Your TR Source
Elizabeth H. Becker asks Theodore for advice regarding her neighbor, Judge Joseph H. Beall, who is breaking public health laws with poorly constructed cesspools that drain into her property. Becker has asked the proper authorities for help enforcing the laws, but no one, all the way up to the Mayor, will help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-08
President Roosevelt sends Revenue Collector Benjamin David Crocker a copy of a letter from Congressman Wesley Livsey Jones. Jones is the favored candidate for Senator by both the Republican party and the people of Washington, and Roosevelt asks if the claims that have been made to Jones about Crocker’s behavior are legitimate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-23
Governor Beekman provides evidence to the claims made in support of Judge Willis Sweet by Frederick L. Cornwell. Referring to statements provided by two members of the Executive Council in Puerto Rico, Beekman concludes Sweet (1) was known to be intoxicated during the last legislative session and at other times; (2) did borrow money from his subordinates, though it was not because other department heads reneged on an agreement to purchase the San Juan News; and (3) worked on at least two occasions to oppose the Roosevelt administration’s policies in Puerto Rico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-31
President Roosevelt informs Senator Wolcott that following their conversation, he received unfavorable reports from Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage about both Henry Brady and Frank W. Howbert. He has also heard from various men in Denver that Brady and Howbert are the cause of much of the local discontent with the Republican party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-15
President Roosevelt expresses sadness at the passing of Carroll D. Wright, noted public servant and friend. Roosevelt wishes he could attend the memorial service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-28
President Roosevelt encloses a copy of a report by Secretary of Commerce and Labor Oscar S. Straus about Murphy. He tells William H. H. Llewellyn that he worked very hard to get Murphy a place, but he immediately went on “a spree.” Murphy’s conduct was such an outrage that there was no option but to remove him. It is impossible to reinstate him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-19
President Roosevelt agrees with the course that Attorney General Bonaparte is taking. Roosevelt asserts he was explicit in stating that he wanted the investigation to be about District Attorney John Wesley Dunkle’s conduct. He contends it would be “preposterous” to investigate Comptroller William Barret Ridgely, as he is out of office. Further, he has asked if there are cases against the bank examiners Charles Starek and John B. Cunningham. He was told that there were none against Starek, and that it was suspected that Cunningham was drunk, but Dunkle was the main offender.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-23
President Roosevelt thanks George H. Waterbury for his letter, and agrees with the experience that Waterbury has had as a post office inspector, namely that public officials are more likely to be led astray by friends than by the attacks of enemies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-19
President Roosevelt confirms receipt of a letter from Senator Platt’s son Frank Hinchman Platt, and has given it to Secretary of State Elihu Root. Roosevelt has heard conflicting reports about William H. Ellis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-18
President Roosevelt tells Archbishop Ireland that he has not heard from either Ambassador Bellamy Storer or his wife Maria in the two and a half months since he wrote them regarding their indiscretions. In addition to their original actions, Roosevelt feels that it is unacceptable for an Ambassador not to acknowledge communications from the President; it is further unacceptable for the Storers to have written to other parties about the matter before they communicated with him. He will not allow the Storers to go to Spain as special ambassadors, and believes that he will have to remove Bellamy from his post as Ambassador.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-21
President Roosevelt tells Christian Madsen that he will not take action against former Rough Rider Benjamin H. Colbert unless the proof against him is overwhelming for he is one of their comrades.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-23
President Roosevelt regrets to inform Emerson Hough that after two investigations and reports from Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, he cannot reappoint Pat F. Garrett as collector of customs in El Paso. Garrett is a personal favorite of Roosevelt’s and he would like to keep him on, but he cannot do so without compromising his ability to remove inefficient men from other positions around the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-22
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf that in light of the enclosed opinion by Supreme Court Justice McKenna, it seems that the offense of the inspectors in question was more serious than Roosevelt had previously thought. He would like them to give statements showing why they should not be removed from their positions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-18
President Roosevelt asks Charles Evans Hughes to read over the letter from Charles P. McClelland and advise him about the best course of action. Roosevelt feels that he would not appoint McClelland to the Board of Appraisers again after what he has learned, but does not feel that any of his perceived improprieties warrant removal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-19
President Roosevelt informs Emerson Hough that Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw strongly opposes his friend Pat F. Garrett’s reappointment as collector of customs in El Paso. On-the-ground reports show that Garret is inefficient, away from the office a lot of the time, has bad habits, and is in debt. Roosevelt has heard complaints about him from respectable citizens in Texas and New Mexico, and will call for an investigation on Garrett’s conduct to determine whether he should be reappointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-16
President Roosevelt takes the charges of corruption against Charles P. McClelland seriously, and asks Charles Evans Hughes for specific evidence and testimony to prove his guilt or innocence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-12
Although Representative Burton stated in a letter that he was unaware that Mr. West has been charged with irregularities in his conduct, President Roosevelt says that the memorandum accompanying the letter proves that West is charged with improperly aiding his brother in fraudulent activity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-11
Testimony from the Legislative Committee counsel investigating insurance matters in New York City suggests to President Roosevelt that General Appraiser McClelland was involved in an effort by “certain of these great insurances” to “control and direct legislation.” Before he passes judgment, Roosevelt would like to hear from McClelland if there is anything he should know beyond what is in the testimony.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-07
Following multiple reports of fraud, nepotism, and misconduct which he has not taken actions to correct, President Roosevelt informs William S. Leib that he is hereby removed from his position as Assistant Treasurer of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-27
After not hearing from Pennsylvania Senator Penrose for a week, President Roosevelt informs him that he has asked for William S. Leib’s resignation. Roosevelt plans to give Penrose and Representative George R. Patterson a chance to attend a hearing and provide evidence in support of Leib but warns that he does not believe they will be able to “upset the evidence.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-13