Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-10

York October 81, 1858. The Roose-
veltseare of Holland stock, the earliest
member of the family in America,
Claes Maartenzoon Won Roosevelt, set
thing in New York nearly 800 years
ago. From Claes Won Roosevelt the
clan grew and prospered. They were
farmers, shipbuilders and owners. and
merchants of note.
Mr.. Roosevelt's father. himself an
other Theodore. was a retired mer-
chant. wealthy and able to bring up
his son in surroundings not often ac-
corded future great men. His mother
was Martha Hulloch. Georgian.
The early years of Roosevelt's life
were those OF weak, sickly child.
He was understood and white. and at
one time his family travelled with him
as far as Egypt in search Of health.
Because of his physical condition ~
parents sought to inculcate lie SNA e
love of outdoor life. and they succeed
ed so well that young Theodore. at the
age of twelve, set his heart upon being
4 naturalist.
From Weakling to Athlete.
This ambition led him to the fields
and woods and regenerated his phys
ical being to such an extent that when
he entered Harvard in 1875 he was q
robust young man. He boxed. rowed.
ran and swan with an enthusiasm
that was the last word in "strenuos-
ity." When he graduated in 1880 he
stood twenty-second on the commence
msnt roster.
At about this time Mr.. Roosevelt
gave voice to a trenchant principle
that has guided his life in later days.
There is nowhere in the world a
more ignoble character than the mere
money-getting American. tnsenstble to
every uuty, bent only on amasstng
fortune and putting his fortune only
to the baSest uses.
with this precept in mind. and his
graduation over. he set about filling
the place occupied by the elder Roose-
Welt, who died in 1878. He Joined the
Prison Reform Association and became
u member of various philanthropic
movements with which Roosevelt the
elder had been associated.
In the fall of 1880 he married Miss
Alice Hathaway Lee, Boston girl.
with whom he had become acquainted
during his student days. The couple
spent their honeymoon abroad and re-
turned to New York, where Roosevelt
at once plunged into the arduous cam
paign he had mapped out for himself.
Began Study Of Law.
a. >.,., 49, ~nu.,<hrooico1
studies he became interested in the law.
studying In the ONCE Of his uncle. Rob-
ert B. Roosevelt. and some time later
taking an active part In ward politics
at the solicitation of some Of his
friends.
A hot debate broke out in the Twen-
ty-First Assembly District Republican
Club, which then stood on 5sth street.
New York. Roosevelt was one Of the
speakers and was opposed by q ma.
chine" man. His speech received vocift
sumed that victory awaited him on the
vote. At the ballot, however. nod
from the party boss decided the mat
ter He was beaten by ballot OF s5-S'
He decided that he would like to 90
to the state legislature, and made his
desires known to the bosses. Both he
and his ambition were greeted with
The laugh, however. appeared upon
the other side when the result Of the
primary became known. Roosevelt had
gone among his silk-stocking friends.
among the saloonkeepere. among the
voters and had won. This was during
the summer of 1889.
As election day came around the ngnt
waxed hot. In the same district was
William Waldorf Aston. a candidate
for Congress on the same ticket that
carried Roosevelt. Both men made
strenuous campaigns. The wealthy
residents Of the district caught the in
fection. Millionaires solicited the votes
of their servants. There were fusions
of all sorts and kinds OF people, put
such was the personal popularity OF
young Roosevelt that when the cleo,
ton counts were taken IT was found
that he had ridden to victory. while
Astor fell far short of the goal
Cold Shoulder to Bosses.
The election over and his coveted seat
In the assembly firmly in his posses
sion, the bosses sought him out and
sounded him as to his political creed.
Would he observe the rule of the ma
chine? Would he be amenable to or
de-sr Mr. Roosevelt would not.
among the ten commandments" said
ne, and his troubles with the bosses be-
gan.
He was twenty-three when he took
his seat in the state legislature at Al
.bany. He was unknown and alone
Very much alone. Yet within a short
time he was one of its most notable
members.
His FIRST imbroglio of note arose
around the report of a railroad bill by
the railroad committed. of which Roose-
welt was a member. The orders from
above were to bottle II up" The rail-
roads did not like the measure and the
majority of the machine men on the
railroad committee showed signs of
favoring their instructions.
But Mr.. Roosevelt intervened. He
asked TO see the bill and calmly placed
il in his pocket. declaring his intention
of making a minority report on the
measure to the assembly. His action
threatened a personal encounter, but in
the end the machine men agreed to
make a report. with the result that the
bill was bottled up in the assembly in
stead Of in the committee.
The fame of the young legislators
daring won him many friends. however
and though the measure was as effec-
tually killed In open session as 1t would
have been in committee. the fight he
made showed plainly his caliber
Became Leader at Albany.
Mr.. Roosevelt was two years in the
state legislature, becoming the leader
Of his party and one of the most infiu-