The Topeka state journal., 1901-11-18
SPOILED HIS SPEECH.
How President Roosevelt Es-
capped Harangue of Visitor.

Washington. Nov. 1S.-Visitors had
further revelations during the past week
as to the methods and democracy of the
president of the United States when
they went to the White House. The
president met all with the same hearty
handshake and cordiality, but demon
strated on one or two occasions that he
could cut short an interview which
threatened to be too long-drawn out,
or which concerned a matter on which
he had already reached a conclusion.
The most striking illustration of this
was his reception of party of Chicago
men. They came to Washington to urge
reciprocity legislation and the creation
of a department of commerce and man
ufactureS
The president had already determined
upon the portions of his message deal
ing with the questions, but the Chicago
folks had not come so far with an in
tentiOn of being Side-tracked. They pre-
sented themselves at the White House,
and it was arranged they should see the
president. Mr. CortelyOu, secretary to
the president, told the callers that the
president would be glad to see them, but
had only a few minutes to spare from
the duties of the day. The leader of the
delega ton had prepared a set and for
NAL speech, which he was determined
to deliver. AS soon as the president en-
tered the room he began in impressive
tones:
MrPresident, coming from the great
est city of the Northwest, which from
her proud but the president inter-
rupted with, "Glad to see you, gentle
men," and started around the room
shaking hands with his callers
The spokeman of the delegation be-
gan again:
Mr. President, coming from the
greatest city of the Northwest,
which,
The president did not seem to know
that an attempt was being made to
unload a half hour speech on him, for
he turned with a courteous gesture to
Mr.. Cortelyou, and inquired: Lets see,
these gentlemen wish to see about a
department of commerce and manu-
features 2"This was a cue to the spokes-
man, and he started in again.
Mr.. President, coming from the
greatest city of the Northwest, which
from her proud station at the head
But the president advanced on the
spokesman with his nervous energetic
stride, and, grasping him warmly, if not
effusively, by the hands. said:
''Ah, yes, know what you want. You
want to talk about a department of
commerce and manufactures. Now, L
have given the subject much thought,
and while, of course it would be mani
festly improper for me to tell you any
thing about what is in my message, I
am sure you VIII be satisfied with my
are interested
Before the spokesman had time to
start in with his speech again Mr..
Roosevelt was shaking hands and bid
ding callers adieu.
Quite different was the reception re-
ceived by a prominent New York poll
tician who called upon the president to
urge certain appointments.
When the president indicated that he
could not accept the recommendations
the politician made. yelled threat as
to the influence which the organization
he controlled might WELD against the
president when he sought further favors
from his party. The president caught
the import of the remarks Immediately
With nerYously twitching lips and hands
clenched, the president sprang from his
chair, saying: IF you have come to
threaten me, our interview is ended"
The two stood facing each other for
moment and the tense expression did
not leave the face of the president. His
caller withdrew.