THE VOLTAGE, OF COURSE, was stimulated by Alice. Its radiance suffuses almost all the diary entries in that spring of 1880.103 On the fresh April mornings, they played tennis together, she gracefully mobile in her long white dress, he awkward and jerky, clutching his racket halfway up the spine. Later, while Alice sewed, he read to her from Prescott's On the fresh April mornings, they played tennis together, she gracefully mobile in her long white dress, he awkward and jerky, clutching his racket halfway up the spine. Later, while Alice sewed, he read to her from Prescott's Conquest of Peru Conquest of Peru. They took endless drives in the dog-cart, with Alice prettily perched beside him in his high seat, as Lightfoot (losing weight rapidly) bowled them along miles of blossom-strewn roads. In the evenings, they sat at whist and listened to the younger Lees practicing the piano. Before bedtime, Theodore generally managed to sneak Alice off for an hour alone in the moonlight. "How I love her! She seems like a star of heaven, she is so far above other girls; my pearl, my pure flower. When I hold her in my arms there is nothing on earth left to wish for; and how infinitely blessed is my lot...Oh, my darling, my own bestloved little Queen!"104

THEODORE'S ENGAGEMENT seems to have removed the last vestiges of doubt concerning his future. "I shall study law next year, and must there do my best, and work hard for my little wife." seems to have removed the last vestiges of doubt concerning his future. "I shall study law next year, and must there do my best, and work hard for my little wife."105 He had already made it clear that he considered law a stepping-stone to politics, and confirmed that larger ambition in a conversation with William Roscoe Thayer. The occasion was a meeting of Alpha Delta Phi in Holworthy, shortly before Commencement. He had already made it clear that he considered law a stepping-stone to politics, and confirmed that larger ambition in a conversation with William Roscoe Thayer. The occasion was a meeting of Alpha Delta Phi in Holworthy, shortly before Commencement.

Roosevelt and I sat in the window-seat overlooking the College Yard, and chatted together in the interval when business was slack. We discussed what we intended to do after graduation. "I am going to try to help the cause of better government in New York City; I don't know exactly how," said Theodore.I recall, still, looking at him with an eager, inquisitive look and saying to myself, "I wonder whether he is the real thing, or only the bundle of eccentricities he appears."106 Theodore was, however, in dead earnest. For his senior thesis he chose the most controversial political subject of the day: it was entitled "Practicability of Giving Men and Women Equal Rights."107 The very first sentence struck the keynote of his career as a politician. "In advocating any measure we must consider not only its justice but its practicability." Some of his less realistic classmates were shocked by this frank admission that a principle could be both just and impracticable. Yet Theodore made no bones about his real feelings later in the document: The very first sentence struck the keynote of his career as a politician. "In advocating any measure we must consider not only its justice but its practicability." Some of his less realistic classmates were shocked by this frank admission that a principle could be both just and impracticable. Yet Theodore made no bones about his real feelings later in the document: A cripple or a consumptive in the eye of the law is equal to the strongest athlete or the deepest thinker, and the same justice should be shown to a woman whether she is or is not the equal of man.... As regards the laws relating to marriage, there should be the most absolute equality preserved between the two sexes. I do not think the woman should assume the man's name...I would have the word 'obey' used not more by the wife than the husband.108 By these remarks Theodore laid himself open to charges of effeminacy, and at least one instructor suggested he was too much influenced by "feeling" to be entirely masculine.109 For the rest of his life he would remain acutely aware of the needs and sensibilities of women. Few things disgusted him more than "male sexual viciousness," or the Victorian conceit that a wife is the servant of her husband's lusts. Although a woman's place was in the home, he believed that the home was superior to the state, and that its mistress was therefore the superior of the public servant. The question of suffrage, as his dissertation made plain, was not so much controversial as unimportant. If women wished to vote, then they should be allowed to do so. Yet he could not resist adding, "Men can fight in defense of their rights, while women cannot. This certainly makes a powerful argument against putting the ballot into hands unable to defend it." For the rest of his life he would remain acutely aware of the needs and sensibilities of women. Few things disgusted him more than "male sexual viciousness," or the Victorian conceit that a wife is the servant of her husband's lusts. Although a woman's place was in the home, he believed that the home was superior to the state, and that its mistress was therefore the superior of the public servant. The question of suffrage, as his dissertation made plain, was not so much controversial as unimportant. If women wished to vote, then they should be allowed to do so. Yet he could not resist adding, "Men can fight in defense of their rights, while women cannot. This certainly makes a powerful argument against putting the ballot into hands unable to defend it."110

ON 30 J JUNE 1880, Theodore Roosevelt graduated from Harvard College as a B.A. magna cum laude magna cum laude, twenty-first in a class of 177.111 His family was present in force, and so was a large contingent from Chestnut Hill. President Eliot placed an embellished diploma in his hand, and murmured the special congratulations due a Phi Beta Kappa. Marching back to his seat in the bright sunlight, with his gown swirling triumphantly and a battery of adoring eyes upon him, Theodore could be excused a moment of self-satisfaction. His academic record was excellent; he was already, at twenty-one, a prominent member of society in Cambridge, Boston, and New York; he had been runner-up in the Harvard lightweight boxing championship; he was rich, pleasant-looking, and, within a limited but growing circle, popular; he was the author of two scholarly pamphlets, a notable thesis, and two chapters of what promised to be a definitive naval history. To crown it all, he was engaged to a beautiful young woman. "Only four months before we get married," he told himself. "My cup of happiness is almost too full." His family was present in force, and so was a large contingent from Chestnut Hill. President Eliot placed an embellished diploma in his hand, and murmured the special congratulations due a Phi Beta Kappa. Marching back to his seat in the bright sunlight, with his gown swirling triumphantly and a battery of adoring eyes upon him, Theodore could be excused a moment of self-satisfaction. His academic record was excellent; he was already, at twenty-one, a prominent member of society in Cambridge, Boston, and New York; he had been runner-up in the Harvard lightweight boxing championship; he was rich, pleasant-looking, and, within a limited but growing circle, popular; he was the author of two scholarly pamphlets, a notable thesis, and two chapters of what promised to be a definitive naval history. To crown it all, he was engaged to a beautiful young woman. "Only four months before we get married," he told himself. "My cup of happiness is almost too full."112 Yet there was wormwood in his cup, unknown to anybody but the graduate and Dr. Dudley A. Sargeant, college physician. On 26 March, after announcing his engagement, Theodore had undergone a complete physical examination, and had been told to his satisfaction that he had gained twelve pounds since coming to Harvard. But the doctor had other, less satisfactory news. Theodore's heart, strained by years of asthmatic heavings and over-exercise, was in trouble. Far from climbing mountains in Maine, he must in future refrain even from running upstairs. He must live quietly, and choose a sedentary occupation, otherwise, Sargeant warned, he would not live long.113 "Doctor," came the reply, "I'm going to do all the things you tell me not to do. If I've got to live the sort of life you have described, I don't care how short it is."

Having spat the wormwood out, Theodore refused to acknowledge that he had ever tasted it. His diary for that night does not even mention the interview, although it is confirmed by Harvard records. Not even Alice Lee, to whom he had promised to tell "everything,"114 was permitted to know what ailed her future husband. Right through Commencement, Theodore continued to protest his health, happiness, and good fortune. On the following day he could write, with such conviction that every word was heavily underscored, was permitted to know what ailed her future husband. Right through Commencement, Theodore continued to protest his health, happiness, and good fortune. On the following day he could write, with such conviction that every word was heavily underscored, "My career at college has been happier and more successful than that of any man I have ever known." "My career at college has been happier and more successful than that of any man I have ever known."115

ALICE JOINED T THEODORE at Oyster Bay for the first ten days of July. As he proudly escorted her through the landscapes of his boyhood, he vowed "she shall always be mistress over all that I have." at Oyster Bay for the first ten days of July. As he proudly escorted her through the landscapes of his boyhood, he vowed "she shall always be mistress over all that I have."116 Perhaps this was when the idea of building her a great house overlooking the bay first entered his head. One hill in particular-King Olaf would have called it a Perhaps this was when the idea of building her a great house overlooking the bay first entered his head. One hill in particular-King Olaf would have called it a holm holm, with its sandy bottom, wooded slopes, and grass-covered crown-he loved above all others. As a teenage ornithologist, he had spent countless hours crouched in its coverts, notating the songs of birds in his own peculiar phonetics-cheech-ir'r'r', fl'p-fl'p-trkeee, prrrrll-ch'k ch'k... As a Longfellow addict, he had no doubt spent as much time sitting in that hot grass, and seen sails of silk creep over the horizon. Soon he would build a manor on that hill, and live, as Olaf had done, surrounded by his own fields and looking down upon his own ships-well, a rowboat at least. The house would be called Leeholm, after his Queen; and there they would live out their days. As a Longfellow addict, he had no doubt spent as much time sitting in that hot grass, and seen sails of silk creep over the horizon. Soon he would build a manor on that hill, and live, as Olaf had done, surrounded by his own fields and looking down upon his own ships-well, a rowboat at least. The house would be called Leeholm, after his Queen; and there they would live out their days.117 Theodore could indulge such fantasies, in this final summer of boyish irresponsibility, without worrying about such trivia as proprietary rights, mortgages, and deeds of sale. Time enough for them when he took up the duties of a husband and taxpayer. In the meantime, he wished to have fun, and fun meant violent exercise. He would spend three months of such frenetic activity that his heart would simply have to correct itself-or give out in the attempt.

Although Theodore did not state this alarming ambition in so many words, his list of activities for the period makes it quite plain that he intended to keep his promise to Dr. Sargeant. I'm going to do all the things you tell me not to do I'm going to do all the things you tell me not to do. For the first few weeks at Oyster Bay he swam, rowed, hiked, and played tennis. On 20 July he accompanied Alice, Rose, and Dick Saltonstall to Bar Harbor, Maine, and promptly began to scale mountains, play tennis, bowl, and go for long hikes through the "perfectly magnificent scenery."118 Within three days his body began to give off signals of distress, and he fell victim to an attack of cholera morbus cholera morbus. "Very embarrassing for a lover, isn't it?" he complained to Corinne. "So unromantic, you know; suggestive of too much unripe fruit."119 But he was up again next morning, and added dancing to his exercise schedule. Alice's nineteenth birthday, on 29 July, worked him into such a paroxysm of adoration that he collapsed afterward, and the But he was up again next morning, and added dancing to his exercise schedule. Alice's nineteenth birthday, on 29 July, worked him into such a paroxysm of adoration that he collapsed afterward, and the cholera morbus cholera morbus struck again. This time Theodore was unable to get up for two days, but Alice nursed him so tenderly he decided he rather liked being sick. struck again. This time Theodore was unable to get up for two days, but Alice nursed him so tenderly he decided he rather liked being sick.120

ONE MORE ADVENTURE remained to him as a bachelor: a marathon hunting trip in the West, which he had long been planning with Elliott. "I think it will build me up," he told Mittie, in tacit admission his health was not what it might be. remained to him as a bachelor: a marathon hunting trip in the West, which he had long been planning with Elliott. "I think it will build me up," he told Mittie, in tacit admission his health was not what it might be.121 The two young men left New York for Chicago on the night train of 16 August. The two young men left New York for Chicago on the night train of 16 August.

