The Minneapolis journal., 1902-05-06

consistent. He made splendid record as
police commissioner in New York city by
insisting on compliance with the law, and
it was frequently predicted that after re-
tirement from that position he never
would be heard from again. But he bob
bed up as a member of the civil service
commission in this city. where he again
insisted upon law enforcement. His
service as commissioner did more to
bolster up the civil service and make
it of some account than the service OF
all former commissioners put together.
AS assistant secretary of the navy he was
a stickler for proper observance of the
department rules and regulations, and
numerous instances are cited to show
that his influence on the department was
altogether for the good because of that
policy. As soldier he was a strict dlsci-
plinarian. kind yet firm. his men loving
him ard being ready at all times to follow
wherever he might lead. AS governor or
New York he was a revelation to his
friends and a terror to evil doers and law
breakers. The empire state will bear the
good effects of his administration tor
years to come. He set an example
which every future governor who mas the
welfare Of the state at heart will follow:
Then he came unexpectedly into the
presidency by way of great natlonal
sorrow. He came with his ideas OF law
perience. One would naturally expect,
after reading the story of his life, that ne
would do just as he has done in the mat
ter of railway mergers, or or the rail-
ways individually for violation OF the IN
terstate commerce laws, or of the beef
trust. He is not doing any new thing, out
is entirely consistent with all his previous
public performances.
1t is small wonder that Wall street did
not want him nominated for the vice pres
idency at the Philadelphia convention.
Wall street knew that certain laws were
being violated by the railway and other
great corporations; it knew that II ever
Roosevelt came into the presidency he
would proceed to an enforcement Of those
laws. None of his moves in that direc-
ton, no matter how startling to the rest
of the country, is startling to Wall street.
The ''business interests know Roosevelt
of old.
The Struggle. in 1904.
The presidents greatest struggle in 1904
will be to win in the republican conVen-
ton. 1t is evident that all sorts of obsta-
cles will be placed in his way. Other
candidates will be brought out against
him. Attempts will be made to control
state and district conventions, called to
choose delegates to the national conven-
tion, for some other candidate. A popular
dodge will probably be to throw as many
states as possible to the support of a
'favorite SON. candidate, and to this end
the Roosevelt opposition will encourage
candidates in as many localities as posi-
ble. 1t will be bitter fight, and one of
the most interesting in the history OF
American politics. Once Roosevelt is
nominated, his troubles will be over. He
will sweep into Office with a popular ma
jority such as few presidents have had.
1t is not strange that the democracy is
now moving heaven and earth for the re-
vival Of the imperialistic issue. Roose-
welt has taken away their trust plank, the
republican party is so near to tariff re-
vision that there is no chance to make the
tariff an issue, and all that is left is the
Philippines. If that should fail them, the
democrats would indeed be in bad way.
w. w. Jermane.