New-York tribune., 1909-03-04
THE ROOSEVELT ADMINISTRATION.

THE ROOSEVELT ADMINISTRATIONS.
The Roosevelt administration ends to-day
We are. perhaps. still too close TO it to fix with
accuracy its place in our political history. Yet
even among those who lament IFS tendencies
and deny its greatness few will be found To
dispute the fact that it has differed in spirit
and achievement from preceding adminlstra-
tions. has broken boldly with the traditions of
the past and marked out new lines for national
development.
/ In that respect the Roosevelt administration
may be fairly ranked with the administrations
of Washington. jefferson. Jackson and Lincoln
Washington's administration launched the
Union md labored successfully 10 foster na-
tionality and overcome the destructive forces
of sactionalism Jefferson brOadened the appll-
cation of the democratic principle and broke
down the conservative and aristocratc tradl-
tionS inherited from the colonial system Jack
son was the first President elected from state
west of the Alleghanies and his administration
marked the passage Of power from the older
Atlantic states 10 the newer ana more Demo
cratic communities of the Mississippi valley
From Jaekson's time on the normal political
development of the nation was checked by the
slavery issue Sectionalism became rampant
and nearly destroyed the union. Ifncoln's ad-
ninistration saved it, accomplishing by force
of arms what Washington had hoped might De
accomplished by force of association and rea-
SON From 1865 10 1900 the country was ab-
scrbed in the tasks of reconstruction The
North had all it could do to reap the fruits OF
the Civil War. to maintain the protective
system under which its industries had grown
and TO repel assaults upon the nations hnan-
cial honor and credit These assaults failing,
sectionalsm ceased to be dangerous and pres
emily subsided. The Mckinley administration
marked its disappearance as a dominant fntu-
ence in national politics,
It was possible for the Roosevelt administra-
ton, therefore, to turn 10 new problems. Be
tween 1876 and 1900 an economical and polit-
icaI situation had arisen which required treat
ment The extraordinary expansion Of com
merce. transportation and industry and the
general introduction of the principle of incOr-
poration and consolidation undermined compe-
tition and its restraints Tendencies toward
monopoly became powerful. and great incorp0-
rated interests began TO exercise a self-seeking
control not only Of business but Of poliics.
Secret favors from the railroads, excessive
iprices to consumers and lenient treatment from
legislatures gave those interests confidence
enough TO act as if they were law unto them
selves They made laws for others TO obey,
but believed that they could never be brought
10 book 1t is the distinguishing feature OF the
Roosevelt administration that 1t set 10 work
most earnestly 10 CupIh lue upIItSSlOiio u
monopoly in industry and to break the hold Of
law-defying corporations on politics. The
Presidents motto was a square deal for ALL"
and that square deal involved q restoration Of
individual equality Of opportunity and the re-
turn TO the people Of power 10 control legisla-
ton in their own interest Some critics have
condemned the Presidents policy as drastic
and destructive. But good deal of destruc-
ton was necessary 10 pave the way for reme-
dial legislation 1t is also said that the PreSi-
dent has not accomplished many things which
he set out to accomplish. That may be grant
ed. But the moral effect of his ideas and ac-
tivities has been enormous. The spirit in
which he wrought viii continue to work for
good He retires from office, but his policies
will affect administration and legislation for
another generation.
The moral stimulus of the administration has
been of greater value than its actual achieve
ments Yet few administrations have seen SO
many projects of Importance carried into eff
feet The conservation of the nations natural
resources has at last been seriously under
taken. An irrigation system for the arid West
is under way and the forest areas have been
enlarged and protected. Work on a trans
isthmian canal is making rapid progress. The
navy has been greatly enlarged and its eff
cheney has been spIendidly demonstrated. The
government has shown its determination to
enforce the laws against the most powerful
offenders It has ended serious abuses through
the passage Of the railroad rate law the
pure food law and the meat inspection law
The administration has worked effectively for
peace and arbitration and for better relations
with all the world 1t has greatly enlarged
the application of the merit system Of appoint
ments It has changed the face Of domestic
politics for It has encouraged everywhere freer
party action. better leadership and a broader
responsibility on the part of leaders and Iegis-
lafors 10 the people. We owe TO the Roosevelt
administration a rebirth of the true spirit Of
democracy.
The President goes ont Of Office amid the
objurcations of a small minority. He has
trampled on many toes and made many enc
mics Yet the criticism which follows him
ought TO leave no sting. Freneau could write
thus of Washington when the latter retired
from the Presidency = Every heart in unison
with the freedom and happiness of the people
fought 10 beat high with exultation that the
'name of Washington ceases from this day TO
give currency TO political insults and to legal
''ize corruption" If Lincoln had lived to bind
up the wounds Of civil strfe-a process which
his untmely death made far more difficult and
psinful-he. too would have been accompanied
private life with the abuse of those whom
his high-minded policies had tlwarted and en-
bittered.