The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-14

I to the wisdom of this measure, the as
sistant secretary's foresight was happily
| indicated in the following year by the
successful issue of the Spanish American
war, which turned largely upon the I'M
| erring skill of the American sailors in
| the handling Of guns. Tough Colonel
Roosevelt possessed 20 sreoia3 GU. .Eent
| for the navel portfolio when nc entered
upon the duties of his new position he
| carried into this department the Lres-
| tige of superior executive aaility; and
with the aid OF "a a,uto intellect he
| speedily grasped the situation. No sooner
had he acquired an intimate familiarity
with the personnel of the navy than he
suggested the appointment of Admiral
then Commodore Dewey, as commander
of the Asiatic fleet, thus paving the way
for the splendid victory at Manila. On
the outbreak of the Spanish American
war in 1898, Colonel Roosevelt resigned
his position as assistant secretary of the
navy and undertook the organization of
a regiment of western cowboys and hun
ters, subsequently known in the history
OF the war as the Rough Riders. Colonel
Roosevelt had experienced in earlier
years the hardy outdoor life of the west
some brief military experience as cap
tain in the New York State militia Con-
sequently it was not surprising that his
martial emotions should have prompted
him to give up his position in the navy
for the purpose of going to the front at
the head of such an organization as the
Rough Riders. But when the regiment
was made up he modesty declined the
T xnr1
Wood accepting for himself the rank of
lieutenant colonel. Without undertaking
to follow him through the vicissitudes of
his brilliant military career it suffces to
say that he acquitted himself with dis
tinguished gallantry and soldiers':ip. In
all of the engagements which preceded
the fall of Santiago, the Rough Riders
took an important part and at the battle
of San Juan Colonel Roosevelt himself
led the desperate charge, winning the
admiration of his enthusiastic followers
and plucking victory from the jaws Of
defeat On July II, 1898, he was commits
stoned colonel in recognition of his dis
tinguished services on the field. When
the war was over no hero returned home
with great prestige than Colonel Roose-
velt
ELECTED VlCE-PRESlDENT.
But still higher honors awaited him. On
September 81 1898, Colonel Roosevelt re-
ceived the Republican nomination for
governor of New York, and in the en-
suing battle of ballots he carried the
election over Judge Augustus w. Van
Wyck, the Democratic candidate. Later
on, when the Republican national con-
vention met, and before he had fairly
entered upon his administration as gov
ernor he received over his own protest
the Republican nomination for ce-presi-
dent of the United States on the ticket
with William Mckinley. Since then the
events of his public career are too recent
to call for recapitulation. On the 4th
of March last, when President Mckinley
took the oath of office for the second
time as chief magistrate of the United
States, he was formally indicted into the
office vice president
PERSONAL SIDE OF ROOSEVELT.
The following statistics of the new
President are of interest at this time:
Height-Five feet eight inches.
Weight-Qne hundred and eighty-fiye
pounds.
Chest measurement-Forty two inches
COlldi-ANo 1919.
Gloves--No 8.
Hat-No. Ia
Shoes-No. 9R.
Has not been sick in the last ten years
Has no life insurance.
He is forty-two years of age
His father died at forty-seven his
grandfather at seventy-seven.
He prefers simple food, but is a great
eater. His appetite is voracious and he
INDUCES it. He does not smoke
He takes all sorts of physical exercise
rides horseback, uses dumbbells, spars,
punches the bag, wrestles and walks
miles at a time. Besides the forms men
toned, his exercise ranges from hunting
big game to romping with his children.
Has never had physician; says he has
no use for one.
He sleeps eight hours a night; goes
to sleep the minute he gets into bed and !
does not wake up until morning