The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-22
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The Transformation of Roosevelt

The Transformation of Roosevelt
How man stands in his own home town always
Is important. 1t is there that goes for the final
word on reputation and performance
No man stood higher among his home peo-
pie than did Franklin D. Roosevelt when he became
Governor of New York
OF fine presence, personality, and name with
commendable record as a member of the state legs-
lature assistant secretary of the navy under Will
son, and conspicuous figure in three national
campaigns, he went into Office with nearly every
body for him as possible in politics
The name meant much, and although Franklin
was only a distant cousin of Teddy, the public in
stinctively associated him with those qualities of
rugged directness and courage that had made T. r.
outstanding in national history. In the hope and
the belief of his fellow citizens at home, here was
another statesman Of extraordinary caliber.
His first action as Governor tended to sustain the
belief His approach 10 the power question especially,
question so vital the future Of the Empire state,
seemed good omen Talk of Roosevelt for President
began early
AS that presidential ambition grew, and came TO
be taken more and more seriously by Roosevelt him
self there appeared upon the scene figure that
always appears when matters Of the presidency are
at stake. That figure Tammany, and, as fire.
'uuently is the case Tammany under fire.
problem quickly was created. 1t was the old,
old proposition the New York delegation, as that
delegation relates to what happens when nominal
ing time rolls around. Would presidential ambition
20 counter to Tammany and risk the consequences,
or would it bend before the power of Tammany?
Roosevelt yielded And, as he yielded he dropped
the role that had been cast for him by his admiring
home folks Long before Chicago was selected for
the big show he had ceased to be the symbol oil
Roosevoltian dash and directness.
~ uyoat han ned IS
IN this newspaper by William o. Trap, our Albany
correspondents who has been close to the picture
during all the time in which the change has taken
place.
Not the least significant phase of the story is the
one which deals with the attitude Of the New YORK
newspapers Those newspapers had joined IN the be-
ginning in the high hope for Roosevelt. Then as
events unfoded they finally regardless of their po-
utical eanings arrived at precisely the same con-
cluson.
Pages would be required to reproduce from the
various newspapers the comment that resulted from
the transformation of Roosevelt. A few very short
excerpts however will show the unanimous nature
of the verdict quotations from the New York World
Telegram are omitted, since the attitude of the
scripps Howard newspapers already is well known to
our readers.
New York Herald Tribune-The tragedy that is
happening to Governor Roosevelt is the worst thing
that can happen to Of his inheritance and up
bringing. Politics indeed has done sad thing to
Governor Roosevelt. That Roosevelt should pussy
foot and palaver in clear sight of vast betrayal OF
public rights is a matter for profound grief.
New York American-The people of New York are
concerned deeply recent disclosures of dishonesty
in the courts They know that the Constitution gives
to their Governor the power to take up the challenge
in their behalf Time is the essence of this challenge.
The longer the Governor delays, the harder it is
ing to be for him his successor to clean up the
courts and restore public confidence.
New York Word-The Governors troubles are due
to the fact that he has trusted his moral con-
vctons too little and the advice of political and legal
strategists too much.
New York Evening Post-Keep smiling and evade
all issues is Roosevelts motto poor outlook for all
Of us if he gets into the White House.
New York Evening World-We are loath to believe
this is Governor Roosevets last word the corrup
ton issue If it proves then the saddest thing in
American public life is the thing politics has done to
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The New York Times-In the present effort to lay
bare and punish the political criminals who seek to
hide in the shadow of Tammany hail. no Jealous help
may be expected from the Governor of New York
Thus has the man fallen in the estimation of his
own community. And thus is made clear the reason
why those closest to him in Franklin D. Roosevelt
not another Teddy, but another trimmer.