davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07

I Civil Service Commission, 1SS9-1S95;
president of New York Police Board,
iS95: Assistant Secretary of the Navy,
1897; Governor of New York, 1898
/ 1900: Vice President, 190O-1901; Presi-
dent by succession to William Mckin-
ley. l901-19G4; Pres dent by election,
i904-190S: Progressive candidate for
the Presidency 1912; leader of Amer
lean opinion, urging early entrance into
war and vigorous prosecution thereof,
191l-1919
j. Explorer and Naturohst-Col-
onel Roosevelt made two important
trips OF exploration, one in 1908 to
Africa and one in 1914 to Brazil. He
was from youth a keen observer of
Wild life, friend OF naturalists, and
himself naturalist Of reputation. His
books OF these subjects were many
and popular.
5. Preacher und Jourmdhst-It is
hard to separate these activities from
Colonel Roosevelt's public career. Yet
it must be recorded that he wrote and
SDOkt UDOuU tuC WlQcSI \UIlCly vi tOQ-
;cs throughout his life, and probably
, had as great an influence upon Ameri-
can morals and ideals of his day as
any preacher or writer. He was con-
tributing editor of "The Outlook" for
several years, later wrote regularly
for "Thc Metropolitan" and died in
harness, writing daily editorials for
The Kansas City Star"
Not as part of his public career, but
in the picture of Colonel Roosevelt
that his friends will always cherish,
was his ideal family life. Through all
the bitter enmity that assailed him
while he lived no breath Of scandal
was ever so much as limited at
He was devoted husband and
father. One Of his finest and lofti-
est utterances was an editorial, called
"The Great Adventure" printed in
"The Metropolitan" last autumn, and
evidently inspired by the loss of his
son Quentin. The words speak with
peculiar fitness to-day:
"Only those are fit to live who do
not fear to die. and none are fit TO
die who have shrunk from the Joy Of
life and the duty of life. Both life
and death are parts of the same
Great Adventure.
Never yet was worthy adventure
worthily carried through by the man
who put his personal safety first
Never yet was a country worth living
in unless its sons and daughters were
of that stern stuff which bade them
die for it at need; and never vet was
country worth dying for unless its
sons and daughters thought of life
not as something concerned only
with the selfish evanescence of the
individual, but as link in the great
chain of creation and causation. so
that each person is seen in his true
relations as an essential part of the
whole, whose life must be made to
serve the larger and continuing life
CT the whole"
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07

Bullock. who married his father at
boswell, Ga, in 1858, Colonel Rocse-
"elt was connected with some of the
best known families of the South, and
as his mothers family had csDoused
the cause of the Ccnfederacy, while his
father was a steadfast adhcrent of the
Union, Colonel Roosevelt in his boy
hood gained a wide sectional insight
and tolerance much in evidence in
later life.
His great grandfather Archibald
Bullock was a member Of the Cont
mental Congress and the first Governor
Of the State of Georgia. Daniel Stew
art, one OF his great grandfathers, was
brigadier general in the Continental
army. An uncle, Captain James D. Bull
lock, became an officer of the United
States navy in 1840, but chose tofollow
his state when Georgia seeded and
became one of the Confederacy's most
trusted agents in Europe. While on
this mission he was instrumental in
purchasing the privateers Florida and
Alabama.
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07
'sB0ptis5n of Fire. Received
WITH Though Riders Cuba

Nothing was more characteristic of
the fiery, impulsive Roosevelt of earlier
days than his sudden decision to aban-
don his desk at Washington just as
soon as it was found that war with
Spain was inevitable. As Assistant
Secretary of the Navy he had done
much to bring the nations marine
strength up to its greatest efficiency
and to 4 maximum Of power.
Having accomplshsl this. he thought
that his place was in the fighting lines
And the way he would have conducted
war against Spain was made evident
from brief conversation he had with
President Mckinley just before his
resignation, early in 1898
1t had been learned that Admiral
Cervera's feet was en- route for Cuba.
Roosevelt Immediately urged that the
mere sailing of the fleet was a breach
OF peace with the United States When
the President, who had great confidence
IN the Assistant Secretary of the Navv.
asked him for advice, Roosevelt's
answer left no doubt as to his inten-
tons.
"My advice is to meet Cervera at
the Canaries and sink every ship in
his feet" said Roosevelt
bul tldl would Ce an act OF war"
returned President Mckinley.
"Certainly." answered the Assistant
Secretary, "but | have noticed in my
study of history that it is the nation
that gets in the first blow that usually
wins-an [ believe in getting in the
first blow"
Formed Rough Riders
When Roosevelt resigned as assist
ant to Secretary of the Navy Long he
sought position on General Fitzhugh
Lees stal. There was no vacancy
however, and he Immediately turned
his attention to project that long had
been near mis- heart
Trained horsemen, cowboys of the
plains polo players, fox hunters of the
East and North, he argued, should
make ideal cavalrymen. Why not or
ganize them into regiment?
The idea had no sooner crystallized
than it was carried into execution The
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07
AS Youth He Overcarne
Many Physical Handicaps
Fought On as Hard and as Happily to the Last Day
of His Life-''I Do Not Care Rap About
Being Shot''-He Faced Death Many Times

