The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-09-15

HIS ENTRY INTO POLITICS.
Colonel Roosevelt first became promi-
nent in New York politics as an advo-
cate Of civil service reform From 1852
70 1884 he was an assemblyman in the
/ New York legislature and introduced the
! first civil service bill. which was passed
IN 1883 almost simultaneously with the
: passage of the celebrated measure in con-
gress. On account OF his scholastic and
oratoricaI accomplishments. he advanced
rapidly to the front in political life, and
in 1884 was made chairman of the New
York delegation to the national Republi-
can convention. Two years later he ex-
( perienced his first political reverses,
when he became an independent candi-
date for mayor of New York CITY; al
though he received the Endorsement Of
the Republican Orga nizaion. he was de-
feated at the polls. IN 1889 President
Harrison appointed him civil service com
missioner, and he served as chairman Of
the board until 1895. While occupying this
important political position he was rigid
in applying civil service principles to
all executive departments. with the re-
suit that during this administration the
number. of federal employees placed under
=
from 1900 to 10000.
In 1885. Colonel Roosevelt resigned his
position on the board Of civil service com
missiouers to accept the presidency OF
the New York board of police c, minis
sioners. an investigation having ,hown
the appalling corruption Of the New York
police officials. Many drastic and radical
reform measures were put into effect dur
ing his administration, with the result
that things were greatly improved and
complaints became less. numerous and in
sistent. In 1897 Colonel Roosevelt resigned
this position TO become. assistant secre-
tary of the navy under President Nc
Kinley. Shortly after assuming the du-
ties of this office he asked for an ap-
preparation of $4,000 for ammunition for
target practice in the navy. and this re-
quest being granted he asked for an
other appropriation Of 100000 later on.
which was also granted. Although some
doubts were entertained at first as to the
wisdom Of this measure. the assistant
secretary's foresight was happily vindi-
Gated in the following year by the sue
cessfUl issue Of the Spanish-Anerican
war. which turned largely upon the UNI
erring skill of the American sailors in
the handling of guns. Though Colonel
Roosevelt possessed no special equipment
for the naval portfolio when he entered
upon the duties of his new position. he
carried into this department the prestige
Of superior executive ability; and with
the aid of an acute intellect he speedily
graspcd hte situation. No sooner had
he acquired an intimate familiarity with
the personnel OF the navy than he sug-
gested the appointment of Admiral. then
Commodore Dewey, as commander of the I
Asiatic feet, thus paving the way for
the splendid victory at Manila. On the
of the Spanish-American war
in 1898. Colonel Roosevelt resigned his 7
position as assistant Secretary of the /
navy, and undertook the organization of /
a regiment of Western cowboys and hum I
tiers. subsequently known in the history |
of the war as the Rough Riders.
ROOSEVELT AS A SOLDIER.
Colonel Roosevelt had experienced in 1
earlier years the hardy outdoor life of the /
western plains and had, moreover. enjoy /
ed some brief military experience as a !
captain in the New York state militia. |
1T was not surprising that 4
his martial emotions should have prompt
ed him to give UP his position in the 4
navy for the purpose of going to the
front at the head of such an organization
as the Rough Riders. But when the regi-
ment was made up he modcstIy declined I
the command in favor of Colonel Leonard /
Wood, accepting for himself the rank of
lieutenant colonel. Without undertaking
to follow him through the vicissitUdes Of
his brilliant military career ii sufices 10
say that he acquitted himself with dis
inguished gallantry and scholarship IT.
an of the engagements which preceded
he fan of Santiago. the Rough Riders
ook an important part. and at the battle
IF San Juan Colonel Roosevelt himself
ed the desperate charge. winning the adj
niration OF his enthusiastic followers and
,luckiug victory from the Jaws Of defeat.
On July H. 1895 he was commissioned
colonel in recognition Of his distinguished
services on the field. When the war was
over no hero returned home with greater
prestige than Colonel Roosevelt
But still higher houors awaited him.
On September -, 1S2S. Colonel Roosevelt
-eceived the Republican nomination Tor
Of New York, and in the en-
suing battle OF ballots he carried tho
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