The Rough Rider Becomes President At the age of 42, Theodore Roosevelt had accomplished more than most men would ever dare to dream. He had overcome his childhood frailty with body building, had interests in every subject from art to zoology, and had been a New York state senator, Civil Service commissioner, cowboy, police commissioner, assistant secretary ofthe Navy, colonel ofthe Rough Riders, and governor of New York, and he was now vice president. Through it all, he had a talent for making headlines. The son of wealthy parents, he took an interest in the conditions of tenement dwellers working in sweatshops. As Civil Service commissioner, he demanded that the tests given federal employees be practical for the job they were to fill. As police commissioner, he had fired policemen for sleeping on the job or drinking at saloons. As the navy's second man, he sent orders to Admiral Dewey to attack Manila Bay if the United States and Spain went to war. He had thrilled the nation with his charge up San Juan Hill, and he had angered New York 3/peJoze Rgze. vet{ politicians when he demanded reforms. Tom Platt, the state's Republican leader, suggested that Roosevelt be named vice president so he could no longer be governor. Mark Hanna, McKinley's closest adviser, was opposed to the idea, but the delegates to the 1900 Republican Convention strongly backed Roosevelt. Even though he was not enthusiastic about the job, T. R. gave in to public pressure. Since McKinley was in good health, it appeared that there was little chance for Roosevelt to ever inherit the presidency, and for the first time in his life, he was bored. Then on September 6, 1901, President McKinley was shot by an anarchist (a person opposed to government) and died eight days later. After Roosevelt took the oath of office, Hanna remarked, "Now that d—d cowboy has become President of the United States."
When the and their six children moved in, the White House suddenly became an exciting place, and for the first time, reporters were assigned to cover the president. He answered their questions while he shaved, and he expressed opinions on many subjects. He had no use for the idle rich (whom he called "malefactors of great wealth") or radicals or the lazy. He and his children often went on romps through the woods, and he would camp with his friend Gifford Pinchot. He played tennis and rode horseback. There was always something happening, and Roosevelt was the star.
He called the presidency a "bully pulpit" and acted even when he had no authority. In 1902, coal miners went out on strike complaining that they worked ten hours a day in dangerous conditions for $300 a year. Their leader, John Mitchell, won public support even though the nation relied heavily on coal for railroads, electricity, and the heating of homes, stores, and factories. The spokesman for the mine owners was George Baer, who refused to deal with the workers. Roosevelt persuaded the powerful banker J. P. Morgan to pressure the mine owners. A board was created that gave the workers a 10 percent increase in pay.
RESULTS: T. R. said he was giving the workers a "square deal," and that phrase stuck. His enthusiasm caught on, and while many disagreed with him on issues, he made the presidency the center of national attention.

The Rough Rider Becomes President: Reinforcement

CHALLENGES:
1. How many jobs in the federal government had T. R. held before he became president?

2. What did he do to improve civil service exams?

3. What important message did he send while he was in the navy department?

4. Who suggested that he be promoted to vice president?

5. Who opposed putting him on the ticket?

6. Under what circumstance did T. R. become president?

7. Who were the "malefactors of great wealth"?

8. How did T. R. keep physically fit while he was president?

9. Why was the coal strike more important in 1902 than it would be today?

10. What slogan was attached to T. R. 's domestic program?