Postmasters--Selection and appointment

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to W. Sloan Simpson

President Roosevelt met with Senator Charles A. Culberson who spoke highly of W. Sloan Simpson and has no objection to nominating him as Postmaster of the Dallas post office. Roosevelt advises Simpson that running the Dallas post office requires excellent business skills; he cautions that the lack of these skills will risk ruining his reputation and damage public welfare. He adds that Simpson should only consider hiring those who have the skills to merit hiring and warns against considering political friends. Roosevelt invites Simpson to visit to review the demands of the position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to W. Sloan Simpson

President Roosevelt has received W. Sloan Simpson’s letter regarding his potential appointment as Postmaster of Dallas, Texas. Roosevelt asks if he should meet with with Texas Senator Charles A. Culberson to find out if Culberson would support the appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Baird Cummins

President Roosevelt finds it difficult to respond to Iowa Governor Cummins’ letter, but Roosevelt has always tried to be fair in how he manages post offices so he can avoid personal entanglements and focus on principles. Roosevelt hopes Cummins will come to Washington soon and Roosevelt can explain his position in more detail.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to W. Sloan Simpson

President Roosevelt asks W. Sloan Simpson if he would take the postmaster position in Dallas, Texas, at least for a little while. Roosevelt wishes Simpson could have accompanied him on his recent hunting expedition, and informs him it took thirteen days of steady hunting “before I got my bear.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Paul Dana

President Roosevelt thanks Paul Dana for his service to the New York Sun. The president explains to Dana that he cannot say what he will do regarding the postmastership of New York, and believes that Edward M. Morgan will be promoted. The only person publicly opposing Morgan is Representative Parsons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Seth Low

Although retiring New York postmaster William R. Willcox thinks highly of Edward M. Morgan, President Roosevelt ponders whether they can find a better man for the job.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he approves of Philippines Governor James Francis Smith’s action regarding the Japanese consul. Roosevelt will talk to Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte about appointing John K. Beach to the federal judgeship in Connecticut. Roosevelt approves of Beach’s knowledge of and sympathy with labor unions. After talking with William Loeb, Roosevelt has instructed Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer to follow Taft’s instructions regarding postmaster appointments in Ohio.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Parsons

President Roosevelt is pleased to hear that Representative Parsons has such a favorable opinion of the nomination of William R. Willcox to the chairmanship of the New York Public Service Commission by Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Naturally Roosevelt will consult with Parsons on the nomination of a new postmaster to replace Willcox. Roosevelt asks Parsons’s opinion of the suggestion by Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou’s suggestion of Assistant Postmaster Edward M. Morgan for the role.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he will have Frank H. Hitchcock come to see him about comments he had made against Taft’s candidacy for president. Roosevelt says William Loeb has the same suspicions Taft does, but on the other hand, an enclosed clipping reports Hitchcock being attacked for appearing to promote Taft’s candidacy. Roosevelt will appoint Taft’s selection for Quartermaster General, James Buchanan Aleshire. In a lengthy postscript, Roosevelt says he is annoyed with complaints that the construction of the Panama Canal is being mismanaged, and reminds Taft to send him information about John K. Beach.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt shares his thoughts on several personnel matters with Secretary of War Taft, and returns several letters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Baird Cummins

Although the rule for nominations is that Senators make the recommendations, President Roosevelt would like to appoint the man Governor Cummins wants, and advises Cummins to speak with Iowa Senators William B. Allison and Jonathan P. Dolliver to see if they will agree.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-02

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Victor Howard Metcalf

President Roosevelt sends a message through Secretary of the Navy Metcalf to Senator Thomas Henry Carter. Roosevelt wants to appoint Malcolm Gillis postmaster in Butte, Montana, and asks whether Carter approves.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-22

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph M. Dixon

President Roosevelt is in favor of Malcolm Gillis being appointed postmaster in Butte, Montana. He asks if Senator Dixon would approve of the appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John P. Grant

President Roosevelt writes to Judge Grant that there have been accusations that Grant’s brother supported Democrats in the previous election. Roosevelt is withholding the nomination for Grant’s brother until there is an explanation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Peter Force

President Roosevelt informs Peter Force that he has just reappointed his mother, Mary Elizabeth Matthews Force, postmaster, and was glad to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Tyler Morgan

President Roosevelt informs Senator Morgan that he has just reappointed Mary Elizabeth Matthews Force postmaster.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Eben Weaver Martin

President Roosevelt believes appointing Archibald Shaw to Postmaster in Deadwood is “out of the question.” Roosevelt understands Representative Martin’s insistence of Shaw’s support of Senator Gamble, but Gamble does not reciprocate Shaw’s sentiments.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas E. Watson

President Roosevelt is astounded by Thomas E. Watson’s letter. There appears to have been some misunderstanding regarding John M. Barnes’s appointment as postmaster of Thomson, Georgia. Roosevelt directed Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou to investigate the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert M. La Follette

President Roosevelt sends Senator La Follette, of Wisconsin, a duplicate of a letter which he is also sending to Senator John C. Spooner. La Follette and Spooner have been in disagreement regarding which of them should make recommendations for government positions in Eastern Wisconsin, and which should make recommendations for Western Wisconsin. In the past, former Senator Joseph Very Quarles of Wisconsin made recommendations for the Eastern portion of the state, while Spooner made recommendations for the Western. Roosevelt has decided to keep this sort of framework, with Spooner continuing to recommend for the Western portion and La Follette taking up the Eastern portion. He emphasizes that while he will take their recommendations into consideration, he is the final judge of whether nominees are fit for the positions. Roosevelt also comments on the post office of Marinette, and likewise tries to set out rules for nominations in these cases, stating that he will accept recommendations of the Congressmen of the district.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John C. Spooner

President Roosevelt sends Senator Spooner, of Wisconsin, a duplicate of a letter which he is also sending to Senator Robert M. La Follette. Spooner and La Follette have been in disagreement regarding which of them should make recommendations for government positions in Eastern Wisconsin, and which should make recommendations for Western Wisconsin. In the past, former Senator Joseph Very Quarles of Wisconsin made recommendations for the Eastern portion of the state, while Spooner made recommendations for the Western. Roosevelt has decided to keep this sort of framework, with Spooner continuing to recommend for the Western portion and La Follette taking up the Eastern portion. He emphasizes that while he will take their recommendations into consideration, he is the final judge of whether nominees are fit for the positions. Roosevelt also comments on the post office of Marinette, and likewise tries to set out rules for nominations in these cases, stating that he will accept recommendations of the Congressmen of the district.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-29