Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-26
President Roosevelt's Love for the
Open.
OTHER PAOTIMES OF PRESIDENTS
Horseback Riding Appears Always
a Favorite.
BACK TO w ASHING TON

President Roosevelt, during his prlet oc-
cupation of the White House, has indi-
Gated a purpose to take exercise out of
doors. 1t appears that some part of each
day is to be spent in healthful recrea-
tions, however hard the cares of office may
rest upon him. From the start the Presi-
dent has manifested no inclination to shut
himself up in the White House to the detri-
ment of his physical vigor or in pandering
to extreme notions about the dignity of his
station.
In wears past Mr.. Roosevelt has been an
exceedingly active man. At work he has
gained the reputation of displaying great
energy, and at play of being a thorough
sportsman He is a strong man and has
never shrunk from the heat of the sun or
the splash of rain upon his cheek. He has
braved hardship and endured fatigue. The
President has brought his love of nature to
the Executive Mansion, and it has already
been made apparent that his pastirnes will
be of the vigorous sort, such as horseback
riding driving and walking.
This is all so characteristic of the man
that it follows naturally and logically,
though for the moment it seemed to con-
flict with the arrangements prescribed for
the Presidents outgoings and incomings.
The secret service sleuths who are sup
posed to guard the person of the chief
difficulty in trying to follow him, and the
policemen on guard on the outside We're
not always in sight when he emerged from
the White House. But this did not in the
least deter Mr.. Roosevelt from his out
ings He has gone forth daily, and has
more than once expressed dspleasure at
the idea of detective espionage. The Presi-
dent has carried his habit of stirring
abroad to the point of walking from the
White House to church. attended only by
his little children, as any resident OF WASH
ington might do.
1t is likely that Mr.. Roosevelt, in addi-
ton to his daily walks and rides about the
capital. will spend some time each year in
his home at oyster Bay or on hunting eX-
petitions away from the cares Of office.
There is precedent for such recreat1onS,
and it is not too much to expect that later
on it will be announced that the President
has gone duck hunting down the Potomac
or to some other place where there is good
shooting. The habits of Mr.. Roosevelt have
been such that outings similar to those
taken by President Cleveland and the late
President Harrison, while in office, may be
expected There is nothing Inconsistent
with the dignity of the presidential office In
recreation of this sort, and President
Roosevelt may come to the conclusion,
few months hence, when the claims upon
his attention slack up bit, that it is best
for him to find rest to his brain and health
for his body out among the elements
President Mckinley took little exercise,
and had few recreations in which his inva-
lid wife did not participate. He led
very quiet life at the White House, his
time being divided between his daily duties
and the society of Mrs. Mckinley.
The chief diversion Of the late Benjamin
Harrison, while President. was driving. He
had the reputation of being poor shot,
but he was fond of going down the Po-
tomac to hunt as was his distinguished
predecessor. He always killed a few ducks
on his hunting trips and appeared to be
proud of his Workmanship. story was
told during his administration that Mr..
Harrison on one occasion mistook pig in
the Virginia woods for coon and shot the
animal. 1t proved to be a much-priZed pig,
belonging to a colored person in the Vi
cinity, who refused to be comforted for
the loss until several times it's value had
been paid to him by the club which was
entertaining the President.
President Cleveland earned the reputation
of being a Woodworking chief executive.
He spent many hours at his desk going
over matters left by most Presidents to
their cabinets or subordinates in the White
House. Yet Mr.. Cleveland had his diver
sions, among which was billiards, played
upon the table in the basement of the Elk
ecutfve Mansion, and an evening game of
whist in which Mrs. Cleveland usually
joined. But Mr.. Clevelands chief diversion
was duck shooting. of which he was very
fond He preferred to pick off his game
from behind a blind. Mr.. Cleveland also
stalked deer in the Adrondacks. He occa-
sionally INDUCED in fishing, but shooting
was more to his taste, and as a duck hun
ter Mr. Cleveland gained a national repu-
tation. Mr.. Cleveland apparently cared lit
tie for driving, apart from riding to and
from his home in summer out the Tenley-
town road.
President Arthur took naturally to the
rod and reel, and was perhaps the best fish
erman among the Presidents. Mr.. Arthur
spent one summer a camping expedition
with General Sheridan in the Yellowstone
Park.
The White House billiard room was in
stalled by President Garfield, who had
great fondness for the game, though it was
'said that the purchase of the table and the
fitting up of the room had for its object the
amusement of his boys General Garfield
played billiards almost daily with his
friends. Judge Swain, Captain Rockwell
and others. Mr.. Garfield was also fond of
card games, which he played for the relax
alton of his mind He rode horseback fire.
queTtly and took considerable interest in
base ball. He was an honorary member of
the Washington base ball club and frequent
ly attended the games, until he was Presi-
dent. Mr. Garfield greatly enjoyed .frolic
with his boys, and story has been pre-
served which Illustrates this bent Of his
nature.
In the morning of the day on which he
was shot, the story goes, he went into the
room where his boys were asleep and
awakened them. A frolic as usual follow
over the bed, clearing it in his leap.
There" said the boy. you are Presi-
dent of the United States, but you can't
do that
According to the story, the President
threw off his coat and shoes and vaulted
over the bed. as the boy had done.
President Hayes was nothing of sports
man. He took serious views of life, and
spent his time largely with his books, his
family and in quiet walks and rides. He
appears to have been almost without
amusements. such as most men indulge.
He gave much attention to his farm in
Ohio, and after retiring from the presi-
dency gained something Of a reputation as
a chicken raiser. He cared less for driving
than most of the Presidents, and we are
not told that he played any games.
General u. s. Grant, while President, took
considerable interest in amusements His
favorite game of cards was Boston, which
he used to play Of an evening with some
of his friends notably General Rufus In
gals and General Van Vliet He walked
about through the streets much, frequently
stopping to greet a friend and to pass a
a few words with him. But General Grants
favorite amusement was driving. 1t is said
that there was not mile Of road within
ten miles of the Capitol over which he did
not ride more than once.
Andrew Johnson while an occupant of
the White House aDpearS TO have haap