The Topeka state journal., 1903-05-02
THE PRFsTDFNTe ouTTNe-

I The president seems-and he has some
right to be-the happiest man in the
country, says an editorial writer in the
Worlds Work. on his journeys last
year he spoke to the people about the
regulation OF trusts. and he has since
signed legislation to regulate them, and
the government has won its case in the
United States circuit court Of appeals
against the Northern Securities com
pany He has had the satisfaction. too,
since his last outing. of signing the
Panama canal act; and the reciprocity
treaty with Cuba seems certain at the
hands Of congress in extra session in
the fall These are large events to have
come in a single winter. And the same
winter brought the army reorganization
act and a large appropriation for the
Increase of the navy-both measures
that the president had a keen interest
in. It has been an unusually successful
legislative season for the important
measures that he recommended.
But Mr. Roosevelt's happiness. as
most other mems. lies in less things
than these. He is out of harness; he is
meeting the people; he is outdoing ev-
cry predecessor in the energy and the
extent of his travelling; he is seeing
nature, too. and no man takes Il keener
JOY in outdoor life than he. He knows
his west. In variety Of experience and
intensity of enjoyment it is doubtful If
any mans vacation yields him more.
To be sure, it requires a continent for
him to take a wholly satisfactory out
ing. But fortunately we have the con-
tinent. with diversity enough to satisfy
all his activities; and he has well earn
ed even a continental vacation.
The presidents public addresses have
been characteristic and interesting. he
spoke of the Monroe Doctrine and the
need of a strong navy-'he who speaks
softly and carries a big stick will go
far Of the tariff which he would not
now radically revise; of the trusts. for
the regulation of which congress made
legislation that is satisfactory for the
present; of the Philippines, where Gov
ernor Taft is proving himself as wise
an administrator as any man that any
country ever sent on such an errands
and of the Cuban treaty which he
hopes congress viii approve. With an
energy never equaled he has made
many short non-political speeches also,
about good citizenship. activity, fam
lily life, natural history-aiways enjoy
ing himself and always speaking rather
as Theodore Roosevelt than as presi-
dent The people see the man rather
than the official.
Politics? It is only fair to say that
Mr.. Roosevelt has been going to the
Rocky mountains for many years for
recreation. Tt is a habit with him. and
it is characteristic of him to speak
about what has been done under his
administration rather than to discuss
political theories. But if the less versa
tile indoor politicians Of his party be
again disposing of him in their club
gossip, and are arranging a consolida-
ton of the great financial interests
against him, they are likely to be re-
minded sat the end of the game that
presidents have before prospered by the
enemies that they have made. MI
Roosevelt has gone on vacation; but
he can do more things-including po-
liticaI things-during a vacation than
duller men can do who stick to their
work the whole year around.