Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-06

born to the purple-that is 10 say, he
inherited Il distinguished name and Il
fortune which, though not swollen.
enabled him TO face the world with
confidence and with the perfect knowl-
edge that he need never fear penury.
Few men have been SO consistently
and so continually in public office as he
Probably the salaries attached to these
Offices did not attract him, for he had
Inherited enough TO keep him from the
worries which ordinary men undergo.
But in 1882 he was Il member of the
New York Legislature. In 1886 he was
a candidate. unsuccessful. for mayor
of New York. From 1889 to 1895 he
was national civil service commission
| err, from 1895 to 1897 president of
the New York police board then for
| year assistant secretary of the Unit
ed States navy department, then
lieutenant colonel of the rough rid
ers. and thereafter his history is
known to all men. It was in 1880 that
Mr.. Roosevelt graduated from Har-
| yard, and during the twenty-six years
which have passed since there have
been less than six years during which
he has not held public office This is
not to his detriment, but rather TO his
credit. 1t would have been easier for
him, with the fortune he possesses, TO
have loafed away his life. Rather he
sought to make it useful to his coun-
| try. Some may doubt whether his
methods have been the best or
| yhntbar- his Dl,rnnsnc yyara NOT offnat-
ed largely by personal ambition But
for Il man of forty-nine even though
helped by a comfortable patrimony
and by the most extraordinary luck
that ever attended 4 man in public
life, to have accomplished as much as
he has is an achievement worthy of
celebration. Mr.. RooSevelts career Of
fers an extraordinary illustration OF
what is possible to youth born in this
country.
The National Conventions.
Chairman New and Secretary DoVer
have issued the call for the Republican
national committee to meet in Wash
ingtOn on the 9th of December for the
purpose of fixing the time and the
|
vention. Many cities will fight for the
honor of holding the convention. The
Democratic committee has not yet been
called together, but it has been Gus
tomary for it to meet ea1ly in January,
and no doubt Chairman Taggart will
call it at about that time. am much
inclined TO believe that there viii be
surprise to the country when the
places for these conventions to be held
are announced. The Democrats have
met in Kapsas City, st. Louis and Chi.
cagO, the Republicans in Chicago, Phil
adelphia, St Louis and Cincinnati. all
within the memory of young men in
politics. 1t is quite likely that this
year one or both of the conventions
will come east. Indeed, think alto
gether probable that there will be ear
nest endeavors 70 bring the Democrat
lie convention at least to this side OF
the Alleghanies. People have an idea
to my mind mistaken one. that the
fortunes of a candidate are affected by
: the place of the convention. If this
were true, it might be worth while tC
hold Democratic convention in Wash
ington. No candidate can possibly hal
from the one great city of the United
States whose people are not allowed
to vote. No boom could be advanced
by convention at such a spot. II
Washington had a great convention
hall, it would be the ideal convention
city. 1t might be worth while for PEG
pie interested to look forward some
: what to very strong fight to be mad,
D for the Capital City as convention
5 lefty.
] Washington, D. c.
81 WILLIS ]. ABBOTT.