treacherous.” He feels that William McKinley has grown in popularity and stands a good chance at being nominated for president. Roosevelt also expresses his disappointment in Speaker of the House Thomas B. Reed.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-03-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about Senator Lodge’s visit and their unhappiness with Speaker of the House Reed. Things are looking up for Roosevelt and the police department despite Thomas Collier Platt’s efforts to remove him from office. The work is hard but he enjoys it and is also editing the fourth edition of Winning of the West.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-03-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt says his letters to sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles must be dull because he is so absorbed in his work. He describes all the things he must balance as Police Commissioner. Wife Edith is totally consumed with taking care of the children. They do not go out very much and Edith misses Washington.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-02-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt encloses a clipping of an interview “Rosy” gave. He is surprised Rosy took the side of ex-Chief of Police Thomas Byrnes. In addition to the stressful work of being Police Commissioner, Roosevelt also had to attend a Harvard Overseers’ meeting and travel to Chester, Pennsylvania. He and Edith have been too busy to socialize.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-01-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles how he worked to fix the blackmail tendency in the detective bureau. He has finished his book so he can fully devote himself to being Police Commissioner. He believes they will try and legislate the Commissioners out of office this year. Roosevelt lunched with Bob and wasn’t able to meet sister Corinne and her husband Douglas Robinson when they arrived.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-12-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt he will probably accept the job of New York City Police Commissioner. He will miss Washington and must steel himself for much criticism and disappointment in his new job. He is looking forward to being identified with his home city once more and have a say in local political matters.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-04-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt that wife Edith’s mother, Gertrude Tyler Carow, was buried in Turin and her sister Emily is headed home. Uncle James Roosevelt and his wife Aunt Lizzie are wrapped up in local politics and Roosevelt has begun his new job as New York City Police Commissioner. It is difficult work with three colleagues and hampering laws. He wants the legislature to give him the power to remove subordinates without appeal.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-05-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt that he spent the evening patrolling New York City to see what the policemen were up to. He enjoys his work despite the fact there is nothing academic about it and he does not get to see much of the children. Wife Edith’s sister Emily Tyler Carow’s visit has made a great difference in Edith.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-06-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna Roosevelt how much he enjoys his work as Police Commissioner and how busy it keeps him. He comments on his colleague Andrew D. Parker and how they are getting more control of the force. Roosevelt has made some startling discoveries while patrolling the streets at night and he has gotten a real look at the “swarming millions.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-06-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt describes attending his Harvard Class dinner to his sister Anna Roosevelt. He was elected overseer and then spend the night with the Lodges. Roosevelt has read about Anna in the papers and her activities in London. His work as police commissioner has come up against an ugly snag, the Sunday excise law, which he enforces fully to the anger of many in the city.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-06-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt hopes his sister Anna Roosevelt will spend her first winter married to William Sheffield Cowles in London. He and wife Edith watched the first cup races from the police patrol boat and is excited about the success he has had as Police Commissioner.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-09-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919