The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-10-28
HIS POLITICAL CAREER
Twenty-Five Years - Started
With Municipal Politics in
New York.

Washington, D, c., Oct 27--Prcs
ident Roosevelt was so years old TO
day. He was the recipient of many
congratulations, but passed the day
very much according to the routine
which marks his everyday life. hTt
progress of Mr.. Taft's campaign fol
! the presidency seemed to occupy
more of his attention than his birth
day and was the chief topic of con
versation with the many callers whom
he received during the day.
| Twenty-ight strenuous birthdays
have passed over Mr.. Roosevelt.
head since he left Harvard with his
| diploma in 1880. His twenty-secont
birthday, the first after his graduation
from college was spent in Europe
where he was travelling to recover
from the effects of nard study. Upot
returning home he plunged at onct
! into the maelstrom of municipal poll
| tics, and his twenty-third birthday
found him campaigning for election q
the New York General Assembly. Al
twentyfour Mr.. Roosevelt was known
| all over the coustr vas new power
in the Albany halls Of legislation Al
twenty-five he was completing his
term In the Legislature and had add
ed to his fame througl his strenuous
work as head of the legislative com.
mittee appointed to investigate New
York's municipal administration.
Mr.. Roosevelt's twenty-sixth birth.
day found him ON the stump speaking
in behalf of the Republican national
ticket. The previous summer, as
chairman of the New York delegation
He had opposed the nomination of M
Blaine, but when Mr.. Blaine became
the choice OF the convention. Mr..
Roosevelt fell into line and worked
for the party's candidates success
Mr. Roosevelt passed his twenty
seventh birthday on his ranch in the
Bad Lands cultiyatIng the acquaint.
ance of ranchmen. rustlers, and COW
punchers, who subsequently were 10
form the nucleus Of his regiment OF
Rough Riders.
At twenty-eight he was again In the
turmoil of New York City politics
Henry George was candidate for
mayor. Abram S. Hewitt was the
nominee of the Democrats Mr.
Roosevelt was put IN the field by the
Republicans. Mr.. Hewitt won.
During his twenty.ninth and thir
tieth years Mr. Roosevelt was engaged
chiefly in literary work and in hunt
Ing big game During this period
of his career he passed many months
In hunting the grizzly bears and 9th
Ter fierce wild animals of the West
His thirtyfirst birthday found him
la member Of the United States CiW
Service Commission. TO which he had
been appointed by President Harri
son. President Cleveland retained
him in Office aud he continued to
serve until 1895.
Al thirty-seven Mr.. Roosevelt was
president OF the New York Board of
Police Commissioners Within a
month after taking hold of this offico
he had became at once the best.hated
and best.lilied man In New York Ht
.overhauled the police department an
effectually stopped the police black
mail Of saloon Keepers. This wort
kept him busy for two years
At thir-nine Mr.. Roosevelt was as
sistant secretary Of the navy His
fortieth birthday. following his siren
uous campaign in the war with Spain
found him a candidate on the Republi
can ticket for governor OF New York
He was successful in the election and
his fortyfrst birthday found hi- in.
stalled in the executive chair az Al
.banv At fortytwo he was on the eve
of his election 10 the vice presidency
o fthe United States.
His fortythird birthday Dc passed
in tne White House having succeeded
10 the presidency the previous month
through the death Of Mr. McKinley
The question Of Cuban reciprocity
and fhs Schley controversy Were oc
eHry'HE bis attention.
His forts fourth birthday vas his
second in tte white House. Ten
poarIF beaten uH Cuban reciprocity
he had laiI DO aside and aaz beginning
Hf- fefa AGAINST the trusts ne had
just uo1 his first great victory the
settlement of The anthracite coal
strike
His forts firth birthday found him
awaiting tte result of the coup iu
Central America Tire establishment
G fthe Panama Republic. and in pre-
pairing for me extra session of con.
sress which b. had caIlei 90 conside
Cuban reciprocity.
BIS forrysiNth birthday be- spent in