New-York tribune., 1907-06-30
THE DEMOCRACY OF THEODORE ROOSFVFJ 7

Why wasn't the Spanish war great war;.
thuudcTcd Roosevelt
., 'H'eause WE whipped en- in a hurryr' yelled
the eNpectant thronR.
At once he became violently angry and while
%nT % prominent politician tried to restrain him. he
yelled something about II he could get at one os
t"so fellows he wound thrash him
9'!''' one IN the audience heard him. Come on
down aud DO It," was the PROMPT in,itatto1 -
S'Eut OF allowing him 10 comply however. the
IoHuc IAN mentioned stepped forward and insisted
Hll 10 .i.ls was no way in which To treat a guest OF
e"e state or Colorado. The whole affair ended in
ordered the train 10 leave ''
9. During the last days OF William Mckinley. when
~ "%S so important that the news of his condition
should be published TO the world the bulletins Is
sugH | oy inc attending physicians were scarcely
suiHcleht- Many time Mr.. Roosevelt-Ivho was
the only one In authority to issue Information
would be stopped by newspaper man as he went
toward the Milburn house.
'MT. Roosevelt" he would be asked .u.li, ,.,,,
ma OUT about so-and-so for me while you're in
Ter ia Ike to wire It back to my paper
ia be glad TO do what I can for YOU >" was the
got what ne wished.
Even II he was In the middle Of speech and 4
representative Of the press wished hin, m ,rs,,,r
a question in public. or the photograpber wished
MIN TO turn little bit more toward the sunlight
mote could b" passed 10 him the end Of a long
hshing pole without his resenting IT,
But IN spite of this good feeling Roosevelt knew,
now 10 be stern when the occasion arose. On the
occasion when his injured leg was troubling him
'4.r most, ne called IN the reporters ana said:
Boys, l am going TO tell YOU the truth NV leg
Is really In a rather critical condition; but I will
pun through all right and there is cause for
worry. Therefore 1 want you to say nothing about
1t which would alarm the people. Simplv send ont
trouble" ~ "
We all asked him for further details. He rovo
out a few In conversational way but cnioined us
all not 10 send them out. The next day a Ne1,
York paper contained every word of that inter
Wow printed over the name Of one OF the men on
the private car. How 1t had leaked out was
mystery: but Roosevelt never stopDed 10 sn,,,o
mysteries. He had the man put OFF
Ihls injured leg was the result of trolley car
sinash-up the one alluded TO above, in which Craig
was killed and the motorman almost came 10
blows with the President Mr.. Roosevelt had gone
back 10 Washington Immediately after the acci
dent and had then persistentIy started upon an
other tour l have taken many photoRraphs or
him showing him throwing tho weight of his BODY
or the injured leg while standing and addressn5r
an audience This trouble brought about a scene
which. so far as tho democracy OF the man is con-
cerned, Is remarkable.
Imagine Mr., Roosevelt. perched on a cooks toble
In an indianapolis kitchen; his trousers leg pulled
up ms coat thrown over the back OF a kitchen
chalr ana hastily summoned physician examin-
Ing the injured limb. All unconscious Of the facts
the banqueters in another room merriIy crack
ing jokes and making speeches. At once he was
Tor Washington. II from this train that the
reporter above mentioned got his dismissal
He used to get flowers and bouquets bv the
bushel, generally presented 10y of the young
ladies Of the town. and these offerings would finally
pile up 20 such extent that the porter would be
compelled to open the car window and throw them
out to make way for those of the next town An
amusing incident in this connection occurred at a
little Kansas town.
The Presidential train just pulling out of
the depot, when through the crowd came a bare
root boy running with all his might and carry
Ing bouquet In his hand He yelled Roosevelt
saw him; so did the whole populace. We'll" said
the President II can't away like this and
insult the boy, SO he pulled the bell rope and
brought the train to a stop.
The youngster came up breathlessly and delv-
cred the roses Roosevelt smiled and handed hiSn
dollar. and the incident closed. Later as
the train was speeding on its way. his "dee-ghted
smile was bit troubled. and he called In the nor
ter.
Jerry he said, "it seems to me these flowers
are rather withered. aren't they? That boy must
have had hard time getting through the crowd"
We'll. they ought TO be withered." was the an
swer That there bouquet has been on this train
for three days, and 1 just threw It out of the
window back of that town" There is a bow
somewhere in Kansas who will be a captain O.
industry one OF these days-Success Magazine.