Within twenty-four hours, Theodore was gazing through the windows at a horizon wider, and a sky loftier, than any he had ever seen. Lakes as big as seas passed by on his right, farms as big as European countries unrolled to his left. The sheer immensity of America stirred something in him. For the rest of his life, "big" was to be one of his favorite words. Chicago, which they reached early on the nineteenth, was anticlimactic. "It certainly is a marvellous city," Theodore wrote Bamie, "of enormous size and rich, but I should say not yet crystallized. There are a great many very fine houses; but I should rather doubt the quality of the society."122 Anyway it was prairies, not parlors, that he and Elliott had come to see. For the next six weeks they hunted in Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota with an assortment of guides, not finding very much game, but reveling in the informality of frontier life. "We are dressed about as badly as mortals could be," Theodore boasted, "with our cropped heads, unshaven faces, dirty gray shirts, still dirtier yellow trowsers and cowhide boots."123 He assured Bamie that his slovenliness was temporary. "We expect to return in three weeks or so. Will you send to 6 W. 57th St. my long travelling bag, with my afternoon suit, 2 changes of underflannels, 6 shirts, 6 pr. silk socks, handkerchiefs, neckties and pin, 2 pairs of low shoes, brushes, razors, and my beaver and my top hat? Also a pair of pajammers..." Less than halfway through the trip, the young dandy's thoughts were clearly racing eastward. He assured Bamie that his slovenliness was temporary. "We expect to return in three weeks or so. Will you send to 6 W. 57th St. my long travelling bag, with my afternoon suit, 2 changes of underflannels, 6 shirts, 6 pr. silk socks, handkerchiefs, neckties and pin, 2 pairs of low shoes, brushes, razors, and my beaver and my top hat? Also a pair of pajammers..." Less than halfway through the trip, the young dandy's thoughts were clearly racing eastward.124 Theodore was still too much a New Yorker, and too preoccupied with thoughts of marriage, to enjoy fully this first exposure to the West. His initial excitement dwindled as the weeks dragged by and illness continued to plague him. Although he protested "superb health" in letters home, his diaries record "continual attacks of colic" that made it difficult for him to walk, and asthma so severe he had to sleep sitting up. Other misfortunes combined to aggravate his homesickness and longing for Alice Lee. Both his guns broke, he was bitten by a snake, thrown headfirst out of a wagon, soaked in torrential rainstorms, and half-frozen in a northwesterly gale.125 Elliott, who had already spent a year in the West, seemed much more at home. Yet beneath the jolly exterior Theodore saw signs of a discontent much deeper than his own. Using as light a touch as possible, he warned the family about it. Elliott, who had already spent a year in the West, seemed much more at home. Yet beneath the jolly exterior Theodore saw signs of a discontent much deeper than his own. Using as light a touch as possible, he warned the family about it.

As soon as we got here [Chicago] he took some ale to get the dust out of his throat; then a milkpunch because he was thirsty; a mint julep because it was hot; a brandy smash "to keep the cold out of his stomach"; and then sherry and bitters to give him an appetite. He took a very simple dinner-soup, fish, salmi de grouse, sweetbread, mutton, venison, corn, maccaroni, various vegetables and some puddings and pies, together with beer, later claret and in the evening shandigaff. I confined myself to roast beef and potatoes; when I took a second help he marvelled at my appetite-and at bed time wondered why in thunder he he felt "stuffy" and felt "stuffy" and I I didn't. didn't.126 On 24 September the brothers compared their respective game bags. Theodore had shot 203 "items," Elliott, 201.127 Allowing for seniority, they could call it quits. By now the wind coming off the Great Lakes was bitingly cold, and it was time to go home. Allowing for seniority, they could call it quits. By now the wind coming off the Great Lakes was bitingly cold, and it was time to go home.

Early on 29 September they arrived in New York. Theodore stopped only long enough to pick up his suitcase of finery before speeding on to Boston. Alice was waiting for him, lovelier than he had ever seen her. She had "a certain added charm that I do not know how to describe; I cannot take my eyes off her; she is so pure and holy that it seems almost a profanation to touch her, no matter how gently and tenderly; and yet when we are alone I cannot bear her to be a minute out of my arms."128

THE LAST FEW WEEKS before the wedding were a predictable blur of activity. before the wedding were a predictable blur of activity.129 From Chestnut Hill, Theodore hurried back to New York, and lavished $2,500 on jewelry for his beloved ("I have been spending money like water for these last two years, but shall economize after I am married"). He managed a couple of quick weekends at Oyster Bay, and promised Mittie that he would remain a good son. The enigmatic Edith Carow entertained him at dinner; another old flame, Fanny Smith, was present, and found him "as funny and delicious as ever and wild with happiness and excitement." Then he was again off to Boston, and spent his final weekend as a bachelor on an estate near Salem, "having larks" and chopping down trees in a vain effort to stay calm. From Chestnut Hill, Theodore hurried back to New York, and lavished $2,500 on jewelry for his beloved ("I have been spending money like water for these last two years, but shall economize after I am married"). He managed a couple of quick weekends at Oyster Bay, and promised Mittie that he would remain a good son. The enigmatic Edith Carow entertained him at dinner; another old flame, Fanny Smith, was present, and found him "as funny and delicious as ever and wild with happiness and excitement." Then he was again off to Boston, and spent his final weekend as a bachelor on an estate near Salem, "having larks" and chopping down trees in a vain effort to stay calm.

On 26 October, the eve of his wedding, he checked into the Brunswick Hotel, along with a large party of New York friends, and "in wild spirits" tipped Fanny's chair back, until she feared she would do a reverse somersault. Later he went up alone to his room. At midnight he would be twenty-two, and twelve hours later he would be married. Tomorrow there would be another person in his bed. "My happiness is so great it makes me almost afraid."130

"I wonder if I won't find everything in life too big for my abilities."

Theodore Roosevelt at the time of his assault on the Matterhorn, 1881. (Illustration 4.3)

CHAPTER 5.

The Political Hack To avenge his father slainAnd reconquer realm and reignCame the youthful Olaf home.

"IT WAS THE DEAREST little wedding," Fanny Smith reported in her diary of 27 October 1880. "Alice looked perfectly lovely and Theodore so happy and responded in the most determined and Theodorelike tones." Bride and groom had emerged from the Unitarian Church, Brookline, into the splendor of a perfect fall afternoon. Indian summer warmed the air and cast a mild glow over the surrounding countryside. Coats and hats were dispensed with on the short drive to Chestnut Hill, and the agreeable holiday mood of a Wednesday wedding spread from carriage to carriage. At the reception in the Lee mansion, sunshine and champagne generated such euphoria that even Edith Carow, who of all the guests had the least reason to celebrate, "danced the soles off her shoes." little wedding," Fanny Smith reported in her diary of 27 October 1880. "Alice looked perfectly lovely and Theodore so happy and responded in the most determined and Theodorelike tones." Bride and groom had emerged from the Unitarian Church, Brookline, into the splendor of a perfect fall afternoon. Indian summer warmed the air and cast a mild glow over the surrounding countryside. Coats and hats were dispensed with on the short drive to Chestnut Hill, and the agreeable holiday mood of a Wednesday wedding spread from carriage to carriage. At the reception in the Lee mansion, sunshine and champagne generated such euphoria that even Edith Carow, who of all the guests had the least reason to celebrate, "danced the soles off her shoes."1 The young couple took their departure around four o'clock, and traveled to Springfield, where Theodore had reserved a suite of rooms at the old Massasoit House. Later that evening he noted tersely in his diary: "Our intense happiness is too sacred to be written about."2 They journeyed on to New York the next day. There was to be no official honeymoon, only a quiet fortnight together at Oyster Bay. Since Theodore was already registered for the fall and winter terms at Columbia Law School, he could not afford to cut too many classes. Alice was consoled with the promise of a five-month vacation in Europe the following spring.3 Mittie Roosevelt had placed Tranquillity at the disposal of the newlyweds. When they arrived, late on Thursday afternoon, they found the house empty save for two maids, an old black groom, and one "melancholy cat." Theodore's rowboat rocked at the jetty. The other houses around the bay were shuttered up, their piazzas strewn with fallen leaves. Wooded hills-flaming red and rusty gold as the setting sun caught them-sealed the little community off from the rest of Long Island. Supper had already been ordered by the thoughtful Bamie. Theodore and Alice had nothing to do but luxuriate in each other's company. For the next two weeks they would spend "hardly an hour of the twenty-four apart."4

A SENSE OF DELICIOUS PRIVACY SENSE OF DELICIOUS PRIVACY, of port after stormy seas, possessed Theodore as he settled into the domestic routine which he would always consider the height of human bliss. "I am living in dreamland," he told himself.5 At breakfast Alice prettily presided over the tea-things, "in the daintiest little pink and gray morning dress, while I, in my silk jacket and slippers, sit at the other end of the table." Later she proved herself his equal on the tennis court, and kept pace with him on "long fast walks" through the countryside. There were many excursions, no doubt, up the slopes of Theodore's favorite hill. Alice was persuaded to approve the purchase, for $10,000, of an initial sixty acres overlooking the bay. Together they devoured the newspapers ("Our only intercourse with the outside world") and endlessly discussed "everything...from Politics to Poetry." They took afternoon buggy rides over the hills, evening rows across the bay, and feasted on woodcock and partridge. After dinner Alice would curl up in front of a roaring wood fire while Theodore read aloud from the novels of Scott and Dickens. All through the night her long soft body lay beside his. "How I wish it could last forever!" At breakfast Alice prettily presided over the tea-things, "in the daintiest little pink and gray morning dress, while I, in my silk jacket and slippers, sit at the other end of the table." Later she proved herself his equal on the tennis court, and kept pace with him on "long fast walks" through the countryside. There were many excursions, no doubt, up the slopes of Theodore's favorite hill. Alice was persuaded to approve the purchase, for $10,000, of an initial sixty acres overlooking the bay. Together they devoured the newspapers ("Our only intercourse with the outside world") and endlessly discussed "everything...from Politics to Poetry." They took afternoon buggy rides over the hills, evening rows across the bay, and feasted on woodcock and partridge. After dinner Alice would curl up in front of a roaring wood fire while Theodore read aloud from the novels of Scott and Dickens. All through the night her long soft body lay beside his. "How I wish it could last forever!"6

MR. AND M MRS. THEODORE R ROOSEVELT, JR., took up formal residence at 6 West Fifty-seventh Street, New York City, on Saturday, 13 November 1880. They were welcomed back with a "perfect ovation" by the rest of the Roosevelt clan, and Theodore lost no time in assuming the mantle of Elijah. On Sunday, after church, he presided over the traditional family lunch, was "at home" to a variety of relatives and friends in the afternoon, and that evening sat in his father's seat at the Newsboys' Lodging-House Dinner.7 Before the winter was out, he would inherit two more of Theodore Senior's responsibilities, being elected a trustee of both the Orthopedic Dispensary and the New York Infant Asylum. But the charitable role did not suit him. Many years later he told a friend, "I tried faithfully to do what father had done, but I did it poorly...in the end I found out that we each have to work in his own way to do our best; and when I struck mine, though it differed from his, yet I was able to follow the same lines and do what he would have had me do." Before the winter was out, he would inherit two more of Theodore Senior's responsibilities, being elected a trustee of both the Orthopedic Dispensary and the New York Infant Asylum. But the charitable role did not suit him. Many years later he told a friend, "I tried faithfully to do what father had done, but I did it poorly...in the end I found out that we each have to work in his own way to do our best; and when I struck mine, though it differed from his, yet I was able to follow the same lines and do what he would have had me do."8 Striking that "way" took Theodore a full year, although, as things turned out, it led a mere hundred yards east of his front door. Two other routes temporarily diverted him. The first led three miles south to the Columbia Law School.9

