Description:

Roosevelt Theodore 1858 - 1919 Teddy Roosevelt on boxing and the Pan American Exposition, which would launch him to the Presidency after McKinley's assassination.

Book signed "T. Roosevelt" as Governor of New York on the concluding page. Message of the Governor of the State of New York 1900 Theodore Roosevelt, Governor in gilt lettering on black cover. Softcover, 8.25" x 10.25". 53 separate numbered pages with text printed on one side. Executive Chamber, Albany, January 3, 1900. Minor flaws. Internally sound. Fine condition.

On November 6, 1900, when William McKinley was reelected President, Governor Roosevelt was elected Vice President. McKinley was assassinated at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo in September 1901 and was succeeded by VP Theodore Roosevelt. One of the topics covered by Governor Roosevelt in this Message was the "Pan American Exposition."

Other topics covered include, "Canals," "Trusts," "Labor," "National Guard and Naval Militia," "Fisheries, Forest and Game Commission," "State Commission on Prisons," and "State Commission on Lunacy." From the part of TR's address headed "Horton Boxing Law," in part: "Rough, vigorous pastimes are excellent things for the nation, for they promote manliness, being good in their effects not merely upon the body, but upon the character, which is far more important than the body ... Every exercise that tends to develop bodily vigor, daring, endurance, resolution and self-command should be encouraged. Boxing is a fine sport; but this affords no justification of prize fighting ... When any sport is carried on primarily for money - that is, as a business - it is in danger of losing much that is valuable, and of acquiring some exceedingly undesirable characteristics. In the case of prize fighting, not only do all the objections which apply to the abuse of other professional support apply in aggravated form, but in addition the exhibition as a very demoralizing and brutalizing effect.

"There is no need to argue these points. They are expressly admitted in the Horton Law itself. Moreover the evils are greatly aggravated by the fact that the fight is for a money prize, and is the occasion for unlimited gambling and betting. As the law is construed by the police department of New York at present, it permits fights pure and simple. If as is alleged the police are technically justified in so construing the law, it only renders it more necessary that the law should be repealed..."

The Horton Law legalized boxing in the state of New York from 1896-1900. The Lewis Law repealed the Horton Law on August 30, 1900, and made prizefighting illegal in New York State. Boxing was only allowed in New York on a club membership basis.

Theodore Roosevelt boxed while attending Harvard (1877-1881). "In athletics, T.R.'s energy served him well, for it brought him somewhat closer to his fellows," wrote Philip M. Boffey in "The Harvard Crimson" (December 12,1957). "Though not a great, or even a good college athlete, Roosevelt had taken to exercise to build up his asthma-weakened body. Endurance became a fetich with him, and he took great pride in outdoing his friends ..." Roosevelt did not participate on any college teams, but he gained local fame for his boxing exploits. He entered several college boxing tournaments, and though only moderately successful, his obvious courage and determination won him a small following.

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