The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

CHAPTER II
GETTING CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE
Many Cordial Welcomes—Tours of Prominence—The President's Carriage
Struck by a TroUeycar—Death of Secret Service Oificer Craig— At
Chattanooga and Chickamauga— Made Few Trips in 1904— The Presi-
dential Train—The President a Delightful Companion—Sounding the
Pulse of the Public.
President Roosevelt's popularity throughout the country
has been attested by the enthusiastic receptions extended to
him by the people of the United States during the various
trips he made. Even President McKinley, as warmly as he
was held by the people of the country, received no more cor-
dial welcomes than President Roosevelt in his tours over the
United States. Both Presidents came in contact with the
people directly; talked to them from the rear end of their
cars; over the platforms and in crowded houses and halls, and
looking into the faces of those in front of him President
Roosevelt has had no reason at any time to suppose that there
was any feeling against him anywhere. Mr. Roosevelt has
believed that there was no better way of getting close to the
people than going around among them, talking to them, and
shaking their hands.
HAS MADE THIRTY-FIVE TRIPS
Since his induction into office the President has made
about thirty-five trips out of Washington. Most of these were
very short, being for the purpose of making speeches at vari-
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