Now Roosevelt came to the crisis of his career. The events of the next
few years made him later President of the United States. Politicians
conspired against him, but Fate fought with him. He was indeed a “Man
of Destiny.”
In spite of his agreement with Senator Platt to consult him upon
important matters of government--a pledge Roosevelt faithfully kept--he
still became a thorn in the side of Platt and the machine politicians.
Immediately after his inauguration Governor Roosevelt cleaned house in
whirlwind fashion at Albany. Superintendent of Insurance Lou F. Payn,
who was thrown out of a job, ran to Senator Platt with this cry:
“I warned you that this fellow would soon have you dangling at his
chariot wheel. You would not believe me. He has begun by scalping
members of your ‘Old Guard.’ He’ll get you, too, soon.”
The big dispute between Roosevelt and Platt came when Roosevelt
determined that corporations must pay a franchise tax. He had bills
drawn up to this effect. His party leaders rebelled. Roosevelt gritted
his teeth and drove through the Legislature this franchise tax law.
Following this, Roosevelt let it be known that he would be the
candidate for renomination as Governor.
Platt and his henchmen decided that they had had quite enough of him.
To eliminate him from state politics they decided to shelve him in the
office of Vice-President. Platt and his friends went to the Republican
National Convention at Philadelphia determined to carry this plan
through. Mark Hanna was opposed to nominating Roosevelt as a candidate
for the Vice-Presidency. Platt joined forces with Senator Quay.
Roosevelt discovered the plan to get rid of him, and gave the
newspapers an interview in which he stated positively that he would not
accept the nomination; that his most valued friends had advised him
against being a candidate, and that he would follow their advice.
Senator Platt went on with his plans. He conferred with Senator Hanna.
Roosevelt came to Platt’s rooms.
“I shall go to the New York caucus and tell the delegates that I shall,
if nominated for Vice-President, arise in the convention and decline.”
“But you cannot be renominated for Governor, and you are going to be
nominated for Vice-President,” was the retort Platt claims to have made.
“I cannot be renominated?” queried Roosevelt.
“No. Your successor is in this room!” said Platt, pointing to Chairman
Odell.
Facing this situation, Roosevelt let it be known that he would yield
if the convention “took the bit in its teeth” and insisted upon
nominating him.
The wisdom of the nomination of Roosevelt as McKinley’s running
mate was vindicated at the polls. The McKinley-Roosevelt ticket
smothered that of Bryan and his mate, and New York State remained in
the Republican column. Senator Platt went down to Washington for the
inauguration with the remark:
“I am going to see Roosevelt put on the veil.”
But Platt and the men who thought Roosevelt was safely out of the way
were overlooking the fact that Roosevelt’s fortune was in the hand of a
greater power than theirs.
Roosevelt’s term as Vice-President proved to be short. He took office
on March 4, 1901, and presided over the Senate at the succeeding
session. With McKinley and his Cabinet his relations were intimate and
cordial.
In September Roosevelt went camping with his family in the Adirondacks.
There he received the news of the shooting of President McKinley, who
died before the Vice-President could reach his bedside. Roosevelt took
the oath of office as President at Buffalo on the evening of September
14.
The new President fully appreciated the deplorable circumstances under
which he became the head of the nation. He issued this proclamation:
“In this hour of deep and national bereavement I wish to state that it
shall be my aim to continue absolutely and without variance the policy
of President McKinley, for the peace, prosperity and honor of our
beloved country.” Roosevelt kept this pledge to the letter.
Afterward Senator Platt, with true political sagacity, claimed credit
for his insistence upon the nomination for the Vice-Presidency, since
it had led to Roosevelt becoming President of the United States. Those,
however, who knew of the anxiety of the New York politicians to get rid
of Roosevelt as a factor in state politics looked the other way and
winked.