EMERGING FROM 6 6 West Fifty-seventh Street early on the morning of 17 November, Theodore sucked in a lungful of chill, crisp air (marriage had done wonders for his asthma), turned into Fifth Avenue, and marched briskly downtown to 8 Great Jones Street. West Fifty-seventh Street early on the morning of 17 November, Theodore sucked in a lungful of chill, crisp air (marriage had done wonders for his asthma), turned into Fifth Avenue, and marched briskly downtown to 8 Great Jones Street.10 It was a good forty-five-minute walk, even at the characteristic Rooseveltian gait: arms pumping, toe caps shooting out sideways, every heelfall biting like a pickax. It was a good forty-five-minute walk, even at the characteristic Rooseveltian gait: arms pumping, toe caps shooting out sideways, every heelfall biting like a pickax.11 Theodore's first recitation was scheduled for 8:30, and he did not want to miss a word that fell from "the golden lips" of Professor T. W. Dwight, America's most revered legal pedagogue. Theodore's first recitation was scheduled for 8:30, and he did not want to miss a word that fell from "the golden lips" of Professor T. W. Dwight, America's most revered legal pedagogue.12 The Columbia College Law School, which Dwight had founded in 1858, was little more than a cavernous old house, its floors and walls blotched with tobacco-juice, its windows jammed shut against the traffic-noises of Lafayette Place. Within, an atmosphere of rowdy informality prevailed. Students threw their hats and coats over every available protuberance, argued boisterously in the library, and fought for places in a stuffy little lecture theater. Those who arrived late were obliged to squat around the platform, or wedge themselves onto dusty windowsills, until there was not an inch of standing or sitting space left.13 From the moment the white-haired, mildly smiling professor strolled into the room, a cathedral-like hush descended. Dwight was famous for the clarity and persuasiveness of his oratory, the profundity of the questions with which he would every now and again challenge his audience. No conundrum was too knotty for him to untangle, no statute too obscure to exhume and ponder. The thin blood of seven generations of Puritan clergymen, authors, and educators flowed in his veins; his logic was unpolluted by human emotion.14 Professor Dwight and his students now discovered that they had in their midst a young man who was impatient with logic, and who, instead of waiting for questions from on high, wished to ask his own. Theodore at Columbia proved to be as harshly persistent an interrupter, as irrepressible a jack-in-the-box, as he had been at Harvard. Time and again he would leap to his feet, glasses flashing, to argue "for justice and against legalism," and express his contempt for the "repellent" doctrine of caveat emptor caveat emptor. Why, the young man wanted to know, did this side of the law preclude bargains "which are fair and of benefit to both sides"? He shrilly insisted that the accepted standards of corporation lawyers were incompatible with youthful idealism; they encouraged "sharp practice."15 Theodore's pertinacity in raising such subjects vastly irritated a fellow student, Poultney Bigelow. "Roosevelt was then what he was in the White House-an excellent example of the genus Americanus egotisticus." genus Americanus egotisticus." Bigelow may have been a prejudiced witness-those who hated Theodore did so with passion-yet he early detected the future President's lifelong compulsion for center stage. "He was predestined for politics...he could not escape the fate of being persistently in the public eye." Bigelow may have been a prejudiced witness-those who hated Theodore did so with passion-yet he early detected the future President's lifelong compulsion for center stage. "He was predestined for politics...he could not escape the fate of being persistently in the public eye."16 Professor Dwight, on the other hand, did not seem to mind Theodore's interruptions. Most of the other students were impressed by the newcomer. He quickly became a favorite, and was accepted as a man with a future, although it was plain to all but himself that he had no future in law. As one classmate dryly put it, "The intricacies of the rule in Shelley's case, the study of feudal tenures as exemplified in the great work of Blackstone, were not the things upon which that avid mind must feed."17 All through the winter and spring of 188081 Theodore continued to march down Fifth Avenue, Blackstone's Commentaries Commentaries under his arm and a determined expression on his face. "I like the law school work very much," he told himself. under his arm and a determined expression on his face. "I like the law school work very much," he told himself.18

THE SECOND ROUTE that Theodore followed, at the close of his morning classes, led west from the Law School to the Astor Library, on the other side of Lafayette Place. Here he proceeded mysteriously to bury himself in speckled tomes and ancient periodicals. He remained closemouthed about this scholarly activity, not even mentioning it to his diary until March 1881, and then with deliberate vagueness: "Am still working on...one or two unsuccessful literary projects." that Theodore followed, at the close of his morning classes, led west from the Law School to the Astor Library, on the other side of Lafayette Place. Here he proceeded mysteriously to bury himself in speckled tomes and ancient periodicals. He remained closemouthed about this scholarly activity, not even mentioning it to his diary until March 1881, and then with deliberate vagueness: "Am still working on...one or two unsuccessful literary projects."19 Just when Theodore became aware of his potential as a writer is unclear. His juvenile letters and diaries had been no more remarkable than those of any intelligent boy; his adolescent notebooks and ornithological pamphlets were strictly scientific; his Harvard themes were laborious, unimaginative, and lacking in "style." Even his eulogies for Theodore Senior and effusions over Alice Lee, while undoubtedly passionate, were expressed in Victorian cliches. Only rarely, as in the stories he used to improvise as a bedridden boy, the humorous letters from Dresden, and the descriptions of birdsong in the Adirondacks, had he shown any flashes of originality. These somehow seem to have convinced him that the name Theodore Roosevelt might one day ornament the spine of this or that leather-bound volume.

From his late teens on he had begun to write, consciously or unconsciously, to an audience. Even the diaries he ostensibly marked "Private" show signs of this urge to communicate. It is impossible to read them at any length without feeling that one is being addressed. Many entries are deliberately prosy and tell Theodore's imagined readers things he does not need to tell himself. Even when he wishes to be genuinely private, he feels the stare of the public, and is obliged to erase paragraphs, tear out whole pages, and curtly announce that some things are "too sacred to be written about."

That other instinct of the born author-the compulsion to write-was also strong in him. Theodore's habit, in moments of joy or sorrow, had always been to reach for a pen, as others might reach for a rosary or a bottle. During the winter of 187980, when Alice was driving him to despair, he had begun to write a book, the most technically challenging one he could think of. Now, in the happy winter of 188081, he turned again to The Naval War of 1812. The Naval War of 1812.20 Although Theodore protested that the two introductory chapters he had already completed at Harvard "were so dry they would have made a dictionary seem light reading by comparison," he was entitled to be proud of them, for they were a formidable achievement.21 Before starting the book he had known little about academic research, and less about marine warfare. Merely to master the technicalities of naval strategy and tactics, along with a complex nautical vocabulary, was a task before which any professional historian might quail. To collect and analyze, in terms of comparative firepower, thousands of ballistic and logistic figures (correcting the inaccurate ones Before starting the book he had known little about academic research, and less about marine warfare. Merely to master the technicalities of naval strategy and tactics, along with a complex nautical vocabulary, was a task before which any professional historian might quail. To collect and analyze, in terms of comparative firepower, thousands of ballistic and logistic figures (correcting the inaccurate ones passim) passim) required the brain of a mathematician-which Theodore did not have. So he had to double-check his calculations until every last discrepancy had worked itself out. required the brain of a mathematician-which Theodore did not have. So he had to double-check his calculations until every last discrepancy had worked itself out.

Yet somehow he had managed to do all that-whether successfully or not, the reviewers would have to decide. In the meantime, with his 42 "dry" pages behind him, he could move on to 450 more full of the spray and salt and smoke of real battle.

Despite the enthusiasm with which he took up this work, Theodore was determined not to let his imagination run away with him. He made full use of the research facilities of the Astor Library in an effort to document every sentence of his manuscript. He consulted naval histories published on both sides of the Atlantic, including several French works which he quoted in his own translation. He burrowed through the lives and memoirs of participating admirals. Determined to be scrupulously fair, he consulted such British sources as the Naval Records, Nile's Register Naval Records, Nile's Register, and the London Naval Chronicle London Naval Chronicle. He sent to Washington for carloads of official captains' letters, logbooks, and shipyard contracts previously untouched by any scholar. He compiled his own construction plans, tactical diagrams, and "tables of comparative force and loss."22 With these spread out around him, he could ponder such questions as the relationship between a ship armed with long 12s and another presenting 32-pound carronades. Which one would prevail in battle? "At long range the first, and at short range the second," concluded Theodore, who dearly loved a balanced statement. But then the booming of guns in his ears would be interrupted by the library clock chiming three. It was time to march back uptown and take Alice out for her afternoon drive. With these spread out around him, he could ponder such questions as the relationship between a ship armed with long 12s and another presenting 32-pound carronades. Which one would prevail in battle? "At long range the first, and at short range the second," concluded Theodore, who dearly loved a balanced statement. But then the booming of guns in his ears would be interrupted by the library clock chiming three. It was time to march back uptown and take Alice out for her afternoon drive.23 Apart from his daily six-mile walk, sleigh-driving was Theodore's only exercise that winter. He went about it with his usual energy, speeding around Manhattan in huge loops, up to thirty miles at a time, while the rest of society sedately circled Central Park. With his "sweet Baby" warmly wrapped in buffalo robes beside him, and Lightfoot's hooves drumming up an exhilarating spray of snow, he would zigzag through the farms and shanties of the Upper West Side until the dark, ice-clogged waters of the Hudson opened out on their left. Spinning north along Riverside Drive, they would admire the snowy Palisades showing in fine relief against the gray winter skies, before curving east across the white fields of Harlem, and south past the great estates of the East River into the pine-forested freshness of Jones' Woods.24 Emerging at Sixty-eighth Street, they would zigzag toward the mansions of midtown, massed like an interrupted avalanche along the southern fringe of Central Park. Emerging at Sixty-eighth Street, they would zigzag toward the mansions of midtown, massed like an interrupted avalanche along the southern fringe of Central Park.

