Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-06
NOTABLE EVENTS IN CAREER
OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT

tContinued from First PaeeD
fight with vigor and won, opposing
the national committee cholce lor
TEMPORARY chairman and practically
forcing the selection of negro dele
gate for that position.
He lost the great battle OF the ma
tionai meeting. however. Both he ana
his fellow delegates had mace
strenuous fight against the noinina :
ton of James G.. Blaine for President.
Their grounds seemed to them to be
beyond reproach, but in spite of
their fight. Blaine was nominated.
both Mr. Roosevelt and his fellows
captivating and casting their votes
for the popular choice rather than
follow the action of other delegates,
who broke with the republican party.
With Blaine's defeat and the cleo
ton of Grover Cleveland, Mr.. Roose-
velt 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 Il 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.
Ranching became Mr.. Roosevelt's
business rather than his pleasure. He
bought cattle farm and entered upon
the rugged life of plainsman, working
and riding with his men.
There are many stories told or TINS
period of Mr.. Roosevelt'S career. He
speedily won the respect and admira-
- r.; fol nv
and feats of daring. He engaged in
fist fights, chased horse thieves,
punched cattle and lived to its fullest
the rugged life then prevalent in the
west.
Mr. Roosevelt's recall from the
west came in the fall of 1886. He read
in a New York newspaper. long de-
layed in transmission, that he had
been chosen candidate for the mayor
atty of New York by the independents.
His candidacy was seconded by the
republican party.
The young rancher Immediately
started for the scene of the political
battle. There was small chance of
his election in a constituency SO
strongly democratic, but he made a
memorable fight and accepted his de-
feat with good grace.
Following his defeat he sailed for
Europe, where, shortly after his ar
Edith Kermit Carow. Mr.. 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 mar
rage.
Took Stump for Harrison.
On his return from his honeymoon
in 1888. Mr.. Roosevelt took the stump
for Gen. Harrison. And when the
newly elected President was forming
his cabinet he offered his services.
Mr.. Roosevelt hoped to be appointed
assistant secretary of state, but Mr..
Blaine. who had been appointed chief
of that department, remembered the
strong fight made against him in the
national republican convention of
1884 and objected to his proposed
/ elpmeet. Mr.. Harrison offered Mr..
Roosevelt place in the Civil Service
Commission in lieu of the State De-
partment job and Mr.. Roosevelt ac-
cepted.
The Civil Service Commission was
then a little-known institution. His
new duties, therefore. offered him
he performed them so well that
several important measures looking
toward the firm establishment of the
civil service were made during his
Six-year tenure of Office.
His next public office was president
of the New York police commission,
under Mayor Strong, who was elect
ed by the independents. He held this
office from May, 1895, to April, 1897,
and his administration was marked
by vigorous and well directed cam
paign that brought him more than
ever before his neighbors and friends,
the citizens of New York.
&c wv q
head. Mr.. Roosevelt again turned to
Washington. The republican party
was firmly intrenched there, and he
felt that his services could be used
to greater advantage in the national
field. so he resigned his municipal
position in New York for an appoint
nlent as assistant secretary of the
Navy.
1t has been said that this position
was rendered the dynamic New
Yorker because it offered little chance
to do harm" But fate, in the shape
of the Spanish American war. inter-
vened and again gave him an oppor-
tunity to present himself in the fore
front of the fray.
Made the Navy Efficient
Mr. Roosevelt, in fact, became a
prophet and leader almost immediate
iv after his appointment. He made
no secret of his firm conviction that
affairs in Cuba We're in such a pre-
cariouS state that intervention in the
island by the United States would be
necessary, and in order to forestal
the emergency he set about advo-
eating reforms in the Navy.
He organized a system of rank ano
promotion among naval officers; ad.
vocated vital changes in the target
practice of United States war vessels
and sought in every way to cut the
department.
with the destruction of the Maine
in Havana harbor his duties and re.
sponsibilities increased a thousand.
fold. War was inevitable, and he
plunged into the work of preparing
the Navy for the expected encounter
with vigor. His last assignment il
the Navy Department was as mem
Der of the war board, charged witt
. the duty of moving the ships ant
watching the enemy. When the wal
was formally declared he Immediate
ly resigned, saying:
There is nothing for me to ds
here. / must get into the fight my
self. 1t is just war, and the sooner
we meet it the better. Now that j.
| others to fight while 1 stay at home"
The organization OF the Rough
Riders" Gst Regiment of United
| States Volunteer Cavalry is yet fresI
| in the memory of the people. Plains
men, mountaineers and millionaires
| were af1ame over it's organization, anc
| from the east to west the flower o.
| the country sought enlistment in 1t.
| ranks.