The San Francisco call., 1904-03-20
COMPARING RECORDS.


ing itself and those whom it leads to fall in with
the Hearst column This is being done by insisting that
Roosevelt is better, by the record than Hearst In
the Sun says: Neither of them is the right
class of for the high Office If these two should be
the nominees it would require OF cheek in
the kettle call the pot black"
While that is poor sort of politics it is probably the
best that the Sun has in stock in view of what evil
IDENTIFY intends do
The record of Theodore Roosevelt has secret
chapters 1t has been open book, and invite those
who make the pot and kettle to examine it and
make the obvious comparison. Theodore Roosevelt's
father a millionaire, but man in rather
moderate circumstances In his childhood the Presi-
dent handicapped by weakly physique, but he
tered that disadvantage by the force of his will. He
graduated a Harvard, and, dependent his
sources sought the West field for business and ad
venture and did all the rugged work OF cattleman in
Dakota.
With his physical strength soundly built up he
turned to New York and entered politics, and without
the assistance of any machine elected to the Legis
laure where his voice and vote given to clean poll
tics and the promotion of civic righteousness Ap
pointed the Civil Service Commission he discharged
cleansing duties of that position faultessly
draw the wrath of the poismen He held that Office far
into Mr.. Cleveand's second administration and in
entire accord with his civil service ideas.
While Civil Service Commissioner he appointed
Police Commissioner the city of New York, posi-
ton that commanded variety of the highest in
1t said when he accepted it that it meant
his ruin for could hold it and out clean
He enforced and raised the police establishment
high of the Tammany gutter. Leaving that Office for
the position of Assistant Secretary of the Navy he
efficient force in the preparations necessary for the
Spanish war, and resigned to recruit regiment with
which he served during that short struggle.
AS a soldier he shirked duty and avoided dan
ger He exposed himself to the risks of war and the
+,a r H. A.
and admiration of the in his regiment When that
he became the candidate of his party for
the Office of Governor of New York, and in hard
political battle as has been fought in American
State As Governor he lived up to his principles of
form and did hesitate oppose the Legislature of
his party when it showed signs of partaking of the
political Generalization with which Tammany has in
fected the politics of that State He promoted legislation
control trusts economize government and
the public welfare.
Next he was elected the Vice Presidency
the assassination of Mckinley succeeded that great
Office. In the Presidency he has manifested the
traits that characterized him in every position he has
occupied from his youth up Devoted the of
his country, he has been of action in every
gency Corrupt elements in his party have felt the
weight of his hand whenever the duties of his office re-
quired that it be laid upon them. Endowed with moral
and physical courage he has shown both every crisis
and act OF cowardice demagogy is record his
discredit.
In the midst of all this public activity he has exhibited
intellectual activity and power His work
author has commanded respect at home and abroad 1t
has been aimed in his various books encourage the
manhood and raise the ideals of his countrymen. His
historical work. like his Winning of the West" is of
distinct value, and is important contribution to his
torca1 lore and literature. Some may object his
pressons of opinion but deny to them either
honesty courage.
His books and his speeches promotive of domestic
purity and decency righness of public and private
duct brothery love among helpfuness those
avoidably unfortunate, and patriotic devotion country
Men who have had close contact with him in Washing
ton and who oppose him politically, like the Washing
ton editor of the New York Post make high ascripon
0 his qualities man, American and President
His personal life has been clean and stainless His pub
lie life has been frank open and devoted he sees his
duty the honor and glory of his country Meanness
and greed get encouragement in the record he has
made Indeccncy gets strength in his example Class
hatred has impulse in his nssence upon the equality
of all men before the law.
The fire of partisan criticism has been upon
him. from that black day in Buffalo when he took the
oath of office the dead body of his chief and prede
cessor to this moment. But it has not DETECTED him
from his purpose the people by giving his best
and bravest in their interest has it reduced
hopeful buoyancy of his spirits put acerbty and re-
venge into his conduct toward those who oppose him
He has accepted it like philosopher the lot ef those
who the people, and thoughtful have IN
merely the involuntary admission Of the value of his
work to his country.
This seems to us fair traverse of the Presidents re-
cord and just of the influence he has exered
upon the affairs of his country 1t for the open
covert supporters of Mr. Hearst to make the COM
parison. Will they do it?
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