SHOULD THEY PASS Mrs. William Astor's carriage in Grand Army Plaza, Theodore could touch the brim of his beaver with his whip, and know that the gesture would be acknowledged, for the Roosevelt family was eminent enough to be included among the few hundred that majestic lady deigned to recognize. Mrs. Astor's dominance over New York's drawing-rooms was so complete that her word was social law. She was a guest, along with Vanderbilts, Dodges, Harrimans, and Iselins, at Corinne Roosevelt's coming-out party on 8 December. Mrs. William Astor's carriage in Grand Army Plaza, Theodore could touch the brim of his beaver with his whip, and know that the gesture would be acknowledged, for the Roosevelt family was eminent enough to be included among the few hundred that majestic lady deigned to recognize. Mrs. Astor's dominance over New York's drawing-rooms was so complete that her word was social law. She was a guest, along with Vanderbilts, Dodges, Harrimans, and Iselins, at Corinne Roosevelt's coming-out party on 8 December.25 Although the Although the grande dame grande dame was so stiff with diamonds she could barely turn from one guest to another, she liked what she saw of Theodore and Alice, and invited them to dinner at her austere brownstone on Thirty-fourth Street, whose boards the was so stiff with diamonds she could barely turn from one guest to another, she liked what she saw of Theodore and Alice, and invited them to dinner at her austere brownstone on Thirty-fourth Street, whose boards the nouveaux riches nouveaux riches Vanderbilts were not permitted to tread. As a double seal of her approval, she asked the young couple to her January Ball, the traditional climax of the social season. Vanderbilts were not permitted to tread. As a double seal of her approval, she asked the young couple to her January Ball, the traditional climax of the social season.26 At this event, and at the scarcely less glittering Patriarch's Ball, and at banquets with Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, and parties at Delmonico's, and Monday nights at the opera, and at dozens of other receptions, teas, and "jolly little dinners" up and down Fifth Avenue, Theodore and Alice conducted themselves with the grace of natural aristocrats. "Alice is universally and greatly admired," wrote her proud husband, "and she seems to grow more beautiful day by day." At this event, and at the scarcely less glittering Patriarch's Ball, and at banquets with Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, and parties at Delmonico's, and Monday nights at the opera, and at dozens of other receptions, teas, and "jolly little dinners" up and down Fifth Avenue, Theodore and Alice conducted themselves with the grace of natural aristocrats. "Alice is universally and greatly admired," wrote her proud husband, "and she seems to grow more beautiful day by day."27 An old friend, separated from the Roosevelts by lesser means, caught sight of them emerging from an opera at the Academy of Music on Fourteenth Street. Theodore had manifestly arrived at the social heights: "I remember thinking what an enormous start he had over youths like myself, whose daily bread depended on their daily effort."28 New York at the dawn of the eighties stood poised between the sedate elegance of its past and the fabulous vulgarity of its future. This was at once the age of slippery horsehair furniture and Tiffany glass; of dignified quadrilles and the scandalously sexy waltz; of prephylloxera Burgundies and the harsh, but interesting new Cabernets from California; of copperplate invitations on silver trays and the first crackly telephone messages; of beaux arts filigree decorating old, blocky town houses. Millionaires' Row was not without its vacant lots, and Alva Vanderbilt's vast chateau at Fifty-second Street-designed to humble Mrs. Astor-was still a skeleton of limestone and marble dust. Not until its last turret was in place, and its doors thrown open to the "splendor seekers," could New York's Golden Age fairly be said to have begun.29 Yet already the pace of society was accelerating. For the young Roosevelts, hardly a night passed without some brilliant affair. Since the opera did not end until 11:30, and balls often continued through dawn, one wonders when Theodore ever found time to sleep. Early in the New Year, after a full day in the law school and the library, a meeting with some old college friends to organize a Free Trade Club, and an evening spent at the Astors', he noted delightedly in his diary, "Every moment of my time occupied."30 Should a spare moment occasionally present itself, he filled it not with rest but work. Owen Wister has left an anecdote of this period which reads like the opening scene of a Victorian drawing-room comedy. It is the pre-dinner hour; Theodore, standing on one leg at the bookcases in his New York house, is sketching a diagram for Should a spare moment occasionally present itself, he filled it not with rest but work. Owen Wister has left an anecdote of this period which reads like the opening scene of a Victorian drawing-room comedy. It is the pre-dinner hour; Theodore, standing on one leg at the bookcases in his New York house, is sketching a diagram for The Naval War of 1812 The Naval War of 1812. In rushes Alice, exclaiming in a plaintive drawl, "We're dining out in twenty minutes, and Teddy's drawing little ships!"31 But increasingly, as the season wore on, Theodore used the pre-dinner hour for another, more private activity, of which Mrs. Astor would definitely not have approved. Resplendent in evening dress, he would dash across Fifth Avenue, round the corner of Fifty-ninth Street, and up a shabby flight of stairs.32

MORTON H HALL, AS THE headquarters of the Twenty-first District Republican Association was grandly called, was a barn-sized chamber over a store. headquarters of the Twenty-first District Republican Association was grandly called, was a barn-sized chamber over a store.33 It was furnished with rough benches and spittoons, a raised table and a chair. Two gloomy political portraits completed the decor. Here the cheap lawyers, saloonkeepers, and horsecar conductors who ran Theodore's district-Irishmen, mostly-met together for political meetings once or twice a month. On other nights Morton Hall served as a sort of clubroom where the same clientele could chat informally. During these "bull sessions" Celtic eloquence, punctuated by regular squirts of plug-juice, tended to veer from politics to dirty stories. Theodore, whose distaste for tobacco matched his prudishness, must have winced many times during his first visits in the fall of 1880. He had been by no means welcome, for his side-whiskers and evening clothes made the "heelers" uncomfortable. It was furnished with rough benches and spittoons, a raised table and a chair. Two gloomy political portraits completed the decor. Here the cheap lawyers, saloonkeepers, and horsecar conductors who ran Theodore's district-Irishmen, mostly-met together for political meetings once or twice a month. On other nights Morton Hall served as a sort of clubroom where the same clientele could chat informally. During these "bull sessions" Celtic eloquence, punctuated by regular squirts of plug-juice, tended to veer from politics to dirty stories. Theodore, whose distaste for tobacco matched his prudishness, must have winced many times during his first visits in the fall of 1880. He had been by no means welcome, for his side-whiskers and evening clothes made the "heelers" uncomfortable.34 But he came back again and again, until he was eventually accepted for membership in the association. But he came back again and again, until he was eventually accepted for membership in the association.35 When the news of Theodore's unseemly activities leaked out, his family reacted with almost uniform horror. "We thought he was, to put it frankly, pretty fresh," wrote Emlen Roosevelt. "We felt that his own father would not have liked it, and would have been fearful of the outcome. The Roosevelt circle as a whole had a profound distrust of public life."36 So, too, did his father's friends-bankers, lawyers, businessmen, clubmen. Politics, they assured him from the depths of their leather armchairs, was "low." A gentleman of his upbringing might subscribe to campaign funds-without inquiring too closely as to how the money was spent-might even attend a primary or two, and of course he had a duty to cast his vote on Election Day, providing the weather was fine. But to traffic with men who were "rough and brutal and unpleasant" was decidedly So, too, did his father's friends-bankers, lawyers, businessmen, clubmen. Politics, they assured him from the depths of their leather armchairs, was "low." A gentleman of his upbringing might subscribe to campaign funds-without inquiring too closely as to how the money was spent-might even attend a primary or two, and of course he had a duty to cast his vote on Election Day, providing the weather was fine. But to traffic with men who were "rough and brutal and unpleasant" was decidedly infra dig infra dig. He should not soil his kid gloves on the levers of political machinery.37 Theodore reacted with predictable anger: I answered that if this were so it merely meant that the people I knew did not belong to the governing class, and that the other people did-and that I intended to be one of the governing class; and if they proved too hard-bit for me I supposed I would have to quit, but that I certainly would not quit until I had made the effort and found out whether I really was too weak to hold my own in the rough and tumble.38 He could, of course, have entered the government the respectable way-by cultivating the society of men in leather armchairs, qualifying as a lawyer himself, and, in ten years or so, running for a seat in the United States Senate. But some instinct told him that if he desired raw political power-and from this winter on, for the rest of his life, he never ceased to desire it-he must start on the shop floor, learn to work those greasy levers one by one.39 Besides, he had a private score to settle. It had been the New York State Republican machine, still controlled by Boss Roscoe Conkling, that had destroyed Theodore Senior; might not Theodore Junior, by mastering its techniques, use that same machine to avenge him? Among his father's letters, which he kept about him as "talismans against evil," Besides, he had a private score to settle. It had been the New York State Republican machine, still controlled by Boss Roscoe Conkling, that had destroyed Theodore Senior; might not Theodore Junior, by mastering its techniques, use that same machine to avenge him? Among his father's letters, which he kept about him as "talismans against evil,"40 was one dated 16 December 1877, after Conkling's victory in the Senate. In the tired hand of a dying man, Theodore Senior had written: "The 'Machine politicians' have shown their colors...I feel sorry for the country however as it shows the power of partisan politicians who think of nothing higher than their own interests, and I feel for your future. We cannot stand so corrupt a government for any great length of time." was one dated 16 December 1877, after Conkling's victory in the Senate. In the tired hand of a dying man, Theodore Senior had written: "The 'Machine politicians' have shown their colors...I feel sorry for the country however as it shows the power of partisan politicians who think of nothing higher than their own interests, and I feel for your future. We cannot stand so corrupt a government for any great length of time."41 So the budding socialite turned his back on privilege, and spent more and more time at Morton Hall.42 Despite the glory he later attained, the clubby set never quite forgave him. He was considered "a traitor to his caste," a man who "should have been on the side of capital." Despite the glory he later attained, the clubby set never quite forgave him. He was considered "a traitor to his caste," a man who "should have been on the side of capital."43 Long after his death, when builders began to convert the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace into a national shrine, a family elder exclaimed, "I don't know why you are making such a fuss. I used to hate to see him coming down the street." Long after his death, when builders began to convert the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace into a national shrine, a family elder exclaimed, "I don't know why you are making such a fuss. I used to hate to see him coming down the street."44

THE STOUT MAN WHO chaired meetings at Morton Hall, from behind a stout pitcher of iced water, was scarcely more pleased to hear Theodore's feet drumming up the stairs. "Jake" Hess was a self-made, professional politician, and had little use for amateurs in evening clothes. chaired meetings at Morton Hall, from behind a stout pitcher of iced water, was scarcely more pleased to hear Theodore's feet drumming up the stairs. "Jake" Hess was a self-made, professional politician, and had little use for amateurs in evening clothes.45 His German-Jewish heritage had not prevented him from elbowing aside many Irish Catholic challengers to win control of the Twenty-first District. A loyal servant of the upstate Republican machine, Hess regularly supplied Albany with loyal, machine-minded Assemblymen. Since the Twenty-first was one of the few "safe" Republican districts in New York City, he was a man of unusual influence, and pompously aware of it. His German-Jewish heritage had not prevented him from elbowing aside many Irish Catholic challengers to win control of the Twenty-first District. A loyal servant of the upstate Republican machine, Hess regularly supplied Albany with loyal, machine-minded Assemblymen. Since the Twenty-first was one of the few "safe" Republican districts in New York City, he was a man of unusual influence, and pompously aware of it.46 At first Theodore tried to cultivate Hess, but his efforts were received only with "rather distant affability." The newcomer was forced to mingle instead with the rank and file of the party-and some were rank indeed-acquiring "the political habit" at the very lowest level. For most of the winter of 188081 he seemed content with this society.

