The St. Louis Republic., 1901-09-14

Young Roosevelt was on fire In minute
| You're Il cad he retorted. Nobody but
a cad would make such a suggest ion That
| man is your superior In three lines of study;
, he can outrow you and outjump you, SO II
| there is any question of superiority and in
| feriority you are distinctly the INFERIOR
After leaving college ne made a trip to
Europe. where he climbed the Jungfrau and
the Matterhorr.
First Introduction to Politics,
He was elected to the Assembly as d Re
publican in 1881. having previously studied
law, and he served three consecutive
terms. In the session of 1883 he did much to
further the passage of the State civil serv-
Ice reform law and tine act to regulate
primary elections. He made record for
himself as an energetic able and honest
legislator. He was chairman of the New
York delegation to the Chicago National
Convention which nominated James G.
Blaine. From 1884 to 1856 he was ranch
man in Dakota.
In 1886 he ran for Mayor of New York on
the Republican ticket and was defeated
Later he was appointed a United States
Civil Service Commissioner
When Mayor Strong was elected in 1894
MIR Roosevelt was appointed Police Com
missioner and his career in that Office will
not soon be forgotten. He saw to it that
laws were enforced. however unpopular
they might he. believing that that was the
way to get rid of bad law. and knowing
that the system in vogue fostered black
mail. He used every possible means to take
politics out Of the conduct of the depart
ment
In 1897 he reasoned n take fha of AS.
sistant Secretary of the Navy. where his
characteristic activity was again in evidence.
He left this position to become Lieutenant
Colonel of the Rough Riders. and engaged
in the campaign which made him a hero
with the whole nation.
lie was elected Governor of New York In
1898 and Vice President in 1860. He was
twice married. the second time in 1886. He
has six children. Since his advent in poll
ties he has always been Republican.
When William Mckinley became Presi
dent he appointed Theodore Roosevelt AS
sistant Secretary of the Navy. 1t is due in
a measure to his farsightedness and energy
that the United States Navy was in such
splendid fighting trim when the war with
Spain broke out. Dewey himself in pub
lie speech acknowledged that his being se-
lected for the command of the Asatic
Squadron was owing largely to Roosevelt.
Enters on Military Career.
The assistant secretaryship was a con-
genial position until war came. Then the
instincts Of a fighter impeled him to give
up a civil position for a military one. He.
with Army Surgeon. now Brigadier General.
Wood, organized the famous "Roosevelt's
Rough Riders
Wood was made Colonel and Roosevelt
Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. He
was at Las Quaslmas and led the regiment
in its part of the battle of San Juan Hill.
Colonel Wood having command of the bri-
Gade.
His services during the war gave him a
national reputation and immense popularity,
and especially in the West, where large
part of the Rough Riders were recruited
Every time he has appeared in the West
since then he has been greeted by great
crowds and his speeches by whirlwnds of
applause. The people recognize the man in
him and seem never to weary OF acclaim
ing his energy and pluck. He Is the author
of the phrase, THE strenuous life." which
has become famous through his application
of 1t both to individual and national exist
ence.
In November. 1898. he was elected Gov
ernor OF New York after an exciting cam
vass 1t way believed at the time that his
election was largely due to his personal
campaign-his speechmaking and his per-
sonal magnetism. AS Governor he advo-
Gated the passage of the famous franchise
tax law.
When Mckinley was renominated for
President. Governor Roosevelt was ncmi-
mated for Vice President. Again he made
an active canvass and again his speeches
and personal ma gnetisr contributed largely
to the success OF the Republican campaign.
He made many notable addresses. which
are of Importance now as showing his
views on expansion "militarsm" and
labor and trade unions' and other public
questions.
characteristics Sayings.
Here are some extracts from his
speeches:
At Oklahoma. July 4. 1900:
As 1t is with the Individual 1t Is with the
nation You of Oklahoma founded this Terri
tory this State that is to be. because you came
grapple with difficulties and out of toll and
labor and peril to achieve the splendid ultimate
triumph. So it must be with the nations OF the
EARTH a nation that is fit to play its part among
the great peoples.
Again. at st. Joseph. No.. on July s. 1900: