The times., 1899-07-10
RooseveIt and the President.

Rooseyef nnd the President.
The visit of Governor Theodore Roose-
welt to the President has naturally led to
considerable speculation as to its cause
and purpose. There seems to be a quite
general impression that it has been lot
without reference to the Philippine situa-
tion and organization of the new provi-
sional army Some of the Rough Riders
admirers in New York even go SO Ear as
to say that nobody need be surprised if he
should suddenly lay down the tiara of his
present exalted position and appear in the
martial panoply of a volunteer brigadier
general with a view to the command of two
or three regiments of rougher riders than
ever.
in the cases of ordinary men such a
course of action would be looked upon as
absurdly improbable, but Roosevelt is not
ordinary. He is extraordinary and always
pected spot. 1t is Just possible than an
ambition to become the conqueror and
pacificator of the Philippine archipelago
might incite him to do what another would
never think of doing. We do not, however.
attach any Importance to the theory 1t is
much more probable that the bold Gov
ernor was called TO meet Mr.. Mckinley to
discuss matters concerning which it is said
the former has made very pointed and
unequivocal representations to the White
House, since his return from the West.
II we are not mistaken in that idea, it is
proper to congratulate the President upon
his opportunity to hear some unpleasant
is bound to place confidence.
For instance it is known that recently.
when Governor Roosevelt was on his trav-
els he heard the premonitory rumbling OF
an angry storm of popular Indignation at
the Administration for its cynical and bare
faced protection and promotion of Alger-
ism. He is not the man to hide the light
OF that information from his chief; nor
would he know how to conceal his belief
that the country is disgusted with the su-
pine and shameful policy and inaction
which prevented Otis from closing out the
Filipino mutiny last spring. Governor
Roosevelt is a man of force and action. He
wants to see the insurrection crushed
and the homer of our flag yiRdicated in the
East. He is also a Republican, who wants
his party to stand well before the coun-
try, because one OF these days he locks
TO it TO make him President of the United
States. On this latter account he has a
personal as well as patriotic reason for
wishing to see the organization purged OF
its current abuses, corruptions. and crimes.
He would not be the combative, sanguin-
he did rot speak plainly and to the point to
the Commarder-in-C Chief. Mr.. Mckinley
may act upon his counsel. If so, it will be
well. We are sorry that he cannot have
the author of the Round Robin always by
him TO stiffen his back.
Indeed. it is pity that, at this june
ture. Roosevelt could Eot be made Secre-
hesitate at such extreme action, even if the
other one were willing to exchange the
Executive Mansion at Albany for Alger's
old desk. But Roosevelt in the War Office
would mean a crushing blow to the pres
ent system, and all the financial and pro-
ducing interests behind the contracting
purchasing, and franchise peddling
branches of the service would be instant
ly up in arms. If the Rough Rider were
only man who could assume without
practicing honesty, he would be an ideal
Secretary OF War from the Republican
party viewpoint; but, as, once in power,
it is certain he would pull his gun and be-
gin TO hunt the corruptiCnists and malfeas-
ants whom everybody knows but dares not
name. no one can consider him in any light
but that of an impossibility.
He came over here bent upon relieving
his mind, and we have no doubt he ac-
complished that object. Mr.. Mckinley is
not in a position to hear much truth, as
rule. We trust that the unusual sensa-
tion has been agreeable to him.