I went around there often enough to have the men get accustomed to me and to have me get accustomed to them, so that we began to speak the same language, and so that each could begin to live down what Bret Harte has called "the defective moral quality of being a stranger." It is not often that a man can make opportunities for himself. But he can put himself in such shape that when or if the opportunities come he is ready to take advantage of them.47 By March he was taking a more active role in party politics, attending a series of primaries in addition to regular meetings, working his way up into the executive committee of the Young Republicans, and presuming to address the association on its new charter.48 An opportunity for advancement, he thought, arose early in April. Theodore's only reference to it in his diary was: "Went to Republican Primary; grand row; very hopeless." The story behind this cryptic entry is interesting, since it indicates that his very first political maneuver was in the direction of rebellion and reform. A citizens' movement was under way to introduce a non-partisan Street Cleaning Bill into the State Legislature-then, as always, the cleanliness of New York's streets varied according to who represented which district-and Theodore backed it. He made a speech on behalf of the bill at Morton Hall, and spoke with such force that he won several rounds of applause. By the time he sat down he was the object of at least one man's thoughtful gaze.49 But the party machine was opposed to the measure; and on 5 May Theodore found himself with only six or seven votes out of three or four hundred. But the party machine was opposed to the measure; and on 5 May Theodore found himself with only six or seven votes out of three or four hundred.50 The young opportunist retired to lick his wounds. He did not go back to Morton Hall that spring. A few days later the law school broke up, Lightfoot was dispatched to the country, and Mittie Roosevelt ordered the blinds drawn at 6 West Fifty-seventh Street. Pausing only to dictate his will, and pack a thousand pounds of luggage, Theodore escorted Alice up the gangplank of the steamship Celtic Celtic on 12 May 1881. "Hurrah! for a summer abroad with the darling little wife." on 12 May 1881. "Hurrah! for a summer abroad with the darling little wife."51

HIS EUPHORIA DWINDLED before they were halfway across the Atlantic. "Confound a European trip, say I!" he wrote in his diary. Alice, who had never been overseas before, was so consistently seasick that Theodore exhausted himself taking care of her. before they were halfway across the Atlantic. "Confound a European trip, say I!" he wrote in his diary. Alice, who had never been overseas before, was so consistently seasick that Theodore exhausted himself taking care of her.52 But Ireland, which they reached on 21 May, exerted its usual calming influence. But Ireland, which they reached on 21 May, exerted its usual calming influence.53 They sailed smoothly up the River Lee to Cork, and awoke the following morning, Sunday, to the sound of the Bells of Shandon. Alice recovered immediately, and was able to endure ten days of riding on jaunting cars, ancient trains, and shaggy ponies with sweet equanimity. Meanwhile, Theodore reacted to everything with ears as well as eyes. He praised the birdsong and wildflowers at Castle Blarney, enjoyed the silence and "many-colored mountains" around Killarney, and thrilled to the echoing cliffs of Dunloe's Gap. Unlike most visitors, he investigated some of the uglier aspects of life on the Emerald Isle. A heap of dirty rags on the road to Cork turned out to be a tramp, "insensible from sheer hunger." With the help of some peasants, he revived the man, fed him, and sent him on his way with ten shillings. "A beautiful country," Theodore concluded, "but with a terrible understratum of wretchedness." They sailed smoothly up the River Lee to Cork, and awoke the following morning, Sunday, to the sound of the Bells of Shandon. Alice recovered immediately, and was able to endure ten days of riding on jaunting cars, ancient trains, and shaggy ponies with sweet equanimity. Meanwhile, Theodore reacted to everything with ears as well as eyes. He praised the birdsong and wildflowers at Castle Blarney, enjoyed the silence and "many-colored mountains" around Killarney, and thrilled to the echoing cliffs of Dunloe's Gap. Unlike most visitors, he investigated some of the uglier aspects of life on the Emerald Isle. A heap of dirty rags on the road to Cork turned out to be a tramp, "insensible from sheer hunger." With the help of some peasants, he revived the man, fed him, and sent him on his way with ten shillings. "A beautiful country," Theodore concluded, "but with a terrible understratum of wretchedness."54 By the end of the month, when they embarked on a glassy sea for England, Alice had become the best travelling companion he had ever known. Being athletically inclined, she was game for the most arduous excursions, yet was feminine enough to pretend helplessness while he juggled with suitcases, tickets, and hack-drivers. "Baby enjoys everything immensely," he wrote after a marathon tour of the London galleries, "and has a far keener appreciation of most of the pictures than I have."

Theodore's own taste, on this third exposure to the art of Europe, was cheerfully unsophisticated: "Turner-idiotic." He preferred such sentimental artists as Murillo and Gustave Dore, despite the latter's tendency "to paint by the square mile."55 A week in Paris, dining deliciously and exploring the caverns of the Louvre; five days in a Venetian palace, with evening rides through the "water-streets," and balcony breakfasts shared with pigeons; an afternoon spent under the "immense, cool, vaulted arches" of Milan Cathedral; four days in the marbled splendor of the Villa d'Este on Lake Como; then north in a rented carriage for a tour of the Alps. Alice, riding on horseback, accompanied Theodore up "a fair-sized mountain" near Samaden, and in consequence spent the next several days nursing various tender areas of her person. A week in Paris, dining deliciously and exploring the caverns of the Louvre; five days in a Venetian palace, with evening rides through the "water-streets," and balcony breakfasts shared with pigeons; an afternoon spent under the "immense, cool, vaulted arches" of Milan Cathedral; four days in the marbled splendor of the Villa d'Este on Lake Como; then north in a rented carriage for a tour of the Alps. Alice, riding on horseback, accompanied Theodore up "a fair-sized mountain" near Samaden, and in consequence spent the next several days nursing various tender areas of her person.56 During this lull, early in July, news came that President Garfield had been shot, and was lying in a coma from which he was unlikely to recover. "Frightful calamity for America," wrote Theodore in his diary, adding, "...this means work in the future for those who wish their country well."57 The assassination of President Garfield was only the latest in a series of political explosions that shook America in the spring and summer of 1881, and whose rumblings followed Theodore across the Atlantic. Fuses had been lit the year before at the Republican National Convention, when the party went into deadlock over the nomination of its presidential candidate. Senator Conkling's machine-minded "Stalwarts," who had grown rich on patronage under Grant, and suffered under the righteous Hayes, wanted the general back in the White House. More independent (but equally corrupt) "Half-Breeds" were united in support of James G. Blaine. It had taken twenty-six ballots before James A. Garfield was nominated as an unpopular compromise. Both factions smoldered in resentment through his election and inauguration in March 1881.58 Then the first explosion occurred. Then the first explosion occurred.

IN AN UNCANNY REPETITION of the events of 1877, Garfield named a reform Republican to the Collectorship of Customs for the Port of New York, just as Hayes before him had named Theodore Senior. Boss Conkling was so enraged by this second Presidential slap in the face that on 16 May he resigned his Senate seat, confident that his lieutenants in the New York State Legislature would reelect him and shame Garfield into withdrawing the appointment. No Senator had ever offered so dramatic a challenge to a President, and Theodore, anxiously devouring French and Italian newspapers, kept abreast of developments as best he could. of the events of 1877, Garfield named a reform Republican to the Collectorship of Customs for the Port of New York, just as Hayes before him had named Theodore Senior. Boss Conkling was so enraged by this second Presidential slap in the face that on 16 May he resigned his Senate seat, confident that his lieutenants in the New York State Legislature would reelect him and shame Garfield into withdrawing the appointment. No Senator had ever offered so dramatic a challenge to a President, and Theodore, anxiously devouring French and Italian newspapers, kept abreast of developments as best he could.

For a while it seemed that the Boss might win. But then a madman's bullet shattered both Garfield's spine and Conkling's chances.59 While the President lay dying, Conkling became, by popular consent, the archvillain who had plotted his assassination. This rumor was false. Party leaders in Albany, however, were forced to elect another Senator. While the President lay dying, Conkling became, by popular consent, the archvillain who had plotted his assassination. This rumor was false. Party leaders in Albany, however, were forced to elect another Senator.

A final stroke of irony, which Theodore had leisure to ponder in his Alpine retreat, was that Garfield's heir apparent was Vice President Chester A. Arthur-the very man whom Theodore Senior had been groomed to replace in 1877. Boss Conkling might be out of power, but as long as his father's old rival sat in the White House, Theodore would be reminded of the uninterrupted power of the machine.

MOVING ON THROUGH Austria and Bavaria, the young man had opportunity to exercise his linguistic abilities, translating German into Italian for the benefit of the carriage driver, and both into English for the benefit of Alice. Austria and Bavaria, the young man had opportunity to exercise his linguistic abilities, translating German into Italian for the benefit of the carriage driver, and both into English for the benefit of Alice.60 They found the summer heat of the Bavarian lowlands stifling, and by mid-July Theodore was climbing mountains again. In a period of ten days he "walked up" Pilatus (leaving an exhausted guide halfway down), the Rigi-Grindelwald, and the Jungfrau, confessing only that he felt "rather tired" after the latter. Then, having refreshed himself with a twenty-one-mile hike from Visp to Zermatt, he focused his eager spectacles on the Matterhorn. They found the summer heat of the Bavarian lowlands stifling, and by mid-July Theodore was climbing mountains again. In a period of ten days he "walked up" Pilatus (leaving an exhausted guide halfway down), the Rigi-Grindelwald, and the Jungfrau, confessing only that he felt "rather tired" after the latter. Then, having refreshed himself with a twenty-one-mile hike from Visp to Zermatt, he focused his eager spectacles on the Matterhorn.61 The notorious fifteen-thousand-foot peak curved into the sky like a giant scimitar, so steeply pointed that snow either slid off it or blew away in Alpine gales. Unconquered until 1865, the Matterhorn possessed for Theodore "a certain sombre interest from the number of people that have lost their lives on it." This, plus the prestige he would win as one of the few unskilled climbers to ascend it, was enough to tempt him, and the presence of two British mountaineers in his hotel acted as a further goad.62 Determined to prove that he could climb as well as they could, he set off with two guides on the morning of 5 August. Determined to prove that he could climb as well as they could, he set off with two guides on the morning of 5 August.

At six o'clock in the evening we reached the small hut, half a cavern, where we spent the night; it was on the face of a cliff, up which we climbed by a rope forty feet long, and the floor was covered with ice a foot deep...We left the hut at three-forty [A.M.] and, after seeing a most glorious sunrise, which crowned the countless snow peaks and billowy, white clouds with a strange, crimson irradescence, reached the summit at seven, and were down at the foot of the Matterhorn proper by one. It was like going up and down enormous stairs on your hands and knees for nine hours...during the journey I was nearer giving out than on the Jungfrau, but I was not nearly so tired afterwards.63

HAVING HAD HIS FILL of exercise for a while, Theodore turned now to mental activity. The manuscript of "that favorite of exercise for a while, Theodore turned now to mental activity. The manuscript of "that favorite chateau-en-espagne chateau-en-espagne of mine," of mine," The Naval War of 1812 The Naval War of 1812 formed a bulky part of the Roosevelt luggage, and he worked at it doggedly during his last month in Europe. "You would be amused," he told Bamie from the Hague, "to see me writing it here. I have plenty of information now, but I can't get it into words; I am afraid it is too big a task for me. I wonder if I won't find everything in life too big for my abilities. Well, time will tell." formed a bulky part of the Roosevelt luggage, and he worked at it doggedly during his last month in Europe. "You would be amused," he told Bamie from the Hague, "to see me writing it here. I have plenty of information now, but I can't get it into words; I am afraid it is too big a task for me. I wonder if I won't find everything in life too big for my abilities. Well, time will tell."64 On 10 September the travelers reached Liverpool,65 laden with Parisian fashions and presents from the best London shops. Here Theodore's "blessed old sea-captain" uncle, Irvine Bulloch, helped untangle some of the nautical knots in his manuscript. laden with Parisian fashions and presents from the best London shops. Here Theodore's "blessed old sea-captain" uncle, Irvine Bulloch, helped untangle some of the nautical knots in his manuscript.66 The young author's confidence returned, and he found himself looking forward to the resumption of his legal, literary, and political work in New York. The young author's confidence returned, and he found himself looking forward to the resumption of his legal, literary, and political work in New York.

