West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-12-11

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
"A Brilliant, Erratic and Curl
Gus Sort Of Man."
THUS SAYS GENERAL aRosvgNoR.

An Enthusia.tic Free Trader before
isso-Broko His Pledge I'm feoo-De-
nounccd Union worLmea I'm 1890.
said Cowboys Were Bettcr COM
panions Than Farmer. or Me-
chnnics.
President Roosevelt appears ut last
To have reached the conclusion that
there is some connection between tho
tariu and trusts. On his stumplng
tour In New England he was keeping
them wide apart and treating them
separately. In his Cincinnati speech
ON Sept 20 he was stili arguing that
the tariff did not foster trusts, and he
clinched his argument by asserting
that the anthracite coal and Standard
OH trusts were not protected by tariff
duties. He was unfortunate In his H.
lustrations. for both OF these trusts
arc protected by high duties.
In his speech ut Logansport. Ind. ho
for the first time admitted that tho
tarin might need revision and that Il
possibly could shield trusts. He then
advocated commission OF experts to
consider the tariff and It's effect upon
monopolies and prices. He, however,
advocated extreme caution and delib-
Grafton and expressed sublime faith
In the policy OF protection to equalize
the difference I'm labor cost here and
abroad. to preserve the American
standard OF living for the American
worlSingman," and all the rest OF It.
The ease and alacrity with which
President Roosevelt changed his views
on tho train between Cincinnati and
Logansport will surprise no one who IL
acquainted with his past acrobatic
record In this line and who under
stands his impetuous nature and the
readiness with which he can when nec-
essary control his strenuosity and
adapt himself to changing needs and
circumstances as he sees them. Some
OF his old time friends, In fact. rather
admire him for his skill In suppressing
opinions which II expressed would In
tcrfere with his political promotion
and deprive the world Of an honest,
patriotic and brilliant statesman.
Thus his intimate friend, Poultney
Bigelow, In his article, president
Roosevelt" In the Contemporary Re
view OF October. 1901, relates, with
only mild criticism. how young Roosc-
welt deserted the independents who
elected him TO the legislature In New
York and how he, for political rea-
sons. resigned from the Free Trade
club. OF which he and Henry George
were enthusiastic members. Here IN
paragraph from Mr.. Bigelow's arti-
Gle:
"One evening, probably In 1881,
when the club gave n dinner to some
distinguished free trader, Roosevelt
had declined because he had TO drill
that night with volunteer regiment
10 which he belonged. But | had per-
suaded him to come without going
home To change after the drill, and he
did come, much TO our surprise and
delight More than that, he at once
responded TO n toast. stood up in his
working uniform and gave us n re-
sounding speech OH the virtues OF free
trade which warmed our hearts"
Mr.. Bigelow relates how Roosevelt,
who was elected TO the New York
legislature in 1882 by Democrats and
Republicans. yielded TO party disci-
pllnc when he found himself very
lonely politically" and Ibis measures
were not carried" by the machine that
entertained profound contempt for
the young college graduate"
The professional politicians" made
his position so uncomfortable that he
deserted the reformers who had elect
ed him 20 office, who were standing
by him loyalty and who were quite
sure that I'm thus making front siDgly
against the crew OF venal politicians
he was stirring a public sentiment
which would soon result In the re-
forms we desired"
Mr.. Blgelow says:."Of course Roose-
velts detection TO Blaine nearly broke
I the hearts OF his former supporters,
myself along with the rest OF the free
trade and amateur school OF politi-
clans. But through II oil Roosevelt
was perfectly open and honest and
frank. II was to him the only way
In 1885 he decided to resign from the
Free Trade club. So he wrote 20 me,
under date OF Aug. 20, 1885, q letter
requesting permission TO resign from
the club, winding up with the words,
I'm n Republican FIRST; free trader
aftcrward'"
or course this is n free country, and
any man has right TO change his
party or his club when ho concludes
that this Is the "only way" TO get on
IN the world. Other great men have
done likewise. Garfield and other FREQ
trndc Republicans who belonged to the
'obden club had to reverse themselves
romcwhnt when they found that their
party had become possessed with pro-
tcdionlsm and they could not control
" Even IiOosevelfs good friend Sena.
tor Lodge was supposed TO be n little
"On color on the tarin question I'm
1882 when he wrote the life OF Alex
andcr Hamilton. These critical times
come 90 all great men who love their
party
President Roosevelt appears TO have
had lis share OF such opportunities.
However we may criticise his deci-
siOns. we cannot deny that he has TAX
on tbc shortest road to succcss-to the
White House.
Many who voted for him for govern.
or ~ New York blamed him severely
for forgetting his civil service princi-
pies md the independent vote which
elected him and for dealing with and
taking orders from Plat. They were
pleased when he. apparently against
Platt's wishes. pushed the Ford fran
elise bin through the legislature. but
they were mortified when he called
an extra session Of the legislature at
the suggestion OF the tricky politicians
to amend the Ford act I'm ways which
would certainly make its constitution.
nlity questionable. As originally passed