New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-02
ROOSEVELT, THE CITIZEN.
Mr. Rns's Sketch of the Presidents
Career and Character.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT. THE CITIZEN By
Jacob A. Riis. Svo. DIP. xii Al The Outlook
Company
This volume is In the main a reprint of arti-
cles contributed by Mr.. Riis to THE outlook
during 1903 and 1904 In that sense 1t offers no
new view OF President Roosevelts political
career or personal character. Mr.. Riis has had
exceptional opportunities for studying at short
range the man about whom he writes with SUCH
O glow of zeal and admiration. Brought to-
gether by a common interest In certain CIVIC
problems. the author found in President Roose-
velt-then fighting as Assemblyman as canal
date for Mayor, and President of the Board
of Police Commissioners, the battle OF municipal
reform In New-York City-an earnest and high
minded champion of all that worked for civic
righteousness and progress. The admiration he
then conceived for his subjects aims and char-
acter has constantly wdened and deepened. He
writes to-day under the spell of feryent enthu-
siasm. His hero worship is unabashed and I'M
tagging
The reader will be disappointed II he looks In
this volume for any critical estimate of Pres-
dent Roosevelt's achievements as a soldier. an
author, or a statesman. He will find no coherent
story Of the Presidents growth and fortunes as
a politician He will probably dismiss the chap
ter on the Santiago campaign as hopelessly ir-
reconcilable with the facts OF history. He may
think the authors judgments not a little warped
and his conclusions not little lacking in per-
spective. There are few passages in Mr.. Riis s
book. indeed. which the future biographer Of the
President will turn to welcome contributions
to positive knowledge. But in one respect this
volume has an especial merit. 1t is written from
the heart. II breathes sincerity and conviction
in every line 1t emphasizes not so much the
forces and influences which lifted Theodore
Roosevelt to the Presidency, the qualities
that make his personality and underlie his
character. It gives vivid impression Of his
mental and moral self-his point of view and the
idens on which his public career has been based
What Mr. Ris himself feels and so powerfully
insists on is the Presidents inherent sense of
fair play. of honest dealing. of manly and gem
erous respect for the rights Of others. Con-
tempt for greed for injustice, for any and every
form of selfishness or corrption which cloaks
itself behind perversions and evasions Of the
law-that is the keynote of President Roose-
velt's character. Under our system OF fndi-
vidualism mad. with Its low ideals of sue
cess and it's lax standards Of personal obliga-
ton. we have come TO look too lightly vast
infringements OF public right. We condone too
readily the political corruption which licenses
one class in the community to prey upon an
other. To root out this corruption. TO re-estab-
Iish q sense OF public and private obligation, to
fence the rights of the humblest against tres
pass by bribegivers and lawbreakers-these are
among the greatest problems OF American pub
lie life to-day. No statesman do this gen.
Grafton greater service than by standing both
in and out OF season FOR the obscured ideal OF
equality Of right Of public honesty. OF fair and
open dealing. Of generosity, of consideration It
IS to Theodore Roosevelt's infinite credit that
his career q statesman has aligned him at
every point with the forces which seek TO over
throw corruption IN politics. and 20 curb the
spirit Of lawless self-seeking too unhappily
manifest in American life Mr.. Riis's book dis
closes the intensity of that side Of the Presi-
dents character which protests against the sur
render Of older and truer American ideals.
II is refreshing and stimulating picture-one
that will carry encouragement to every reader
whose heart IS enlisted IN the struggle TO exor-
else corruption and oppression from our body
pOlitic