The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-09-27

|
ington to become Assistantant Secre-
tary of the Navy. He Immediately
began to set about "sharpening the
tools of the navy" as he termed it,
protesting to a belief that war with
Spain on account of Cuba was inevi-
table. He ardently advocated the re-
cognition of the belligerency Of the
Cubans; displayed great activity in
preparing the navy for fighting, and
causing more or less CONSERVATION
among his superior officers.
SERVICE WITH ROUGH RIDERS.
Having become Assistant Secretary
Of the Navy in 1897, soon after Nc
Kinley was inagurated, he resigned on
May 6, 1898. The war with Spain
was then beginning, and Col. Roose-
welt declared his intention of having
an active part in the fight. He had
had some military experience early
in the sos, serving for four years as
an officer in the Eight Regiment of the
National Guard of New York, hold
ing the rank of captain at the end Of
the period. From among his wide
range of friends-and few men have
greater faculty OF winning and hold
ing friends-Col. Roosevelt organized
the regiment of Rough Riders, whose
deeds we're heralded the country over
At first he was appointed lieutenant
colonel. but was promoted to colonel
for gallantry at La Quasina, Cuba, in
July of 1898, his regiment Laving
been the first to engage the enemy.
For his valor, which not even his
worst enemies question, and for the
glory that his regiment gained in the
battle of San Juan Hill, Col. Rouse
welt returned to the United States as
a great popular hero. Before he left
Cuba he attained considerable no
toriety for his participation in what
was know as the "round robin" urging
that Gen. Shafter be directed to re-
move the troops at once from Cuba on
account of yellow fever. He sought
to have the Rough Riders ordered to
Porto Rico for the campaign which
Gen. Miles was conducting.
CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
As soon as he had returned from
Cuba, in the summer of 1898, the
commander of the Rough Riders
loomcd up as the most available candi-
date for governor Of New York on the
Republican ticket. He was duly
nominated by the party. Even before
his election to that Office, preceded by
a vigorous campaign, in which the
colonel and some of his soldiers thrill
ed the voters of the State on a tour
of speaking, he was mentioned as
candidate for the Presidency. His
administration of the Office of COVER
nor, while not entirely in accord with
what has long been known as the
machine, was characterized by the
same fearless policy and the same
independence as has always marked
the man. There was no discounting
his great popularity outside of New
York. particularly in the far Western
States, and had it not been a foregone
conclusion that Mr.. Mckinley was en-
titled to denomination, Col. Roose-
velt would undoubtedly have been
most formidable candidate. As it was
the idea gained ground at the Phila-
delphia Convention at one time that
Col. Roosevelt might be nominated in
any event. That idea was apparently
without solid foundation. However
the cordial reception given him there
demonstrated that the usual rule had
not been followed of nominating some
unknown man for the second place on
the ticket.
The story of the conflict between
Col Roosevelt and the machine lea
ders of New York State in that con-
vention is still too fresh in the public
mind to demand repetition. While it
has been claimed in some quarters
that Col. Roosevelt was a receptive
candidate for the Vice Presidency, he
nevertheless stoutly declared that he
did not want it, and the popular opin-
ion has been that the nomination was
forced upon him with the view of bury
ing bis Presidential aspirations. He
made brilliant campaign on the
stump, travelling by special train over
the West and through to the Pacific
coast, everywhere receiving a grand
ovation. His term of office as COVER
nor of New York ceased January l
last and March following he was in.
stalled into the office of Vice Presi-
dent.
HIS RECENT TRIP WEST.
Since the adjournment of Congress
Col. Roosevelt had not followed in the
course of most Vice Presidents and
dropped out of the public eye. 1t has
been apparent that he had not ceased
to aspire to the Presidency, notwith-
standing the traditions of the republic
that Vice President can never hope
to secure the nomination for President.
His Western trip, which began few
weeks ago, proved a marked personal
triumph and made it palmer than