New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-08
PROTECTION OF TIE PRESIDENT.

The attempt of an armed lunatic to gain ac-
cess to Mr.. Roosevelt the other night at Oyster
Bay recalls attention to the discreditabl bic fact
that the President of the United States is still
feebly protected, in spite of the warning which
three national tragedies have supplied In this
latest case of dangerous intrusion the Secret
Service men detailed TO duty at the Presidents
country house took the proper course at the
last. but they were pretty fortunate, for they
had already turned the suspicious visitor away
twice, with idle injunctions to defer his errand
TO a more convenient season, when some strong
er indications of violent purpose led them TO
conclude that IL might be well to put him under
restraint. 1t Is, OF course, impossible to say
just what plan his dsordered mind was revolv-
ing, but it is not unreasonable to suppose that
If, with the usual craftiness of lunatics, he had
made full use Of the opportunities which dark
ness and a weak guard afforded he might have
avoided detection until be had come, 10 say the
least Of 1t. much too near the President. The
detective service was successful in the end. but
the margin Of safety was seemingly small and
precarious.
Certain consequences of this disturbing incl
dent are somewhat encouraging. The CONF
ments of the press In various parts Of the coun-
try reveal no disposition 10 censure or ridicule
the adoption of measures TO protect the Presi-
dent but, on the contrary, general recognition
of the almost criminal folly Of holding bis life
so cheap TO permit lunatics, cranks anar-
chists, vicious malcontents and miscellaneous
sightseers TO approach him at their pleasure.
The prevalent feeling apparently is, as it ought
to be, that the precautions actually employed
are open to unfavorable criticism only because
they are inadequate. 1t is utterly irrational TO
give the Chief Magistrate OF eighty million peo-
pie less security against disturbance and assault
than the colonel of 4 regiment or the COM
mander of dispatch boat in the government
service habitually enjoys. 1t is gratifying TO
observe that vigorous expressions of this thought
are being evoked by the occurrence at Oyster
Bay, which has also had the immediate practi-
cal effect of causing those responsible for the
Presidents safety to increase the number OF
his armed attendants and maintain more vigi-
liant watch.
Attempts at legislation to provide the Presi-
dent with an efficient military guard at all
times and TO make any attack upon his per-
son a capital crime followed the assassina-
ton of Mckinley, but disagreements he
tween the two houses of Congress prevented
action of any sort, and the prospect of statu-
tory measures of protective character is per-
haps remote. II is. however. entirely practi-
cable. without any change in the law, to make
his life and comfort far more secure The no.
ton that every American citizen or curious
stranger within our gates has an undeniabIe
claim TO enter the Presidents presence when he
pleases has been generally discredted already
and we believe the people are coming to realize
that freedom from risk and annoyance is not
merely a privilege which the President is on
titled 70 claim. but a public right which they
can Justly demand