Source: Doris Kearns Goodwin. Leadership -
Lessons From the Presidents For Turbulent Times (2018)
Lessons From the Presidents For Turbulent Times (2018)
TR was offered the position of Police Commissioner of NYC, which meant he was the head man of a four person police commission. TR was in charge of the most important and the most corrupt organization in NYC. TR knew that he needed to learn how the department worked, and fast, and he enlisted Jacob Riis and Lincoln Steffens as advisors. After reading How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis, TR went out of his way to get to know Riis, and a strong friendship resulted. TR developed a professional relationship with Steffens, who had exposed many shenanigans of the NYC Police Department.
TR started by forcing out the corrupt top men of the department, and he publicized their wrongdoings. But TR knew that any lasting reforms would have to take root with the officers on the beat, which meant that he had to patrol the patrolmen. With Riis at his side, TR disguised himself and roamed the streets at night to find out what was really going on, and he discovered that too many patrolmen were not doing their job. Of course TR’s forays became public knowledge in the press, and others accompanied TR, such as Steffens, and TR’s nighttime visits became national news. TR gained national attention, and patrolmen did their job, afraid that if they didn’t TR would magically appear.
TR faced stiff resistance within the department, but as long as there was public support, TR pressed forward. TR went out of his way to let the police that were doing their job well to know that he knew, and that he appreciated them; TR also went out of his way to recognize bravery and wisdom. It was under TR’s leadership that mugshots were created and used, and that fingerprint technology was introduced. TR expanded the telephone communications network, and he also made sure that the NYC Police Department wasn’t 100% “WASP-ish”. With riis as an advisor and friend, TR made sure that the slum conditions in tenements were dealt with at long last. TR’s undoing as commissioner was that he enforced the Sunday Blue Laws, which the working class absolutely hated, and the Democrats and Tammany Hall prevailed in the next election. TR failed to understand the public sentiment when he vowed to enforce the blue law, no matter what.
TR started by forcing out the corrupt top men of the department, and he publicized their wrongdoings. But TR knew that any lasting reforms would have to take root with the officers on the beat, which meant that he had to patrol the patrolmen. With Riis at his side, TR disguised himself and roamed the streets at night to find out what was really going on, and he discovered that too many patrolmen were not doing their job. Of course TR’s forays became public knowledge in the press, and others accompanied TR, such as Steffens, and TR’s nighttime visits became national news. TR gained national attention, and patrolmen did their job, afraid that if they didn’t TR would magically appear.
TR faced stiff resistance within the department, but as long as there was public support, TR pressed forward. TR went out of his way to let the police that were doing their job well to know that he knew, and that he appreciated them; TR also went out of his way to recognize bravery and wisdom. It was under TR’s leadership that mugshots were created and used, and that fingerprint technology was introduced. TR expanded the telephone communications network, and he also made sure that the NYC Police Department wasn’t 100% “WASP-ish”. With riis as an advisor and friend, TR made sure that the slum conditions in tenements were dealt with at long last. TR’s undoing as commissioner was that he enforced the Sunday Blue Laws, which the working class absolutely hated, and the Democrats and Tammany Hall prevailed in the next election. TR failed to understand the public sentiment when he vowed to enforce the blue law, no matter what.
McKinley’s victory in 1896 provided TR his much-needed exit and next step up the ladder. TR’s time as police commissioner had resonated positively nationwide, and he had become a symbolic figure that fought corruption. As Assistant Secretary of the Navy, for the first time TR was in a subordinate role, directly answerable to a superior, Secretary of the Navy John Long. SecNav Long was happy with the status quo, while TR wanted to bring the US Navy to modern times, ready for war if necessary. TR ingratiated himself to Long by learning all there was to know about running the Navy Department since Long was merely a political figurehead. TR did what Long would have never done, going into the trenches to see what was really going on in the Navy Department.
Initially, Long was delighted with TR, for example TR’s reports were easy for him to understand. But already, TR was doing what he could to get the Navy modernized and war-ready. During the Summer of 1897, TR made the most of Long’s eight week absence from D.C. Among the moves TR made was to make sure that George Dewey, whom TR knew was the real deal, was in command of the Asiatic Squadron. In effect, TR made sure that Dewey was the Navy’s equivalent of the US Cavalry’s George Custer in the Civil War and the mid-1870s. TR encouraged Long to extend his vacation for six weeks, which was about as close to duplicity as TR was capable. TR was right, and McKinley/Long were wrong, as was proven when the USS Maine was mysteriously sunk in Havana Harbor due to an explosion in February 1898. TR undertook actions that would have led to his firing had his superior not been the hands-off Long.
Initially, Long was delighted with TR, for example TR’s reports were easy for him to understand. But already, TR was doing what he could to get the Navy modernized and war-ready. During the Summer of 1897, TR made the most of Long’s eight week absence from D.C. Among the moves TR made was to make sure that George Dewey, whom TR knew was the real deal, was in command of the Asiatic Squadron. In effect, TR made sure that Dewey was the Navy’s equivalent of the US Cavalry’s George Custer in the Civil War and the mid-1870s. TR encouraged Long to extend his vacation for six weeks, which was about as close to duplicity as TR was capable. TR was right, and McKinley/Long were wrong, as was proven when the USS Maine was mysteriously sunk in Havana Harbor due to an explosion in February 1898. TR undertook actions that would have led to his firing had his superior not been the hands-off Long.
On 25 February 1898, Long left the office to get a relaxing massage, and before he left, Long told TR to not take any action without notifying him and the President. But TR’s months of planning now exploded into execution; TR issued many “peremptory orders”, with the last ordering Dewey to fill up on coal and be ready to sail at a moment’s notice. The next day, Long discovered what TR had done, and he concluded that TR’s stressful personal life had led him to those irrational actions; yet neither SecNav Long or President McKinley countermanded TR’s orders.
