Evening star., 1901-03-04
Sketch of the Stirring Incidents in
Mr.. Roosevelt's Life.
HIS ENERGETIC INDIVIDUALITY
Something Of Mrs. Roosevelt and
the Family Circle.
II o NJ Z IN f L L E n C E S


air of expectancy. coupled with uncertainty,
surrounds the speculations as to his career
in the presiding chair of the Senate, and
what II may lead to.
1t is impossible to conceive of Theodore
Roosevelt as a passive figure amid scenes
of activity and contention. Yet the vice
presidency IS the most inactive Of all prom
inent positions in the conduct of govern
ment affairs.
The new Vice President is not a stranger
TO public men nor to public affairs. He is
well equipped at every point, and if it were
on the floor of the Senate, instead of in the
chair. that his destiny had placed him, II
would take but little knowledge of his
character to forcsee for him a career con-
:. .Cuous for yigOr and activity, with much
Of accomplishment. In the Vice Presidents
chair there is little opportunity for inno-
walton. The field of action is narrow, and
through more than hundred years there
has been little change from the dignitied
inactivity OF the office The Vice Presi
dents participation in affairs has been linn
tied within narrow conventional lines with
but seldom an OppOr tunity to exercise any
power, while the influence is only such as
may be acquired by individual force of
character directed by great tact.
Vice President Hobart, who displayed lit
tie aSSreSsiveness of disposition, possessed.
perhaps, much influence as has any man
in that position.
RUoscvclt's life has been occupied in do
Il q SS-
is impatient of dullness and delays 0-
rcctness not Circumlocution, distinguishes
his method. and his habits of life are not
In conSonance with the evasions and delays
of senatorial practice. Whether in the
voiceless character of presiding officer he
can manage to inspire that body to siren
uous activity Is one of the things that
minds are specializing upon.
About him is an individuality which in
all conditions surrounding his career here
tofore has found expression. That it will
find some expression now cannot be doubt
ed, though the opportunity appears slight.
a strong Individuality.
In the public mind daring and impetuos-
ity, rather than profound thought and
statesmanlike contriving, are associated
with the idea Of Teddy Roosevelt. but
clear thoughtfulness and wise con-
trivinS are as characteristic of him as are
those qualities for which he is best known
He is far better politician than people
generally take him to be. and there is much
Of planning behind his most impetuous
moves He admires vigorous manhood and
CultlVateS its qualities. but his Vgor is
mental as well as physical; he is a student
as well as a fighter and lover of the chase.
He is as aggressive in ideas as he is in ac-
tions. and there is about him much which
gives inspiration and courage to those who
are doubtful or timid Not only has he
studied, but he fully comprehends
history, and has associated events with
men and their purposes and has marked
each influence that has aided in producing
greatness. Turned To this study, his mind
Is analytical well as eager, and he un-
GcTStdudS the qualities which constitute
the strong. He is not half as apt to make
mistakes In his own action as his impetu-
Gus manner might indicate. While hunting
he enjoys the vigorous exercise, but in
this eager enjoyment of eXertiOn he does
not forget the game for which he seeks
TIL Is equally characteristic of him in
pOi.,icS or anything else to which he di-
rccts his energies His spirit IS like that
which inspires a foot ball game; the locker
may think thar the pleasure lies all in
the rough and-tunble fght-the broken
heads and bending ribs-but beyond all this,
the expert knows. is the goal. Whatever
Ro0seyelt's goal may be, he does not lose
sight of il simply because he seems TO en-
joy the struggles he encounters on the
way. With all his seeming rashness he
can play part well as any man.
He is a most companiOnable man ard
sturdy friend. bat despises man who al
WAYS hesitateS. He regards hesitation
an evidence of weakness of Judgment as
well Of spirit.
As n Civil Service RefOrmer.
Mr. Roosevelt first became widely known
through his active efforts for the puriica-
ton end regeneration Of politics. He was
closely associated with George William Cur
It's and other weu-kuown civil service re-
formers in the work Of relieving the public
service of the pressure Of partisan politics
in influencing appointments. While in the
New York legislature from 1SS2 TO 1884 he
cid efficient service toward purifying the
civil service in New York state. He was
the author Of the civil service bill which
was adopted by the legislature of 1sS3 near
IL coincidenJ with the enactment of the
national civil service law.
In his work of reform he showed the ag
gressive vigor which has characterized his
career. and il is perhaps due to him as
much as 10 any man that this system to
promote the public service was lifted out
of the field Of academic discussion and
sustained by sturdy combat. His first ap-
pearance in national politics vas in 1884,
when he headed the New York delegation
az the republican national convention. Two
years later he was a candidate for mayor
of New York and, though unsuccessful, he
carried the fight for reform into that
stronghold of political corruption with a
courage and determination which contribu-
ted 70 the awakening of public sentiment.
With the Commission.
As national civil service commissioner Mr.
Roosevelt performed most valuable services
TO the country. He was appointed presi-
dent OF the civil service commission by
President Harrison in 1853 and entered upon
his duties with determination to establish
beyond question the efficiency of the civil
service law for the protection Of the gov
the operation Of the spoils system. under
which efficiency had to give way to the
claim of reward for partisan services often
of character far from creditable
In this position Mr. Roosevelt divested
himself of all partisan character and was
the true exponent of the reform which the
law was enacted 20 sustain. He knew no
fear and had no favorites. but sought to
expose every attempt at evasion of the
law. and no influence waws great enough
and no jeopardy Of self-interest had suffici
ent terror 10 cause him to hesitate. At times
he was brought into conflict with those OF
his own party who possessed great power
but far from yielding to their pressure the
consciousness that the fate OF the reform
might depend upon his courage only served
70 rouse him to greater vigor Of action
A Tilt With Political CorruptiOn
His career as head of the commission was
for the most part stormy. He was alert
and. watchfui and diligent in ferreting out
all evasions attempts at evasions of the
law. and in exposing those responsible
The civil service reform was no longer carl
catured In the public mind as a blue-stock-
inged old maid, with spit curls under poke
bonnet. 1t became young gladiator offer
Ing battle TO all corrupt forces.
In every department of the government