Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-06-29


The three brief yerrs Of President
Rooseveit's administration have been
eventful ones in the history of the
United Statesmen eventful because of
wars of conquest or disputes with for
eign powers, but because so much has
been achieved for the greatness of the
republic.
Fewer presidents have been called
upon to solve so many perplexing prob
lens. Still fewer. in times of peace,
have been vested by Congress with So
many responsibilities.
Theodore Roosevelt. for one thing,
will go down TO history as the Ameri-
can President in whose hands Con
gress placid the lump sum of $780,
100000. told him to select a route, and
dig the Panama canal. There were
no restrictions. He was told to choose
his own engineers, to make his own
contracts. More than that. after he
had negotiated and secured the right
of way, thus adding strip of territory
to American possessions, Congress told
him to make such laws for the govern
ment of that territory as he saw nit.
What ruler among all the great of the
earth has ever been freely vested with
so tremendous a responsibility?
The record of Theodore Rooseveits
administration is too long TO be more
than epitomized in the brief limits of
a newspaper article. 1t IS worth while,
however, to take a glance at that rec
ord.
The chance of tragedy made Roose-
Welt President on Sept. IA, 1901. His
first utterance after he had taken the
oath of office at Buffalo was a pledge
to carry out the policy of President
William Mckinley, who lay dead in an
adjoining room. Upon that occasion
he said:
sin this hour of deep and terrible
national bereavement l wish to state
it shall be my intention and endeavor
to continue absolutely unbr0ken the
policy OF President Mckinley for the
poace, and prosperity, and honor of
our beloved country"
President Roosevelt has carried out
that pledge One of his first official
acts, after the funeral of President
Mckinley. was to call a meeting in
Washington of the cabinet. At that
meeting he pleaded so earnestly that
each member of the cabinet consented
to remain with him as an official adj
wiser. With few changes, the McKin-
ley cabinet is still intact.
First Message Plain and Conservative.
President Roosevelt's first message
was read in Congress on the first
Tuesday in December, 1901. 1t was
one of the most vigorous presidential
messages ever read to the representa-
tives of the people. 1t was outspoken,
and yet conservative. 1t called for
vigorous honest administration Of
the affairs of every department of the
government, was outspolen in its
friendship for labor. promised Tie re-
organization of the army, urged the
strengthening Of the navy, and above
all voiced the American desire for
peace with all Eations
Early in 1902 President Roosevelt
was called upon by international
courtesy TO entertain as the nations
guest Prince Henry of Prussia. brother
of the Emperor or Germany. who Wis
tied the United States, accompanied
by number of the most distinguished
statesmen, admirals and generals. The
ostensible purpose of p'1ce Henry's
visit was TO I've present t the launch
ing of the kaiser's American built
yacht Meteor. The real reason. how
ever, was to cement the bonds of
friendship between the United States
and the German empire. In his first
message TO Congress President ROose-
welt urged the passage OF the Cuban
reciprocity bill The House passed the
bill on April IS, 1902. but ~ failed to
secure the approval of the Senate. Its
failure in the Senate marked the be-
ginning of friendly contest trtween
Congress and the President, in which
the President. who appealed 20 the
people, eventually won.
Turns Over Cuban Governments.
On May 90 1902. President R0ose-
welt handed over to a Cuban president
and Cuban congress the government
Of the Cuban republic. From Jan /,
1898, until May 30, 1902, Cuba had
been under the military rule of the
United States The island, wrusted from
Spain by the American army and navy
was destined by Congress under the
Teller resolution, passed in April,
1897, to become a republic free and
Independent among all the nations of
the earth. When Spanish authority
ended on the island of government
there was none.
The Cubans had to be taught how to
govern themselves. Under the dirCc-
ton first of Maj Gen. Brooke and then
OF Maj Gen Leopard Wood, the Gu.
bans were educated in the sciel &c of
government. These officers taught the
Cuhans how to collect revenue, to po-
lice cities, to conduct postal depart
ment. to manage free schools, to con
serve public health. Do May 20. 1902
the American flag was lowered and
Cuba took her place aEaong the free
nations Of the earth. President Roose-
welt had redeemed the ple3ge made by
Congress.
Congress adjourned on July l, 1902
having failed to pass the CGban reel
procity treaty This marked Gle begin.
ming of President Rooseyelts cam
paign for the treaty. He wag sincere
in his belief that American ho:3r and
s.,E ,I,ls