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Before proceeding against Mr. Warfield, Postmaster General Payne should be certain of the facts about the Washington postmaster. President Roosevelt asks if the cases have been “minutely compared.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-24
William Loeb forwards a telegram from John N. Parsons of the National Association of Letter Carriers for Postmaster General Payne’s attention. Parsons appeals for a leave of absence for members to attend the convention of letter carriers at Syracuse.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-29
President Roosevelt wants the postal investigation to be thorough, complete, and closed as soon as possible. He encloses documents related to a Delaware Post Office matter where a senator wants a fourth class postmistress removed because she is “personally obnoxious to the senator.” Roosevelt would rather upset a senator than make it appear that the administration is using the post office for machine politics. Henry C. Payne is facing a newspaper attack relating to his business interests colliding with Post Office interests. President Roosevelt encourages him to simply state the facts of the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-04
President Roosevelt feels strongly that the postmistress in Delaware should be reinstated. It is a particularly poor time for the Post Office Department to be seen as a political tool. If any politician demands anything of the Department that is not “exactly square,” they must be turned down. Roosevelt understands the desirability of maintaining good relations with senators and congressmen, but a federal employee being “personally obnoxious” is not sufficient grounds for dismissal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-05
Due to a dispute among Colorado Republicans, President Roosevelt asks Postmaster General Payne not to make any more appointments until after the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-22
President Roosevelt tells Postmaster General Payne that he is glad James N. Tyner was removed. Mrs. Tyner’s actions show that their clemency was misplaced. George A. C. Christiancy, Tyner’s assistant, should not be promoted as the entire office seems to be in bad shape.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-04-27
President Roosevelt has received Henry C. Payne’s first rate letter and is pleased with Payne’s statement. Roosevelt requests that Payne wait on the Machen decision until it can be discussed at their meeting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-04-29
President Roosevelt agrees with the removal of August W. Machen and is not concerned with newspaper criticism. Roosevelt and Postmaster General Payne are not responsible for the post office corruption, but it was discovered on their watch and they will remove it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-11
President Roosevelt will discuss postal matters with Postmaster General Payne upon his return and advises against releasing any more statements. Roosevelt regrets Senator Hanna’s action at the Ohio Convention. If Hanna supports Roosevelt “there could be no possible objection to his saying so.” The trip has been great, but Roosevelt is anxious to have his “hands on the levers once more.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-23
President Roosevelt accepts Charles Emory Smith’s resignation as United States Postmaster General.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-04
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends two volumes of Roosevelt’s works to George A. Horkan so that he may find the messages about Standard Oil. The books will be sent by post, and Horkan is asked to return them as soon as he is finished with them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-13
President Roosevelt thanks Norman C. Wood for his letter commending Roosevelt’s decision about the post office and for an amusing anecdote.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-26
President Roosevelt alerts Third Assistant Postmaster General Lawshe of the application of Thomas H. Netherland to the position of special counsel recently resigned by Richard M. Webster. Roosevelt highly recommends Netherland, and hopes that he will secure the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-13
President Roosevelt wishes that Harry Stillwell Edwards had written to him sooner. At Clark Howell’s request, he has already reappointed James L. Sibley, as approved by the Post Office Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-01
President Roosevelt asks Postmaster General Meyer if there is currently, or is likely to be, a vacancy in his department. Roosevelt hopes to transfer Isabella Hagner to a government clerkship position, and is looking for a suitable opening.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-29
In order to be able to give comprehensive information to the Senate, President Roosevelt asks Postmaster General Meyer to send him information pertinent to the subjects brought up in the Aldrich resolution, especially any needs related to detective services and provisions for such within the department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-22
President Roosevelt informs Postmaster General Meyer that Senator Joseph Forney Johnston of Alabama has told him that service at Selma, Alabama, is very bad and the current postmaster, Mary Elizabeth Matthews Force, does not need the position any longer. Roosevelt directs Meyer to appoint David M. Scott as postmaster there, unless there is some reason not to do so that he is unaware of.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-08
President Roosevelt acknowledges receipt of William Dudley Foulke’s letter and does not have anything to add to it. Roosevelt announces the classification of all fourth class post offices in Eastern and North Central states, as he thinks it would be good to get it done as soon as possible. He also returns a letter regarding Delevan Smith, and asks that Foulke wait to publish it until after his message goes to Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-02
President Roosevelt received Elliot H. Goodwin’s letter, and William Dudley Foulke explained the matter thoroughly. Roosevelt was pleased to act on the matter of fourth class post offices.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-02
President Roosevelt is glad that Richard Henry Dana was pleased about what was done with the fourth class postmasters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-03