The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-09-26

resigned bis position to become az
sistant secretary of tho navy under
President Mckinley. Shortly after as
Stunning the duties of this office he
asked for an appropriation OF $500, 900
for ammunition for target practice in
the navy, and this request being grant
ed he asked for another appropriation
of $500, 600 later on, which was also
granted. Although some doubts were
entertained at first a. to the wisdom Of
this measure, the assistant secretary .
foresight was happily vindtcated In the
following year by the successful issue
of the Spanish-American war;, which
turned largely upon the unerring skill
of the American sailors in the hand
ling of guns. Though Colonel Roose-
velt possessed no special equipment
for the nayai portfolio when he enter
ed upon the duties of his new position,
he carried into this department the
prestige OF superior executive ability /;
and with the aid Of an acute intellect
he speedily grasped the situation. No
sooner had he acquired an intimate
familiarity with the personnel of the
navy than he suggested the appoint
ment of Admiral then Commodore
Dewey, a. commander of the Asiatic
fleet, thus paving the way tor the
splendid victory at Manila. On the
outbreak of the SpanIsh-AmsEdcan war
in 1898, Colonel Roosevelt resigned
bis position a. assistant secretary of
the navy and undertook the organisa-
tion of regiment of western cowboys
and hunters, subsequently, known in
the history of the war as tho Rough
Riders. Colonel Roosevelt had exper-
fenced in earlier years the hardy out
door life of the western plains and had
moreover enjoyed some brief military
experience as captain In the New
York State militia. Consequently 1t
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 Kiders. But when the
regiment was made up he modestly
declined the command in favor of
Colonel Leonard. Wood. accepting for
himself the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Without undertaking 70 follow him
through the vicissitudes Of his brilliant
military career it suffices to say that
he acquitted himself with distinguish
ed gallantry and soldiership. In all OF
the engagements which preceded tho
fall of Santiago, the Rough Riders
took an important part and at the bat
tie OF San Juan Colonel Roosevelt him
self led the desperate charge, winning
the admiration of his enthusiastic fol-
lowers and plucking victory from the
Jaws OF defeat. On July IL, 1898, he
was commissioned colonel in recogni-
tlon of his distinguished services on
the field. When the war was over no
hero returned home with greater pres
tige than Colonel Roosevelt.
ELECTED VICE-PREsIDENT.
But still higher honors awaited him.
On September ~, 1898, Colonel Roose-
velt received the Republican nomina-
ton tor governor OF New YORK, and In
the ensuing hattie of ballots he carried
the election over Judge Augustus w.
Van Wyok, the democratic candidate.
Later ON, when the Republican nation
al convention met, and before he had
fairly entered upon his administration
as governor, he received over his own
protest the Republican nomination Tor
vice-president OF the United States on
the ticket with William Mckinley.
Since then the events Of his public
career are too recent to call tor reOapit-
ulation. On the 4th OF March last,
when President Mo- Kinley took the oath
Of Office for the second time - chief
magistrate of the United States, he
was formally inductsd into the Office
vice-president.
PERSONAL SIDE OF ROOSEVELT.
The following statistics Of the new
President are of interest at this time:
Height-Fiye feet eight inches.
Weight-One hundred and eighty
fye pounds.
Chest measurement-Forty-two in
ches.
Collar-No. 16}
Gloyes-No. 8.
Hat-No. a.
Shoes-No. 81.
Has not been sick In the last ton
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 IL q
great eater. His appetite Is voracfous
and he lndulges it. He does nos
smoke.
T.