The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-22
MORE ROUGH RIDING.

There seems little likelihood that
there will be a denial of the charge
that the president, while out riding
last week, behaved in a most undigni-
fled manner in regard to a matter of
precedence with three young ladies
and their chaperone. The facts seem
to be we'll substantiated and are not
denied at the White House. Until
the story is given publicity from the
Presidents point of view, most peo-
pie will condemn his action, as to say
the least, unwarranted.
The fact seems to be that the pres
ident1el party were out riding a little
ahead of a party of three girls, and
their chaperone. Miss Sisson, from the
National Park Seminary. The girls
were we'll mounted on spirited horses
and, according to their version, did not
see who was ahead of them. They
were travelling at a higher rate of
speed than the other party and at
tempted to go around it. A melee,
perhaps accidental, ensued in which
one of the girls horse became fright
ened or insulted at the presidents
steed.
Now what happened?
The president is said to have made
some remarks of scathing character
and rebuked the girls for passing him.
The melee might easily have been &C
cidental, the passing of the presiden-
tial party seems to have been. The
rebuke of the president was not acct
dental.
This paper and this community has
almost always agreed with Theodore
Roosevelt on political questions and
when it did not agree with him respect
ed his attitude as manly and courag-
eous. But there will be few who will
not condemn him if the affair is not
Strengthened up. Allow that the girls
were in error and you still do not have
pleasant picture.
Up to this time it has been said
that Theodore Roosevelt can do any
thing he pleases because he has the
people behind him. 1t is doubtful il
the people will be behind him in the
matter of making a scene with girls
who were properly chaperoned and
whose chaperone is a woman of I'M
questioned standing all over the coun
try. The fact of her being there
shows that the slight was not inten
tionals and the president should have
shown the good sense he is supposed
to have.
ALL friends of the president will
greatly deplore the occurrence. Thu
president in rough riding up San Jual
Hill. and doing a. like service in chars
ing and riding down malefactors il
public life is popular hero, and bid
fair to become Solar Myth for tn
ensuing ages to rival with Hercules
Roland, and William Tell. 1t is
therefore, that his friends deplore TIL
fact that he has carried his tactic
against grafters and the scoundrelS in
10 disrepute by caterwauling som
school girls because they happened t
ride around him.
The people have loved and admire
Roosevelt because of his democracy
Is the matter of precedence thing t
be so guarded that our chief executiv
must needs make a farce of his III
doubted attachments?
In the exercise of his position a
commander in chief of the forces o
land and sea, the president is frequen
ly called on to pass on questions {
conduct becoming an officer and
gentleman" The question will arts
as to whether he is capable of passin
on the conduct becoming a gentl,
man" if he pursues this course.
has been said by people in society tina
the president is 1.-The first gentlema
that has been elected for many years
BY this is meant the social position {
Mr.. Roosevelt's father and mother.
this is sample of the gentle bloc
there will he some further question
as to his breeding.
The Indianapolis Star states as i
opinion that this affair is one of tt
lies that are used to embarrass tt
president because of his activiti'
against congress. 1t Is easy to giN
the editorial writer credit for ingen'
ity and a caution engendered by Il
pfays ~