Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-05
THE PRESIDENTS CONDITION.

IT now appears that President Roose-
Pittsfeld, Mass. with comparatively
slight injuries. and that he is not going
to allow the incident to interfere mate
rally with his future plans. But all the
same he gave-or was made TO Sive-the
public a pretty bad scare, and there is
no denying the fact that he was con-
siderably Jared himself Far be it from
us to say that he showed any lack of
courage That he did show signs of very
natural excitement however, cannot be
denied. But who wouldn't under such cir
cumstances? To be punched out of ones
carriage by trolley car is no small mat
ter.
If the newspaper accounts Of the affair
be true-and we suppose they ate-the
President emitted some strictly masculine
ltterances shortly after the crash came.
We are told that he made a very near
approach 10 swearing. Yes, in referring
TO the accident, he even said: This is
The most damnable outrage / ever knew"
That men are astonishingly facile and
ready in the of their eXpletives I'M
der stress of great emotion none can
deny, so the President is hardly respon-
sibie for any strong words he may have
used just after the collision. But there
are many who think he has been taking
too many chances Of late. Indeed scores
Of editors and public officials have as
sumed a ccnsorous tone towards him be-
cause he has been so careless in exposing
himself to danger. The Pittsfield catas-
trophe is used to Illustrate and empha-
size the point, though really we find it
hard to see how Mr.. Roosevelt was in
any way to blame for that. However, we
guess the idea is that he should stay at
home more; drive, ride, and boat less.
But ct the very moment of the occur
renee at Pittsfield he was seated near
Secret Service Officer Craig, who lost his
life in the accident.
Craig was there for the very purpose
of protecting the President. 1t seems.
however. that ne afforded police protec-
ton which didn't protect. And If we mis-
take not. a Secret Service official was
very near President Mckinley when the
latter was shot by CzolgosZ. Just how
these dangers can be avoided without sub
1ecting Mr. Roosevelt and his successors
to great discontinue and Inconvenience
we cannot see. Presidents do not enjoy
even moiety of the well nigh perfect
snvulnerability, which was the lot of
Achilles. But, after all. there is no mech
OF borrowing trouble. The Richard of
Wednesdays accident was himself again
yesterday, and we even observe that he
was scheduled to undertake the laborious
job of lunching a robleman-the Grand
Duke Boris of Russia. Tomorrow Mr..
Roosevelt will leave for short Southern
1IHp On Monday he will attend the an
nual convention of the Brotherhood of Lo-
connective Firemen in Chattanooga.
This programme shows that the mere
impact of an electric car upon a car
rage in which Teddy is riding. is not
sufficient to abate that gentleman's alb
normal strenuosity.
Now that we know the President is not
seriously injured. we may with propriety
fnQuiGe q lew spscuiationS DIS 10 what
might have happened had he been killed
" incapacitated. Under the Federal stat
ate known as the Presidential succession
set, and passed January 10. 1856. Hon.
sohn Hay, Secretary of State. would have
succeeded Mr.. Roosevelt. The main fea-
lures OF this Law are as follows:
In case of removal. death. resignation
or inability of both the President and
Vice-Prcsident OF the United States, Cabi-
net officers are in the line Of succession
I ir the following order:
81 l.. Secretary Of State; he it is who
would succeed President Roosevelt.
2. Secretary Of the Treasury.
= Secretary Of Wax