Roosevelt's own words, and indirectly from his whole previous
career, he was apparently surprised and unquestionably annoyed
when he found that he was not to be the new Governor's master.
The trouble began before Roosevelt took office. At a conference
one day Platt asked Roosevelt if there were any members of the
Assembly whom he would like to have assigned to special
committees. Roosevelt was surprised at the question, as he had
not known that the Speaker of the Assembly, who appoints the
committees, had yet been agreed upon by the Assemblymen-elect. He
expressed his surprise. But Mr. Platt enlightened him, saying,
"Of course, whoever we choose as Speaker will agree beforehand to
make the appointments we wish." Roosevelt has recorded the mental
note which he thereupon made, that if they tried the same process
with the Governor-elect they would find themselves mistaken. In a
few days they did try it--and discovered their mistake.

Platt asked Roosevelt to come to see him. The Senator being an
old and physically feeble man, Roosevelt went. Platt handed him a
telegram from a certain man, accepting with pleasure his
appointment as Superintendent of Public Works. This was one of
the most important appointive offices in the State
Administration. It was especially so at this time in view of the
scandals which had arisen under the previous Administration over
the Erie Canal, the most important responsibility of this
department. Now, the man whom the boss had picked out was an
excellent fellow, whom Roosevelt liked and whom, incidentally, he
later appointed to an office which he filled in admirable
fashion. But Roosevelt had no intention of having any one but
himself select the members of his Administration. He said so
frankly and simply. The Senator raged. He was unaccustomed to