Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Conferences With the President on
Porto Rico.
OPPONENTS OF A TARIFF CALL
The Chief Executive Enjoys a
Novel Raid.
LOCAL MILITIA COMMISSIONS
5hTS OF A TARIFF CALL
LOCAL MILITIA COMMISSIONS

The contrasts in the daily duties OF q.
President, whose position requires him {,
turn from the consideration Of questions
grave and momenIous to matters OF Il light
and social nature, were never more fully
illustrated than today.
The President spent more than an hour IN
conference with Senators Elkins and
Proctor as to the Porto Rican tariff bill
pending in the Senate. Both of these sena-
tors believe that the republican party will
commit serious blun1cr if it goes on rec
ord as faroring Porto Rican tariff Both
are men of strong convictions, who would
not hesitate To point out to the President
the grave mistake being made, and j, is be-
lieved they did The President himself
considers the question the most Important
matter now before the country.
An Invasion of Children.
Immediately after this conference there
were ushered into the Presidents room Il
lady and her six bright little children the
youngest five and the eldest eleven. They
We're the little sons and daughters of Isaac
T. Rice, the president of the Holland Sub :
marine Boat Company, and Were accom-
panied by their mother. Without a thought
or the dignity of the chief executive they
crowded closely and impetuously around
the President, and chatted without restraint ,
4
dents autograph. This chief executive sat
down at his desk and bSgan to write.
Every other little one then made a similar
request. They crowded around the Presi- 4
dent, climbed on the back of his chair aRd
actually shook his elbow while he was writ =
irg. The President appeared TO enjoy .
hugely the novelty Of the occasion, and /,
wrote seven autographs in succession. !
something he has never done before lie !
rarely writes autographs. and the relucsts
Tor them which daily go to the White
House are courteously refused by officials
without the President being aware OF them.
Further Porto Rican Talk.
After the reception of the children and
the reception of three Ottawa Indians who
wanted to shake the hands of the Great
White Father the President again re-
sumed more serious matters, entering into
a conference with Senator Beverid.e as "a
the Porto Rican bill. Senator BeveridgeS i
position is not known, but it is thought he
will vote for the bill in the Senate.
The President continues to hold to the
belief that If the question is thoroughly eN-
planned to the country the republicans Will
have nothing to fear. but many republicans
urge that the republican party does not
care to begin a defensive campaign. 1t ~
pointed out that the party has never had
good luck conducting such campaigns.
Some Of those who talk with the PreSi-
dent have argued that it will be wise for
the Senate to defeat the bill as II stands.
That would leave nothing before Congress.
ana the entre matter would go over until
the next session of Congress, continuing the
responsibility in the Presidents hands.
Senator Warren of Wyoming was in con-
ference with the President some time lie .
said he is confident the Senate will pass
the Porto Rican bill about as it was passed
by the House. He was not sure how SOON
a vote would be reached.
National Guard Commissions.
President Mckinley has issued commits
sions to the following officers of the mi
litia of the District: Pinkney William
Smith, first lieutenant. Company D. Sd Bat
talon; Arthur Louis Evans, first lieutenant.
Company ID. 4tn Battalion; James Edwin
Leeman, second lieutenant Company ID, 4th
Battalion.
j. Morgan Jennison of PHILADELPHIA was
at the White House with his son. E. r.
Jennlson, who is an applicant for ieuten-
ancy in the regular army.
Counterfeiter Pardoned.
President Mckinley has granted pardon
to Charles A. Pachin, convicted in NV
York cn May %, 1896, of having COUNTER
felt tools in his possession. and sentenced
to six years in prison at Rochester. The
pardon is granted on account of i'll health