Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-10
THEODORE ROOSEVELTS LIFE
ONE OF STRENUOUS EFFORT
Began Political Career Soon After
Reaching Majority, and at Once
Attained First Rank.

succeeded in electing his delegates to
the republican national convention OF
1884. He himself was elected a dele
date at large from the Empire state
and his fellows conferred upon him the
Office of chairman.
At the convention Mr.. Roosevelt's
work. in view of his age. was phenome-
nal He was twenty-five years old and
perhaps the youngest member of the
national body. Despite his youth. how
ever he entered the fight with vigor
and won. opposing the national com
mittee's choice for temporary chair
man and practically forcing the selec-
ton of a negro delegate for that posi-
ton.
He lost the great battle of the ma
tional meeting, however. Both ne ana
his fellow delegates had made siren.
uous fight against the nomination OF
James G. Blaine for President. Their
grounds seemed to them to be beyond
reproach. but in spite of their night
Blaine was nominated, both Roosevelt
and his fellows captivating and cast
ing their votes for the popular choice
rather than follow the action of other
delegates who broke with the repub-
lican party.
of Grover Cleveland, Roosevelt sought
a ranch and retired from politics for
the time being The ranch was in
North Dakota.
Period of Political Oblivion.
He now entered upon term of sor-
row and disappointment. His party
was in eclipse and he was forced into
political oblivion. In October of 1884
his mother died. to be followed two
days later by his wife
mes rather than his pleasure. He
bought cattle farm and entered upon
the rugged life of plainsmen, working
and riding with his men.
There are many stories told of this
period Of Roosevelt's career. He speed
lily won the respect and admiration OF
his follows by his enthusiasm and
feats of daring; He engaged in fist
cattle and lived to its fullest the rug
ged life then prevalent in the west
Roosevelt's recall from the west came
in the fall of 1886. He read in a New
mission. that he had been chosen can
didate for the mayoralty of New York
by the independents. His candidacy
was seconded by the republican party.
started for the seen of the political bat
tie. There was small chance of his cleo
ton in constituency so strongly dem
ocratic. but he made a memorable fight
and accepted his defeat with good
grace.
Following his defeat he sailed for Eu-
rope, where, shortly after his arrival in
England he married Miss Edith Kermit
Carow. Roosevelt had known Miss
Carow from his early boyhood. She
was twenty-five and he had just passed
his twenty-eighth birthday at the time
of the marriage.
Took Stump for Harrison.
On his return from his honeymoon
in 1888 Mr.. Roosevelt took the stump
for Gen. Harrison. And when the new
ly elected President was forming his
cabinet he offered his services. Roose-
welt hoped to be appointed assistant
secretary Of state, but Mr.. Blame, who
had been appointed chief of that de-
partment. remembered the strong fight
made against him in the national re-
jected to his proposed helpmeet. Har-
rison offered Roosevelt a place in the
civil service commission in lieu of the
State Department job and Roosevelt
The civil service commission was
then little-known institution. His new
duties therefore, offered him almost a
virgin field of endeavor, and he per-
portant measures looking toward the
firm establishment of the civil service
were made during his six-year tenure
Of office.
His next public ONCE was president
of the New York police commission. un-
der Mayor Strong. who was elected
by the independents: He held this
Office from May. 1895. to April. 1897.
a vigorous and we'll directed campaign
that brought him more than ever be-
fore his neighbors and friends, the citi-
zens of New York.
head. Roosevelt again turned to Wash
ington. The republican party was
firmly intrenched there and he felt that
his services could be used to greater
resigned his municipal position in New
York for an appointment as assistant
secretary of the navy.
1t has been said that this position
because It offered little chance to do
harm" But fate. In the shape Of the
Spanish American war. interviewed and
again gave him an opportunity to pre-
sent himself in the forefront of the
fray.
Made the Navy Efficient.
Mr.. Roosevelt. in fact. became a
prophet and leader almost Immediately
after his appointment. He made no
secret Of his Arm conviction that af-
fairs in Cuba were in such a precarious
state that Intervention in the island
by the United States would be neces-
sary, and IN order to forestalI the
emergency he set about advocating re-
forms in the navy.
He organized a system of rank and
promotion among naval officers: advo-
Gated vital changes In the target prac-
tice OF United States war vessels. and
sought in every way to cut the red
tape that bound that slow-going de-
partment
With the destruction Of the Maine in
Havana harbor his duties and RESPONSE
bilities increased a thousand fold. War
was inevitable and he plunged into the
work OF preparing the navy for the
expected encounter with vi1or. His
i last assignment in the Navy Depart
ment was as a member Of the war
| board. charged with the duty Of NOV
ing tho ships and watching the enemy.
When tho war was formally declared
he Immediately resigned, saying:
l. There Is nothing for me to do here.
must get into the fight myself 1t
Is Just war. and the sooner we meet
IT tho better. Now that II has come.
l have no right to ask others to fight
while ] stay at home"
The organization of the "Roueh
Riders" DIST Regiment of United States
Voluntary Cavalry is yet fresh in the
| memory OF the people Plainsmen.
mountaineers and millionaires were
| afame over its Organization and from
the east to west the flower OF the
country sought enlistment in its ranks.
| Though he was at first offered the
command of this body of horse. he in
Lat At n hAA