When Congress declared war in April 1898, Dewey was well-positioned to strike the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, and the decisive victory was due to TR’s actions plus Dewey’s command. TR resigned as Ass’t SecNav to be a volunteer for the war, which all those around him believed would end his political career. TR knew that if he stayed on as Ass’t SecNav, he would disappear from the scene, but if he was part of the war, he could be front-and-center. When the call came from the military that three volunteer regiments were needed, and that the preferred volunteer would be those from the West, TR’s time in the Dakota Badlands again paid dividends.
Surprisingly, TR declined the offer to be a commanding colonel in one of the volunteer regiments. TR recommended Leonard Wood for command, who was a military man that knew the logistics involved in raising and equipping a regiment, whereas TR knew he had no clue. TR enthusiastically offered to be Lt. Colonel under Wood’s command, which placed him in the position to be the actual day-to-day commander, sharing the danger. Wood organized and provisioned the regiment, and TR raised its profile, which in part was seen when 20,000 applied to become part of the Rough Riders; however, there were only 800 slots available. TR convinced the powers-that-be to include Easterners in the Rough Riders, which made the regiment a true melting pot of diversity.
When Congress declared war in April 1898, Dewey was well-positioned to strike the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, and the decisive victory was due to TR’s actions plus Dewey’s command. TR resigned as Ass’t SecNav to be a volunteer for the war, which all those around him believed would end his political career. TR knew that if he stayed on as Ass’t SecNav, he would disappear from the scene, but if he was part of the war, he could be front-and-center. When the call came from the military that three volunteer regiments were needed, and that the preferred volunteer would be those from the West, TR’s time in the Dakota Badlands again paid dividends.
Surprisingly, TR declined the offer to be a commanding colonel in one of the volunteer regiments. TR recommended Leonard Wood for command, who was a military man that knew the logistics involved in raising and equipping a regiment, whereas TR knew he had no clue. TR enthusiastically offered to be Lt. Colonel under Wood’s command, which placed him in the position to be the actual day-to-day commander, sharing the danger. Wood organized and provisioned the regiment, and TR raised its profile, which in part was seen when 20,000 applied to become part of the Rough Riders; however, there were only 800 slots available. TR convinced the powers-that-be to include Easterners in the Rough Riders, which made the regiment a true melting pot of diversity.
TR made sure that all the Rough Riders were in the same socio-economic status in camp, and they were strategically placed in order to get to know each other. Only TR was able to transcend all the classes involved, and TR also understood that leadership was earned Again, TR’s experience in the Dakotas prepared him well, in that he rolled up his sleeves and did all the jobs in camp that was expected of every other man. All that being said, TR had to get to know his men but to also keep the necessary separation of rank intact. After some trial and error, TR found the right balance between affection and respect. TR earned the respect of his men by taking responsibility to take care of them in camp, in transit, and in Cuba, all the while instilling discipline. At Kettle Hill, TR rushed up to the front line on Little Texas to inspire his men, and more than one of them thought TR was a dead man riding. A regiment was in the way of the Rough Riders, still awaiting their orders, and TR asked their commander if they could sneak through and advance, which they did.
It was assumed that TR would automatically be elected Governor of New York, but Thomas Platt’s political machine controlled the state’s nomination process in the Republican Party. But corruption had yet again tainted the Republican Party in New York, and Platt turned to TR to win the gubernatorial election, assuming that he could control TR since the new governor “owed” his election to him. Two days after the Rough Riders disbanded, TR entered the governor’s race. TR’s charisma and newly-minted leadership skills and war-hero status allowed him to connect with voters like no other candidate, especially so since he personally campaigned, a rarity in politics in Turn-of-the-Century America.
It was assumed that TR would automatically be elected Governor of New York, but Thomas Platt’s political machine controlled the state’s nomination process in the Republican Party. But corruption had yet again tainted the Republican Party in New York, and Platt turned to TR to win the gubernatorial election, assuming that he could control TR since the new governor “owed” his election to him. Two days after the Rough Riders disbanded, TR entered the governor’s race. TR’s charisma and newly-minted leadership skills and war-hero status allowed him to connect with voters like no other candidate, especially so since he personally campaigned, a rarity in politics in Turn-of-the-Century America.
In less than three months after returning home, R was elected Governor of NY. Once in office, TR had to show his independence but also work with Platt and his machine. TR learned from Lincoln to yield on lesser issues in order to prevail on the larger ones. TR dealt with Platt very adroitly, informing him ahead of time of what he wanted as governor, being deferential-yet-firm with the political boss; TR had learned much from his days in the NY Assembly in Albany.
Big Business in New York pressured Platt to dump TR, and the corporate big-wigs threatened to not donate campaign funds to the Platt machine, which ironically led to TR’s next opportunity. Platt wanted TR to be McKinley’s new VP for 1900 in order to get him out of New York, and the national Republican Party leadership wanted TR to be isolated at the Vice-Presidential “Kiddie Table”, never to be a serious threat to run for President.
Only Mark Hanna, the Republican Party Chairman, didn’t see the move as smart, telling some that a maniac would only be a heartbeat away from the Presidency. After the campaign and election, TR had no political responsibilities, and he had to fill the time on his own. TR was concerned that by 1904, he might be politically dead-in-the-water within the Republican Party. With McKinley’s assassination in September 1901 in Buffalo, NY, TR was literally shot into the Presidency.
Addendum: The 14th Amendment and the
New Orleans Massacre . . .