Part 3, Chapter 12 Politics Summary

Theodore later would say that it was a combination of curiosity and duty that led him into politics. His family supported his decision to try for a seat in the Assembly, and he received strong backing from his father's friends. His own social set saw him as a hero. Only three people disapproved: Uncle James Alfred, cousins Alfred and Emlen.

When Theodore reached Albany, he realized what an extraordinary world he had entered into. There were 127 other members of the Assembly. They were farmers, mechanics, liquor dealers, newspapermen, and so on. He judged roughly a third of them to be crooked.

Theodore was not intimidated by his new position. Although he was only twenty-three and the youngest member of the Assembly, he deferred to no one and made his presence felt. The other members thought that Theodore had a...