Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-10-04

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President Roosevelt in the White House
was, of the necessity OF things, distinc-
lively a routine affair. The President
for some time to come will be obliged to
go into the details of every matter pre-
sented to him for his original action. He
heard from each cabinet officer u brief
Summary of the situation of the public
business in each department. The sum-
mary of President Roosevelt and his cab
met was that the affairs of the nation
are much less in arrears than might have
been expected. President Roosevelt has
carry out every plan which had actually
been adop.ed by President Mckinley.
Each cabinet officer has been requested to
bear this fact in mind, and all matters of
department policy, as well as all appoint
1ents, which had been submitted to Pres
tdent Mckinley or which were in accord
ance with his general instructions, are
approved now without hesitation. Presi-
dent Roosevelt will not ever accept re-
sponsibility for any of these plans or
appointments, preferring to take the
grounds that he is merely executing the
wishes of his superior officer. AS to all
new plans and appointments President
Roosevelt insists upon being thoroughly
informed, and he has asked each cabinet
officer to supply him with abundant in
formation regarding each matter brought
to his attention.
The most important report made at
the first cabinet meeting under President
Roosevelt was that made by Secretary
Roet, who spoke of the present conditions
in the Philippines and in Cuba. He point
ed out the fact that the new electoral
law provided by the Cuban constitutional
convention calls for six general elections
each year., and this was regarded by the
President and the members of the cabinet
as an unfavorable sign. for the reason
that so many elections will have a tenden-
cy to disturb business and keep the peo-
pie in a state of unrest. 1t was sug-
gested that although amendment or re-
peal of the election laws is beyond the
province of the United States govern
ment, representations should be made to
the Cuban authorities with a view to Sc
curing IL change of this arrangement. Sec
rotary Root pointed out that it would
soon be necessary for the United States
to arrange for withdrawal of American
authority in the island. The date of re-
tirement of the troops of the United
States is not yet decided upon.
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President Roosevelt spent his first night
In the White House Monday. Mrs.
Roosevelt and the children arrived We'd
nesday, coming directly to the White
House from the train, and Wednesday
evening saw the, entire family comforta-
bly, established in the presidential man
sion. The White House could hardly
have been in better shape to receive a
new occupant. Outside it glistens in a
brand new coat of white lead, and the
iron trimmings have been recently re-
painted and regilded. The east room and
the other public parlors have been redec-
grated, and m%attings and new carpets
have been laid all over the house. The
private apartments have also been put
through a season of cleaning and refur.
nishing. There is some talk of fitting UP
the attic Of the White House, n most
commodious place, as a sort of indoor
play ground and exercise room for the
Presidents children.
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Throughout the larger part of the year
the White House is a magnet for cranks
Of oil sorts and descriptions, male and
female. In the main they are harmless
and their idiosyncrasies are IN the humor-
GUS side. While Congress is in session
hardly a day passes without half a doz-
en- persons who are obviously wrong in
their heads attempting to gain the Pres
ident's eur. None of the cranks who go
to the White House are turned down
hard by the attendants. BY diplomacy.
as experience has proved, they are best
got rid of, and most of them are so over
whelmed by the salaaming of the self.
contained attaches about the doors. that
far from feeling badly over it, when they
find themselves gently edged out, they
depart with beaming countenances and in
y highly f1attered state of mind.
President Roosevelt has no notion OF
guarding himself from the bullet of an
assassin by any extraordinary means.
From the time of his arrival at Buffalo
the President has persistently crowned
down upon the well-meant efforts of the
secret service and other officials to pro.
vide him with a %bodyguard day and
| night. President Roosevelt feels that
dent Mckinley at Buffalo. they cannot
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not propose to be imprudent, and will
neglect no reasonable precaution. He be.
lieves, however. and has SO expressed
himself to his friends, that 900 out OF
every 1000 American citizens would de.
fend their President at the risk of their
own lives. and he is willing to take his
W chances with the odd men.
Secretary C%ortelyou is at the White
House in his official capacity as secre.
tary to the President. He has been urged
to stay indefinitely at his post, and has
taken the matter under consideration. A
number Of advantageous business offers
have been made to him, as his reputation
as an executive is now very great.
Fire Loss ut bingham, Kansas.
Almost the entire business part of Eff
fngham, Kan, was wiped out by fire,
over a dozen buildings, including Wolver.
toms general store and the National
Washing Machine Company's factory, be.
ing destroyed. Estimated loss $4,000.
News of Minor Note.