The chronicle=news., 1912-10-31

man ever went to Roosevelt with a
measure of general public import
ance without getting an instant and
ready reply: That is n good thing. |
will advance it." His action In the
coal strike. his part In the Russo
japanese war. his work with Pinchoi
and Garfield. his building up our
politely OF conservation. his resist
ancc upon the pure food bill. his
booking OF railway leSislatIon-all
these are achievements which are
recorded. but there is another less
tangible and more far-reaching cf.
feet OF his personality and that is
found IN the livening. the rejuvena-
tion of our public service. To use a
strong phrase. he lacked up" the
public servants all along the line.
He was live wire.' and on, OF
his aboundin: vitality n thrill OF
energy. OF courage. of resolution ra-
dated til II was felt by the ranger
in his lonely forest. the meat In
spcctor in the Chicago jungle. and
the diplomat at tn. court OF kings.
He would not tolerate incapacity
In general OF the army or any other
officer. Tireless himself. he has I'M
patient OF those who stopped on the
field OF battle to take an after din
ner nap. He was an executive. no; 4
Illuminating old judge. He loved
youth. vlsor and clear perception
and admired honest. enthusiastic
purpose. So far as he could. he cast
his vote for the young candidate. He
called the young man OF independent
fortune into politics. lie raised pub.
lie service TO n higher rate of speed.
and today he Is the leader OF n party
of young men-men who are young
In the power To ass!milatc novel
ideas. He is the lcader-of those who
believe in honest social service and
tho enforcement OF social Justice.
But my friend insists, admit
all ihat-and much OF II ! do admit
is he not profound egotls,' Did
he not become between other leaders
and the nomination."
He dId-but he did It at the al
most universal demand OF the Pro-
Eressivcs. Let no one deceive him
self There was only one first
choice and tha; was Theodore Roose-
Welt. No one who attended the con-
v.n,ions in Chicago could have any
reasonable doubt OF whom the peo.
pie commanded 20 serve. There were
several substitutes. but only one
Roosevelt. there never had been. the
others were named simply on the
basis OF substitute In case the chief
tackle would not play. The prcsi-
dcncy should not he reward. II IS
an honor. but II IL also service. The
president should be fitted for his
Job the same as any other hired man
OF the people. and should be subject
iicer. Roosevelt has had but one
term in his own right. but II he
had. his experience, his vikor. his
wide acQaintance with men and at-
fairs fit him to be better presi-
dent than ever before. The talk OF
4 third term is nonsense-'he term
should be subject to popular will as
| 1t is in England. and II the people
find their servant useful. there is no
reason why they should not retain
him.
!
know the man: for nearly 90 years
! have had the honor and the plea.
sure OF his friendship. Our acquain.
tance began outside OF politics and
continues outside of politics. When
we met first he was police commits
sioner and n regular" Republican.
was n young novelist and Henry
George disciple. We met on the
common ground of lover Of the
best, and n belief in American liter
a,urc and art. We seldom talked
thing for mvself or any friend. Ny
visits to him We're those OF one man
OF literary tastes to another. i
think he found my company inoffen-
isve and perhaps a relief because 7
did not ask for anything. Once as
was dining with him when he was
assistant secretary of the navy. he
suddenly leaned back and said:
Think Of having a man at my table
who knows the difference between 4
par fleche and an apperaso."
| He permitted me to share his deep
est aspirations as n public servant
and once wrote in volume of his
essays: II am trying to make my ad-
ministration square with the prin-
ciples expressed in this volume" At
another time he said, with profound
earnestness: II am president Of the
whole people. no matter what their
color. creed or condition, and in all
Questions brought to me for answer
I try TO ge: at the equities in the
case
| / believe he meant this. am sure
that he has tried in all ways TO live
up to his expressed idea. 1t has not
been easy. and he has not always
found the sources of his Information
Ipure. AS his judgments and his ac-
ltion had to be based upon the