St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-18
TALK WITH A TRAVELLER.
Theodore ROOsevelt's Views on New
York and Federal Policies.


A young man, q SLOUGH hat. salt and pep
per clothes, and colored shirt collar and
cuffs, arrived at the Merchants early yes
terday morning. His face was young. al
most bOyish. 1t was open and frank. A
small mustaehe of light brown covered his
upper lip. He carried an Oyercoat on his
arm and travelling bag. As he neared the
clerks desk he parted with his belongings.
giving them To the care of a bellbOy and.
taking pen, wrote his name on the regis
ter. He wrote his name and address as
follows:
Theodore Roosevelt. New York.
So
Removing his hat, clOsely-cropped head
of light brown hair was exposed 20 view.
He engaged in conversation with the clerk
as TO his room and the departure of the
train for Dakota, and during this brief con-
versation puckered up his mouth as if to
give more explosive emphasis 10 his words.
The same muscular contraction was visible
in the region of his eyes, and at times de-
generated into a squint. 1t was apparently
the result of extreme near sightedness, as
when he donned his eye glasses, the con-
traction disappeared. He was shown to a
room, where he remained during the day,
or until o'clock in the afternoon, when he
took his departure for the North.
81
The ex-member of the New York legisla-
ture, the leader of the young Republicans
of the Empire state, and the man who was
principally noted for the reforms. accom-
piiShed and contemplated in the body poll
tic. was visited at his rooms. He said that
he was on the way 10 his ranch near Me-
dora, Oak, and expected TO remain thereon
during the greater part of the coming sum-
mer, as he anticipated making some
changes that would require his personal at
tention. While not pretending TO be an ex-
pert on cattle. he claimed that he knew
something about their care and breeds, and
had several thousand head on his Dakota
ranch. He said that he enjoyed his cowboy
experience, and had he not other interests
in New York, would leave the East and
make his permanent home in the growing,
bustling Northwest. He said that he al
ways supplied himself with books ont on
his ranch, and spent good portion of his
time in reading and writing. some literary
production generally engaging his atten-
ton.
Referring to New York political matters,
he said that everything in that state was
badly mixed. The fact that no general
election would be held in that state the COM
ing fall, he thought, prevented the people
from discussing or taking very much inter
est in politics. He was of the opinion that
no one could predict with any certainty the
result Of the next state election i'm New
York, or the probable nominees of either
party. He was not prepared TO admit that
Senator COnkling WAS preparing for a re-
entry into public life in the role OF reformer,
IN connection with his investigation of the
street charter steals rs counsel. lie said
that Senator ConklIng'S name was not very
generally discussed in New York political
circles as possible factor in future conbi-
nations, although his name might become
mere popular in that connection within the
next few months.
~
Discussing federal affairs, he said that he
believed President Cleveland intended to do
what was right, but was actuated by parti-
san ideas and party benefits. He claimed
that the president had recognized the indie
pendent voters only in the doubtful states
and had ignored them in the hopelesSly
Democratic commonwealth. He said that
in his opinion the Republican senators had
not made the most of their opportunities in
the contest with the president over the re-
moyal of ofIiceholders without giving the
reason therefor, in fact, they had not
sounded the key note to an issue that would
result 10 the Republican party's benefit.
He thought their action had not been con-
siStent and showed a lack of principle.
For instance, it was the duty Of the Repub-
lican senators TO reject the appointment of
any man who was not fit for the Office, and
they should occupy that high plane OF
public duty and not permit any senatorial
courtesy. or the request of any senator to
interfere with the carrying out of this prin-
ciple. He thought that inasmuch as
Chase and Pillsbury were rejected. Dement,
and Gilman should also have been rejected.
In the former case, they were rejected be-
cause the Maine senators desired it, and i'm
the latter similar excuse in Dement'S
favor resulted in his confirmation. He
entertained the belief that the senators
should be consistent, and that such matters
as combinations of appointees should be
discussed and settled in open session of the
senate.