United States Civil Service Commission

Letter from Charles R. Dewing to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles R. Dewing appeals to Theodore Roosevelt, as an ex-civil service commissioner and an editor, to review the documents enclosed and help or advise Dewing in some way. Dewing is appealing for the Department of Agriculture to investigate his case and the Civil Service Commission determined they do not have the authority to help him. Dewing has also appealed to William H. Taft but only received a circular from Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas Flanagan

Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt informs Thomas Flanagan that he will bring his case to the attention of the Commission. However, Roosevelt notes that it is unlikely that they can help, as the Commission has power over appointments but not over removals from office.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1889-08-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edmond Fougera

Assistant Secretary Roosevelt informs Edmond Fougera that his letter will be carefully considered and promises to look into the matter of apothecaries.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-12-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George B. Cortelyou

President Roosevelt sends the civil service commission report and the documents collected from the Port Huron custom house to Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou, to be made public as a warning. The collector of customs there, Lincoln Avery, was either ignorant or intentionally allowing the harmful practices for ten years, and Roosevelt will now remove him along with Special Treasury Agent Charles A. Bailey.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the Civil Service Commission

President Roosevelt thanks the Commission for its letter as he had forgotten about the ruling of United States v. E. C. Knight Co. Based on this, it would be unwise to exempt any shipping commissioners from civil service examination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Gibbons

President Roosevelt introduces Cardinal James Gibbons to Civil Service Commissioner John Avery McIlhenny.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the Civil Service Commission

President Roosevelt informs the members of the Civil Service Commission that he agrees with their proposal to create a procedure for documenting the reasons for civil service appointments made by executive order, and directs the commissioners to “point out to me the omission” if he does not provide them with a reason for such exceptions. Regarding the list of past exceptions the commission sent him, the exceptions where explanations are given seem justified, but for those entries that are missing that information he states that “tho I am certain that at the time I deemed them satisfactory I can not now prove them.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Clarence D. Clark

President Roosevelt writes Senator Clark strongly recommending Alford Warriner Cooley for the position of Assistant Attorney General, and he encourages Clark to share this letter with the rest of the Judiciary Committee. Roosevelt writes that Cooley was suggested by Attorney General William H. Moody, and he is also favored by Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte. Roosevelt outlines Cooley’s education and career, which includes time as judge for various courts in New York and Washington DC; positions at the Department of Justice; and a member of New York City’s Corporation Counsel. Roosevelt concludes that he doesn’t believe it “would be possible to obtain a better man for the place.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Brayton Harlow

President Roosevelt desires to make changes at the Civil Service Commission. John Brayton Harlow will be reassigned to the cashier’s department of the St. Louis, Missouri, post office. Harlow should send his resignation to take effect when his successor, William Dudley Foulke, accepts the position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-19

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to William Dudley Foulke

President Roosevelt wishes to appoint William Dudley Foulke as Civil Service Commissioner and counts upon him accepting the position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-19

Letter from John Charles Black and Henry F. Greene to Theodore Roosevelt

Civil Service Commissioners Black and Greene inform President Roosevelt that the Commission cannot proceed with establishing a labor register nationwide. The Commission lacks the local personnel to perform the required medical examinations, as well as, the funding to pay for any medical examinations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-10

Telegram from Elbert F. Baldwin to Theodore Roosevelt

Elbert F. Baldwin of The Outlook wishes to confirm President Roosevelt’s approval of a pending editorial which states that while President McKinley greatly reduced the number of civil service positions from competitive examination lists, to the contrary Roosevelt greatly expanded them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-11

Letter from Henry C. Payne to officers and employees of the Post Office Department

Postmaster General Payne offers guidance to postal employees regarding political activity in the classified and unclassified service. Relevant sections of the Postal Laws and Regulations are printed after the letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna about her upcoming visit to Sagamore Hill. Roosevelt has been conducting his Civil Service Commissioner work from home as there was a pressing issue that needed to be addressed. He says McClellan has done nothing wrong.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1891-12-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about his recent enjoyable trip to St. Louis and Indianapolis where he made some speeches. He and friend Cecil Spring Rice are enjoying their time living together and have been socializing quite a bit. Roosevelt continues to enjoy his work at the Civil Service Commission.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1891-05-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that Nick and Alice Roosevelt Longworth are visiting and describe his walks with Edith. He says he is appointing John McIlhenny as Civil Service Commissioner and John Greenway will take the Commissionership of the Land Office. Roosevelt adds in a post script that he just learned he is to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-12-01

Letter from George Haven Putnam to Theodore Roosevelt

George Haven Putnam writes that he will be in Washington, D.C., to attend a meeting of the Civil Service Commission and to check on the progress of a copyright bill. Putnam asks to meet with President Roosevelt so he and his wife can offer their congratulations on the recent election results.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt will be greatly surprised if Senator Cameron is guilty but leaves the matter in the hands of Charles J. Bonaparte, Holmes Conrad, and the Department of Justice. He simply wants “exact justice” to be done. Roosevelt does not believe that the Civil Service Commission meant for the fourth class postmasters to be classified. If they did, Roosevelt’s signature was acquired through subterfuge. They had agreed that such classification was impossible and undesirable at present.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George B. Cortelyou

In accordance with the decision of the Civil Service Commission, William A. Miller will be reinstated at the Government Printing Office. President Roosevelt will withhold his final decision until the investigation of Miller’s second communication is complete. His initial impression is that Miller’s removal violated the law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-13

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to John B. Harlow

George B. Cortelyou informs Civil Service Commissioner Harlow that President Roosevelt would like Harlow to call on him at his earliest convenience. While Roosevelt appreciates Harlow’s past service, he believes the public interest now demands he appoint a new commissioner in Harlow’s place.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-16