Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-22
ENTRANCE INTO POLITICS,

Returning to New York after he had
established his ranches neal Medora, he
threw himself with characteristic vigor
into politics. His party, dissatisfied with
the leaders in his district, chose him as
a candidate for the Legislature. He was
elected, and the men who a regarded
him as a dude speedily learned-as the
cowboys Of Dakota and Montana had
learned long before-that he was a fight
err and every inch a man. He at once
took up the struggle against corrupt leg
islation and fought as he has fought
since; I'm the open with little caution or
diplomacy. and no care for punishment.
He did not lack tact for that is based
upon consideration of others, but he went
straight at his object and ave no one
a chance to wonder for a minute where
he stood. 1t is a question whether n
man in the legislature was ever more
hated and feared han Roosevelt was by
the bosses" in New York.
AS civil service commissions unde
Harrison and Cleveland, Roosevelt spent
six years in enforcing the provisions OF
the United States civil service law. He
believes that merit and fitness, rather
than mere service to party, should gov
ern in appointments to office under the
government. This view is in direct con-
trast to that Of the "spoiis politician"
whose motto is, "to the victor belongs
the spoils," which is but another way OF
saying that to the victorious party be-
longs the right to profit at the expense
of the people-a motto worthy only Of a
pirate. BY reason of his Familiarity
with the methods of the politicians,
Roosevelt was able to meet these men
on their own ground. He fought stead
lily for the extension of the principle of
civil service reform. That he was sue
cessful is shown by the fact that the
number of offices to which the law ap-
piled was more than doubled during his
administration
POLICE COMMISSIONER.
For many years New York city, in
common with most of the great Ameri-
can cities, has been ruled by men who
are to our day what the "robber barons'
were in feudal times. Croker and his
lie%utenants were deposed for a time,
however, and an era of decent govern
ment followed. Roosevelt was placed at
the head Of the police department.. He
announced at>once that he proposed to
respect his <oatffeof Office and to enforce
the laws as he found them. A great up
roar followed and he was bitterly criti-
cized by the partisan press. 1t was about
that time that he lectured before the stu
dents at the University Of Michigan. The
writer remembers hearing him say, with
his accustomed emphasis:
IF a law is good it should be main
tanned; If bad, it should be repealed; but
IN any case, 1t SnCulO De enforced 10 the
letter SO long as it remains upon the
statute-books."
Every honest American citizen will ap-
prove of this statement. The profess
sional politicians disagreed, but they
found remonstrances in vain. To the de-
nunciatiors of his enemies he paid no
attention whatever, while to those who
appealed to him on the ground Of politi-
cal expediency he replied:
II would rather see this administra-
ton turned out because it enforced the
laws than to see 1t succeed by violating
Them"
The results of his policy were quickly
seen . The character Of the police force
was changed for the better; the laws
were enforced without favoritism, and
official blackmail ceased. Within a year
New York was enjoying such an I'M
munity from crime and disorder as she
had not experienced before in a quarter
Of a century.
IN NAVY DEPARTMENT.
From the New York police commission
Roosevelt went to the navy department
Here he rendered invaluable aid in the
preparations for war with Spain. That
done he resigned to go with the Rough
Riders to Cuba So much has been written
of his career as q soldier that little need
be said here. In army life, as in civil life,
he won recognition for his bravery, and
made new friendships because he was
manly and sincere.