FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
(1882 - 1945) Thirty-second President of the United States who instituted the "New Deal" programs and who led the United States through most of World War II. T.L.S. as president on White House letterhead, 1p. 8vo., Washington , May 22, 1933, to Montana Governor FRANK H. COONEY (1972-1935). In full: "... Thank you for your telegram recommending Judge [Joseph B.] Poindexter of Honolulu for appointment as Governor of Hawaii. I am sending it on to the Secretary of the Interior..." Roosevelt signs at the conclusion in blue ink. Bears original mailing folds, else very good. This letter is accompanied by a copy of the telegram sent by Cooney to Roosevelt,1p. oblong 8vo., dated May 21, 1933, recommending Poindexter and listing his achievements, as well as a T.L.S. from Cooney, 1p. 4to., Helena, May 22, 1933, transmitting that telegram to Poindexter himself. The telegram reads, in small part: "... [Poindexter's] record both personal and political are outstanding in the highest degree and I strongly urge his appointment to this important position." The accompanying letter clearly underlines the friendship between the two men, and reads in part: "... Enclosed find copy of telegram which I sent to President Roosevelt. If I could have made it any stronger I would have done so and I sincerely hope you will get this appointment. I am getting along all right with the Governorship. I have been Governor now for two and one-half months and I have never had one minute to myself... With kindest regards and love to all the family from all the Cooneys..." Both pieces are very good. JOSEPH B. POINDEXTER (1986-1951) would duly be appointed Territorial Governor of Hawaii, serving from 1934 to 1942. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he placed Hawaii under martial law and allowed the formation of a military government.