Summarizing his third trip abroad in twelve years, Theodore wrote Bill Sewall: "I have enjoyed it greatly, yet the more I see the better satisfied I am that I am an American; free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior, except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit."67

IN THIS HEALTHY FRAME of mind, and feeling superbly healthy in body, the conqueror of the Matterhorn arrived back in New York on 2 October 1881. He lost no time in resuming his tripartite life, although a diary entry for 17 October indicates that his priorities had changed. "Am working fairly hard at my law, hard at politics, and hardest of all at my book." Indeed, Theodore's interest in the first of these activities was steadily waning. He would continue to attend Columbia Law School lectures, on and off, for at least another year, and acquire, almost against his will, a semiprofessional mastery of civil and criminal procedure, corporate and constitutional law, labor contracts, and cross-examination techniques-all highly useful to him in later life. But he found his current ambitions better served (and his soul more soothed) by the contrasted pleasures of politicking and writing. of mind, and feeling superbly healthy in body, the conqueror of the Matterhorn arrived back in New York on 2 October 1881. He lost no time in resuming his tripartite life, although a diary entry for 17 October indicates that his priorities had changed. "Am working fairly hard at my law, hard at politics, and hardest of all at my book." Indeed, Theodore's interest in the first of these activities was steadily waning. He would continue to attend Columbia Law School lectures, on and off, for at least another year, and acquire, almost against his will, a semiprofessional mastery of civil and criminal procedure, corporate and constitutional law, labor contracts, and cross-examination techniques-all highly useful to him in later life. But he found his current ambitions better served (and his soul more soothed) by the contrasted pleasures of politicking and writing.68 From 6 October to 8 November it was the former activity that prevailed, since the Twenty-first District was going through its annual throes of returning an Assemblyman to Albany. Theodore did not want to miss a moment of the "rough and tumble." He plunged aggressively into primary work, resolved "to kill our last year's legislator," who was up for renomination.69 The legislator's name was William Trimble. Like all of Jake Hess's hand-picked Assemblymen, he was a loyal servant of the machine, and a Stalwart through and through. This alone would have been enough to prejudice Theodore against him. The fact that Trimble had voted to oppose his pet cause, the Street Cleaning Bill, added a personal zest to the fight. Accordingly Theodore worked energetically on behalf of independent delegates, and on 24 October, at the preconvention meeting in Morton Hall, he stood up to make a formal protest against Trimble's renomination. The legislator's name was William Trimble. Like all of Jake Hess's hand-picked Assemblymen, he was a loyal servant of the machine, and a Stalwart through and through. This alone would have been enough to prejudice Theodore against him. The fact that Trimble had voted to oppose his pet cause, the Street Cleaning Bill, added a personal zest to the fight. Accordingly Theodore worked energetically on behalf of independent delegates, and on 24 October, at the preconvention meeting in Morton Hall, he stood up to make a formal protest against Trimble's renomination.70 Hess listened from behind his pitcher of iced water with the bland patience of a leader who is sure of his delegates. Neither he nor the speaker was aware that the same thoughtful eyes which had rested on Theodore earlier in the year were resting on him again, and that by now their gaze was beady. Hess listened from behind his pitcher of iced water with the bland patience of a leader who is sure of his delegates. Neither he nor the speaker was aware that the same thoughtful eyes which had rested on Theodore earlier in the year were resting on him again, and that by now their gaze was beady.

The eyes belonged to Joe Murray, one of Hess's Irish lieutenants. Burly, red-faced, taciturn, and shrewd,71 Murray had his own reasons to stop Trimble, more complex ones than Theodore's. He had been raised in barefoot poverty on First Avenue, and emerged in his teens as the leader of a street gang. In this capacity he had been employed, on a freelance basis, to influence the course of local elections with his fists. Although he worked, in alternate years, for both Republicans and Democrats, his blows on behalf of the former party carried more conviction, so to speak, than those for the latter, and in his early twenties he had been rewarded with the job of ward heeler at Morton Hall. Having thus literally punched his way into politics, Murray revealed unexpected gifts for party organization, and moved up quietly through the ranks until now, in his midthirties, he stood at Hess's elbow. Being a philosophical man, he tolerated his leader's arrogance and vanity, content to build up support within the association until the time was ripe to "make a drive" at him. Murray had his own reasons to stop Trimble, more complex ones than Theodore's. He had been raised in barefoot poverty on First Avenue, and emerged in his teens as the leader of a street gang. In this capacity he had been employed, on a freelance basis, to influence the course of local elections with his fists. Although he worked, in alternate years, for both Republicans and Democrats, his blows on behalf of the former party carried more conviction, so to speak, than those for the latter, and in his early twenties he had been rewarded with the job of ward heeler at Morton Hall. Having thus literally punched his way into politics, Murray revealed unexpected gifts for party organization, and moved up quietly through the ranks until now, in his midthirties, he stood at Hess's elbow. Being a philosophical man, he tolerated his leader's arrogance and vanity, content to build up support within the association until the time was ripe to "make a drive" at him.72 It had been too early to do that in the spring, when Murray had joined Hess in crushing Theodore's support of the Street Cleaning Bill, but he had not forgotten the young man's courage and outspokenness. During the summer, events had conspired to keep Roosevelt in his mind. The resignation of Boss Conkling, and the assassination of President Garfield, caused a public outcry against machine politicians in general, and Stalwarts in particular. Since Assemblyman Trimble was both, he had been tainted by this unpopularity, and Murray's street instinct warned that if Trimble stood for reelection, the Twenty-first might fall to the Democrats. But when the Irishman expressed his misgivings, Hess had reacted contemptuously. "He'll be nominated anyway. You don't amount to anything."73 This was one insult too many for Murray. Unknown to Hess, he had already lined up enough delegates to nominate anybody he chose. All he lacked was a candidate. Two nights later, as he sat listening to Theodore speak at the preconvention meeting, he realized that he had found one. Here was a candidate to beat Trimble, humiliate Hess, and convince the electorate that the bad old days of Republicanism were over. This boy bore the name of one of New York's most revered philanthropists. As an Ivy League man, he could be counted on to bring in "the swells and the Columbia crowd"; as a Knickerbocker, he would generate funds along Fifth Avenue. He was obviously naive and untrained in politics, but that should prove an advantage on the hustings. His manners were pleasing, his face open and ingenuous, and he positively glowed with righteousness. He would be independent of any machine, immune to all bribes; he was honest, elegant, humorous, and a born fighter. What was more, he obviously enjoyed getting up on a chair and shouting at people. Murray decided "it was Theodore Roosevelt or no one."74 At the end of the meeting he drew the young man aside and told him that he, too, was opposed to the renomination of Trimble. Casually, the Irishman said that he had been "looking around" for another candidate and thought his search might be over.

"No, I wouldn't dream of such a thing," Theodore said. "It would look as if I had selfish motives in coming around to oppose this man."

Murray could interpret a coy expression as well as anybody. "Well, get me a desirable candidate."

"Oh, you won't have any trouble," replied Theodore, and offered to look for one himself.75 The following evening they met again, and Theodore had to admit that he had not found a candidate. But he was still sure he could do so. With only three days to go before the convention, Murray grew impatient.

"Mr. Roosevelt, in case we can't get a suitable candidate, will you take the nomination?"

Theodore hesitated. "Yes, but I don't want it." He was privately suspicious of Murray's motives, and went to seek the reassurance of a mutual friend, Edward Mitchell. "Joe is not in the habit of making statements that he cannot make good," Mitchell told him. "You have fallen in very good hands."76 On 28 October 1881, the Assembly Convention met at Morton Hall. Murray sat patiently through a forty-five-minute speech nominating Assemblyman Trimble. Then he rose and simply said, "Mr. Chairman, I nominate Theodore Roosevelt." The convention voted in his favor on the first ballot, with a majority of sixteen to nine.77 Theodore was just twenty-three years and one day old. Theodore was just twenty-three years and one day old.

Late that night the nominee wrote in his diary, "My platform is: strong Republican on State matters, but independent on local and municipal affairs." Thus, at the very outset of his political career, he managed to balance party loyalty with personal freedom. The platform he chose was an unstable one, yet he had already found its center of gravity. For the next four decades he would occupy that motionless spot, while the rest of the platform tipped giddily backward and forward, Left and Right.

CONFRONTED WITH Theodore's nomination as a fait accompli, the Roosevelt family rallied to his support with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Theodore's nomination as a fait accompli, the Roosevelt family rallied to his support with varying degrees of enthusiasm.78 Wealthy friends of his father offered to help with campaign expenses and published an open letter testifying to his "high character...honesty and integrity." The list of signatures on this document, which read like a combination of the Wealthy friends of his father offered to help with campaign expenses and published an open letter testifying to his "high character...honesty and integrity." The list of signatures on this document, which read like a combination of the Social Register Social Register and and Banker's Directory Banker's Directory, included that of the eminent lawyer Elihu Root, yet another of Theodore's future Secretaries of State.79 Press comment on the nomination was mostly favorable. "Every good citizen has cause for rejoicing," declared The New York Times The New York Times, "that the Republicans of the Twenty-first Assembly District have united upon so admirable a candidate for the Assembly as Mr. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.... Mr. Roosevelt needs no introduction to his constituency. His family has been long and honorably known as one of the foremost in this city, and Mr. Roosevelt himself is a public-spirited citizen, not an office-seeker, but one of the men who should be sought for office."

The newspaper went on to note that as Theodore's district was "naturally Republican," he could look forward to "a handsome majority" in the election.80 This fact may also have been realized by the Democrats. Their candidate was a Dr. W. W. Strew, recently fired from the directorship of Blackwell's Island Lunatic Asylum. This fact may also have been realized by the Democrats. Their candidate was a Dr. W. W. Strew, recently fired from the directorship of Blackwell's Island Lunatic Asylum.81 Theodore himself had no doubt that he would be elected. His campaign circular, dated 1 November 1881, was so brief, and bare of promises, as to seem almost arrogant: Dear Sir,Having been nominated as a candidate for member of Assembly for this District, I would esteem it as a compliment if you honor me with your vote and personal influence on Election Day.Very respectfully, THEODORE ROOSEVELT82.

After decades of flowery political appeals, this simple message came as a welcome surprise to the electorate.

For all the favorable trends, Theodore's eight-day campaign was not without its anxious moments. Joe Murray and Jake Hess (who had philosophically agreed to support the Assembly Convention's decision) soon discovered that their candidate had an alarming tendency to speak his mind. It was fortunate that they accompanied him on a personal canvass of the saloons of Sixth Avenue, or, as Theodore recalled in his autobiography, the "liquor vote" might have been lost.

The canvass...did not last beyond the first saloon. I was introduced with proper solemnity to the saloon-keeper-a very important personage, for this was before the days when saloon-keepers became merely the mortgaged chattels of the brewers-and he began to cross-examine me, a little too much in the tone of one who was dealing with a suppliant for his favor. He said that he expected that I would of course treat the liquor business fairly; to which I answered, none too cordially, that I hoped I should treat all interests fairly. He then said that he regarded the licenses as too high; to which I responded that I believed that they were really not high enough, and that I should try to have them made higher. The conversation threatened to become stormy. Messrs. Murray and Hess, on some hastily improvised plea, took me out into the street, and then Joe explained to me that it was not worth my while staying in Sixth Avenue any longer, that I had better go right back to Fifth Avenue and attend to my friends there, and that he would look after my interests on Sixth Avenue.I was triumphantly elected.83 Theodore received the news of his victory-3,490 votes to Strew's 1,989, almost double the usual Republican margin-distractedly. After voting on the morning of 9 November, he had retired to the library at 6 West Fifty-seventh Street and busied himself with his book, which was due at Putnam's by Christmas. Not until an admirer called, "wishing to meet the rising star," did he accept the fact that he was now a professional politician.84 This sudden change in status seems only to have increased his determination to become, simultaneously, a professional writer. He spent the rest of November working with total absorption on his manuscript, and by 3 December it was in the hands of the publisher. This sudden change in status seems only to have increased his determination to become, simultaneously, a professional writer. He spent the rest of November working with total absorption on his manuscript, and by 3 December it was in the hands of the publisher.85 The Naval War of 1812, which appeared some five months later, was the first and in some ways the most enduring of Theodore Roosevelt's thirty-eight books. Reviewers were almost unanimous in their praise of its scholarship, sweep, and originality. It was recognized on both sides of the Atlantic as "the last word on the subject," and a classic of naval history. Within two years of publication it went through three editions, and became a textbook at several colleges. In 1886, by special regulation, at least one copy was ordered placed on board every U.S. Navy vessel.86 Eleven years later, when Great Britain was preparing her own official history of the Royal Navy, the editors paid Theodore the unprecedented compliment of asking him to write the section of that work dealing with the War of 1812. For almost a century, Eleven years later, when Great Britain was preparing her own official history of the Royal Navy, the editors paid Theodore the unprecedented compliment of asking him to write the section of that work dealing with the War of 1812. For almost a century, Naval War Naval War would remain the definitive work in its field. would remain the definitive work in its field.87 Considering the author's youth (he was twenty-one when he began it, and just twenty-three when he finished), his frequent ill health, and many distractions, the book may be considered an extraordinary achievement. Considering the author's youth (he was twenty-one when he began it, and just twenty-three when he finished), his frequent ill health, and many distractions, the book may be considered an extraordinary achievement.

