fatal to political ambitions, and was almost certain to end the
career of any man who accepted it. This was the Presidency of the
Board of Police Commissioners.





CHAPTER VII

POLICE COMMISSIONER


Experienced politicians always warn young men who wish to rise in
politics, who wish to hold high office in the state or national
government, to keep out of city politics. It is a graveyard for
reputations, and it was that in 1895, when Roosevelt took charge
of the New York Police, even more than to-day.

Between the unreasonable reformers, who expect perfection, arrived
at in their own way; the sensible folk who demand an honest
government; the lax and easy-going people who do not care how much
rottenness there is about, so that it is kept partly covered up
(and this is one of the largest classes) and the plain criminals
who are out for graft and plunder, the city office-holder is torn
in a dozen ways at once.

If he is dishonest or weak, he goes under immediately. If he is
honest, but lacking in perfect courage, he is nearly useless. And
if he is both honest and brave, but has not good brains, is not