New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-10
Anolo-American Memories
Mr.. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
copyright. 1911. Georr. W. snalleyl


chose an American as its American rep
resentative? It's the American point Of
view they want No other could be Of so
much use 10 them"
seemed slightly to surprise Mr.. Roose-
welt. at that time.
His belief in himself and in his own
opinion was presently to become so ia
miliar TO the American people that it is
needless TO dwell on il. But his friends
first knew how complete il was when he
threw up his Assistant Secretaryshp Of
the Navy to enlist his regiment of
Rough Riders. and take them to Cuba
|, for what we called the Spanish War
All his friends advised him against II.
and told him he was sacrificing his fut-
ure; the prophetic vision not being
theirs He answered:
IF I believed IL would end my career
I should none the less go. I have urged
on this war. If I should stay in Wash
ington while it is fought 1 should be dis
graced. 1 should be ridiculous"
And thus it was that lie came to be
the historian of those military excur-
sions in Cuba, and 20 give Mr.. Dooley
the opportunity Of writing his master
piece on TEDDY Alone in Cuba; with
a lunch at the White House as his re-
ward. For "Teddys" temper was proof
against the Irishman's fun"
However in those days the American
people took serious views Of the Spanish
War and have had occasion 10 take seri-
Gus views since: and Of Mr. Roosevelt
as Governor Of New York and Presi-
dent; child of the War. Some time
after he had been installed as Governor
1 spent two or three days with him at
Albany in that Executive Mansion"
which the state provides as a residence
for its Chief Magistrate. Mrs. Roosevelt
was away, and my hostess was young
lady whose name has since foated
around the world: then a girl of fifteen;
with a brilliant manner and friendly
conception Of her duty 70 her fathers
guests which captivated them all. Even
in her early girlhood Miss Alice Roose-
welt was very competent, thoughtful,
picturesque. with an inexhaustible stock
of pleasant surprises. Said Governor
Roosevelt next morning:
'I want you to come TO the State
House and spend the day With me in the
Executive Chamber. You shall see
everything and hear everything. want
you TO know how the State of New York
is governed"
We walked over. Republican simple
ity and a certain carelessness Of tcnHe
was still the note. as at oyster Bay.
The Governor kept no state and took
little thought of appearances. For his
progress through the streets of his CAPT
tai he wore q lounge suit and a soft,
black. shapeless SLOUGH hat; but he
walked as if his time belonged 10 the
state and every minute had value.
From 10 o'clock till in the afternoon
people flowed into and out Of the Execu-
tive Chamber Politicians, many Of
them. TO whom politics were the most
important business Of State, but many
who had real business 70 transact The
Governor sat at his desk, his visitors sat
or stood-as the case might be. Some
we're dismissed with a few decisive
words: the Governor judged from an
opening sentence or two how much time
need be spared TO each. They came from
all over the State on every sort Of err
nicipal also. though I cannot reconect
that Tammany had a representative that
day: and private citizens not less i'm
portant. some Of them. than the holders
Of State office. The Corporations were
there: especially railway corporations; a
College President: and the Speaker Of
the Assembly. The procession that
moved through the Chamber was
microcosm OF the State. When secre-
taries came in with papers TO sign 1
was asked to look at some Of them.
When a Senator approached the Gov
ernor. TO him 1 was expected 10 listen
as TO lesser men: to his surprise and per-
hans displeasure. At > o'clock arrived
the reporters. to whom the Governor
gave audience in mass. He and they
were evidently on good terms. I had
never seen the interview transacted In
that way, and when I remarked on it
he said:
"Rut don't you see what convenience
il is? am left in peace all day, and
they all know that at 3 o'clock they will
ali hear all the news there is and 10 no
paper is any preference shown. -
Excellent. no doubt. from the Gov
ernor's point of view, but it reduced
journalism 10 a kind Of trades union
level. with It's "one man as good as an
other" maxim; equalizing chances but
neutralizing the advantages 10 which
superior energy and capacity were en-
titled.
An interesting day all through, and l
learned my lesson. though not perhaps
inst the lesson I was meant 70 learn. AS
we walked away from the State House
TIE Governor asked me whether now
Understood better than in the morning
how the state of New York was gov
erned.
yes. / think l do.
well, what do you say?'
AN I can say is that the State seems
10 be governed by the will Of Theodore
Roosevelt"
An answer which he did not appear to
expect. but it was inevitable. In view Of
all that has since happened 1t has De