The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-18
FARMER m'LAuoHLlN
Tells How lie Got An Interview win
the President.

the President.
This city Of the Puritans has long been
proud of Its open handed hospitality. and
the city has entertained most Of cur
presidents from Washington down but in
military pomp msgnihoence and display,
the reception accorded 10 President No
Kinley puts all former efforts far In the
shade. Long before the Presidential train
arrived at the new terminal station the
id jaoent SQUIRE and streets were packed
solid with q surgirg macs Of humanity
and when the President appeared in his
carriage IL seemed rs though the ''rabble"
las policeman Of enormous proportions
termed tbem) would split their throsts In
their Wild and disoordant shouts and this
continued along the entire route and un-
TIL the President disappeared In the new
two million and a half dollar hotel
known as the "Touraine" at the
junction Of fremont and Boylston streets
The representative of the PRESS
haviug exchanged civilities with all the
Republican Presidents save Lincoln and
johnson was naturally anxious NOT to
miss Mckinley, but On making inquiry
a. to the possibility OF an interview. with
the President was informed that my
chances were vastly greater, to be struck
by lightning than to more than pass
along with the crowd at q regular rscep-
ton, and shake his hand, but at two p.
m. we repaired to the "Touraine" and
inquired Of the officer In charge OF
squad Of soldiers. who were guarding the
main stairway with guns in their han is,
II the President was receiving visitors,
and was informed, that he was taking his
lunch, whereupon we sent up the follow
ing note in plain envelope addressed to
william Mckinley;
'I am Scarboro, Maine, farmer, who
has been greeted by every Republican
President save Line oln and johnson, and
have come 40 miles to meet you. ana
part of she way on foot through almost
impossible snowdrifts.
Word soon came back that the Presi-
dent would be pleased to see the farmer
from Scarboro, at the conclusion OF his
lunch, and after informing the "soldier
Of the guard where we could be found
when wanted, We waited In the library
nearly an hour. when "a herald came
and ammo unccd that the President would
see us. and We followed the guide up
long flight Of stairs and fianked on either
side by officers in gorgeous uniforms and
through numerous corridors until our
way was finally blocked by q respondent
son of Ethiopia, who inquired our name,
and II we had any business with "Marsa"
President, and on being informed that we
mad no business and were only plain
farmer on our way to pay our respects to
the chief magistrate, we we're informed
by the ebony hued attendant that it was
not the Presidents reception hour and 1t
was not probable that he would see US. as
the President was not expecting to receive
visitors at the hotel, but was to meet the
people at the Mechanics building at four
o clock
On being informed that the President
had sent for US we were moved along
step further, and next encountered the
Presidents private secretary, who raised
the same objection as the colored gentle
man, and again inquired our name, and
business which receiving, he went in and
spoke to the President, who was heard to
say: "Show the farmer in by all means,
when the secretary returned, and we were
ushered into the large front parlor of the
hotel where the President was reclining
In an easy chair. He arose quickly and
came to meet US, with the remark that he
was pleased to meet q representative OF
the farmers In reply to our stating who
we were and, and when we Informed him
that the Scarboro farmers cannot indorse
the foreign policy of the administration,
he asked, what the Scarboro farmers
wanted, and when he was Informed that
they were in favor of keeping close to the
preoepts and teachings Of the fathers by
avoiding all entangling foreign compiled
tions he replied with great earnestness
and looked as though he meant 1t when
he replisd. ''that we shall have nome"
Mr.. Mckinley looks just like his
pictures, only the pictures lack certain
intensity OF expression that Is peculiar to
him, and while he may not be exactly
what the ladies might call handsome
man, he Is considerable more than good
looking. He Is so straight that he fairly
tips backwards. and his eye is as keen as
falcons, and when talking to you he
looks at you as though he would penetrate
to the innermost Thoughts of your soul,
but it would take pretty sharp iviner
to find their way into the penetralia of
his uttermost thoughts.
The banquet In the evening in pomp
and display was in keeping with the en-
tire programmes; without there was con-
slant arrival of open and closed carriages
loaded down with officers, and dignitaries
resplendent in the trappings and insignia
Of rank while withinithe vast Mechanics
building was crowded to repletion and as
high as twenty dollars was offered for
IL. ola seat in the balcony.