242 POLITICAL LIFE XII 



some statement to Mr. Platt on the subject was re- 

 quired by political etiquette and would smooth the Presi- 

 dent's way. My answer was that I felt respect and friend- 

 ship for Mr. Platt; that I called at his rooms from time to 

 time socially, and discussed various public matters with 

 him ; but that I could never make a request to him in the 

 premises ; that I could not put myself in the attitude of a 

 suppliant, even in the slightest degree, to him or even to 

 the President. 



The result was that the President himself spoke to Mr. 

 Platt on the subject, and, as I was afterward informed, the 

 senator replied that he would make no objection, but that 

 the appointment ought not to be charged against the claims 

 of the State of New York. 



The presidential campaign of 1900, in which Mr. McKin- 

 ley was presented for reelection, touched me but slightly. 

 There came various letters urging me to become a candi- 

 date for the Vice-Presidency, and sundry newspapers pre- 

 sented reasons for my nomination, the main argument 

 being the same which had been formerly used as regarded 

 the governorship of New York that the German- Ameri- 

 cans were estranged from the Republican party by the 

 high tariff, and that I was the only Eepublican who could 

 draw them to the ticket. All this I deprecated, and refused 

 to take any part in the matter, meantime writing my 

 nephew, who had become my successor in the State Senate, 

 my friend Dr. Holls, and others, to urge the name of 

 Theodore Roosevelt. I had known him for many years 

 and greatly admired him. His integrity was proof against 

 all attack, his courage undoubted, and his vigor amazing. 

 It was clear that he desired renomination for the place he 

 already held the governorship of New York partly be- 

 cause he was devoted to certain reforms, which he could 

 carry out only in that position, and partly because he pre- 

 ferred activity as governor of a great State to the usually 

 passive condition of a Vice-President of the United States. 

 Moreover, he undoubtedly had aspirations to the Presi- 

 dency. These were perfectly legitimate, and indeed hon- 



