Letter from President Theodore Roosevelt to Philip B. Stewart

2 in Denver than in the New Moxicen Arizona, Nevada, California and Utah offices, and is greater than since I made my last report. (The difference, Bor instance, being that it cost $30 per mining loca- tion in Denver as against $20 in Santa Fe.) "Most of the difference is fully explained by simply stating that many of the clerks have not been solected for thoir competency, but for political reasons origin ally; for the further reason that there has been no hoad to direct the workings of this office in the best interests of the service." (There is then an account of the bad business methods of the office, the excessive amount charged for extra fees, ente disrogard of instruc= tions issuad from the Washington Department, the encouragement given to the deputies to act as attorneys for minoral claimants, and so forth) e * "Gen'1 John F. Vivian is a man some 45 years of age who is a good capable businoss man. He is a politician and prominent in this state whore he is highly regarded. He is not a practical man and has had to depend very largely on his offico force and tho heads of the di- visions. He fully realizes that somo of the employees are incompe- tent, but ho states that ho is in politics and that each employee has his or her friends who are asking for thoir rotention in the sorvice and making demands of him through prominent politicians. Hence, I em of opinion that he has beon doing the best ho could under the circum- stances. His path has not been strown with roses and ho has been kind and considerate to those employees. "Gon'1 Vivian has accepted the Secrotaryship of the Republican State Central Committee of this State and only a short time will elapse be- fore his successor will be appointed. It is more than likoly that he will help to name his successor. I am firmly of the opinion mat this office should be removed from political influonces and that Com potency and morit should be the standard and qualifications of the employees. "I am aware that if this report and the report as to the employees be made known to this offico and force that I will be criticised and condemned for some of the facts as herein contained. I have doalt justly and honostly with all matters and all employees. Thore are dissentions and backbiting and jealousies among the force. Those who of the force are incompetent and who do but little work and who be- lieve they are strongly entrenched by political backing in this of- fice, have already seen fit to condomn me for making a careful and critical examination of their work and competency.* I an sure you will see from this that while we did not feel the report gave us quite enough on which to romove Vivian, it did give us ample reason for feeling profoundly dissatisfied with his administration of the office. I have no doubt that he is a good follow; but we want a