New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-09-15
THE NEW PRESIDENT.
THEODORE ROOSEVEL7'S CAREER, ONE OF AGGRESSIVE
FIGHTING IN MANY FIELDS
HIS IDEAS, IDEALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

"Agoressire fighting for the right is the greatest
nort the aoorId kRo,us," is an epigram attributed
% Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United
gates former President, Ex-Governor of
New-York veteran of the Santiago campaign
colonel Of the Rough Riders, former Assistant
Secretary OF the Navy, eX-President of the New
York Police Board ex-Civil Service Commits
sioner. ex-Assemblyman. Harvard graduate,
author cowboy and hunter; and the epigram
has been characteristic of the in all of
those varied positions and capacities "Strenu-
ous" is an adjective which he has popularized,
and a better one could not be selected to de-
scribe his chosen habits of work and play from
his boyhood TO the present hour.
Even at an early age he displayed peculiar
will power in graphing with adverse condi-
ions power great that it transformed him
-rorn a delicate youth-'.pg chested" are the
words he has used in describing his boyish
rhysiGue-into man Of almost marvellous en-
durance. of fine muscular development and OF
great nervous energy. II have made my health
what 1t is" he said during one of those car plat
from stump speaking tours of his. which Slapped
all the strength out OF most of those who under
took TO keep up with him. Il found 1 could not
NAV at the games Of other boys so l deter
mined that would be strong and well like the
10 increase my strength. with the result that by
the time entered Harvard 1 able to take
nv part in whatever manly sports liked, and
not only take part, but hold my end up pretty
well with the best Of them, though never ac-
tuaIy won a championship"
HIS ENTRY INTO POLITICS.
He was graduated in 1880. being then twenty
two years old and took a European trip for
g. rest before entering on his life career. His
first view of the Alps inspired him with desire
TO surmount them, and he climbed the jung
frau and the Matterhorn before that desire was
satisfied.
Returning TO New-York, his native city-for
he was born at No IS East Twentiet h-st-he
began the study of law, but soon became en-
crossed in politics. He has described his entry
into the political field thus: Il have always
believed that every man should join a political
organization and should attend the primaries;
that he should not be content TO be merely gov
erned, but should do his part Of that work. So
after leaving college / went TO the local polit-
cal headquarters attended all the meetings and
took my part in whatever came up There
arose revolt against the member Of Assembly
from that district and was nominated to sue
coed him. and was elected"
ELECTED AssEMBLYMAN.
It was in the fall of 1881 that he was elected
10 the Assembly from the XXIst District, and
he was twice reelected, serving in the legis
Iatures Of 1882, 1883 and 1884. At Albany he
found an ample field for that aggressiveness of
his nature which wrong always -arousee Some
OF The veterans were at first only amused at his
straightforward and dsingeauous speeches but
they soon realized that this ridiculously candid
youngster." as one Of them called him, was
Ec,-a bo as-n
or by secret methods.
Few men looked more untitled for public life
His eyeglasses led the Tammany Hall members
TO think him effeminate. until they learned that
he was fine boxer, and two or three encoun-
tiers, which did not however. lead to any blows
convinced them that he a courageous man.
but the fact being disclosed that he had written
book. the opinion gained ground that he
merely writer, and therefore would take no
prominent part in legislation
The member from the XXIst Assembly Dis
trict, however, soon began expressing his senti-
ments and the serious minded members of the
Assembly became convinced that his judgment
on New-York City matters was sound. He spoke
rapidly spoke attractively, hit hard, was good
humored, but savagely sarcastic in dealing with
well known rascals. and public opinion outside
The Capitol was soon IN his favor.
For several years attempts had been made to
pass reform charter for New York City. All
failed because the threatened departments
united and We're too strong for the reformers.
fAssenbyman Roosevelt made his attacks on
certain departments of New-York City sepa-
rately, and bowIed them over one by one.
his rise in rank in the Assembly start
hngly rapid. The second year of his mem
pershp he the Republican candidate for
speaker. Il was a Democratic House but the
honor was nevertheless great one for young
man In his third year as an Assembyman he
was put al the head Of the Committee Cities,
having proved his thorough knowledge of the
ehairs OF New-York and other cities.
de served his constituency particularly well
by aiding in the passage OF bills abolishing fees
IN the Offices of the Register and the County
Clerk, and while chairman of the Committee
on Cities he introduced reform legislation which
proved immensely beneficial One of his meas
ures was the act taking from the Board of Al
oerlneh power 10 confirm reject the appoint
ihehts OF the Mayor. He chairman Of the
noted legislative investigating committee which
pore his name. and which revealed many Of the
abuses existing in the city government in the
early SOS
Assembyman Roosevelt was highly popular
WIN MS associates irrespective Of party 1t is
seioom man receives more genuine expressions
y sympathy than ne did from his fellow Assem-
piSmen when his mother and his wife both died
ohe week. The Roosevelt of that period
vas already a national figure Attending
'ie republican State Convention Of 1884, he was
erected one OF NETWORKS four delegates-at-
Aiee 10 The Republican National Convention, as
oe'esafe DESTROYS of nominating George Il.