Jacob A. Riis (1849–1914). Theodore Roosevelt, the Citizen. 1904.
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| better as Governor of New York, and I knew that that was his ambition; for his work at Albany was but half finished. It was his desire that the people should give him another term in his great office, unasked, upon the record of the two years that were drawing to a close. He had built up no machine of his own. He had used that which he found to the uttermost of its bent, and of his ability,—not always with the good will of the managers; but he had used it for the things he had in mind, telling the bosses that for all other legitimate purposes, for organization, for power, they might have it: he should not hinder them. Now, upon this record, with nothing to back him but that, he wished the people to commission him and his party to finish their work. It was thoroughly characteristic of Roosevelt and of his trust in the people as both able and willing to do the right, once it was clearly before them. |
| He knew well enough what was on foot concerning him. He was fully advised of the plans of his enemies to shelve him in the “harmless office” of Vice-President, and how they were taking advantage of his popularity in the West and with the young men |