long as he was an American citizen." But it was not easy to
convince either the politicians or the public that the Commission
really meant what it said. In view of the long record of
unblushing corruption in connection with every activity in the
Police Department, and of the existence, which was a matter of
common knowledge, of a regular tariff for appointments and
promotions, it is little wonder that the news that every one on,
or desiring to get on, the force would have a square deal was
received with scepticism. But such was the fact. Roosevelt
brought the whole situation out into the open, gave the widest
possible publicity to what the Commission was doing, and went
hotly after any intimation of corruption.

One secret of his success here as everywhere else was that he did
things himself. He knew things of his own knowledge. One evening
he went down to the Bowery to speak at a branch of the Young
Men's Christian Association. There he met a young Jew, named
Raphael, who had recently displayed unusual courage and physical
prowess in rescuing women and children from a burning building.
Roosevelt suggested that he try the examination for entrance to
the force. Young Raphael did so, was successful, and became a
policeman of the best type. He and his family, said Roosevelt,
"have been close friends of mine ever since." Another comment
which he added is delicious and illuminating: "To show our
community of feeling and our grasp of the facts of life, I may
mention that we were almost the only men in the Police Department
who picked Fitzsimmons as a winner against Corbett." There is
doubtless much in this little incident shocking to the
susceptibilities of many who would consider themselves among the
"best" people. But Roosevelt would care little for that. He was a