Postmasters--Selection and appointment

Clothing

This newspaper article speculates on potential candidates for the position of Postmaster of New York City, and endorses Marcus M. Marks as a strong candidate. Marks, the article argues, is a successful businessman and does not need the income from the position, which would allow him to make the necessary changes to the institution that would benefit the population as a whole, instead of working only for his own interests. Marks has experience re-establishing the National Clothiers’ Association of America, and of creating good labor relations between employers and employees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-01

The Haverhill postoffice

This newspaper article briefly comments on the published correspondence between Representative Augustus Peabody Gardner and Attorney General William H. Moody regarding the Haverhill postmastership. It concludes that President Roosevelt did the correct thing in reappointing Postmaster Horace I. Pinkham on the recommendation of Moody, rather than using the position as political patronage for Gardner.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-02

A startling [rumor] about postmastership

This newspaper article discusses the rumor surrounding President Roosevelt’s appointment of the Baltimore, Maryland, postmaster. It is believed that the Maryland delegation have not agreed on a recommendation, and that Roosevelt intends to make his own choice if they cannot come to an agreement. If so, the rumor suggests that Roosevelt might appoint a nonpartisan Democrat. Another article, which discusses Maryland Senator Louis E. McComas’s next position, follows. It suggests that McComas will replace Chief Justice Charles C. Nott of the Court of Claims after McComas’s term in the Senate expires because Senator Francis Marion Cockrell of Missouri chose a position on the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12

Memorandum from Charles A. Conrard to Robert John Wynne

Assistant Secretary to the President Benjamin F. Barnes has asked that papers be sent to President Roosevelt regarding the case of a postmaster in Georgia. C. I. Robinson was recommended for reappointment when his commission expired, but a competitor, James R. Webster, was also nominated. Webster, however, was said to have cheated on his wife and to be an alcoholic, so Robinson was reappointed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-24

Reappoint Wyman

An article in favor of Frank Wyman’s reappointment as Postmaster of Saint Louis defends him against allegations of his complacency in a recent Post Office corruption scandal and describes the approval he has among the city’s business, finance, and labor communities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-26

Gardner loses his fight with Moody

President Roosevelt has sided with Attorney General William H. Moody over Congressman Augustus Peabody Gardner regarding the appointment of the postmaster of Haverhill, Massachusetts. Moody favored the reappointment of Horace Irving Pinkham, while Gardner advocated for Charles M. Hoyt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11

The Haverhill Postoffice

President Roosevelt’s decision to extend the term of Horace I. Pinkham as postmaster in Haverhill, Massachusetts, against the recommendation of Representative Augustus Peabody Gardner, who wanted Charles M. Hoyt appointed, is likely to set a precedent in the state. Pinkham’s appointment was insisted upon by Attorney General William H. Moody, who is of Haverhill, and Roosevelt decided a member of the president’s cabinet should have the right to determine the postmaster of their city.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-31

Letter from Harold Irwin Cleveland to Theodore Roosevelt

Harold Irwin Cleveland congratulates President Roosevelt on his time in office. He thinks the West is still shocked about the appointment of Postmaster Henry C. Payne, but trusts that Roosevelt’s choice is right. He shares that Paul Morton is pleased with Roosevelt’s take on irrigation, and George Ogden is also regularly saying good things. Jack Raftery, now at the St. Louis Exposition, is still loyal. Cleveland hears that Roosevelt is “shaking the dry bones up in fine style”, but also hears that Secretary Lyman J. Gage and Secretary Wilson behave quite anxiously. He feels that Roosevelt will go forth in courage and honesty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-20

Note from William Loeb

William Loeb notes that the attached letter is about Samuel K. Herr’s nomination as postmaster in Westminster, Maryland. Loeb explains that this is the case John C. Shaffer inquired about, as Herr is Shaffer’s cousin.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-15

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that he has changed his mind about writing a speech on the Brownsville affair. He will write a draft and send it to his campaign manager, Arthur I. Vorys, and Roosevelt to get their opinion. Taft describes his opinion of James Buchanan Aleshire’s fitness for Quartermaster General. Taft encloses letters on William Edgar Borah and Albert Baird Cummins. He relays discussions on the appointment of the Postmaster in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George von Lengerke Meyer

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.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1907-07-18

Letter from William Austin Wadsworth to Theodore Roosevelt

William Austin Wadsworth regrets not seeing more of President Roosevelt. Next time he visits, he promises to bring and application for Inspector of Post Office rentals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-16

Letter from Joseph Benson Foraker to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Foraker provides President Roosevelt with the names of individuals in Ohio he is recommending for appointments to the positions of port collector, postmaster, and appraiser.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-14

Letter from William Allen White to Theodore Roosevelt

After being informed that his persistence may be embarrassing President Roosevelt, William Allen White clarifies that the appointment of a postmaster to Emporia, Kansas, is not a matter of life and death. However, he still maintains that the appointment of John H. Wiggam would be unfortunate but understands that compromises must be made in government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-23

Letter from Edwin A. Clarke to Shelby Moore Cullom

Edwin A. Clarke describes the background of H. Dudley Coleman, a true Republican, whose political fortunes have fallen now that the “Lily White” Republicans are in control of the party in Louisiana. Clarke hopes Shelby M. Cullom will recommend Coleman to President Roosevelt for the position of postmaster for New Orleans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Emory Smith

President Roosevelt inquires about the post office in Tampa, Florida. Captain Samuel A. Glenn, who has the support of Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, would like to be postmaster.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-19

Color line in Indianola

The article accuses the people of Indianola, Mississippi, of hypocrisy. The citizens there forced the closure of the local post office because the postmaster was African American. Yet their mail is now delivered from Heathman, Mississippi, by an African American postman hired by the citizens.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-03

Summary of letter from Ebenezer J. Hill

Representative Ebenezer J. Hill defends Seth Pratt, nominee for postmaster at Litchfield, against accusations from John Hutchins.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-02-03

Summary of letter from Henry C. Payne

Postmaster General Henry C. Payne explains why he made his decision regarding postmaster of Harrisonburg, Virginia. George E. Sipe had been complaining that his recommendation for Mrs. Paul did not receive proper consideration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-17

Letter from F. Norton Goddard to Theodore Roosevelt

F. Norton Goddard writes to President Roosevelt to inform him that Goddard had read in the Sun that Charlie Murray will be appointed Postmaster General. Goddard notes that while this might not be true, he opposes the appointment and would like Roosevelt to consult him for the Republican Party opinion on appointments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-28