The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-09-19
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The Man Who is Called a Typical
American.
Is Still Young, Though He Has Accom-
plished Much-Sketch of His Strenuous
Career.

Theodore Roosevelt was born in
New York on October 81, 1857. He
will thus be A years old next month.
He looks younger than 40. He is
athletic. His eyes are blue and clear.
his hand cordial in greeting, and his
teeth, which his manner of speech
habitually discloses, are marvelously
regular and white. He is studious
and Jealous.
Mr.. Roosevelt's ancestry made New
York City history. 1t was Dutch and
French Huguenot. 1t was God-fear-
ing and laborious. 1t had opinions
and it chung to them. The Vice
President inherited all the family
traits. AT 20 he was almost an in
valid. Close application to his stud
les in Columbia and Harvard had
still further weakened him. He was
a heavy reader of books, patient
student, a quick observer.
He tried plunge into New York
politics. In his city district was a
Republican machine combination
that showed no disposition to recog-
nlze his desire to become a member
of the Legislature. He fought the
machine and defeated it.
He went to Albany in 1881, nation
ally obscure, but indomitable. In
three years he put through the States
civil service act and an act regulating
primary elections. Party machine
leaders frowned upon him, but he
| went on his way.
In 1884 Mr.. Roosevelt went as a del
egate to the National Convention of
that year. His health troubled him
and he sought new life at Chimney
Butte, OAK, where he grazed cattle
and led the life of cowboy. He be-
came known from Medora to Dickin-
! son as the boldest and bravest cattle
man in the region. He did what the
| COW men did. He lived as they lived.
He commanded the respect of even
the desperadoes. His lungs expanded,
his body developed and he gained a
reserve of health that seems to have
| grown every year since.
He lost money on his cattle venture,
but he returned to New York strong
man physically, and made the race
for Mayor of that city. He was de
feated, but he laughed. He under
stood that the corrupt elements of
| this city would not tolerate him, but
| he waited. Meanwhile he wrote
| books-books on hunting, books on
Western life, books on Eastern cities.
His style in literature was vigorous
| and pleasing. His books sold well
and the magazines made great de-
mands for his writings. The public
| liked his breeziness, his evident sin
certify, his courage, and partially APP
preciated him before he became a
National Civil Service Commissioner
in 1889.
Once at Washington, he commenced
an enforcement of the law of the
most vigorous kind. He made him
self disliked among the spoilsmen of
both parties, but he held to the line
of his duty. He took the law as he
found it, lived true to his oath of
office and made the measure respected
in many quarters where it had been
sneered at before.
From Washington he passed to
Police Commissioner in New York.
His peculiar ability to work, and
work on right lines, gave the corrupt
police force such a shaking up as it
had never had before. He was Police
Commissioner in every sense of the
word, unbribable, unapproachable,
fair to the fair-minded, severe on the
criminal. His books continued to
sell in increasing number, and the
public, through the press, began to
have a broader view of him.
When the Spanish-American war
came he was Assistant Secretary of
the Navy by the authority of Presi-
dent Mckinley. He had much to do
with the organization of the navy for
the conflict, and it has always been
believed that his influence largely
contributed to the sending of Admiral
Dewey to Hongkong and thence to
Manila bay.
When the war became q certainty,
Mr.. Roosevelt resigned his position in
the Navy Department, and, with
Gen. Leonard Wood, organized the
First Volunteer Cavalry better known
as the Rough Riders. General Wood
was colonel of this regiment and Mr..
Roosevelt lieutenant colonel. The
members of the regiment came from
the first families in the East, from
ranches in the West; came from
wherever good horsemen, daring men
and good shots could be secured.
The regiment was the most UNIQUE
of its kind ever organized, and was