Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-18
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.
SKETCH OF PRESIDENT M'klN-
LEYs SUCCESSOR.
YOUNGEST MAN WHO EVER HELD
THE HIGH oFFIcE-HTs BRIL-
LIANT CAREER.

Theodore Roosevelt, who became Presi-
dent OF the United States Immediately on
the death of President Mckinley, and
whaa took the oath of office Saturday
afternoon, is the youngest man who ever
held the high office. Scarcely yet OF
middle age, he has won a high place In
the literary world as we'll as in politics.
As soldier, legislator, writer, ranchman,
sportsman, civil service reformer, poll
tician, police commissioner, governor OF
New York state, assistant secretary
OF the navy, president Of the United
States, he is the personification of the
strenuous life" of which so much is
being written nowadays.
Theodore Roosevelt was born In New
York city Oct. "a, 1858, and therefore Is
not quite forty-three years OF age. He
came OF one OF the old New York
families, with minglipg OF Dutch and
Huguenot blood In his veins.
Though weakliug as child, he de-
veloped himself into a strong and active
man, and his passion for hunting game
and his love OF adventure have added not
the least picturesque part to his history.
Mr.. Roosevelt is stockily built, and some
three inches short of six feet In height.
He entered Harvard In 1876, and soon
became prominent in field sports. He be-
came noted as boxer and wrestler, and
was for time captain OF the college polo
team. He did not neglect bis studies,
and when he was graduated, In 1850, he
took high honors. During bis stay in the
university he had been editor of the Adro-
cate, a college paper, and gave particular
attention to the study of history and
natural history. He became member OF
the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity.
At the conclusion of bis college course
he went abroad for year, spending part
of the time In study in Dresden. He re-
turned to New York In 1881, and 10 the
same year married Miss Alice Lee, OF Bos-
ton. Two years later be lost his wife and
mother within a week.
Mr.. Roosevelt entered politics In New
York in 1881. His natural, his undeniab bic
charm, and interest with which eSde-
scended into the arena of local politics
made him friends on every side. Within
few months the young college man was
elected to the assembly OF the State from
his home district where he became the
undisputed leader of republicans.
H. Il.
tion OF New York city-a task that would
have appalled, less determined man. lie
secured the passage OF the bill which
deprived the city council of the power to
veto the appointments of the mayor, a
prerogative which had nullified every
previous attempt at reform, and had made
the spoiiation OF the city's Golfers at easy
matter.
He became so popular that not only was
he returned to three sessions OF the as
sembly, but his party in the state soon
realized that he was one OF its strongest
men, and he was sent to the repu blican
national convention OF 1881, as chairman
OF the New York delegation.
The deaths of his wife and mot her had
been severe shock, for Mr.. Roosevelt IL
man of the strongest personal attach
ments. He turned aside from public life
for time and went West, " here he passed
year or two hunting, trapping and
rapching.
10 1856 he was back In New York, and
received the repu Di,can hominali ion for
mayor. Opposed to him were Abram s.
Hewitt, tue democratic candidate, and
Henry George, the apostle OF single tax.
II WAS said that fear that George would
be elected sent thousands OF Republican
votes to Hewitt, whose chances of success
seemed greatly better than those OF his
young republican opponent. Hewitt
was elected, but Mr.. Roosevelt received a
larger proportion OF the votes cast than
had any Other republican candidate for
mayor up to that time.
This same year Mr.. Roosevelt married
Miss Edith Kermit Csrow, daughter of an
old New York family. They have five
children-three sons and two daughte
For few years Mr.. Roosevelt was out
OF politics, and occupied much OF this
time In research in preparation for his
historical works.
In 1889 President Harrison appointed
him member of the United States civil
service commission. He was one of the
most noted advocates of the merit system
in the public service. In Congress and In
the ranks of the leaders of his party hun
dreds Of opponents sprang up to attack
him, but he held to his way and eyentu-
ally won to his OVID way OF thinking
many public men.
He served for six years, two OF them
under President Cleveland. In that time
the number OF persons who were made
subject to the civil law was increased
from L, 900 to nearly 10000, and the still
further great increase made by the orders
of President Cleveland in the late years
of his first administration was largely
due to Mr.. Roosevelt's efforts.
He, in 1895, resigned from the commits
sion to accept appointment as police com
missioner OF the city OF New York under
Mayor Strong. In the wave OF reform
which swept over New York in 1894 o. the