Roosevelt Teddy

Roosevelt Teddy

He first tried the law profession by enrolling in Columbia University. He did

not enjoy it and soon left school. He published his first book in 1882 it was

entitled “The Naval War of 1812”. He had begun work on it while still at

Harvard. Then Teddy decided that he would try a career in politics. His first

position was on the state assembly in the state of New York. He ran as a

republican and won the position easily. At this position he did two major

things: first he exposed a corrupt judge and secondly he learned to work with

men from both parties. Instead of going for a second term of legislature he

decided that he would go to the Republican National Convention in Chicago.

He went as the chairman for the New York delegation.

While Roosevelt’s professional life was flourishing his personal life was

not in very good shape. In 1884 both his wife and mother died. His wife died

while giving birth to their daughter, Alice. Roosevelt would take a break from

politics and form the Elkhorn ranch on the Little Missouri River in the Dakota

Territory. On his ranch he led the life of a cowboy. He would round up cattle

and ride horses all day. It was a good break for Roosevelt. One story tells of

Roosevelt capturing three thieves and holding them at gun point for 6 days

until they reached the proper authorities. Also during this time Roosevelt

wrote 2 more books (Hunting Trips of a Ranch Man and Thomas Hart Benton)

and fell in love with Edith Kermit Carow. On December 2, 1886 Roosevelt and

Carow went to London to be married. When they returned to the United

States Roosevelt set his mind back on politics.

He was very active in the presidential campaign of 1888 when Benjamin

Harrison defeated Grover Cleveland. Roosevelt believed in hiring government

workers on their skills not based on their party affiliation. At the time the

winner of the race would hire every one that had helped them win the race

even if they were not qualified for the position. Harrison would award his

efforts by appointing him the U.S. Civil Services Commissioner. As

commissioner he would continue to challenge “patronage”. He did such a

good job that when Cleveland beat Harrison for reelection he kept him as Civil

Services Commissioner. In 1895 Roosevelt would return to New York City to