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Joseph L. Bristow returns the letter from William Allen White and assures William Loeb that he will provide the documents requested by White regarding the post office scandal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-19
Joseph L. Bristow summarizes how information pertaining to Senator Burton’s inappropriate representation of the Rialto Grain and Securities Company was received and reported to the Chief Post Office Inspector, Postmaster General, and the Attorney General.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-14
President Roosevelt wants to ensure that the legal rights of William D. Haywood and Charles Moyer are safeguarded and that “exact justice” is done. It has been suggested that they were extradited from Colorado in an unlawful manner and Roosevelt would like the pertinent information from the District Attorneys of Colorado and Idaho. Political pressure from the socialist and labor press will be strong in favor of acquittal, regardless of their actual guilt or innocence. The goal of federal authorities must be to “further the cause of justice.”
1906-03-26
Series of letters from legal counsel of the New York and Bermudez Company to the United States Department of State, regarding the seizure of the company’s property by Venezuela.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-29
An investigation at the Philadelphia post office found that three carriers had been transferred for political reasons and the postmaster failed to answer relevant questions. President Roosevelt has written to Postmaster Clayton McMichael directing him to restore the carriers to their original routes and drawing his attention to the civil service rules that require employees to answer all relevant and proper questions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-31
Joseph L. Bristow sends a detailed report to Senator Lodge regarding alleged unlawful sales of stamps at post offices in Medford, Lexington, and Waverley, Massachusetts. Bristow lists names of purchasers who bought stamps for their businesses in Boston. The large sales of stamps in these towns helped elevate the status of the post office and increased the postmasters’ salaries. Investigators questioned statements made by the individuals they interviewed who bought large quantities of stamps when they said they did so without any solicitation on the part of the postmasters. Bristow recommends a number of disciplinary measures.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-21
The Lemp matter has been “sifted” and there is a strong case against the assayer. Information regarding alleged fraudulent transactions in Bear Lake County, Idaho, can be obtained through commercial agencies. A report can now be made that will substantiate charges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-30
Charles J. Bonaparte, the attorney investigating the Post Office scandal of 1898-1900, discusses the report and potential charges implicating Comptroller Robert J. Tracewell. The Post Office investigation exposed the personal use of public funds by Perry S. Heath, whom Bonaparte believes to be essentially dishonest. Tracewell’s offenses did not rise to that level. Bonaparte suggests amending the report based on letters received from Postmasters John A. Merritt and Charles Emory Smith.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-26
Attorney General Knox responds to President Roosevelt’s inquiry concerning the conduct of District Attorney George B. Curtiss of Binghamton in regard to a case involving New York state Senator George E. Green. Knox defends Curtiss’s behavior.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-21
Memorandum summarizing charges against Adolph L. Frankenthal, former consul at Berne, Switzerland. The primary offense is that Frankenthal was paid to write an official consular report about a company’s new train brake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-03
Senator Thomas Henry Carter met with George W. Beavers and discussed the post office fraud investigation. Beavers believes the investigation has gone too far and will soon politically damage President Roosevelt. Along with a reported meeting between Beavers and Senator Thomas Kearns, Postmaster General Payne is increasingly suspicious of Perry S. Heath’s involvement in the post office fraud.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-25
Postmaster General Payne writes to President Roosevelt, stating his belief that Baltimore Postmaster S. Davies Warfield was complicit in the fraud perpetrated by mail clerk John W. Pettit and should be punished.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-21
The Post Office Department is investigating several companies associated with George E. Green and payments Green may have given to George W. Beavers. Green was not cooperative and submitted a letter to the investigators instead of answering questions. The department has sufficient evidence to conclude that Green paid Beavers the amounts in question.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-25
E. C. Howland summarizes the investigation of the Post Office Department and theorizes where the investigation is headed. He credits President Theodore Roosevelt and Postmaster General Henry C. Payne for launching and maintaining a thorough and just investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-13
Postmaster General Payne encloses correspondence resulting in August W. Machen taking leave and Assistant Postmaster Bristow taking charge of the free delivery system. He reassures President Roosevelt that he is determined to see the investigation through and expects to be satisfied with the results.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-16
James Sullivan Clarkson encloses several newspaper articles. He also comments on three topics: the movement for Grover Cleveland’s nomination by some Democrats, Captain Frederick Norton Goddard’s popularity in New York, and the post office investigations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-13
Senator Lodge provides his thoughts on the Post Office investigation. He hopes that Grover Cleveland is the Democratic nominee but doubts it will happen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-11
Postmaster General Payne orders August W. Machen to take a leave of absence and hand over control of the Division of Free Delivery to M. C. Fosnes during the investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-08
August W. Machen agrees to take a leave of absence and to turn the Division of Free Delivery over to M. C. Fosnes until the conclusion of the investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-08
Assistant Postmaster General Bristow requests that the Division of Free Delivery be temporarily assigned to his bureau so that the current investigation can be expedited.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-07