PRESIDENT M'KINLEY'S SUCCESSOR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4892, 18 September 1901, Page 3

PRESIDENT M'KINLEY'S SUCCESSOR.

There is probably no more popular public man ia the United States than Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, who has now taken the place of the late President M'Kinley at the bead of the great American Kepublic. That he has won his popularity by qualities that command the admiration and respect of right-thinking people is beyond question, and there need be no fear that he will fail in satisfactorily carrying out the duties of his high office. It has been held as a reproach to America that politics in that country do not attract the better class of ttl€Q) UUC Colonel Roosevelt is a striking exception to this rule. Although he is only 42 years" of age, having been born in the latter part of 1858, ha was leader of tbe House of Representatives in 1884, and since that time he has held many important offices. As President of the New York Police Board from 1895-97 he made a valiant attempt to reform what may fairly be considered as one of the most disgraceful inßtitu- ! tions in the world, and he has always 1 shown himself » determined opponent to Tammany is tn and all its works. But, undoubtedly, the incident in his career which appealed most strongly to the people of America was his raising of the First United States Cavalry Volunteers, known SB RoOßevell'B Hongh Riders, who did such splendid work in Cuba during the war with Spain. But, apart from his picturesque personality, which appeals to the imagination rather than to the intelleot of the people, Colonel Roosevelt's record is a pretty bright one. The Colonel's straightforward honesty, and his unflinching courage in' dealing with abuaes, give the key-note to his character. The severity of the blow that has been dealt to America by the dastardly crime of the assassin of President M'Kinley cannot be over-esti-mated, bnt there is some consolation in the knowledge that the responsibilities of the high office will devolve upon one who is eminently capable of bearing them. It is well known that Colonel Roosevelt accepted the nomination of

Vice- President with great relttOtftnOOi and that he had no desire to oocnpy the position, bat his public career is proof that he is not tbe man to shirk the task set before him, however melancholy may be the circumstances which have led to his promotion. — " Lyttellon Times."