Its merits are as simple as those of any serious piece of academic writing: clarity, accuracy, and completeness, backed by massive documentation. The density of research is such that Theodore often quotes a different authority for every sentence. His impartiality in weighing facts and reaching conclusions is remarkable in view of his burgeoning Americanism. Sentiment is never allowed to interfere with statistics. Admittedly, the first chapters do not make for fascinating reading: The 32-gun frigates...presented in broadsides 13 long 12's below and seven 24-pound carronades above; the 38-gun frigates, 14 long 18's below and ten 32-pound carronades above; so that a 44-gun frigate would naturally present 15 long 24's below and twelve 42-pound carronades above, as the United States United States did at first.... did at first....88 And so on, for dozens of pages. Clearly he is out to inform, not entertain. And it must be admitted that his own criticism of it as "dry" is justified. The first two chapters, however masterly in their compilation and assortment of figures, are unreadable by all except the most dedicated naval strategists, and the other eight are almost as severe. There is something almost inhuman about the young author's refusal to swashbuckle, taste the triumphs of victory and the pain of defeat, and dramatize character where well he might. Yet there twinkles, every now and again in its gray pages, a flash of sarcastic humor, usually at the expense of historians less scholarly than he: James states that she [the United States] United States] had but one boy aboard, and that he was seventeen years old-in which case 29 others, some of whom (as we learn from the "Life of Decatur") were only twelve, must have grown with truly startling rapidity during the hour and a half the combat lasted. had but one boy aboard, and that he was seventeen years old-in which case 29 others, some of whom (as we learn from the "Life of Decatur") were only twelve, must have grown with truly startling rapidity during the hour and a half the combat lasted.89 Elsewhere he observes that James's remark on the similarity of language spoken by both sides is "an interesting philological discovery that but few will attempt to controvert."90 In his search for truth, he does not hesitate to crush such sentimental legends as that of the Battle of Lake Erie. "The 'glory' acquired by it most certainly has been estimated at more than its own worth," he declares, in the course of a long and brilliantly detailed analysis. "The simple truth is...the side which possessed the superiority in force, in the proportion of three to two, could not well help winning." Dismissing "stereotyped" arguments that the United States fleet was underarmed and undermanned, he went on to prove, with incontestable figures, that its weight weight of ammunition-i.e., fighting effectiveness-was superior, "as the battle was fought under very short sail, and decided purely by gunnery." of ammunition-i.e., fighting effectiveness-was superior, "as the battle was fought under very short sail, and decided purely by gunnery."91 Theodore's very scrupulousness, however, led him to the conclusion that the Naval War of 1812 was a deserved victory for America. Having so decided, he felt no desire to gloat, for a far more important theme preoccupied him: that if the conflict were to be repeated in 1882 the result would undoubtedly be the reverse. The small, efficient, and technically advanced Navy of 1812 was now large, unwieldy, and obsolescent. Writing his preface to the first edition, the young author suddenly cast aside his cloak of academic impartiality and revealed that he was wearing military uniform underneath.

"It is folly," thundered Theodore, "for the great English-speaking Republic to rely for defense upon a navy composed partly of antiquated hulks and partly of new vessels rather more worthless than the old." He urged his compatriots "to study with some care that period of our history during which our navy stood at the highest pitch of its fame...to learn anything from the past it is necessary to know, as near as may be, the exact truth-if only from the narrowest motives."92 Strategic experts pondered his message at least as far away as Washington, D.C. The Naval War of 1812 The Naval War of 1812 was to have a profound effect upon the attitude of the country to its Navy, not to mention Theodore's future career. was to have a profound effect upon the attitude of the country to its Navy, not to mention Theodore's future career.93

WITHIN THREE DAYS after delivering his manuscript to Putnam's, Theodore was caught up in the whirl and glitter of the new social season. "The going out has fairly begun," he noted on 6 December. "All are at it, from dinners to Balls." He saw that Alice, who had no doubt felt rather neglected in recent months, had her fill of the festivities. She would be seeing even less of him in the New Year, when the legislative session began at Albany. Until his election, they had been thinking of moving into their own house sometime that winter; but now the prospect of leaving her alone for weeks at a time (although he would try to get married digs in Albany, so she could come north occasionally) convinced him they should stay on at 6 West Fifty-seventh Street. The session would be over in the spring, and they could look for a new home then. after delivering his manuscript to Putnam's, Theodore was caught up in the whirl and glitter of the new social season. "The going out has fairly begun," he noted on 6 December. "All are at it, from dinners to Balls." He saw that Alice, who had no doubt felt rather neglected in recent months, had her fill of the festivities. She would be seeing even less of him in the New Year, when the legislative session began at Albany. Until his election, they had been thinking of moving into their own house sometime that winter; but now the prospect of leaving her alone for weeks at a time (although he would try to get married digs in Albany, so she could come north occasionally) convinced him they should stay on at 6 West Fifty-seventh Street. The session would be over in the spring, and they could look for a new home then.94 As to his future beyond that, Theodore professed to be as vague as ever. "Too true, too true; I have become a political 'hack'," he wrote to an ex-classmate. "But don't think I am going into politics after this year, for I am not." As to his future beyond that, Theodore professed to be as vague as ever. "Too true, too true; I have become a political 'hack'," he wrote to an ex-classmate. "But don't think I am going into politics after this year, for I am not."95

"I intended to be one of the governing class."

Theodore Roosevelt at the time of his election to the New York State Assembly. (Illustration 5.1)

CHAPTER 6.

The Cyclone Assemblyman Through the streets of DrontheimStrode he red and wrathful,With his stately air.

ASSEMBLYMAN T THEODORE R ROOSEVELT arrived in Albany in 17-degree weather, late on the afternoon of Monday, 2 January 1882. arrived in Albany in 17-degree weather, late on the afternoon of Monday, 2 January 1882.1 Alice had gone to Montreal with a party of friends, and would not be joining him for another two weeks. They could look for lodgings then. In the meantime he checked into the Delavan House, a rambling old hotel with whistly radiators, immediately opposite the railroad station. Apart from the fact that it was conveniently located, and boasted one of the few good restaurants in town, the Delavan was honeycombed with seedy private rooms, of the kind that politicians love to fill with smoke; hence it functioned as the unofficial headquarters of both Republicans and Democrats during the legislative season. Alice had gone to Montreal with a party of friends, and would not be joining him for another two weeks. They could look for lodgings then. In the meantime he checked into the Delavan House, a rambling old hotel with whistly radiators, immediately opposite the railroad station. Apart from the fact that it was conveniently located, and boasted one of the few good restaurants in town, the Delavan was honeycombed with seedy private rooms, of the kind that politicians love to fill with smoke; hence it functioned as the unofficial headquarters of both Republicans and Democrats during the legislative season.2 The Assembly was not due to open until the following morning, but Roosevelt had been asked to attend a preliminary caucus of Republicans in the Capitol that evening, for the purpose of nominating their candidate for Speaker.3 He thus had only an hour or two to unpack, change, and prepare to meet his colleagues. He thus had only an hour or two to unpack, change, and prepare to meet his colleagues.

"He was a perfect nuisance in that House, sir!"

The New York State Assembly Chamber in 1882. (Illustration 6.1) Dusk came early, as always in Albany, for the little city straggles up the right bank of the Hudson, and is screened off from the plateau above by a two-hundred-foot escarpment of blue clay. But the western sky was clear, and lit by a rising full moon, when Roosevelt emerged from the Delavan House, and began his walk to the Capitol.4 At first he could not see "that building," as it was locally known, for he had to walk south along the river for a block or two before ascending State Street. Yet already he was moving in its monstrous shadow. Roosevelt had probably read, in his Albany Hand Book Albany Hand Book, that the new Capitol was, by common consent, "one of the architectural wonders of the nineteenth century."5 Whether it was a thing of beauty or not was questionable, but there was no doubt, as the Whether it was a thing of beauty or not was questionable, but there was no doubt, as the Hand Book Hand Book said, that it was "the grandest legislative building of modern times." Roosevelt's first glimpse of the eleven-million-dollar structure, as he rounded the corner of State and Broadway, and focused his pince-nez uptown, was a thrilling one. said, that it was "the grandest legislative building of modern times." Roosevelt's first glimpse of the eleven-million-dollar structure, as he rounded the corner of State and Broadway, and focused his pince-nez uptown, was a thrilling one.

Still not quite finished, the stupendous pile of white granite towered out of mounds of construction rubble at the very top of the hill. The Old Capitol, a Greek Revival hall awaiting demolition, stood a little farther down, obscuring some of Roosevelt's view, yet its dark silhouette merely accentuated the brilliantly lit massiveness looming behind. Jagged against the skyline rose an improbable forest of steeples, turrets, dormers, and gables, all gleaming in the moonlight, for a snowfall the day before had exquisitely etched them out.6 An architect surveying the Capitol's five stories could successively trace the influence of Romanesque, Italian Renaissance, and French Renaissance styles, with layers of arabesque in between; but to an untutored eye, such as Roosevelt's, the overall effect was of Imperial Indian majesty. An architect surveying the Capitol's five stories could successively trace the influence of Romanesque, Italian Renaissance, and French Renaissance styles, with layers of arabesque in between; but to an untutored eye, such as Roosevelt's, the overall effect was of Imperial Indian majesty.7 Perhaps for the first time the young Assemblyman realized that, as a New York State legislator, he now represented a commonwealth more populous than most of Europe's kingdoms, rich enough and industrious enough to rank alongside any great power. Perhaps for the first time the young Assemblyman realized that, as a New York State legislator, he now represented a commonwealth more populous than most of Europe's kingdoms, rich enough and industrious enough to rank alongside any great power.8 Inspiring as the sight of his destination was, Roosevelt had to concentrate, for the moment, on the tricky business of getting up there without falling down. The steep sidewalks of State Street, when slicked with frozen snow, were notoriously dangerous, and that night blasts of icy air over the escarpment made them doubly so. All sane Assemblymen, of course, were taking horsecars in this weather, but any such indulgence was abhorrent to Roosevelt. Although the wind-chill factor was well below zero, he wore no overcoat.9 A man thus unprotected, yet well stoked with Delavan House coffee, might be able to negotiate two or three blocks of State Street without pain; but he will begin to throb before he is halfway to the top, and Roosevelt was undoubtedly hurting in every extremity by the time he crested the hill and ducked into the warmth of the Capitol lobby. A man thus unprotected, yet well stoked with Delavan House coffee, might be able to negotiate two or three blocks of State Street without pain; but he will begin to throb before he is halfway to the top, and Roosevelt was undoubtedly hurting in every extremity by the time he crested the hill and ducked into the warmth of the Capitol lobby.10 As the pain faded to a glow, and his lenses defrosted, he could make out a labyrinth of stone passages and ground-glass doors through which came the busy clacking of typewriting machines. He was standing on the clerical floor. The halls of power, presumably, were somewhere overhead. To his left the Assembly staircase beckoned. One hundred rapid steps elevated him to the second floor, and the famous Golden Corridor opened out before him. Unquestionably the most sumptuous stretch of interior design in the United States, it formed a dwindling perspective of gilded arches and gorgeously painted pillars. High gas globes picked out the filigree on walls of crimson, umber, yellow, and deep blue, and cast pockets of violet shadow into every alcove. Jardinieres of "exotics," freshly planted to mark the beginning of the legislative season, perfumed the air.11 Roosevelt might well have imagined himself in Moorish Granada, were it not for a very American hubbub coming from a door at the far end of the corridor. Here fifty-two other Republican Assemblymen awaited him in caucus. Roosevelt might well have imagined himself in Moorish Granada, were it not for a very American hubbub coming from a door at the far end of the corridor. Here fifty-two other Republican Assemblymen awaited him in caucus.12

