Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-06-12
QUA sHlFTY PRESIDENT.

our SHtF1Y PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Roosevelt has now dispelied the
only fear that could manifest itself in
the way of an opposing candidate in
his own party, by demanding and get
ting the endorsement of the Ohio Re-
publican State convention. Mr.. Han
ma is the only man in that party who
was ever thought of as daring to op
pose him, and now he is eliminated.
There is then no need to hold ma
tional convention except to find Mr..
Roosevelt a running mate, and write
a platform, and these no doubt will be
dictated by him long before the time
for such convention to assemble.
Those who profess to see in Mr.. Roose
welt dangerous man to the "busi-
ness" interests of the country need not
we think be alarmed. he will want
money for bis campaign, and his &C
culnen will certainly direct him to
the sources where the money is. One
does not gather figs of thistles. 1t is
safe therefore to say that at the proper
time and in Mr.. Roosevelt's own way
be will give the monied interests sat
isfactory assurances of devotion in
return for campaign funds. 1t is a
little funny, if one may be allowed to
smile in the presence of 80 august
a person, and about so august thing
as the Ohio platform, how the people
of that State are told that they must
feel glad and give due honor and
credit to the faithful way in which
the president has adhered to the
policies of the late lamented Mr.. Nc
Kinley. Maybe somebody believes
that he has, but they must be few and
very ignorant persons at that. The
greatest danger from Mr.. Roosevelt
who seems destined to be the next
president is his imperial tendencies.
He comes nearer Gar now than any
man who ever occupied that chair,
although there were those who accused
Glen. Grant of having his eyes on a
corOnet. 1t Is impossible for the gen.
eral public to know the intense auto
cracy of Mr.. Roosevelt. He knows
no opposition. He brooks no disagree
ment. Everything about him must
bow as subsequently to his will as il
he were Emperor. If be wishes tc
change the shape or appointments Of the
White House out goes the furniture
down go the walls and into shape goes
the Rooseveltian ideas. He keeps
soldiers at bis beck and call. He rides
about Washington suburbs with 8
cavalcade like William the II. He
has government vessels at bis command
and whilst these latter might be con
doned in account Of his being the com.
mander- n-chief of the army and navy
report goes that he controls private
corporations much after the same
manner. 1t is said and generally be-
lieved that he in his imperialistic way
''orders" a railroad company to fur
nish him train when he chooses to &C
between certain points, that is he
sends word to the company that be
desires to 90 at a certain time. The
rest is understood. He, of course. gets
the train, and it is also whispered
that be never does desire any bill rem
dered for its use. This is what madam
rumor gently whispers. He does how.
ever shake hands with the engine
driver and fireman when the journey
is over. Calvin 8. Brice used to do
the same thing, but always slipped q
500 bill into the hand of the engineer,
and a $40 into the hand of the fireman.
History does not record anything OF
this sort to the Presidents credit, at
least not on his recent journey. 1t
will be interesting as the campaign
proceeds to ascertain how much car
fare his majesty does pay, and learn
more of few other of his royal acts
1t is also very Interesting just now to
know how far he is going to prosecute
those who have been bringing his ad-
ministratiOn into disgrace. A man
who is said to have avoided his taxes
as Mr.. Roosevelt is said to have done
and who pays as few bills as he is said
to do, need not be feared by Mr.. Machen
or anybody else who turns penny
now and then in a doubtful way.
Mr.. Roosevelt is setting them an ex-
ample In thrift and stiffness.