The new North-west., 1884-06-20
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
A Chat With New York's Young Political
Reformer
Pioneer Press.

| Pioneer Press.
Theodore Roosevelt, the young New Yorl
resormer, who has already gained nationa
reputation, spent yssterday in st. Paul. Mr.
Roosevelt is unique figure in political his
tory. He entered political life Immediately
upon graduating from Harvard college anc
determined to push In practical politics thai
theory Of reform he had imbibed amid tn.
shades Of Cambridge. He had energy and
enough of the old Dutch obstinacy to make
I his will answering. What he proposed hx
carried out, and during his two terms in the
New York Legislature forced through tha,
body asweeping policy of reform that aston
ished the politicians of the country. Despite
the frantic efforts of the Warner Miller ele-
Roosevelt was elected delegate at large to
Chicago. There he was prominent figure,
and worked untiringly for Edmunds until
the break for Blaine and the latter's nomina.
tion. Mr.. Roosevelt is not like Blaine OIL
Conkliag, person who would attract atten-
tion upon the street or at public assembly.
He is short and slight and with rather an or.
dinary appearance, although his frame is
wiry and his flashing eyes and rapid, ner,
vous gestures betoken a hidden strength.
He is not at all an ideal Harvard alumnus,
for he lacks that ingrained conceit and grace
of manner that residence at Cambridge in
sures. Although Of the old Knickerbocker
stock, his manner and carriage are awkward
and not at all impressive. Mr.. Roosevelt did
not seem anxious to be interviewed yester-
day, but did not refuse to speak Of the issues
Of the convention.
MIR. RoosEvELT's VIEWS.
"The platform Is an admirable one," he
said, "as strong as the party has had since
the old war days. 1t will gain thousands Of
votes all over the country. Scarcely Re
publican or Independent of conservative ideas
but must endorse 1t heartily. 1t should Sc
cure Ohio beyond question. The Demo
cratic party is left out In the cold again, as
usual, and must follow in the main our
platform or give up the fight. As to the
nominee? Mr.. Blaine was not my choice;
From my knowledge of affairs In New York,
and of the wide spread sentiment among the
independent voters, whose decision carries
the vote of the State, Of dissatisfaction with
anything that savored Of the machine, did
not favor either Blaine or Arthur. Mr.. Ed
munds is man whom every one respected,
against whose character not breath can be
whispered, man of integrity, firmness and
most marked ability. He would poll the
whole independent vote, and think the less
rabid party men among the Democrats would
have voted for him In preference to many
pssessis ne-.o~-..s. -.,~,ain.As How was
Blaine's nomination effected? All, that Is q
very simple question to answer. Aside from
his own strength of $50 odd votes that would
stick to him through thick and thin, the
Plumed knight was the second choice of
two thirds of the remainder of the delegates.
AS soon as they saw the nomination of their
candidate was impossible, and Blaine's nom.
ination probable, they focked to him in
body.
A COMBINATION AGAINST BLAINE IMPos-
sIBLE.
This was why no combination against
Blaine was possible. Do not think we had
not studied the situation carefully. Very
little had escaped our canvass, and We felt
almost certain Blaine was to be the nomi.
nee. When we defeated Clayton with
Lynch I felt encouraged, but ID soon trans
pired that to hold the votes cast for Lynch
against Blaine was impossible. have been
asked why Arthur's support was not trans
ferred after the first ballot TO Edmunds or
Hawley. Such a transfer was impossible.
Blaine Is popular In the South as we'll as the
West, and the moment Arthur was with
drawn, many Of his supporters would rush
ut once to Blaine. Our emily hope was to
hold the support Of the different candidates
firm until, If Blaine did not gain, all could
break into rush for some one dark horse.
The enthusiasm for Blaine was too great,
however, and the break came, but for him
instead of against him. The enthusiasm
was tremendous; I never saw anything ap-
preaching IL. Even Curtis smiled, and had
not been so positively for Edmunds, don't
know but would have been carried away
myself by the contagion, and found myself
throwing up my hat for Blaine. Blaine is
The choice of two-thirds of the rank and file
Of the party. About New York, and my own
course9 Ah, my friend, We approach dam
gerous ground. For myself, 1 shall bolt the
domination BY no means. have no person
ii objection to Blaine, but had preference
for another man. I think you will find there
will be no fatal disafection. Blaine Is an
able man and brilliant mas, and he has
hat wonderful personal magnetism that at
tracts and retains friends. His very name
has something of . magnetic ring.
BLAINE WILL BE ELECTED.
ayes, think Blaine will be elected. He
will sweep the West and Ohio, and will
carry all New England. shall support the
.lcket, most certainly. have been called
reformsr, but am Republican. 1t is too
sarly to speak of New York. No man to
lay can tell how that State will vote. do
not think It impossible for Blaine to carry It.
There ars great many complications that
must solve themselves. It depends largely
IN New York City, and that depends on the
altitude of Tilden and Of Kelly and upon the
Democratic nominee. Really, can proph-
'sy nothing IS to New York. ! have not
'sen Curtis nor Lodge since the convention,
md We have not discussed its outcome.
will tell you that do not think there will
'e an Independent candidate. Those who
viii not vote ths Republican ticket will stay
way from the polls. As TO the bolt Of the
New York Times, / am inclined To think It
would support either Cleveland or Dorshei-
ner, II nominated BY the Democrats"
Mysterious Murder.
NEW ORLEANS, june 9.-The Picayune's
srec;.i savo. Tnforr,, efion IL -