my memories of eighty years-第33章
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A large real…estate delegation arrived the next morning； with the usual desire to relieve real…estate from taxation by putting it somewhere else。 They came with a proposition to place new burdens upon public utilities。 It was too late to formulate and introduce a measure on a question so important； but there was a bill which had been in the legislature most of the session and never received serious consideration。 The governor sent an emergency message to the legislature； which had remaining only one hour of life to pass that bill。
Next day the tremendous interest in public utilities was panic…stricken because the bill was so crude that it amounted to confiscation。 The governor； when applied to； said： 〃Yes； I know that the bill is very crude and unfit to become a law； but legislation on this subject is absolutely necessary。 I will do this： I have thirty days before I must make up my mind to sign the bill； or let it become a law without my signature。 Within that thirty days I will call the legislature together again。 Then you can prepare and submit to me a proper bill； and if we can agree upon it； I will present it to the legislature。 If the legislature passes that measure I will sign it； but if it does not； I will let the present measure； bad as it is； become a law。〃
The result of the threat was that a very good and timely act was presented in regard to the taxation of public utilities； a measure which largely increased municipal and State revenues。 I know of no governor in my time who would have had the originality and the audacity to accomplish what he desired by such drastic operation。
Roosevelt's administration was high…minded and patriotic。 But by his exercise of independent judgment and frequently by doing things without consulting the leaders； State or local； he became exceedingly unpopular with the organization。 It was evident that it would be very difficult to renominate him。 It was also evident that on account of his popularity with the people； if he failed in the renomination； the party would be beaten。 So it was unanimously decided to put him on the national ticket as vice…president。
The governor resisted this with all his passionate energy。 He liked the governorship。 He thought there were many things which he could do in another term； and he believed and so stated that the vice…presidency was a tomb。 He thought that nobody could be resurrected when once buried in that sarcophagus。
The national Republican convention of 1900 was a ratification meeting。 President McKinley's administration had been exceedingly popular。 The convention met practically to indorse McKinley's public acts and renominate him for another term。 The only doubtful question was the vice…presidency。 There was a general accord of sentiment in favor of Governor Roosevelt； which was only blocked by his persistent refusal。
Roosevelt and I were both delegates at large； and that position gave him greater opportunity to emphasize his disinclination。 A very intimate friend of his called upon me and begged that I would use all my influence to prevent the colonel's nomination。 This friend said to me： 〃The governor's situation； officially and personally； makes it impossible for him to go to Washington。 On the official side are his unfinished legislation and the new legislation greatly needed by the State； which will add enormously to his reputation and pave the way for his future。 He has very little means。 As governor his salary is ample。 The Executive Mansion is free； with many contributory advantages； and the schools of Albany admirable for the education of his six children。 While in Washington the salary of vice…president is wholly inadequate to support the dignity of the position； and it is the end of a young man of a most promising career。〃
I knew what the friend did not know； and it was that Mr。 Roosevelt could not be governor again。 I was so warmly attached to him and so anxious for his future that I felt it was my duty to force his nomination if possible。
Governor Odell was chairman of the delegation for all convention purposes； but in the distribution of honors I was made the presiding officer at its meetings。 The delegation met to consider the vice…presidency。 Several very eloquent speeches were made in favor of Mr。 Roosevelt； but in an emphatic address he declined the nomination。 He then received a unanimous vote； but again declined。 A delegate then arose and suggested that he reconsider his determination； and several others joined most earnestly in this request。 Roosevelt was deeply affected； but； nevertheless； firmly declined。
I knew there was a member of the delegation who had canvassed it to secure the honor in case Roosevelt became impossible； and that the next motion would be the nomination of this aspirant。 So I abruptly declared the meeting adjourned。 I did this in the hope that during the night； with the pressure brought to bear upon him； the colonel would change his mind。 In the morning Mr。 Roosevelt surrendered his convictions and agreed to accept the nomination。
In every convention there is a large number of men prominent in their several delegations who wish to secure general attention and publicity。 As there were no disputes as to either candidate or platform； these gentlemen all became anxious to make speeches favoring the candidates； McKinley and Roosevelt。 There were so many of these speeches which； of course； were largely repetitions； that the convention became wearied and impatient。 The last few were not heard at all on account of the confusion and impatience of the delegates。 While one orator was droning away； a delegation from a Western State came over to me and said： 〃We in the extreme West have never heard you speak； and won't you oblige us by taking the platform？〃
I answered： 〃The audience will not stand another address。〃 Roosevelt； who sat right in front of me； then remarked： 〃Yes； they will from you。 These speeches have pretty nearly killed the ticket； and if it keeps up； the election is over； and McKinley and I are dead。〃 He then seized me and almost threw me on the platform。
The novelty of the situation； which was grasped by the delegates； commanded attention。 I recalled what Mr。 Lincoln had once said to me； defending his frequent use of anecdotes； and this is what he said： 〃Plain people； take them as you find them； are more easily influenced through the medium of a broad and humorous illustration than in any other way。〃
I had heard a new story； a rare thing； and began with the narration of it。 Alongside the chairman sat Senator Thurston。 He was a fine speaker； very ornate and highly rhetorical。 He never indulged in humor or unbent his dignity and formality。 I heard him say in a sepulchral voice to the chairman： 〃Great God； sir； the dignity and solemnity of this most important and historical occasion is to be ruined by a story。〃 Happily the story was a success and gave the wearied audience two opportunities to hear my speech。 Their laughter was internal relief； and it was giving the external relief of changing their positions for new and more restful ones。
My friend； John M。 Thurston； came to Philadelphia with a most elaborate and excellent oration。 Sitting in the audience on three different occasions； I heard it with as much pleasure the last time as I had the first。
When Mr。 Roosevelt as vice…president came to preside over the Senate； it was soon evident that he would not be a success。 His talents were executive and administrative。 The position of the presiding officer of the United States Senate is at once easy and difficult。 The Senate desires impartiality； equable temper； and knowledge of parliamentary law from its presiding officer。 But it will not submit to any attempt on the part of the presiding officer to direct or advise it； and will instantly resent any arbitrary ruling。 Of course； Mr。 Roosevelt presided only at a few meetings before the final adjournment。 When Congress met again he was President of the United States。
Senators and members soon found that there was a change at the White House。 No two men were ever so radically different in every respect as McKinley and Roosevelt。 Roosevelt loved to see the
