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Nicholas Murray Butler writes to President Roosevelt praising him for his handling of the Post Office matter and Post Office appointments. Butler asks which day Roosevelt wishes him to come to Oyster Bay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-27
Henry C. Payne received President Roosevelt’s letter from the 25th, which contained orders to help stop Post Office scandals from being reported to the press. Payne notified the assistants in the department that they should not report information that is “not authorized by direction of the President, or by the head of the Department.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-27
William B. Allison writes to William Loeb suggesting that Victor Howard Metcalf be restored to his position. Allison asserts the importance of considering the ability of the bidder when hiring a government contractor, rather than just choosing the lowest bidder.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-29
Postmaster Merritt defends his office against irregularities that were found by the United States Civil Service Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-29
Postmaster General Payne encloses a clipping from the Washington Times that reveals private information from a letter President Roosevelt wrote to the Post Office department. Payne has scheduled an interview with the Third Assistant Postmaster General Edwin C. Madden, the person who is responsible for the article.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-29
Henry C. Payne asks advice of President Roosevelt on the investigation of Mr. O. H. Smith, a finance clerk in the Washington post office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-29
Henry C. Payne encloses a letter to President Roosevelt about the investigation of the postmaster at Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-30
E. C. Howland summarizes the investigation of the Post Office Department and theorizes where the investigation is headed. He credits President Theodore Roosevelt and Postmaster General Henry C. Payne for launching and maintaining a thorough and just investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-13
Henry Cabot Lodge praises President Roosevelt’s selection of Charles Bonaparte as Special Prosecutor for the Post Office Investigation. Lodge states that the Boston Herald has published some highly negative letters about Roosevelt written by Senator Aldrich. Lodge asks that Roosevelt give him a written order so there would be no issue that he act as a U.S. government representative in the arbitration over the border dispute between Alaska and Canada, which results in the Hay-Herbert Treaty. Some correspondence of Lodge’s with Shaw are enclosed, and Lodge discusses his concerns with Shaw’s proposed organizational changes in the Customs Service’s transportation division.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-01
George E. Green protests the negative publicity that his business ventures are receiving in the course of the investigation of the Post Office Department. He urges Postmaster General Payne to ensure a full and thorough investigation of the transactions with International Time Recording Co., Doremus Canceling Machines, Doremus Machine Co., and Bundy Time Recorders, believing that no improprieties will be discovered.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-12
Postmaster General Payne writes to President Roosevelt about an investigation into the New York Post Office. He discusses possible candidates to lead the investigation and alerts Roosevelt that he will share information about some recent newspaper articles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-13
James Sullivan Clarkson is upset that New York newspapers have been attacking Postmaster General Henry C. Payne while praising Assistant Postmaster General Robert John Wynne in the ongoing postal investigation. In contrast to what the newspapers are saying, Clarkson credits Payne with leading the investigation as earnestly as could be expected of any man.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-14
L. Clarke Davis sends President Roosevelt a clipping from the Philadelphia Ledger that he says indicates what the public thinks of the Post Office scandal. If Roosevelt retains Postmaster General Henry C. Payne through next year, it will harm his election prospects.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-18
Newspaper article faulting Postmaster General Payne for shifting blame onto President McKinley and Postmaster General Smith for the irregularities at the Washington, D.C., post office. Perry Heath is responsible for the irregularities and bringing McKinley and Smith into the issue is “in vile taste.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-19
Postmaster General Payne encloses for President Roosevelt the letter that was sent to James T. Metcalf, superintendent of the money order system, removing him from office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-23
Charles Emory Smith thanks President Roosevelt for a previous letter. Smith does not agree with the way the Associated Press dealt with Postmaster General Henry C. Payne, including issuing the Joseph L. Bristow letters to the public the previous week. Smith has decided it is necessary for him to personally present the matter in the appropriate light. Smith includes a copy of the article he has written for Roosevelt’s judgment. Smith proposes a meeting with Roosevelt when he is in Washington, D.C., later that week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-23
Assistant Postmaster General Bristow confirms to William Loeb that his letter has been received and that proper investigations are taking place.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-24
William E. Chandler writes to Postmaster General Payne to resolve a misunderstanding regarding the confidential documents Miss Wood brought about Mr. Rand. Chandler attempts to clarify his intentions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-24
The Civil Service Commission sends President Roosevelt a summary of its findings regarding irregularities which occurred four years ago in the Washington, D.C., post office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-24
Postmaster General Payne encloses correspondence resulting in August W. Machen taking leave and Assistant Postmaster Bristow taking charge of the free delivery system. He reassures President Roosevelt that he is determined to see the investigation through and expects to be satisfied with the results.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-16