New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-04
LITERARY CRITICISM
AND BOOK NEWS
Two Books About Colonel Roosevelt: the Man,
His Equipment and His Achievements
A Sound American ldealist

Roosevelt's ruling motives as n public
mantle ideas which have lain be-
hind leadership which many Amer
cans of Mr.. Washburn's own cautious
type have been inclined at times TO
consider dangerously radical
1t Is the authors purpose partlcu-
larly to show that Colonel Roosevelt
has never been a politician IN the
self-seeking sense; that the radical
opinions which he expressed when
President and in the campaign Of 1872
were not assumed for the political eNi-
gencies Of the occasion borrowed from
Mr.. Bryan or the Populists but were
Carefully considered for many years
before they found expression; and
that in 1912 Colonel Roosevelt entered
the campaign against Mr.. Taft be
cause he was seeking TO advance a
cause, and not any personal ambition
In PROOF of the first point Mr.. Wash
burn presents these facts: Colonel
Roosevelt went into the New York Leg
islature intending to serve but single
wear He retired after three years. lie
returned to public life after consid-
cradle interval-hr first as Federal Civil
Service Commissioner and then a 70
lice Commissioner for New York CITY
two Offices which could have offered not
the slightest expectation of political
advancement. Later he became Assist
ant Secretary of the Navy, and then
soldier. The GovernOrship of New YORK
fell TO him without any special EFFORT
on his part, and he was thrust against
his will into the Vice-Presidency.
Mr.. Washbum further maintains
that no politician" in Roosevelt S place
would ever have invited Booker 7.
Washington to a meal in the White
House; would have antagOniZed the
Senate for over two years by the Crum
nomination; discharged the negro regi-
ment at Brownsville; denounced the
abuses tolerated or practlsed by organ
lied capital and organized labor; been
so regardless of amenities in dealing
with Congress, or would have visited
Rome in April. 1910, after the Vatican
had declined to receive him unless he
would promise in advance to accept no
courtesies from the Methodist Episco-
pal missionary organization established
in that city. Mr.. Washburn might we'll
have added that no politician" would
have affronted the hyphenated vote
by coming out, as Colonel Roosevelt did
at the very beginning Of the war, in
favor of Intervention by this govern
ment 10 right the wrongs done by Ger
many to Belgium.
Regarding the recall Of judges and
judicial decisions, Mr.. Washburn says
that Colonel Roosevelt's disapproval Of
a narrow judicial construction of the
police power protecting property rights
to the detriment of human rights and
social progress-dates back TO 1883,
when the Court of Appeals Of New York
State declared unconstitutional an act
prohibiting the manufacture or prep
aration of tobacco in tenement houses.
Mr.. Roosevelt was interested in the
passage of this act, having seen the
evil results of the tobacco industry in
crowded households. The court said,
among other things: at cannot be per
ceived how the cigarmaker is to be M
proved in his health or his morals by
forcing him from his home and its
hGiloUed associations and nefcent
Influences 70 ply his trade elsewhere"
This CHASTITY pleasantly naturally
stirred Mr.. Roosevelt's moral wrath and
laid basis for his later conviction
that judicial decisions should never be
immune from reversal when they Of
Tended against good government and
popular welfare. As for President
Roosevelt's crusade against industrial
and corporation abuses, it IS easy 70
agree that the case is now practically
closed. Even "big business" to-day &C
cepts what then seemed to it harsh
Though, in fact. a benefciaD pro-
gramme of government regulation.
II is still too soon TO ask Republicans
of all shades to view the internecine
strife of 1912 with critical calmness. II
is something gained, however. toward
rational perspective when stanch sup
porter of Mr.. Taft like Mr.. Washburn
car say that not personal ambition but
a real desire 10 serve cause which was
apparently being deserted by Republ-
canism impelled Colonel Roosevelt TO
make the sacrifices he made in heading
third party ticket.
Stories TO illustrate the great range
of Colonel Roosevelt's sympathies and
the appeal which he makes to men of
all sorts are innumerable. Mr.. Wash
burn tells at least one new one. While
hunting in Colorado the President en-
countered a cowboy who had served in
the Rough Riders. The latter came up
and said:
"Mr President. have been in
Jail a year for killing gentle
man"
Glow did you do it," asked the
President, meaning to inquire as to
the circumstances.
"Thirty-eight on q forty-hve
frame" replied the cowboy, think
ing that the only interest the
President had was that Of com
rade who wanted TO know with
what kind of tool the trick had been
done.
Mr.. Washburn makes another illu-
m;nating remark. He says that Colonel
Roosevelt twas not hampered in the
Presidency by professional (meaning
IegaD or business experience" IL Is
his freedom from the narrowing for
mulas of these two vocatlons which
more than anything else has given him
his power TO sense new ideas ana 10