Your TR Source
President Roosevelt urges Colonel Goethals to appoint Captain Putnam Bradlee Strong, son of former New York Mayor William Lafayette Strong, to the position he is seeking.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-26
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt writes to Avery De Lano Andrews that he has spoken to the Mayor and put in a “vigorous” word for Henry L. Sprague. Roosevelt is still embroiled in conflict with Police Commissioners Frederick Dent Grant and Andrew D. Parker.
1897-04-20
Commissioner Roosevelt asks Avery De Lano Andrews to attend the Mayor’s meeting in his place.
1896-11-25
Commissioner Roosevelt writes to Avery De Lano Andrews about a recent meeting with the Mayor. Roosevelt urges Andrews to meet with him as well.
1896-04-22
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt explains to Seth Low that President William McKinley forbids him from taking a stand either way in the New York City political contest. However, McKinley’s secretary, John Addison Porter, and Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long both support Low. Roosevelt wishes he could do more for Low beyond what he has done “on the quiet.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-10-15
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt does not disagree with Senator Lodge or Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long about the docks. He does not think Wilson can return to his old position just yet. Roosevelt updates Lodge on his difficulties with “the patronage” and some of the men from Pennsylvania, who complain about the wage increases for clerks. He discusses the “muss” of New York politics. In a postscript, Roosevelt shares that he heard that Winfield Scott Edgerly cannot be promoted to foreman except through a competitive examination. He recently spoke to Long about increasing the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-29
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt agrees with H. F. Holtz’s statements about the governor (presumably William Lafayette Strong). He discusses Civil Service Commission Chief Clerk Paul V. Bunn’s personal history and attests to his skilled, hard-working nature alongside fellow Civil Service employee Willoughby B. Dobbs. Roosevelt would have brought Bunn to the New York Police Department with him, but there was no position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-21
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt was pleased with Bryce’s letter. He discusses the lunch for October 1. Roosevelt wants to see Bryce and his wife, Elizabeth Marion Ashton Bryce before they leave. For the last two months, he has had complete control of the Navy Department and has done some things he long wanted to.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-20
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt agrees with Augustus L. Crocker’s views. Based on his experience in New York City politics, Roosevelt believes that divided responsibility is one of the primary reasons for bad government. Therefore, the mayor should make appointments without consulting the council or needing their approval.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-16
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt introduces Police Commissioner Andrews to Alderman Elias Goodman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-14
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt wrote to Mayor William Lafayette Strong endorsing Rufus P. Livermore as John S. Elliott requested, even though he already endorsed three other men for the position of police magistrate. He finds his work congenial but does have to strive not to be disheartened.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-08
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Richard J. Lewis that he already contacted Mayor William Lafayette Strong on his behalf.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-01
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt enjoyed Lincoln Steffens’s letter and regards him and Jacob A. Riis as the bright spots of his police work. He comments on the tickets. Roosevelt is grateful for what Steffens did for Minnie Gertrude Kelly and Frank Rathgeber. Police Commissioner Frank Moss has made an admiral beginning in his new position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-28
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt quickly informs Brander Matthews that he will recommend Barlow to Mayor of New York William Lafayette Strong. He finds William P. Trent’s book admirable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-23
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt writes to Avery De Lano Andrews that he spoke to Mayor William Lafayette Strong and put in a “vigorous” word for Henry L. Sprague. Roosevelt is still embroiled in conflict with Police Commissioners Frederick Dent Grant and Andrew D. Parker.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-20
Louis de Coppet Bergh reminds Theodore Roosevelt of the committees they served on together under Mayor William Lafayette Strong. He writes to say he is “still alive and ‘strenuous'” and assure Roosevelt of his continued admiration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-21
Christopher Columbus Shayne had a satisfactory interview with Senator Thomas Collier Platt regarding candidates for the position of United States District Attorney. Shayne suggests appointing someone who has not yet been considered, and he particularly recommends Job E. Hedges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-16
Based on his book Police Administration and Progressive Reform: Theodore Roosevelt As Police Commissioner of New York, Jay S. Berman examines Theodore Roosevelt’s tenure as President of the Police Board of New York City. Berman looks at the political obstacles posed by Senator Thomas Collier Platt and Police Superintendent Thomas Byrnes, and he notes how Roosevelt’s penchant for action and for assuming a leadership role manifested themselves in his job as Police Commissioner. Berman looks at Roosevelt’s late night, undercover inspections and how Roosevelt used them to improve the police force, and he adds that they also improved Roosevelt’s political standing and reputation.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1988
The article examines the selection of James R. Sheffield for the position of United States district attorney for the Southern District of New York and discusses his previous experiences in public office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-10
Commissioner Roosevelt stands in the back of a police wagon, brandishing a police baton that reads “T. Roosevelt, Able Reformer.” Mayor Strong directs the wagon to the symbolic figure of New York City, who is being beaten by two thugs whose clubs are labeled “Dem. Boss” and “Rep. Boss.” A cherub, acting as a paperboy, sells copies of the Washington Post in front of the U.S. Capitol announcing Roosevelt’s resignation from the Civil Service Commission. Caption: “Our own Theodore turns his back on Washington and takes a seat in Mayor Strong’s “Hurry-Up Wagon” as one of the finest.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1895-05-03