Description:

Nobel-Prize Winner Elihu Root TLS Re: U.S. Postal Service During Wartime

A letter from then-Secretary of War Elihu Root (1845-1937) to former Postmaster General Charles Emory Smith (1842-1908). TLS, 2p on War Department stationary, measuring 8" x 10", dated July 31, 1903, Washington, D.C. Within, Root provides information on a former assistant to the Commissioners of Vicksburg, and shares his opinion on the postal service during the Spanish-American War. Boldly signed as "Elihu Root" at conclusion, and accompanied by its original transmittal envelope. Lightly toned, with expected flattened folds and minor damp staining present on verso, not affecting signature. Else, very good.

In part:

"I hope you are not allowing yourself to be too much disturbed about the matters in the Post Office Department which hark back to your time as Postmaster-General. So far as I can see, every thinking person realizes that in time of war, and under an extension of the postal service to new countries and new conditions, the President must necessarily strain and in many instances depart from the rules which he has made for the ordinary conditions of peace, and of course what the Postmaster-General did the President did. Moreover, so far as I can see, nobody cares a baubee whether the Civil Service rules were strained or not under the circumstances which existed while you were Postmaster-General."

Elihu Root was an American lawyer, Republican politician, and statesman who served as the 41st Secretary of War under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, and later as 38th Secretary of State under Roosevelt. His initial appointment as Secretary of War was met with confusion from the public, as he was largely unknown and had very little military experience. However, McKinley insisted that he needed a lawyer in the post instead of a military man. Root's efforts to distance himself from his predecessor in turn led to a full-scale reorganization of the War Department. These changes included the establishment of West Point's U.S. Army War College, as well as new procedures for promotion. Later, in 1912, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for bringing about a better understanding between the countries of North and South America, and for initiating important arbitration agreements between the United States and other countries.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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