Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1901 — THE NEW PRESIDENT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE NEW PRESIDENT

Theodore 'Roosevelt Is flotev the flation s Chief Magistrate.

By the death of William McKinley at the hands of the assassin Czolgosz, Theodore Roosevelt, the Vice-Presi-dent, becomes President of the United States. Theodore Roosevelt was born, in New York City October 27, 1858, of Dutch and Scotch-Irish ancestry. By all laws of heredity he is a natural leader, as his ancestry on both his father's and his mother’s side, who trace back beyond revolutionary days, were conspicuous by reason of their quality. His father was Theodore

Roosevelt, after whom he was named, Mid his mother, whose given name was Martha, was the daughter of James and Martha Bulloch of Georgia. Educated at Home. Young Roosevelt was primarily educated at home under private teachers, after which he entered Harvard, graduating in 1880. Those qualities of aggressiveness which have marked his more recent years of public life were present with him in college, and he was a conspicuous figure among his Mlows. It was an interesting period in th» history of the party and the nation and young Roosevelt entered upon th political field with eagerness and energy. The purification of political and official life had been for some time ar

Ideal with him, and with this came tfte belief in the efficacy of the appliAtlon of civil-service rules to executive conduct. So strongly did he impress himself upon his political associates that in 1882 he was nominated for the state assembly and elected. In the State Assembly. He served for three years and soon came tft be recognized as an able and foarleeß advocate of the people's rights sad he succeeded in securing the passage of several measures of great benefit- The abolition of fees in the office of the county clerk and the abolition of the Joint power of the board at aldermen in the mayor’s appointments were among those of special benefit to the city of New Yolk. Another important work done by him wse the investigation of the city government, and particularly the police Appartment, In the winter of 1884. AnSfcher important service was securing t£e passage of the civil service reform law of 1884. Hom for Mayor of Raw York. „ , la 1888 Mr. Roosevelt was nominated as an independent candidate for mayor of New York, but. although indorsed" ; by the 'Republicans, was detested. In jtfß4 he was chairman of the New York, delegation *tn the national ReMblicftt convention lie had been

among those who did not sard Mr. Elaine as the most available candidate of the party, but after the latter’s nomination Mr. Roosevelt gave him his hearty suppoit, and in the face of the remarkable defection in New York at that time. 11l tlia it ! '» itl Civil Sar vice. In May, 1899, Resident Harrison appointed him civil service commissioner, and he served as president of the board until May, 189(5. During his incumbency he was untiring in his efforts to apply the civil service prin-

ciples of merit and capacity to all executive departments.' As a result pf this zeal the country was shown the first practical application of the rules to civil government. Civil Service Reformer. He proved that unflinching civilservice reform was not only consistent with party loyalty, but in the highest degree was necessary to party service. None doubted the reformer's Republicanism, but it was not an easy task. Judgment, tact, honesty, energy, and a certain sturdy pugnacity were necessary to the accomplishment if his purpose. Every detail of the system was opened to carping criti■ism and to hostile attack. The adninistration itself was only friendly o the movement. Not only had poliiclans to be kept out of places, but ompetent servitors had to be prodded. > In the Police Commission. As president of the civil-service ommission Mr. Roosevelt resigned in lay, 1895, to become president pit the lew York board of police commisgionrs. Legislative investigation had down the corruption in that body, nd to this field he turned with a new est. An uncompromising enforceent of law was his policy. It brought Iticlsm and vituperation upon him, et he persisted. Honest methods in e police department were forced, d civil-service principles were em.odied into the system of appointments and promotions. Sunday closing of saloons became a fact, and a seemly observance of the day was insisted upon. Navy*# A.sl.tant Secretary. In April. 1897, Mr. Roosevelt was nominated by President McKinley to be assistant secretary of the navy. He pushed repairs on the ship i and work:d with might and main, forseeing t*> conflict with Spain. He left nothing undone to secure the highest efficiency in the navy. On May 8, 1898. Mr. Roosevelt re 1 signed this place to muster in a cavalry regiment for the Spanish war. Life in the west had made this a fitting ambition. As a hunter of big game, used to the saddle and the camp and an unerring shot with rifle and

revolver, the country recognized ip him the making of a dashing cavalry leader. He had experienced military duty id the New York National Guard in the ’Bos. Cel. Wood was put in command of the Rough Riders; Mr. Roosevelt was lieutenant colonel. 'On

June 15 the regiment sailed to join Gen. Shafter in Cuba. With the Rough Riders. From the time of landing until the fall of Santiago the Rough Riders were giftnt figures in the campaign. Their work reached a climax on July 1, when Lieut.-Col. Roosevelt led the regiment in the desperate charge up San Juan hill. He had shared all the hardships of his men, and when he broke the red tape of discipline to complain of Gen. Shatter’s camp and Us dangers from disease the army was with him and the war department listened to his judgment. On July 11 he was commissioned a colonel of volunteers. Elected Governor of New York. Scarcely two months later the new -military hero was nominated for governor of New "York. In the convention he received 753 votes, against the 218 cast for Gov. Frank S. Black. Col. Roosevelt entered into the campaign with characteristic energy. Men of all parties supported him and he was elected by a plurality of more than 18.000, His administration was very satisfactory to his state. As reformer, official, military leader and state executive, he has carried his earnest dashing personality into it all. A* a Writer. As a writer of outing papers his varied experiences on the trail have served him well. In biography, his life of Thomas 11. Benton and of Gouvernour Morris have been praised. Essays and papers dealing with political life have added to this reputation. Of his latest work. "The Rough Riders” lias been pointed to as ”one of the most thrilling pieces of military history produced in recent years.” When his name was first proposed for the vice presidency, Mr. Roosevelt declined the honor, preferring to remain governor. He finally consented, after much pressure.

Mr. Roosevelt's Family. Mr. Roosevelt has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Alice Lee of Boston; the second. Miss Edith Carow of New York. He is the father of six children, ranging from 16 to 3 years of age. His domestic life is ideal. Whether ensconced in winter quarters at Albany or New York, or at the famous Roosevelt home at Oyster Bay on Long Island, he is an indulgent father and romps with his children with as much zest as the youngest of them. The youngsters are known as the Roosevelt half-dozen, and all reflect in some manner the paternal characteristic. All Bright Children. The oldest girl is Alice, tall, dark and serious looking. She rides her father’s Cuban campaign horse with fearlessness and grace. The next olive branch is Theodore, Jr., or ‘‘young Teddy,” the idol of his father’s heart and a genuine chip of the old block. Young “Teddy” owns a shot gun and dreams of some day shooting bigger game than his father ever did. He also rides a pony of his own. Alice, the eldest girl, is nearly 16. She is the only child by the first Mrs. Roosevelt. “Young Teddy,” the pres-

ent Mrs. Roosevelt's oldest child, is 13. Then there are Kermit, 11; Ethel, 9; Archibald, 6, and Quentin, 3.

MRS. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

ROOSEVELT’S COTTAGE AT OYSTER BAY, L. I.

ALICE ROOSEVELT.