The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-22
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Extracts From a Sketch i'm Nc
Cures by William Allen
White.

William Allen White has written for
McClure's Magazine a series of remark
able character sketches of men in the
public eye. His brochures of Hanna,
Croker and Bryan have all been graphic
and readable; have presented these well
known characters forcibly before the
public in a light reflected by a close OBJ
server.
Whites latest sketch is by far the
most interesting of the Quartette which
has been marked with his exclusive
brand of pencil This fourth of the
series is Theodore Roosevelt" and viii
appear in the November issue of Nc
Clure's Magazine which will shortly be
upon the news stands.
The State Journal is permitted,
through courtesy of McClure's. to make
extracts from advance sheets of the
sketch They will give one, no matter
what his personal knowledge of the
president, a better idea of the manner
of man now in the White House.
Whether Intentionally or otherwise,
impressed with the overwhelming SER
iousness and profound duties of Roose-
welt in the high position now confront
ed, White has touched lightly upon one
of the greatest phases of the Roosevelt
character, namely, his keen sense or
humor and delight in getting the fun
out of things. While there is this thread
running through the story, it is almost
concealed by lack of illustration and
hidden by other maS~rfa1s which make
UP the warp and wool of the sketch.
Providence, writes White. does not
make the rugged, viri1e, honest, cheerful,
clear minded man to waste him on little
tasks in lonesome places. Great
strength is made for work. Today Theo--
dore Roosevelt, young, vigorous and
brave is going to his life work rejoicing
as a strong man to run race.
His ambition-the one great ever ac-
tive purpose that lying nearest to his
heart is the handspring of his life-is to
set an example before Americans; show
ing what a man of the highest Ideals
derived from good birth and liberal adj
vantages can accomplish In politics IN
all honesty, without soiling his hands.
Many have regarded him as a pugnac-
ious. impetuous, honest but eccentric,
young man, while others have looked
upon him as a harum-scarum bronco
busting lover of notoriety: a poser who
liked fight for its own sake and had no
regard for the amenities of political re-
lationship.
The American idea is that most poll
ticians of all parties are bad, the worst
ones generally being in the other party
and the good ones all dead or out OF
office.
Americans believe that to get an office
and enjoy it forever is the chief end OBJ
a politicians existence Roosevelt mas
held office more than half his life since
majority. But not until he became gov
ernor was his official salary as much as
he could make writing. He was not
chosen because he was a good mixer,
or had a pull"
He was reelected because of his ca
pacity to accomplish things.
The world may love a lover. but 1t
keeps it's richest rewards for the man
who at the end Of a day has deeds done.
Mayor Strong was looking for brave,
sensible man to take the unpopular task
as police commissioner and not play
showing to the full his efficient integ-
rity of purpose. He owed no political
gratitude to Platt, yet he announced
he would consult Senator Plat. Roose-
velt's critics fail to see in this anything
but surrender. but there is a difference
between consulting" and being con-
trolled by. Platt found this out.
Platt suggested several bad men for
high office; Roosevelt refused to ap-
point Platt pleaded, clustered, threat
ened, without avail. Platt then named
Platt desired the governors signature
to bad laws; he couldn't get it. Platt
opposed the franchise tax bill; Roose-
welt secured it's passage. Platt grew
tired of the consultations, though
Roosevelt sought them. Platt then in
trigued with Quay and some westerners
and made Roosevelt vice president
against his wish and will That was
What sardonic irony! Roosevelt is
president solely because of his unsul-
lied integrity. He was put there by his
enemies. who loathed the virtues that
made him strong.
Roosevelt has succeeded because of |
the plainest method he has done in a |
human, unf1inching and |
often humorous way, what he had con- |
ceived to be the right thing to do
Common sense is SO common that few |
of US really use it, and when a man |
like Roosevelt comes along we ascribe |
to him many strange traits.
It'll. d vn1< he fo hoo WV
of weight, plain of face, wrinkles his |
clothes, makes a speech as the Irish |
man plays the bagpipe. by main |
strength; of strong emotions. agrees
of frailties and foibles, with a blind |
side of charity for friends-much like |
the rest of us, and he knows it.
That which has raised and giorified |
him is his unbending honesty Hon /
esty is not rare, but Roosevelt is so /
intensely what he is that his. honesty |
becomes a burning flame.
With unfiinching courage, he has been I
trying to do much that the common
man has dreamed should be done His |
character, and that is of supreme i'm
portance, has been builded solid and /
SQUARE Whatever he has done worth |
doing has been done in a good old |
IA shioned way; giving a man a chance |
to be honest, which captures nine men T
out of ten, and forcing the tenth to be
honest by fear of punishment or hope |
Of reward Politicians generally re- /
verse the game.
Roosevelt has developed slowly a |
manly tact bred of merry frankness,
elemental kindness and a passionate |
patience. Yet he is not patient of |
speech. Perhaps his strongest personal |
is his passion for talk
ing What he has done in politics he
has done with something like the in
axorable patient force of a glacier.
If his critics may claim he talks too |
much, his record is open to prove that
he acts wisely. In his present office,
where opportunity to talk is closed,
language is now saved and |
turned to iron deeds.
There is a set of draconfc rules for |
the mien and manner of politicians.
He doesn't makeup for the part.