Edith Makes a Mistake
In August of 1894 NYC reformers asked if TR would be interested in becoming their candidate in the upcoming fall election for mayor. He wanted to accept, but before saying yes he said he wanted to first discuss it with his wife. Edith wanted to stay in Washington and told TR she didn’t like the idea of leaving their future in the hands of a fickle electorate.
TR reluctantly turned down the offer. Depressed by the decision he packed his bags and spent three weeks out west. He concluded it had been a mistake and wrote Henry Cabot Lodge “it’s hard to decide when one has the interests of a wife and children to consider first.” He went on to write, “The last four weeks, ever since I decided not to run, have been pretty bitter ones for me; I would literally have given my right arm to make the race win or lose. It was the one golden change, which never returns and I had no illusions about ever having another opportunity.”
Edith knew nothing of her husband’s reactions until September 12th when Bamie arrived on a short visit from England and told her the news. Edith felt terribly and felt she had failed Theodore. She wrote: “He never should have married me and then would have been free to make his own course….I never realized for a minute how he felt over this, or that the mayoralty stood for so much to him, and I did not know it either just in what way the nomination was offered: in fact I do not know now for I did not like to ask too much. I am too thankful that he is away now for I am utterly unnerved and a prey to the deepest despair. If I knew what I do now I should have thrown all my influence in the scale with Corinne’s and helped instead of hindering him. You say that I dislike to give my opinion. This is a lesson that will last my life, never to give it for it is utterly worthless when given, worse than that in this case for it has helped to spoil some years of a life which I would have given my own for. I shall be myself again by Saturday when the darling gets back.
For the first time in 18 years of marriage Edith’s relationship with Theodore was in crisis and Bamie, like the cavalry, rode in to help save the day. She whisked Edith and the children off on a vacation to Vermont. The fresh air, walks through the woods and good conversation help Edith to shake her depression.
William J. Strong the city’s 90th mayor and the last to serve before the consolidation won in 1894 and eventually asked TR if he would be interested in joining the New York City Police Commission.