The evening times., 1900-02-03
Roo<eNeIt's --latest Fad.

For obvious reasons. political as well as
sporting circles in the Empire State are
awaiting With eager anticipation the ap-
pe8rarCe 0f The Governor OF New York as
an eager candidate for wrestling honors.
According to reliable authorities the Hon.
Theodore Roosevelt will soon meet an
amateur adversary in the New York Ath-
leiie club This announcement dissipates
the mystery surrounding the recent antics
5f Jhs NeW York Executive. who has con
vtfted the upper floor OF his official resi-
deuer al Albany into gymnasium and
engaged professional strong man 10 in
troduce him to the intricacies Of the catch
as-Jateh-can and other styles o, throwing
the ether fellow down.
so far as displaying versatility is con-
eerned Mr Roosevelt has been peren-
nial wonder. There are few men who
Cuisld write magazine articles. govern a
Stste defy the crack OF the political ring
masters whip. and keep an athletic in
stfucior busy without a ruinous sacrifice
of sleep and nourishmenL Mr. Roosevelt
reminds one -forcibly OF the musical gem
tlemsn who used to rig himself up With a
complicated mass of levers and leather.
playing a bass and snare drum with cne
hand the cymbais with his elbow. and
blowing cornet-although there is not
quite 50 much harmony.
The Governor of New York is apparently
endowed with an irresistible ambition to
play many parts in the vaudeville Of cur
rent affairs, bur even his friends are be-
coming concerned over his alarming yer
satiliJy. Those who have maryeled at his
large assortment of talents are wondering.
not without trepidation. what he Will do
next. None has evidently possessed the
required amount of audacity styled
nerve in the parlsnce OF the thorough
fares-to adnonish the Governor that the
propIiety Of his latest ambition is to be
questioned. Perhaps his effervescent pug
nacity has deferred these timorous satel-
les from breathing the suggestion that
wrestling bout is slightly nncom-
patihle with the exalted dignity OF
the gubernatorial Office. They doubtless
athletic diversion may be in
imical TO his higher political aspirations.
There was a time when none considered
il undignded to squirm and f'1me and
struggle in the contests of the amphithea-
tire Athletics were considered q branch OF
art in ancient Greece. A candidate for the
Olympian games must be examined as TO his
birth. social position and moral character.
Plato. the exalted philosopher appeared Ia
the Tsihmian games at Cornth and rh-
Pyt hisn games at Sicyon. Even the sedate
pythagoras gained prize for his power Of
muscle al Els and gave instruction in ath-
iefics The honor in which the Olympian
victor was held Is historical The place Of
bis nativity was proud 10 acknowledge him
and statues were often reared 10 the cham
rion Of ths arena. But times have changed.
Tn aodsfn professional ia ali manner q
fhl,fles has assisted measurably In TIE
.rsussofration.
The strong vigorous. muscular combat
se individual IL Etlil admired for bis
physical development aud set manages q
Jlsim considerable amount - public ada
Isficu Bw the people have separated he
muscular from the Esenial nowadays and
they seldom elect a man TO position of
conspicuous responsibility OF rear a monu-
uenl 20 commemorate bis prowess simply
aegause D. is handy With hts fists or aeet
ol fogl.
Notuiths;andins The amateur charac-
Ger a. the athletic event in which the ca
nrf sious Governor OF New York is sched-
uled 10 appear at IN early date. it is hcand
20 o. at least moderately offensive to con-
rentiouai ideas OF shat the chief official
c great Commonwealth should do TO
maintain the profound dignity OF the sta
1ion with which he has Oeen honored II
j, Is proper for Governor to disport him
self ia leshings before even a select pub |
lie il is not improper for a President TO
match himself against some clever unpro- !
fessional pnncher Cor a go" of ten or
twenty rounds Yet there are few who
eill defead the higher official if he be-
comes sufficiently erratic 10 openly avow |