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Congressman Parsons explains to President Roosevelt that he has written to Civil Service Commissioner Alford Warriner Cooley and expressed that he believes it would be “most unfair” to ask Deputy Surveyor Collin H. Woodward to withdraw at this late date. Parsons does not think Woodward’s leadership is as demoralizing as that of Assistant Postmaster Morgan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-07
New York City Postmaster Willcox sends Civil Service Commissioner Cooley an official circular regarding the regulation of political activity among those in the federal service, and wonders if he has been interpreting the regulations correctly. Willcox has been focused on carrying out “the spirit as well as the letter of the Civil Service regulations” and believes that political activity by federal employees in primary contests is as strictly prohibited as political activity before the general elections. Willcox asks Cooley if he is being too strict in his interpretation, specifically asking about the case of Deputy Surveyor Collin H. Woodward, who was cleared after Cooley found the charges against him in regard to political activity to be unfounded.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-31
Civil Service Commissioner Cooley applauds Postmaster Willcox on how he has applied an Executive Order regarding federal employees’ participation in political activities, in the administration of the New York Post Office. When the Civil Service Commission ruled regarding Collin H. Woodward, it simply expressed that Woodward had not violated Civil Service laws. The Commission has no jurisdiction to determine whether Woodward may have violated the Executive Order, to which Willcox has made reference. Cooley finds Woodward’s candidacy for district leadership to be inappropriate and its effect on the civil service demoralizing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-04
Civil Service Commissioner Cooley informs President Roosevelt of William R. Willcox’s progress in depoliticizing the New York City Post Office and running it “on a business basis.” However, Willcox faces the challenge of wresting the office from the traditions of its prior administration and the inconsistencies between the rules for post office employees and those of the Treasury Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-04