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Lot 2192

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Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President, 1901-1909,

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Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President, 1901-1909, typed letter signed on White House stationary dated June 18, 1903, "My Dear Mr Youngs: All the cases connected with the Post Office Department must of course be followed up with particular rigor, for there can be no more heinous offense than a breach of trust by a public official. I want to talk with you about them just as soon as I get a chance. It it unnecessary to say that every possible effort must be made to bring every worng-doer to justice-and that without the slightest regard as to whether he is of our party or of the other party, or what his social or political standing may be. Every particle of corruption is to be cut out without the slightest reference as to who is hurt. Faithfully yours,......." Addressed to Hon W. J. Youngs, United States District Attorney, Brooklyn, N.Y. Youngs was Roosevelt's private secretary when he was Governor of New York. Following allegations of widespread corruption in the U.S. Postal Service, an internal investigation in 1902 revealed many cases of bribery, blackmail, overcharging, extortion, and other nefarious activities. The press publicized the findings in 1903, forcing the President to appoint two special prosecutors who subsequently indicted 30 Post Office officials and private contractors that September. The U.S. Postal Service was the largest source of federal patronage, which was an important tool in the age of spoils-system electoral politics. Many cartoons depict the hamstrung Postmaster General, Henry C. Payne, who despite the negative publicity remained in office until his death in october 1904.

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