Get action; do things; be sane" he
said. Don't fritter away your time;
create; act; take place wherever
you are and be somebody; get action,
but don't get gay"
Throughout the remainder of his life
the Colonel kept in touch with many
members of the "Rough Riders" or
ganization. 1t was said that no men,
Der of his former regiment ever called
at the White House without breaking
up any conference or schedule of en-
gagements that Roosevelt might have
had on nand.
Senator Shelby NJ. Cullom. of Illinois,
once called to see President Roosevelt,
and was compelled to wait several
minutes before he could get reply as
to when the President would be at
leisure.
"Who is in there ?" the Senator final
ly asked the doorkeeper
"a man who says ne is a former
Rough Rider was the reply.
"Then what chance have l. merely
Senator, to get ~ asked the Illinois
Senator, turning away and abandoning
his errand.
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07

of hard boxing with spectacles strapped
on his nose.
His sportsmanship was no less re-
marked in college than was his boz
ing ability. In ono of his bouts for
the middleweight championship, in his
junior year, the audience in the gym"
started to hiss his opponent who had
landed a blow after the call of time.
Roosevelt appealed at once to them to
cease, explaining he knew his opponent
had not heard the bell Then he shook
hands and swung a hard right to his
opponents jaw.
Was a Good Student
In college Roosevelt was neither a
"grind" nor loafcr He maintained
better than average position in his
class as scholar and found plenty
of time for long rambles around
Cambridge, both afoot and on horse
back, and other normal amusements.
One phase OF college activities that
appealed to him and in which he shone
was "politics." He took an active and
efficient part in the struggle for class
and college Offices and gained know
ledge of. and love for, the game"
which never left him throughout his
life. He became one of the editors Of
"The Advocate" but took no prizes in
English composition.
Graduated in 1880
He was graduated in 1880 as Bache-
lor of Arts, standing twenty second in
his class He won some academic
honors, gaining honorable mention in
natural history, which, with zoology
and ornithology, occupied much of his
time throughout his four college years.
After graduation Roosevelt made an
extended European trip with his family,
spending much time in Switzerland.
where he scaled the Jungfrau and Mat
terhorn and was elected member of
the Alpine Club of London.
He had thought seriously of fitting
himself to become a professor of nat
ural history, so greatly had that
science appealed to him, but he cast
that idea aside while on his European
trip and on his return studied law for
a time at Columbia and later read law
in the Office of his uncle, Robert b.
Roosevelt.
H. married first in 1880 Alice Lee. Of
Boston, who died in 1884, leaving one
child, Alice Lee Roosevelt He married
again in 1886 Edith Kermit Carow.
The children of this marriage were
Theodore, ir.; Kermit, Ethel. Quentin
Foollhd pleqiuoIV pu1
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07

