Your TR Source
President Roosevelt would like the report on Assistant Postmaster Bristow’s investigation submitted to Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad so that their opinions can be taken on further avenues of investigation. Roosevelt has been pleased with the “evident thoroughness of the investigation thus far.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-06
President Roosevelt understands the advantages that rural free delivery provides to farmers but it is causing a serious deficit and cannot be extended due to lack of funds. Roosevelt will discuss the matter with Postmaster General Payne.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-11
President Roosevelt approves of Postmaster General Payne’s plan regarding the letter carriers and William Randolph Hearst. Payne intends to bring individual cases to the attention of the Civil Service Commission rather then launching a widespread investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-05
President Roosevelt encourages Postmaster General Payne to leave for vacation and is interested in the information regarding the Indianola, Mississippi, post office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-15
President Roosevelt would like Assistant Postmaster General Joseph L. Bristow to report on the cases of William C. R. Hazard, John W. Pettit, and H. H. Rand.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-16
President Roosevelt instructs Postmaster General Payne to work with the Civil Service Commission and investigate “letter carriers’ conventions.” Members of the classified service should not go as delegates to conventions or take “offensive political action.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-16
President Roosevelt asks if it would be safe to give a denial of a New York Sun story about the “scandalous mock celebration of the Fourth in the Department.” An Assistant Postmaster General should investigate the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-13
President Roosevelt provides instructions for Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad to investigate and report on the Tulloch charges and post office scandals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-15
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow, with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, is currently investigating charges connected to the Post Office Department. Due to their other important public duties, his office is finding it difficult to find the time necessary to prosecute these cases. President Roosevelt suggests detailing additional staff from the Department of Justice or hiring special assistants for the Post Office cases.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-22
President Roosevelt defends Postmaster General Payne in light of the ongoing Post Office scandal. Roosevelt places some of the blame on the appointments of previous administrations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-22
Considering advice from postal authorities, President Roosevelt does not believe that he can reopen the Metcalf case at present.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-23
President Roosevelt requests further information regarding John Robert Procter’s report on irregularities in the post office of Washington, D.C., and the Post Office Department in general.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-23
Postmaster General Payne selected Assistant Postmaster General Bristow to investigate the matter regarding Mr. Rand. President Roosevelt would like Bristow’s report and the preliminary report of Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad by August.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-25
President Roosevelt doubts that Senator Lodge would even allow his name to be considered for chairman of the Republican National Committee. Nicholas Murray Butler’s last letter convinced Roosevelt to take an “open step” in the post office scandals. He would like to appoint Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad to investigate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-25
President Roosevelt will no longer tolerate Post Office Department officials releasing information to the press without authorization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-25
President Roosevelt would like to discuss the prosecutions in the Post Office scandal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-18
President Roosevelt defends Postmaster Payne in light of the current Post Office scandal and states that he will take Joseph L. Bristow’s report into consideration when it is finished. Roosevelt hopes that L. Clarke Davis realizes that the scandal is something that Roosevelt inherited.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-19
Nine out of ten of the Post Office officials implicated in the current scandal have been inherited from previous administrations. President Roosevelt does not believe that his administration is responsible for the scandal, but is responsible for the “discovery and cutting it out.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-19
President Roosevelt asks Postmaster General Henry C. Payne if he could initiate an investigation into the New York Post Office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-12
President Roosevelt requests the name of the postmaster so that he can send his congratulations and asks if Winthrop Chanler can make it out to Oyster Bay sometime during the summer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-13