Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-23
On the Civil Service Commission.

and he served as president of the civil serv-
ice board until May 1885, a period of six
years. In this position he came in con-
tact with public men and affairs and was
untiring in his endeavors to apply the civil
service principles of merit and capacity to
all executive departments. He made many
friends and some enemies. When he be
gan work in the commission there were
1900 government employees protected by
the civil service law. and when he left
40. 900 filled their positions under its rules
and regulations. Rigid honesty of purpose
characterized his administration of the
office. Had he been anything else than
fearless in his character he could have in.
gratiated himself with politicians of all
classes. but he did not see fit to do 50 at
the expense of principle and honesty.
Mr.. Roosevelt left the civil service COM
mission to become police commissioner OF
New York, a legsla tive investigation there
having shown that he was just the man to
make reforms. When he saw what the sit
uation was he promptly resigned his place
on the civil service commission, and en-
tered with characteristic energy upon the
performance of his new duties. He began
the reorganization of the police system in
a way to shake things up. but 1t was ad-
mitted that he impartially did his work. He
demanded the enforcement of the laws as
the police of New York found them. He
upheld those officers who did their duty
and punished those who failed, Many of
the police officers of New York know ana
like hiin today. and whenever he goes there
he Is sought by his blue-coated friends. Vio-
lent opposition characterized the drastic
changes from the previous practice of the
department. This served to confirm the
commissioner in the belief that he was on
| the right track, and he followed the course
he md started. He soon proved that there
could be effectual and impartial enforce
ment of the excise laws.
In the Navy Department.
While still serving as president of the bl-
partisan board of police commissioners in
1897 Mr.. Roosevelt was picked out by Presi-
dent Mckinley assistant secretary of the
navy, to serve with John D. Long of Massa-
chusetts. who had been confirmed as Secre-
tary of that department.. He entered upon
the duties with enthusiasm. and with many
new and valuable ideas. One of these was
that the navy of the country should learn
how to shoot by practical target lessons.
He urged an appropriation of $500, 900. to be
spent in learning the officers and sailors of
the navy how to shoot accurately. Under
MS orders the navy soon had plenty of
practice. but the SSGD.GO was spent at
which there was criticism. Mr.. Roosevelt
promptly asked for $JCO0OO more and said
that he wanted to that expended in
teaching the navy how to shoot with ac-
cufacy This was appropriated, and the
PRESIDENT has been given credit for having
brought about the good target work done
at Manila and Santiago. In many other
ways the new assistant secretary aided in
getting the navy ready for the impending
conflict with Spain.
Upon the declaration of war with SnaIn
Ar Roosevelt went to the White House and
asked permission to resign and to Join Dr.
Leonard Wood. who was then President
Mckinley'S physician. assigned by the War
Department in the organization of a regi-
Inent of an Independent character. The
resignation was accepted. DR.. Wood was
appointed colonel of volunteers, Mr..
Roosevelt a lieutenant colonel and they
proceeded to San Antonio, Tex to recruit
their famous Rough Rider regiment Cow
boys ana hunters of the west men of iron
nerve and daring from all parts of the
country. asked to join the regiment, which
was quickly formed and put through a Sc
we're preparation.
In the Spanish War.
Mr.. ROosevelts commission as a lieuten-
ant colonel bore the date of May 6, 1885,
and his idea of organizing a regiment of
TINS KIND was that his acquaintance with
the brave men of the west had shown their
skill with the rifle their fine horsemanship
ana their devotion and patriotism. A part
OF the troops of this regiment embarked
from Tampa in June 1898, with the adj
vance guard Of Skaters invading army
| At the battle of Las Guasimas the Presi-
| dent demonstrated his cool courage and
daring. and his behavior then was such
that upon the promotion of Col Wood as
brlgadfer general he was made colonel of
the Rough Riders position which he has
often said gave him more pride than any
he had ever held Gen. Wood was made
governor Of Santiago; At the battle of
tinguished himself by leading the charge of
the Rough Riders and the 9th Regiment up
San Juan hill. This charge made him one
oi 'he iuohzed heroes of the country. and
MS subsequent acts in Cuba greatly
| strengthened him with the people, Not
only did he show the utmost GOODNESS as an
officer, but he shared every hardship with
/ Htrcy ho
he had with the soldiers with affabiity and
! courtesy.
Governor of New York.
! On his return from Cuba at the close of
the war Col. Roosevelt was named by the
| republican party of New York as it's
| candidate for governor, and he was elected
over Van Wyck. democrat and the prohibi-
| ton and socialist candidates by a plurality
| of 11,Is6 votes in a total of 1.343 96S votes
| his term as governor of New York from
| 1879 10 1900 was conspicuous for his thor
| ough work in reforming the canal boards
| instituting an improved system of civil
| service, including the adoption of the merit
! system in county offices, and in calling an
| extra session of the legisa ture to pass the
| bill he had recommended at the general
| session taxing as real estate the value of
! railroads and other franchises to use public
streets This was in spite of the protests
| of the republican leaders and the corpora
| tons. His personality and force were rec
| ognlzed and admired. He consulted all
factions of the republican party in the
| state. but followed what seemed to him the
| best course for the commonwealth While
| he maintained his reputation for independ-
| ence. he yet held the respect of tho man
| ayers and leaders.
Vice President and President.
| The western delegates to the republican
| national convention which met at Philadel-
| phia In June. 1900. forced the nomina ton
| of Governor Roosevelt as Vice President
| 1t was at this convention that Governor
| Roosevelt made an eloquent speech in sec
| onding the nomination of President Nc
| kinley as the republican nominee for
| President
| In September, 1901 came the awful
| tragedy at Buffalo and the elevation of
| the Vice President to the presidency. Vice
! President Roosevelt was sworn into Office
| as the twenty-sixth President of this coun-
| try September IA, 1901 at the same time
announcing that the policies of his Ia
| mented predecessor would be carried out
| In assuming the presidency ne reappointcd
| the entire cabinet of President Mckinley
| as 1t existed, thereby further confirming
his purpose to carry on the work that
| had been begun by the dead President The
| n