when wilson took office in 1913, he rewarded malone by appointing him third assistant secretary of state. later in 1913, wilson appointed him collector of the port of new york, an important patronage position. as collector, malone resisted all efforts by tammany to use the collector's office for patronage. he served as collector until 1917, when he resigned and was succeeded by byron r. newton, the former publicity director of wilson's presidential campaign.