The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-10
WORLD'S-19O4-FAIR,
HIS METHODS.


Extollng what it denominates Roosevelt's frankly
conceded desire for the nomination and his energetic
campaign in behalf of that honorable ambition, the
Washington Post asks, Is there any point in the crit
cism of Rooseyeit's methods?
The question truthfully implies that he has
methods, and the fact is patent TO the average OBJ
server of politics
OF itself. the fact that he is actively pursuing the
nomination affords ground for criticism \ man
with the honorable ambition to be President is not
compelled TO let the office seek the man. The Office
only rarely seeks the man-it seeks the poiti
clan. Had Mr.. Roosevelt remained content to be the
man, TO be himself to act himself. to be guided by
his convictions to carry out the policies which his
belief and his conscience prescribed and ignore the
politicians who stood the privileged interests
there is some reason to believe that the people of the
country would have camored for him: the office would
have sought the of preponderating character who
dared TO stand for the people. He would have i'm
pressed the people by his fearless execution of prn-
cples which in great sgnited relief from
conditions Of severe national discomfort and damage.
But his acts have fallen short of this effect and this
impression upon the people. Rather than to stand by
his acts to abide their political consequences Mr..
Roosevelt chooses an active campaign. And while TO
repeat this fact is ground for criticism it never.
heless to be considered in connection with his method
The Roosevelt method. as well motive. first be-
came apparent after the congressional election last
fall. when he capitulated to the politicians The
Washington Post remarks upon his fidelity to the
policies of his party. To the policies perhaps-as de-
fined for him by the machine eaters-but certainly he
has not been faithful TO the higher professions the
Republican party. The Roosevelt of, 1901 and tho
early part of 1902 did at least outwardly express
those professions but the Roosevelt of last November
who welded the machine, much of it as would
espouse him. reinQushed them in so far as the mar
rage uecesstated VIII the Post any other stancn
champion of Mr.. Roosevelt explain his abrupt recant-
ing and change of front upon any other motive than
reach opportunity for the nomination by the means
which the machine offered?
81 he fall of 1907 marks the weak point in Roosc-
velts career. His abouface and abandonment of thu,
righteous designs which he had announced against the
country's industrial enemies mark the victory of
method over manfulness. ambition over principle OF
the 1ncarnate politician the abstract and ideal
conception of a great public servant.
he feared to arraign himself against the politicians
and to linn the issues clearly in favor of the peope
ME- Roosevelt in the days of his undauned con,
Sscience, characterized Franklin Pierce as "a small
Epohtician, OF low capacity and mean surroundings
proud TO act the servile tool of men worse than
: himself: and Van Buren, as servant of the mann
{ mon Of unrghteousness'; and what in general Mr.
Roosevelt most despised in President was the mon,l.
mental tleness of tine politician. But Mr. Rooseyelts
complete reversal of 1902, disclosed by the COM
parson of his ut:erances before and after the cleo.
ton, leaves him difficult to describe The peone wit
messed his flop His defenders have lacked courage to
saftempt its explanation. 1t remains as fact-thc
fact-of his career in public life and it marks him
forever machine man.
-, To-day he is in control of Roosevelt machine In
it'are men like Addicks, the wholesale corruptionst
In his appointments Mr. Roosevelt reveals his meth
DDS Payne the practical politician Of the Post Office
Department forcbly illustrates the kind of Roosevelt
implements. In the character OF his advisers and DO
litical agents Mr. Roosevelt discloses the nature Of
his methods. most signal indication Of his sort OF
politics is his openly advertised readiness recognize