istically plain manner of address and
leaving no doubt as to his meaning
Appointed Good Aids
When Colonel Roosevelt arrived in
Albany as Governor it was felt that the
state would have as an Executive a
man of such high integrity that every
officeholder in Albany would under
stand that bis accounts must be abso-
lutelv correct, that there would be no
stealing and that there would be no
Jobbery attempted iii the Legislature.
1t had been predicted by Democratic
orators that Governor Roosevelt would
be "too impetuous" at times. Governor
Roosevelt acknowledged that he was
impetuous by temperament. but said hs
thought he mad subdued this trait in his
nature. However, d day came when MS
impetuous spirit blazed forth. but 10
enc of eminencc has ever criticised him
for that days action. 1t was the final
day of the session of the Legislature Of
1899. when he fan5ly expressed his
opinion that the franchise tax act
ought to be passed. and it was passed.
The members of the Legislature felt
that public opinion was supporting ths
Governor, and they did not venture to
defeat the measure.
Fired District Attorney
Another "impetuous" act of the Gov
ernor was the removal from Office Of
the District Attorney of New York
County, Asa Bird Gardiner. on the
charge that he gave aid and comfort to
Chief of Police Devery after thai OIL
Ger had been indicted for issuing Sc
ditious order to the police force regard
ing violence at the polls. The recor1
made by Eugene Philbin, an inde
pendent Democrat, whom the Governor
appointed to succeed Gardiner. con
disarmed the criticisms of all those
who desired an honest administration
Of that important office, and proved
Governor Roosevelt's ability to esti-
mate men Alright.
Measures which he pressed with his
personal, as well as official, influence
provided for the prevention of the
adulteration Of food products ami fer
ti,izers, the betterment of the wage
workers in tenement houses, improve
ments in the labor law and the system
of factory inspection. the protection OF
game, and especially the honest and ef-
fcient administration Of the state
canals and the extension of civil ser
vice regulations
Protected the Treasury
The notorious Ramapo job found n
him an insurmountable obstacle, and
by the "confess;ons of judgment
bill the strong hand Of the Governor
saved New York City's treasury from
much heavy legalized looting.
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07

the command. Roosevelt became 3
lieutenant colonel.
Owing to the foresight of Roosevelt
his Rough Riders," a name that struck
the popular fancy and clung to the
regiment long after the war was over.
found 1t possible to get across to Cuba
IN time for the actual fighting Many
other fighting units were compelled,
TOR lack OF transports, to remain in
active in camp in Florida until the
end of the war
Horse Shot Under Him at San Juan
1t was at The battle Of Las Guasimas,
ON June "a. that Roosevelt saw his
first real fighting His undaunted
spirit and the wholehearted interest
in the welfare of the men there en-
deared HIM still further to the mem
bers of his command
But it was at the Battle of San Juan
Hill, on July /, where Roosevelt was
ranking officer, that he attained his
real claim TO fame as a soldier His
horse shot from under him, he ran
ahead Of his men. waving his sword
and shouting encouragement to them,
until the Spaniards had been driven
from their trenches.
Those were the days before bat
tleS were won by performance OF
military material rather than by per-
sonal bravery, and Roosevelt threw
himself into the fight in manner that
silenced all those who had credited
him with personal motives for enlist
ing.
During the charge many of the
"Rough Riders" were killed. A veri-
table storm of Mauser bullets ploughed
through their ranks and threatened to
sweep all before them. But the fields
before Santiago were cleared and the
final surrender Of that stronghold was
a direct result of the taking OF San
Juan Hill
100 Feet Ahead of His Men
Here is one of the descriptions Of
the charge, as sent in a dispatch from
the field of battle:
Roosevelt was in the lead, waving
his sword. Out into the open and up
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07

Cuba; Here he showed how little he
was bound by mere conventionalities
People shook their heads when they
heard what he had done, and talked Of
preccdents. Colonel Roosevelt made
precedents. He made one that time
when he sent the famous letter to his
srrerior officer, General Shafter, which
Shafter made public as an explanation
OF the situation, and which contained
such a powerful presentation of the
lacts that 1t resulted in the recall OF
the army from Cuba after it had won
the fight
Rough Riders" at White House
When the Rough Riders" finally
were mustered out. in the fall of 1908,
Colonel Roosevelt treated the members
Of his regiment to one of his plain Ian
guage sermons that later were ad-
dressed to all the American people
when he became President. The direct
and forceful speech he made to the
Rough Riders" is credited with hav-
ing very decided effect upon the
lives of some of the men who heard it.
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07
Conservation Established,
Trusts Regulated in 2d Term

