Evening star., 1899-09-21
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The President Urged to Visit North
Dakota.
PEOPLE With THE ADMINISTRATION
Virginians Want the Olympia in
Hampton Roads.
GRATITUDE OF THE SOUTH

Senator McCumber and Representative
Spalding of North Dakota were among the
first visitors to the President this morn
ing. They had several matters to attend
to, but especially desired to press the in
Vitauon heretofore extended the President
to visit North Dakota when he goes west
next month. The President unable to
give definite answer to the urgent solicit
tatlonS of the North Dakotans.
Senator McCumber. in answer to a ques-
ton as to politics in his state. said: THE
people are in such prosperous condition
that they are not taking much interest in
politics. There is doubt however, that
the people are with the administration in
every way. They are in harmony with the
President as to the Philippine policy. The
republicans are unanimous in this respect
while probably a majority of the democrats
believe with The republicans There is not
a state in the Union more harmonious than
North Dakota on the Philippine issue. Our
volunteers will soon be mustered out and
are proud of their record"
Representative Spalding coincided with
Senator McCumbers views
Oregon for Expansion.
Senator Simon of Oregon was with the
President a short time. He declares that
free silver is dead in his state and the re-
publicans unanimous on the Philippine
question. This beng the case" he said.
I'VE will have easy victory in the next
election The republican party strongly up
holds the Pfesiuents policy IN the Philip
pines, while the democrats badly di-
vided. Oregon was the first state to per-
manently declare for the gold standard. 1t
is more inclined that way than ever be-
fore
Olympia Wanted at Han,pton Roads.
A big delegation of pror .inent Virginia
business men visited the President this
morning to ask that the Olympia and other
naval vessels be detailed to Hampton Roads
during the Virginia state fair at Norfolk.
from October to the 9Th, and at the same
time to invite the President to attend the
exercises. The President said he would
confer with the navy officials. He did not
think he would be able to attend himself.
The delegation went from the White House
to the Navy Department and Acting
Secretary Allen. Senator Martin and Rep
resentatives Epps, Hay and Young headed
the delegation, which was made up as fol-
lows:
Richmond-W. o. Shelton, C. H. Fun
ston, ]. S. Bryan, ?. H. Crump and Colonel
Joe Button.
Norfolk-A. P Towne, R. H. Jones' ex-
Representative George Z. Bowden, DR.. c.
F. NewbiIl, C. II. Consolvo. D. J. Callahan.
Newport News-T. b. Han!ey, Colonel j.
c. Balser E; w. Huffman. r. Z. Orr, T.
NJ. Benson.
4 Soldier the President Admired.
The Presidents deep interest in the sol
diers of the Philippines and his admiration
for them were well illustrated ii few days
ago. Lieutenant w. S. Overton of the Sd
Artillery arrived in Washington from Ma
Mia. He was severely wounded in one OF
the fights Manila, remaining in the
hospital for months and being sent to this
country in July, under the impression that
he would be disabled for life. He went 10
the White House to say that he was re-
covering and desired fresh assignment in
the Philippines The President noticed the
soldiers limp. but also noticed the pluck
which characterized the young man, who
graduated from West Point in 1897.
What would you like" the President
asked him.
Il think 1 will be we'll in a month and
would like to get on the fighting line again,
but if there is any doubt, could serve rs
a captain on the staff
You deserve better than that" the Pres
ident answered
You are made of the material I admire
and if you return here in month in good
condition, l will make You major. Go
over to the War Department and see if all
the majors have been appointed.
General Otis told me to to you,"
the young man said.
The President then assured the young Off
that he should have what he liked, and
should return to the Philippines to fight for
his country.
In one of the fights in the Philippines the
insurgents were posted on the opposite side
of a wide river. Just before the order to
charge and swim the river given Lieu
tenant OVerton and Lieutenant Abernathy,
also of the 3d Artillery, made wager
This was that the last man across the river
and in the inSurgent trenches should make
the other a handsome present. There a
neck-and-neck race between the men and
their commands. but Lieutenant Overton
was shot down just as he ready TO
plunge into the river to swim across.
Lieutenant Abernathy was the first officer
in the frsurgent trenches, and got across
untouched
Gratitude of the Sponsors.
Miss Mamie Randolph Heth, who was
the sponsor for the entire south the
confederate reunion at Charleston last
May, has presented to the President, in a
pretty frame, the resolutions adopted by
the sponsors at the reunion thanking the
President for the gracious words uttered
by him at Atlanta last December in
ferring to the livins; and dead soldiers OF
the south The res buttons signed by
Miss Heth and by the sponsors of the Diff
ferent states.