Public officers--Selection and appointment

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

President-Elect Taft discusses President Roosevelt’s appointment of William Phillips as Third Secretary of State and Senator Eugene Hale’s resistance to accepting the appointment. Taft has spoken with Senator Philander C. Knox, who agrees with Roosevelt’s appointment, and has concluded that while it is “a mere hold up on Hale’s part,” it may embarrass the government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-09

Letter from Francis E. Leupp to Charles Ransom Miller

Francis E. Leupp writes to Charles Ransom Miller, the editor of The Times, regarding a recent article published about him. While Leupp appreciates the friendliness that apparently inspired the article, he wishes to correct an impression that the column gave by stating that he has not given out, and will not give out “any interview, statement, forecast or other utterance concerning Indian affairs pending [his] appointment as Commissioner.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

President-Elect Taft tells President Roosevelt that he is correct in his understanding that Taft has no objections to John Callan O’Laughlin being appointed Assistant Secretary of State, with the understanding that his term would end on March 4, 1909. Taft will likely need to appoint someone to the position of Assistant Secretary of State who would be able to handle the social side of the office. Taft assuages Roosevelt’s worry about rumors that he is considering appointing John W. Weeks to a position, and mentions the “necessity of listening with bended ear to many suggestions without the slightest intention of complying with them.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-16

Letter from Myron T. Herrick to Theodore Roosevelt

Myron T. Herrick informs President Roosevelt about the senatorial race in Ohio, where it appears Theodore E. Burton will contest the race. Herrick believes that Burton’s election would appear to be a defeat for the administration. He confidentially advises Roosevelt to fill a position in Ohio with someone not interested in Burton’s candidacy, and to keep several other positions open until after the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-07

Letter from Russell B. Harrison to Theodore Roosevelt

Russell B. Harrison has received President Roosevelt’s request for him to return a letter concerning Delevan Smith, and does so with haste. Harrison says that he has treated the letter as a private communication, as Roosevelt requested. He explains his recommendation that the letter not be shown to Smith, as he owns a newspaper which could potentially attack Roosevelt. Harrison and other Indiana Republicans have been disgusted by the actions of the Indianapolis News. Harrison regrets that he did not mention his desire for a position at a time when he needed one, but he wanted the suggestion to come from Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-09

Letter from Francis E. Leupp to Benjamin F. Barnes

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Leupp asks Benjamin F. Barnes to notify him when the appointment of Charles F. Larrabee as Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs is made public, as Leupp would like to publicize it. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-12

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Root sends President Roosevelt a letter and emphatically asks him not to appoint the person named in the letter to an office, but simply to read the letter and let Root know whether he objects to him sending it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-14

Letter from Alice Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Alice Lee encloses letters from two men who both agree that Russell C. Allen is a better candidate for Collector of the Port of San Diego than Martin Luther Ward. She reiterates that Ward voted for Senator Frank P. Flint over Thomas Robert Bard against the wishes of his constituents. The people of San Diego feel liberated by many of President Roosevelt’s policies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-15

Letter from Daniel J. Keefe to Theodore Roosevelt

Daniel J. Keefe thanks President Roosevelt for his desire to appoint him Commissioner General of Immigration. Before he seriously considers taking the position, Keefe would like to meet with Roosevelt to discuss several things which he feels important to understand before going further.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-09

Letter from James Bronson Reynolds to Theodore Roosevelt

James Bronson Reynolds recalls that President Roosevelt has offered Daniel J. Keefe his choice between the position of Labor Secretary to the Panama Canal Commission and Commissioner General of Immigration. Should Keefe choose Labor Secretary, Reynolds recommends that the salary be increased to $8000 per year. If he chooses to become Commissioner General, Reynolds asks Roosevelt to change the law to give Keefe more power so that he can enact change.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-02

Letter from Alice Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

While Alice Lee understands the position that President Roosevelt is in, she feels that Russell C. Allen should be named Collector of the Port of San Diego. The man the Senators support, Martin Luther Ward, is a “machine man” who was responsible for ousting Senator Thomas Robert Bard and installing Frank P. Flint. The Collector has been merely a political figurehead for many years, and Lee believes that Roosevelt could change that by nominating Allen, a young man who is eager to work hard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-03

Memorandum from Arthur J. Leonard to William Loeb

The doctors have told Arthur J. Leonard’s wife that she must move to higher altitude for her health. Leonard tells William Loeb that he needs to go with her and would like to be appointed Special Agent for the Land Office in either Oregon or Washington State. Leonard has spoken with his former boss, Alexander Clifton Shaw, who has told him to apply for the position. Leonard discusses his salary needs and asks Loeb to write a letter on his behalf to Land Office Commissioner Fred Dennett.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Memorandum from Arthur J. Leonard to William Loeb

In accordance with Land Office Commissioner Fred Dennett’s request, Arthur J. Leonard has left him a written application for his transfer. Dennett will take the matter up with Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield on Thursday and notes that Garfield may object to the salary. Leonard asks William Loeb to speak to Garfield about him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-13

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge and William Sturgis Bigelow have recovered the coin that President Roosevelt sent. Lodge thinks it is a great success. Lodge clarifies the situation regarding Boston Surveyor of the Port Jeremiah J. McCarthy. McCarthy opposes the installation of Moses B. Mann as Deputy Surveyor and feels that he should be able to choose the man to fill the position because he worked for William H. Taft. Lodge discusses the election and says that he wants Charles Evans Hughes to be elected New York governor. He believes that the situation for Republicans is good, both nationally and in Massachusetts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-13

Letter from Andrew T. Long to William Loeb

Andrew T. Long, the executive officer of the USS Illinois updates William Loeb on the Atlantic Fleet’s stay in Brazil and the journey so far. He has heard that Commander Harry Herbert Hosley, who was supervisor of New York Harbor, has died. Long was hoping to take Hosley’s post in the spring and asks Loeb if this is still possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-17

Letter from Oswald Garrison Villard to Francis E. Leupp

Oswald Garrison Villard tells Francis E. Leupp that Reverend J. H. Bradford is completely unfit to be superintendent of anything, especially not Carlisle Indian School.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-23

Letter from Nicholas Longworth to Theodore Roosevelt

While he does not wish to interfere in political appointments, Representative Longworth testifies to President Roosevelt regarding the character of his friend Richard Pretlow Ernst and his faith in Ernst’s judgments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-09

Letter from Lawrence Yates Sherman to Shelby M. Cullom

Lieutenant Governor Sherman thanks Senator Cullom for his kindness in promoting his appointment to the Spanish Treaty Claims Commission. Sherman did not support Cullom in hopes of such a favor in return, but rather because of his fitness to serve the state of Illinois. The state legislative session has just closed and Sherman has work to finish up before reporting to Washington. Sherman relays his understanding of proposed policy changes for the Commission and assures Cullom he is glad to follow the original policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-13

To-day

The “To-day” section of The Daily telegraph details several goings on in world news, with the largest section focused on the upcoming British diplomatic vacancy in Washington, D. C. Many prominent British politicians and noblemen are named as possibilities for the vacancy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-23

Telegram from James Francis Smith to William H. Taft

Brigadier General Smith reports to Secretary of War Taft that he has assumed his duties as Governor General of the Philippines, and he thanks President Roosevelt and Taft for their well wishes. Dean C. Worcester’s heart problems have worsened, and although he continues to work, a replacement on the commission should be found as soon as possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-21