TO SAY THAT Theodore Roosevelt made a vivid first impression upon his colleagues would hardly be an exaggeration. From the moment that he appeared in their midst, there was a chorus of incredulous and delighted comment. Memories of his entrance that night, transcribed many years later, vary as to time and place, but all share the common image of a young man bursting through a door and pausing for an instant while all eyes were upon him-an actor's trick that quickly became habitual. Theodore Roosevelt made a vivid first impression upon his colleagues would hardly be an exaggeration. From the moment that he appeared in their midst, there was a chorus of incredulous and delighted comment. Memories of his entrance that night, transcribed many years later, vary as to time and place, but all share the common image of a young man bursting through a door and pausing for an instant while all eyes were upon him-an actor's trick that quickly became habitual.13 This gave his audience time to absorb the full brilliancy of his Savile Row clothes and furnishings. The recollections of one John Walsh may be taken as typical: This gave his audience time to absorb the full brilliancy of his Savile Row clothes and furnishings. The recollections of one John Walsh may be taken as typical: Suddenly our eyes, and those of everybody on the floor, became glued on a young man who was coming in through the door. His hair was parted in the center, and he had sideburns. He wore a single eye-glass, with a gold chain over his ear. He had on a cutaway coat with one button at the top, and the ends of its tails almost reached the tops of his shoes. He carried a gold-headed cane in one hand, a silk hat in the other, and he walked in the bent-over fashion that was the style with the young men of the day. His trousers were as tight as a tailor could make them, and had a bell-shaped bottom to cover his shoes."Who's the dude?" I asked another member, while the same question was being put in a dozen different parts of the hall."That's Theodore Roosevelt of New York," he answered.14 Notwithstanding this ready identification, the newcomer quickly became known as "Oscar Wilde," after the famous fop who, coincidentally, had arrived in America earlier the same day.15 At twenty-three, Roosevelt was the youngest man in the Legislature, recognized not only for his boyishness but for his "elastic movements, voluminous laughter, and wealth of mouth." At twenty-three, Roosevelt was the youngest man in the Legislature, recognized not only for his boyishness but for his "elastic movements, voluminous laughter, and wealth of mouth."16 More bitter epithets were to follow in the months ahead, as he proved himself to be something of an angrily buzzing fly in the Republican ointment: "Young Squirt," "Weakling," "Punkin-Lily," and "Jane-Dandy" were some of the milder ones. "He is just a damn fool," growled old Tom Alvord, who had been Speaker of the House the day Roosevelt was born. More bitter epithets were to follow in the months ahead, as he proved himself to be something of an angrily buzzing fly in the Republican ointment: "Young Squirt," "Weakling," "Punkin-Lily," and "Jane-Dandy" were some of the milder ones. "He is just a damn fool," growled old Tom Alvord, who had been Speaker of the House the day Roosevelt was born.17 Nominated again for Speaker that night, Alvord cynically assessed Republican strength in the House as "sixty and one-half members." Nominated again for Speaker that night, Alvord cynically assessed Republican strength in the House as "sixty and one-half members."18 Roosevelt had return epithets of his own, and began to record them in a private legislative diary immediately after the 2 January caucus.19 At first, they were merely superficial, revealing him to be as class conscious as his detractors, but as time went by, and the shabbiness of New York State politics (so at odds with the splendors of the Capitol) became clear to him, his pen jabbed the paper with increasing fury. At first, they were merely superficial, revealing him to be as class conscious as his detractors, but as time went by, and the shabbiness of New York State politics (so at odds with the splendors of the Capitol) became clear to him, his pen jabbed the paper with increasing fury.20 "There are some twenty-five Irish Democrats in the House," the young Knickerbocker wrote. "They are a stupid, sodden, vicious lot, most of them being equally deficient in brains and virtue."21 Eight Tammany Hall Democrats, representing the machine element, drew his especial contempt, being "totally unable to speak with even an approximation to good grammar; not even one of them can string three intelligible sentences together to save his neck." Roosevelt's Eight Tammany Hall Democrats, representing the machine element, drew his especial contempt, being "totally unable to speak with even an approximation to good grammar; not even one of them can string three intelligible sentences together to save his neck." Roosevelt's bete noire bete noire (and the feeling was reciprocated) was "a gentleman named MacManus, a huge, fleshy, unutterably coarse and low brute, who was formerly a prize fighter, at present keeps a low drinking and dancing saloon, and is more than suspected of having begun his life as a pickpocket." (and the feeling was reciprocated) was "a gentleman named MacManus, a huge, fleshy, unutterably coarse and low brute, who was formerly a prize fighter, at present keeps a low drinking and dancing saloon, and is more than suspected of having begun his life as a pickpocket."22 He was hardly less severe on members of his own party. Ex-Speaker Alvord he instantly dismissed as "a bad old fellow...corrupt." Another colleague was "smooth, oily, plausible and tricky"; yet another was "entirely unprincipled, with the same idea of Public Life and Civil Service that a vulture has of a dead sheep." His contempt dwindled reciprocally according to the idealism and independence of the younger members-in other words, those most like himself. Although they could be counted on the fingers of one hand, Roosevelt instinctively sought them out. One in particular caught his eye: "a tall, thin, melancholy country lawyer from Jefferson, thoroughly upright and honest, and a man of some parts."23 The melancholy youth was named Isaac Hunt. He, too, was serving his first term in the Assembly. But the two freshmen did not get to meet for several days, owing to a strange state of political paralysis in the House. The situation was succinctly summarized in Roosevelt's diary of 3 January: The Legislature has assembled in full force; 128 Assemblymen, containing 61 Republicans in their ranks, and 8 Tammany men among the 67 Democrats. Tammany thus holds the balance of power, and as the split between her and the regular Democracy is very bitter, a long deadlock is promised us.24 His forecast proved correct. The very first piece of business before the House-electing a new Speaker-was stalled by the Tammany members, who refused to give their crucial block of votes to either of the major party nominees. Thus each candidate was kept just short of the sixty-four votes required to win.25 Clearly the holdouts hoped that one side or the other would eventually make a deal with them, and that the elected Speaker would reward Tammany with some plum committee jobs. Until then, with nobody in the Chair, there could be no parliamentary procedure, and no legislation. Clearly the holdouts hoped that one side or the other would eventually make a deal with them, and that the elected Speaker would reward Tammany with some plum committee jobs. Until then, with nobody in the Chair, there could be no parliamentary procedure, and no legislation.

For the first week in Albany, Roosevelt had nothing to do except trudge daily up State Street and answer the roll call in the Assembly Chamber. Then, there being no further business, he would trudge back to the Delavan House and meditate on the "stupid and monotonous" work of politics.26 Albany was an unattractive place to be bored in: a little old Dutch Albany was an unattractive place to be bored in: a little old Dutch burg burg separated from New York by 145 miles of chilly river-valley. Back home, in Manhattan, the social season was at its height, and Fifth Avenue was alive with the sounds of witty conversation and ballroom music. Here it was so quiet at night the only sound in the streets was the clicking of telephone wires. There were, of course, several "disorderly houses" for the convenience of legislators, but such places revolted him. separated from New York by 145 miles of chilly river-valley. Back home, in Manhattan, the social season was at its height, and Fifth Avenue was alive with the sounds of witty conversation and ballroom music. Here it was so quiet at night the only sound in the streets was the clicking of telephone wires. There were, of course, several "disorderly houses" for the convenience of legislators, but such places revolted him.

To vent his surplus energy, he went for long walks around town, but the local air was insalubrious, even to a man with healthy lungs. Depending on the vagaries of the breeze, his nostrils were saluted with the sour effluvia of twenty breweries, choking fumes from the Coal Tar and Dye Chemical Works, and brackish smells from the river. Only on rare occasions did chill, pure Canadian air find its way down from the north, bringing with it the piny scent of lumberyards.27

ESCAPING TO N NEW Y YORK for his first weekend, Roosevelt put on a cheerful front, for his first weekend, Roosevelt put on a cheerful front,28 but it was plain that his first exposure to government had depressed him. With Alice still away (she had gone to Boston to visit her parents), Elliott abroad, and Mittie sweetly uncomprehending, he unburdened himself to Aunt Annie, mother-confessor to all young Roosevelts. The little lady, now married to a banker, James K. Gracie, held court in her brownstone at 26 West Thirty-sixth Street, surrounded by Bibles and fruitcake. It was on her knee that Teedie had learned his ABCs, and early displayed his contempt for arithmetic; now, twenty years later, Assemblyman Roosevelt returned to complain about Albany. "We talked of his book," she wrote Elliott, "and his political interests. Thee thinks these will only help him in giving him some fame, but neither, he says, will be of but it was plain that his first exposure to government had depressed him. With Alice still away (she had gone to Boston to visit her parents), Elliott abroad, and Mittie sweetly uncomprehending, he unburdened himself to Aunt Annie, mother-confessor to all young Roosevelts. The little lady, now married to a banker, James K. Gracie, held court in her brownstone at 26 West Thirty-sixth Street, surrounded by Bibles and fruitcake. It was on her knee that Teedie had learned his ABCs, and early displayed his contempt for arithmetic; now, twenty years later, Assemblyman Roosevelt returned to complain about Albany. "We talked of his book," she wrote Elliott, "and his political interests. Thee thinks these will only help him in giving him some fame, but neither, he says, will be of practical practical value in his profession...he says he must begin again at the beginning in the Spring...having gained this value in his profession...he says he must begin again at the beginning in the Spring...having gained this intermediate intermediate experience." experience."29 These remarks, and the young man's earlier avowal, "Don't think I am going into politics after this year, for I am not," might be taken with a pinch of salt. Throughout his life, in moments of triumph as well as despair, he would continue to insist he had no future in politics. Relatives and friends soon learned to ignore such protestations, knowing very well that they were insincere, or at best self-delusive. Theodore Roosevelt was addicted to politics from the moment he won his first election until long after he lost his last.