Powderly, Terence Vincent, 1849-1924

Letter from Thomas Roberts Slicer to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas Roberts Slicer is making the case that Edward F. McSweeney has performed admirably at his position in the United States Industrial Commission and quotes a letter from Albert Clarke to do so. McSweeney has other supporters including Jacob Riis and Arthur Von Briesen. Slicer thinks that McSweeney should resign, but only after he has had the opportunity to answer the charges against him as an civil servant should.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-11

Creator(s)

Slicer, Thomas Roberts, 1847-1916

Letter from Henry Loomis Nelson to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry Loomis Nelson encloses some papers from Edward F. McSweeney, Commissioner of Immigration, port of New York, which McSweeney sent in response to the announcement that Terence V. Powderly was being removed as U.S. Commissioner General of Immigration due to corruption. The papers are McSweeney’s effort to defend his integrity against growing allegations against his conduct in immigration services. Nelson adds that he wishes to help President Roosevelt in a case involving Captain William Crozier.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-09

Creator(s)

Nelson, Henry Loomis, 1846-1908

Letter from Edward F. McSweeney to Thomas R. Slicer

Commissioner McSweeney encloses a letter from Albert Clarke, President of the United States Industrial Commission, which supports McSweeney’s claims that Representative Livingston was not in a position to bring charges against the Immigration Bureau. He concludes by suggesting an inquiry to determine whether any relatives of Livingston’s had ever been placed in immigration services positions due to Livingston’s friendship with Terence Vincent Powderly, the Commissioner General of Immigration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-08

Creator(s)

McSweeney, Edward F. (Edward Francis), 1864-

Letter from J. M. Sears to Henry Cabot Lodge

J. M. Sears encloses an article and believes that Senator Platt and Terence Vincent Powderly are behind the charges against Edward F. McSweeney.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-07

Creator(s)

Sears, J. M.

Letter from Albert Clarke to Edward F. McSweeney

Representative Livingston was not authorized by the Industrial Commission to bring charges against Edward F. McSweeney, Terence Vincent Powderly, or the Bureau of Immigration. Livingston may have been acting as a member of Congress. No charges against McSweeney were brought to the Commission’s attention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-07

Creator(s)

Clarke, Albert, 1840-1911

Letter from Edward F. McSweeney to Albert Clarke

Commissioner McSweeney requests information regarding charges brought by Representative Livingston against immigration services at Ellis Island.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-05

Creator(s)

McSweeney, Edward F. (Edward Francis), 1864-

Letter from Max Lowy to Theodore Roosevelt

Max Lowy is pleased with the removal of Terence Vincent Powderly, the former Commissioner General of Immigration. Lowy recounts a negative experience with the Bureau of Immigration in 1897, when 47 of his employees were deported and he was swindled by George O. Glavis out of $5,150.00 in fees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-04

Creator(s)

Lowy, Max

Memorandum regarding Terence Vincent Powderly and Edward F. McSweeney

President Roosevelt has heard many statements for and against both Terence Vincent Powderly and Edward F. McSweeney. He is inclined “to have a clean slate and start entirely afresh” at the Bureau of Immigration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-01

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from Horace White to Theodore Roosevelt

Horace White believes the removal of Commissioner of Immigration Edward F. McSweeney will be “a serious mistake” and that public opinion is with McSweeney.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-27

Creator(s)

White, Horace, 1834-1916

Letter from Edward F. McSweeney to Henry Loomis Nelson

Edward F. McSweeney explains his attempts to address the corrupt practices of his boss, Terence Vincent Powderly. McSweeney, fearing for his position, encloses two letters which detail his efforts to address corruption and attest to his integrity.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-18

Creator(s)

McSweeney, Edward F. (Edward Francis), 1864-

Letter from F. Norton Goddard to Theodore Roosevelt

Several prominent labor leaders have contacted F. Norton Goddard in support of Terence Vincent Powderly, the Commissioner of Immigration. They do not want to see Powderly replaced and advocate for his reappointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-21

Creator(s)

Goddard, F. Norton (Frederick Norton), 1861-1905

Letter from Jacob A. Riis to Theodore Roosevelt

Jacob A. Riis supports the reorganization of the Immigration Department and the removal of Terence Vincent Powderly. Riis heard from Arthur von Briesen that he was being considered for Governor of the Danish West Indies, a position for which he does not consider himself qualified.  He recommends C. T. Christensen as Governor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-17

Creator(s)

Riis, Jacob A. (Jacob August), 1849-1914

Letter from John B. Pine to Edward F. McSweeney

John B. Pine believes that Edward F. McSweeney has been within the Civil Service rules but President Roosevelt might want to make a “clean sweep” of the office. Pine and several others have told Roosevelt that McSweeney is free from blame. Pine believes that an investigation will acquit McSweeney from blame and give him the credit he deserves.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-17

Creator(s)

Pine, John B. (John Buckley), 1857-1922

Letter from Edward F. McSweeney to John B. Pine

Edward F. McSweeney asks John B. Pine to provide a statement concerning their conversation in 1898, in which McSweeney informed Pine of Terence Vincent Powderly’s violations of Civil Service regulations. McSweeney is coming under scrutiny for alleged abuses and is seeking vindication.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-16

Creator(s)

McSweeney, Edward F. (Edward Francis), 1864-

Letter from George E. Matthews to Theodore Roosevelt

George E. Matthews thought that John R. DeBarry was being treated unfairly but did not realize that Terrence Vincent Powderly was opposing DeBarry. Matthews still believes that DeBarry is right and Powderly wrong but feels that it is “bad citizenship” for him to ask President Roosevelt to intervene.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-29

Creator(s)

Matthews, George E. (George Edward), 1855-1911

Letter from Charles S. Hamlin to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles S. Hamlin speaks on behalf of merchants and those in transportation along the border of the United States and Canada who are concerned about the recommendation of Commissioner Powderly to limit the border crossings of Chinese merchants. Such an act would be disastrous to New England merchants, especially for those involved in the cotton trade. Hamlin hopes that President Roosevelt will make no such radical recommendation to Congress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-27

Creator(s)

Hamlin, Charles S. (Charles Sumner), 1861-1938

Letter from George E. Matthews to Theodore Roosevelt

George E. Matthews requests that President Roosevelt look into the proposed transfer of Inspector DeBarry from Buffalo, New York. Matthews believes there is still work for DeBarry in Buffalo, especially since DeBarry has done such an admirable job.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-23

Creator(s)

Matthews, George E. (George Edward), 1855-1911

Letter from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler does not believe that J. Pierpont Morgan controls the New York Sun. Paul Dana and William M. Laffan appear to be influential and Butler recommends they be contacted. Butler claims that Edward F. McSweeney is the “ablest man” in the Immigration Bureau and recommends that President Roosevelt investigate the immigration matter further.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-12

Creator(s)

Butler, Nicholas Murray, 1862-1947

Letter from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler is concerned about the immigration service which he believes is one of the most important offices in the government. Butler agrees that Superintendent Fitchie should not be retained and also suggests an investigation into the New York office and the Washington, D.C., office under Commissioner Powderly. Butler believes that Edward F. McSweeney is the strongest man in the immigration service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-07

Creator(s)

Butler, Nicholas Murray, 1862-1947