The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-11-21
Two Alarming Incidents Of
The Strenuous Life at
the White House

typical both of the character and
methods of President Roosevelt one
was humorous and the other was a
well known New York city politician
figured conspicuousiy, and in the
other party Of Chicago business men
participated.
When it became evident that the
president had about made no his mind
not to reappoint George r. Bldwer
collector of the port of New York
various supporters Of that official be-
sides Senator Plat rushed over from
the metropolis to Washington to plead
for Mr.. Bidwel Among them was
Lemuel Ely Quigg, the ex-member of
congress, who is supposed to repre-
sent Senator Platt in the politics Of
Greater New York
AS the story goes. had Mr.. Quigg
contented himself with putting in
plea with the president for Mr.. Bid
well the ex-6ongressman's exit from
the White house would not have been
so precipitous. But it appears that he
forgot himself and made bold to
threaten the president with the veng-
eance Of the political organization
with which Mr.. Quigg is avowedly
identified in an important capacity.
This part of Mr Quigg's talk is said
to have aroused the Rooseyetlan ire
as that ire had not before been arous-
ed since it's owner took possession Of
the White house.
With his teeth clenched and his
eyes blazing With indignation, the
president bounded from his chair to.
wa a Nv. Qugg and declared in c.isp.
cracking sentences that he had no.
fear Of political cabals and that in the
selection of officers for the public
service he was guided only by the fit-
ness Of applicants.
"If you came here to threaten" the
president is reported as saying Il will
ask you Immediately to withdraw and
let me go on with my work"
Mr.. Quigg. according to the story
told stammeringly attempted to apollo.
gize, but before he could frame the
words to express his embarrassment
he found himself in the hallway out
side the presidents room.
A few hours after the Quigg incl
dent was closed the president was
visited by a delegation of Chicago
business men, who had come to Wash
ington to ask him to recommend in
his message to congress- the establish
ment of new executive department
Of the government, to be presided
over by secretary of commerce.
AS II is well known that the presi-
dent heartily fayors this proposition
and has determined 20 urge It upon
congress those who know him best
realize that he does not want his time
taken up in further confederation OF
it, The Chicago men, either ignorant
Of the presidents position or inconsid.
crate Of his time and burdens. pre-
sented themselves at the White house
and asked for an audience.
To their surprise, instead of being
put of to the next day they were M
mediately ushered into the presidents
room by the experienced and quick
witted Secretary Cortelyou They
had selected their spokesman. who
had recited it again at the hotel just
before the delegation started TO- the
White house
Nothing daunted by tine surp ising
celerity with which che delegation
unexpectedly was ushered into the ex.
ecutve presence. the chosen spokes.
man buttoning his coat carefully and
taking a position 20 front Of the dele.
cation, which had ranged itself in
semicircle around the president. as
sumed a grave oratorical pose and pro
oeeded to discharge his fine speech.
Mr.. President We come to you, SIR,
all the way from the magnificent city
OF Chicago, not as politicians. not as
office seekers, but as" began the
painstaking orator, whose flow Of elo.
quence was abruptly cut short by the
president saying:
yes, yes; / know you. know you
are an from Chicago. and"
Al this point the orator determined
to fire on his speech began again
'Mr. President. we have come TO you.
sir all the way from"
Eyes, yesi I know" snapped tho
president
"The magnificent city Of chica-"
the somewhat embarrassed but still
undaunted orator persisted.
"oh, yes; ali, yes" exclaimed the
president again interrupting. But