The San Francisco call., 1909-02-21
The Opinions
of Many
linking Men

hero or a humbug? These are the questions which
the sunday cal today submits to its readers for
their answe-.
There is cloud Of witnesses to either characterize
ten
James Bryce hes praised him the greatest pres-
dent since Washington. Edward Hartman has de-
nounced him tae dangerous that
occupied the presidential chair. Between these two
extremes an sorts of intermediate opinion
have been expressed by friends and foes
What verbal compromise. if would succinctly sum
his virtues and his failiDgs2
Roosevel-s three characteristic sayings
the strenuous life" the dear the big
stick His admirers hold that he has embodied all
three before the world Are they right wrong?
Concerning his strenuosty there question.
He is the active energetic most
forceful Of an present day statesmen But his
activities always directed into channels? Is his
energy utilized his always
usually exerted the right side?
Has he given square his WELL as to
his friends, given il alike TO the business the
politician the private individual the general public?
Has he welded big stick benefit
countries and the peoples patronage? OF
his personal popularity M more
than Of his strenuosity. the feeling which
he creates born Of unqualified admiration
or is there buresque side 10 his character which
appeals gratefully OF humor? In other
words is the nations darling spoiled
or is he massive many sided. full grown man who
imposes himself by sheer force of his intellect
his virtues and his dominating personality?
, =
T-HEODORE ROOSEVELT wass horn New York
city. october p. 1888. the second of Theodore
Roosevelt 81. merchant and philanthropst
lie prepared college under tutor and was grad
uated from Harvard college in 1880 year
he married made a trip to Europe.
1881 he published his first book. The Naval War
Of 1872" which was well received.
Meanwhile he was studying law. but he abandoned
it for politics. autumn e elected
TO the New York Legislature republican
champion Of civil service reform. serving continuously
until 1888.
tie session of 1883 he was republican candidate
the speakersip against democratic majority and
chairman committee on cities and of
the special which investigated
municipal administration OF York.
ne attended the national republican convention
Chicago chairman the delegation.
He supported senator Edmunds for the presidential
nomination but when Blaine dominated entered
actively in the campaign in his behalf.
For two years uss4-se) he lived on a ranch he had
PueRaSed IN NSTih Dak4a STUDYING the people and
Ranchman"
1856 he for mayor of New as
pendent republican but defeated by the demo-
cratic candidate, Abram : Hewitt
In May 1889 President Harrison appointed him a
member of the United States civil commission
After making record for strenuous to the
principles TO which he had early pledged himself he
resigned April 1897 to become assistant secretary OF
the navy.
the declaration of war with Spain he left the
department 10 organize, with Dr. Leonard Wood.
surgeon. the First United States volunteer
Doctor Wood became colonel Roosevelt lieutenant
colonel For gaiIantry in the action Las Guasmas
the latter was promoted to colonel
In November. 1895. he was elected governor of the
state OF New York by plurality of 1so7s. He insti-
gated Investigation into alleged
canal system and favored the enactment of the Ford
franchise law providing for the taxation of
tion franchises and the further extension OF
service system.
course as governor had raised up bitter enemies
within the party and enthusiastic friends both within
and without so that his was more conspicuous name
at the republican presidential
even that OF Mckinley, who received the nomination.
sast hls VIII ne was Iorced 70 accept the nomination
for vice president In November the year the
pagn IN which Roosevelt had borne picturesque part
On September "A. 1901, the death of President Nc
Kinley from an assassins pistol shot Theodore
Roosevelt his successor.
Roosevelt announced that he would follow in the
lines laid down By his predecessor. cabinet he
methods especially into the project for isthmian
canal al Panama which he made an actuaity. In the
to submit their differences TO arbitration.
the republican national convention of 1904 he was
nominated for president and in the ensuing campaign
defeated Judge Parker, his opponent by a
popular plurality Of 2,5124i7.
On June 1905. President Roosevelt offered his
of Russia aHG Japan AS a result representatives of
both nations met at Portsmouth N. H., on August s
1908 On August 29 the treaty of peace was signed
Io is international service Roosevelt received
Nobel peace prize in 1906.
During his presidential terms Roosevelt has
thrown his influence into securing many measures of
fare Of nsular colonies has attempted to curb
laN Dreakng corporations to prosecute fathless off,