The assassination of William Nc
the White House, a place from which
the cold Guard" Of the Republican
party believed they had barred him
forever, through his election to that
graveyard II political ambition, the
Vice Presidency.
In his two terms as Chief Executive,
the Colonel not only satisfied his ad-
hcrcnts, but went far to refute the
charges brought against him by his
opponents when he took up the reins
OF power. Men had called him a "fire
eater" and war lord" Yet he did
more to keep America at peace than
any of his immediate predecessors. By
skilled diplomacy and insstence upon
arbitration he avoided what might well
have developed into serious trouble
with Japan, China, Germany and Bri-
tain. 1t was through his personal in
tervention that the Russo-Japanese war
was ended. This alton brought to the
"war. lord" the Nobel Peace Prize.
Men called hi-a an "imperialist." He
fo..-d Cuba and the Philippine Islands,
dependencies of the United States,
supine, without the beginnings of self
government He set the island of the
Caribbean on its feet, and by patience
and tact saw her self sustaining re-
public before he withdrew from the
White House.
His opponents said that he was the
friend of "big business. He dissolved
the Northern Securities Company and
forced the anthracite coal companies To
compromise the issues which threat
ered a disastrous strike.
He was as rigorous in his attitude
toward fraud in the organism OF the
government itself. Postoffice frauds
were brought to his attention, and the
investigation which he initiated
cleansed this service. Frauds in the
administration of public lands in the
West were also detected and punished
He reformed the organization of the
diplomatic corps and placed this SER
vice upon basis of merit rather than
political patronage.
National defence, that doctrine
which he preached so unremittingly in
his later life, was tenet of his at
this time. He reorganized and
strengthened the army He made the
United States navy profit by the les
sons learned in the Spanish American
war. Under his guidance it developed
into one of the most efficient sea
powers in the world.
Before Mr.. Roosevelt had been Presi.
dent a year he set a notable example
of the faith OF the united States il
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07
Record us C0veywoz' Won
First Big Political Ln1sy'els

1t was in the fall of 1898 that Colo
mel Roosevelt returned to New York
ready to resume activities as a civilian.
He had said when he affiliated himself
with the Republican party in 1880, M
mediately after leaving college, that
he thought politics offered opportunity
for service such as could be found IN
no other field. He repeated this state
ment when he dropped the uniform OF
the anish-American War cavalryman.
He had no difficulty in finding place
to begin. The gubernatorial campaign
was about to open. The Citizens Union,
even then recognizing in Colonel Roose-
Welt champion of the progressive
policies for which it stood, nominated
him as their candidate for Governor.
But the Colonel was not yet ready
to abandon the Republican party. He
sent word to the Citizens Union othc-
ials that he felt he could work for the
people better through the ranks of the
Republican party than out of it, and
that he would pin his faith on that
organization.
Democrats Fought Hard
So favorably did Republican leaders
receive this public statement that it
Immediately was announced that he
could have the nomination for Gov
ernor and head the Republican ticket.
Obviously, in the face of the public
enthusiasm that greeted this announce
ment, the naming of Roosevelt would
mean his election. SO the Democrats
sought to find some way of barring
him from being a candidate
"Why, he is no longer citizen of
the State of New York" was an OBJ
lection made at once.
Numerous technicalities were ad-
vanced to show that through absence
from the country, Colonel Roosevelt's S
name had been left off the registra-
ton lists, and that although he had
been away to serve his country, he no
longer possessed the right to vote or
hold office in it. The objections were
hot considered seriously by the public
or any Of the officials to whom they
were carried. and Roosevelt became the
candidate of the Republican party.
The faith of the party was well
founded, and the fears of the Demo
Gratis were shown to have been reason
able, TO say the least. The Rough
Rider defeated Augustus Van Wyck by
q plurality of 1909, after one of the
most strenuous campaigns in the his
tory of the state. Colonel Roosevelt
spoke in nearly every city, town and
hamlet in the state, using his character
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07
The Rough Rider

regiment soon was full. When it was
learned that Roosevelt, whose name
even then had magic power for many,
mad found way for getting into active
service it seemed that everybody who
was footloosc and ambitious to WELD
weapon wanted to join him.
While the regiment was being
formed down in Texas Secretary Algcr
offered to appoint Roosevelt as its
colonel. The father of the "Rourh
Riders" already had had four years
experience in the New York National
Guard and had been student of both
military and naval history throughout
ms college days. But he decided that
MS experience was not sufficient to
warrant such responsibility.
Roosevelt did succeed, however, in
naming the man who was to command
the Rough Riders" His old friend
Leonard Wood, who had served with
distinction against the Indians was
recommended by him and was given
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07

