Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-03-04
GOV. ROOSEVELT
New York's Executive Popular
at the Capital.
He Likes Men o Character and Par
ticulaiy Western Men.
Plan 10 Remodel House Goes Over to Next
congrt ss-Senate Changes.

0ONcTloF hOOSeNelt Oh New IoFk WAS III
Washington last week for the first time
since he resigned the position of assistant
secretary Of the navy and went into the
army Us lieutenant colonel of the rough
riders. Previous to that time Mr. Roose-
welt had been very familiar figure IN
Washington, having served SO long as
member of the civil service commission
and afterward being SO active i'll the navy
department. The New York governor is
Il very popular parsonage in Washington.
He has more friends and is better known
than the governor of any other state. He
has some enemies. too. for Il man of his
personality cannot be without enemies. l
asked him how he liked the business OF
governor, and he replied in his usual in
cisive manner: First rate. L like 1t. In
fact, l enjoy it, 1t is better than any
thing l ever knew except Santiago. l
liked that little better" / have long
been acquainted with the nerve and BRAY
cry of Governor Roosevelt and did not
take his time to ask him if he was afraid
during the days when Mauser bullets were
flying fast, but suggested that he really
should have had his clothes nipped in
some places for appearance He said: II
scarcely had u scratch. One Mauser bull
let did tingle my elbow little and an
other singed my blouse, but nothing to
make any note Of This is the first time
l ever heard anything said about the bull
lets coming even that close to the man
who led the rough riders up San Juan hill.
Governor Roosevelt Likes Character.
Any man with distinct characteristics,
If he has brains and energy, is almost sure
to be liked by Governor Roosevelt An
individual may be crratic, but if he knows
something he can occupy little of the
governors time. He may bc man with
a hobby, but il he shows some intelligence
in discussin: it Governor Roosevelt will
listen to him This does not mean that
his best friends are those who might be
placed in the erratic class, but all big men
and brainy men in every walk of life re-
lceive great deal Of consideration from
Ehe New York governor. While he was in
the senate corridors Senator Tillman Of
South Carolina came along, and, after
shaking hands. related this story: Il was
tied up in a little town out here the other
day, and there was some sort of meeting
going on and looked into it. The crowd
was very enthusiastic, and / found that
they were just nominating you for the
presidency" The governor showed his fine
teeth through his mustache and replied:
s.Wcll, now, senator, suppose you have
been nominated i'm the same way for the
presidency. But you know they do say that
We are little too emphatic in our ways to
cherish any such aspirations.
Western Man.
AT the Louisiana purchase banquet last
Saturday night there was great deal said
about the west. and in the course of the
evening some one declared that the Louis
lana purchase was the west This idea is
particularly the sentiment of those who
come from that section of the country.
Governor Roosevelt has written book
entitled 1.-THE Winning of the West, and
locates it in the country on both sides of
the Mississippi. In later years he has felt,
like Others, that n man to be really imbued
with western ideas must have been on the
plains and in the mountains beyond the
Mississippi river. He always had u par
ticular liking for men from that region.
! never knew the governor very well when
he was Theodore Roosevelt plain cowboy
in the Missouri river country, but drift
ell in on him after he had been appointed
civil service commissioner. After telling
him who l was l remarked: II am from
the west-used to live up there in North
Dakota His greeting changed from II
straight stare through his large spectacles
to very CORDIAL reception, and a friend
ship was til begun which has lasted ever
since l ember he remarked: You
come in HI whenever you want to and
put your fcW on the table if it is necessary
for your comfort l never turn down II
man from Dakota.
RemOdeIinE the House.
A report from the committee on ventila-
tion and acoustics in favor of remOdeling
the hall OF the house of representatives
shaving been made. the next thing in Or
der was a canvass of the members of that
body to see what the probabilities were of
getting such measure through the house.
1t has been found that at this late day it
is impossible, although Representative
Heatwole of Minnesota, the chairman Of
the committee. believes that the next ses-
sion will adopt the proposition. The re-
port which has been made is quite an elab-
crate affair containing all the drawings
made bv the architect of the capitol illus
trating what the changes will bring about
if finally adopted Both tho senate and
house chambers are now in Il pit, sur
rounded first by Railways and then com
mittee rooms, SO that they do not come in
contact with the light of day except
through the skylights. This feature is
severely condemned by great many men,
and an effort was made to have the plans
for remodcling include placing the hall OF
the house where air and sunlight can enter.
1t was found impracticable, however.
Changes In the Senate.
One of the most beautiful tributes paid
to the memory of departed senator was
that of Senator Vest when he was deliver
ing his eulogy upon the late Senator Nor
rill of Vermont Senator Vest himself ID
very feeble; his voice is not SO strong as
in wears gone by, and he leaned upon his
desk while he uttered the glowing tribute
to his departed friend. Some of his state
ments were very interesting. Mr.. Vest
came to the senate 90 years ago. The sen
ate was then composed of 76 members.
Since then 81 of them have passed to the
great beyond. and but eight OF those who
were then members of the body are still
in the senate. 1t is a fact that there are
rapid changes in congress. Senators, and
representatives come and go: some die, but
many are retired. 1t is not surprising
that only eight members remain who were
here 20 wears ago. 1t is rather surprising
IN the other hand, that this number