the Hill whore death seemed certain,
IN the face of the continuous crackle
OF the Mausers, came the --"Rough
Riders with the 10th Cavalry along
side: Not a man finched, all CON
tlnulng to fire as they ran. Roosevelt
was a hundred feet ahead of his
troops. yelling like a Sioux, while his
own men and the colored cavalry
cheered him as they charged up the
hill. There was no stopping as
mems neighbors fell, but on they
went. fin ter and faster. Suddenly
Roosevelts horse stopped, paved the
air for moment and fell in heap
Before the horse was down Roose-
welt disengaged himself from the
saddle, and, landing on his feet,
again yelled to his men. and. sword
in hand, charged on afoot."
Roosevelt's care for his men was
shown by the circulation of the famou,
round robin" which he wrote, protest
ing against keeping the army longer in
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07

second year of his membership he was
the Republican candidate for Speaker.
~ was Democratic house. but the
honor was, nevertheless, a great one
for young man. In his third wear "a
an Assemblyman he was put at the
head of the Committee on Cities, hav-
lng proved his thorough knowledge OF
the affairs Of New York and other
cities.
He served his constituency particu-
iariy we'll by aiding in the passage Of
nllls abollshing fees in the Offices OF
the Register and the County Clerk
and while chairman Of the COMMITTEE
on Cities he introduced reform legisla-
ton which proved immensely beneficial
One Of his measures was the act takirr
from the Board Of Aldermen power TO-
confirm or reject the appointments Of
the Mayor. He was chairman of the
noted legislative Investigating commit
tee which bore his name, and which re-
vealed many of the abuses existing in
the city government in the early sos.
Popular With Associates
Assemblyman Roosevelt was highly
popular with his associates, ire
spectivc OF party. 1t is seldom a man
receives moro genuine expressions Of
sy"P"tny cHah nc dld from ms fellow
Assembfym"n when his mother and
wife both died in one week. The Roose-
velt of that period was already n ma
tlonal figure. Attending the Repub-
llcan State Convention in 1884, he was
elected one of New York's delegates at
large to the Republican National
Convention, as n delegate dcsirous of
nominating George f. Edmunds for
the Presidency.
In 1886 Mr.. Roosevelt was the Re-
publican candidate for Mayor against
Abram s. Hewitt, United Democracy
and Henry George, United Labor. Mr.
Hewitt was elected by about 90.
plurality. Mr.. Roosevelt was appoint
cd member of tho United States
Civil Service Commission by Presiden,
Harrison IN 1889. His ability and rug
Ged honesty in the administration of
New-York tribune., 1919-01-07

the affairs Of that office greatly helped
to strengthen his hold on popular re-
gard. There were $4,000 places under
the merit and capacity rules of the
commission when he went in. There
were 10000 when he went out.
AS Police Commissioner
Mr.. Roosevelt continued in that of
flee until May /, 1895, when he resigned
to accept the Office OF Police Commits
sioner from Mayor Strong. He found
the admin istration OF police affairs in
q demorallzed condition, but the same
energetic methods that had character
ized all his work the same uncom-
promising honesty that was the most
applied to police affairs soon brought
the admlnistration Of TIE department
TO high degree OF efficiency.
in the period between Mr. Roosevelts
election 20 the Legislature and his ap-
nolntment IS C.vil Service Commiss oner
he had spent most Of his summers in
TIC West on a ranch, and had written
seVcrai books on the life Of The Western
p!"lns and mountains. Some surprise
was oppressed. therefore, by Il friend
v ften tlr. Roosevelt became Police Com
volunteer for police work, and Mr..
oosevelt gave this reason: 81 thought
.3e storm centre was N New York. and
50 came here. It is a great piece of
Il&ctIcal Nor1. ! like TO take hold of
ork that has been done by a Tam
many leader and do it as well. only by
approaching it from the opposite drcc-
Won. "A tn NJ: that attracted ne to it
vas th&t 1t was to be done in the hurly
3Uriy' Ior don't like cloistcr life"
His enforcement of 5hr excise low,
y loduced an abundance Of hurlv-nurI,,
Many said it was the most potent fac
tor in the overflow of the Strong re-
form administration at the next cleo
non and the return Of Tammanv to
power, but Roosevelt answered all crit
iclsm by asserting that he had sworn