The times., 1901-05-31
THE PRESIDENTS RETURN
The Executive and Mrs. Mckinley
Back From Their Trip.
The Wonderful Vitality shown bye
the First Lady Of the Land I'm Her
I7Iness-A Brief Summary of The
Remarkable Trip just Concluded.

The H0unfE1ui SHOWN ID
the First Indy of the Land i'm Her
I7lness-A Brief Summary of the
Remarkable Trip just Concluded.
The President returned yesterday from
his tour of the continent, and after a
month OF mingled pleasure and anxiety
which came near terminating in profound
sorrow he viii again take up his official
duties at the White House today.
Although in excellent health he was some
what fatigued by the long journey of
five days across the country from San
Francisco to Washington and rested
during the entire day. with the exception
Of signing number of commissions
which have been waiting his signature
for some time past.
Mrs. Mckinley. whose illness necessi-
tated the return of the Presidential party
direct from the Pacific Coast, stood the
long jaunt remarkably well for one so
frail and was in fact in better condition
when she reached the White House yes
terday morning than she was when leav-
ing San Francisco last Saturday. She
is stronger, Notwithstanding the fact that
the last two days were somewhat trying
to her. Safely at home in the Executive
Mansion, her friends and physicians hope
that she will continue to recuperate and
within a short time be restored to her
normal condition although it must be ad-
mitted that she is far from being well
woman.
The Presidents trip up to the time when
Mrs McKinley's Illness began to assume
a serious aspect, which necessitated her
being hurried on to San Francisco, where
DR.. Rixey could have assistance in treat
Mckinley. He started out with very
genial companionship in four members of
his Cabinet, with every arrangement for
his comfort and luxury which modern
railroad mthods could possibly supply,
and with the assurance that the people
We're waiting to receive and honor him
While still continuing to fulfill his duties
as the Executive Of the nation his work
had been so well cleared up that. but for
certain important matters requiring his
attention, he was enabled to lay aside
cares and enjoy a pleasant journey.
While the tour was unfortunately cut
short when the original schedule was not
half completed. it was nevertheless sue
cessful trip. The President would have
been greatly delighted to have been able
TO carry out the plans as at first con-
templated, and it is probable that at
later date he viii decide to visit that part
of the country, the Pacific Northwest.
which he was prevented from seeing upon
the tour which ended yesterday.
Everywhere on the journey from Wash
ingon to San Francisco Mr. Mckinley was
received with a Joyous welcome. The peo-
PIE were nowhere nikgardiy in the be-
stowal of their hospitality 1t is true that
in Memphis and New Orleans the crowds
were not as enthusiastic and as vocifer-
Gus in their applause as at some other
places. but notwithstanding this fact. the
manner in which the President was feted
and honored shows that he was very
welcome guest to both of these Southern
cities That the crowds did not cheer
Justify and thus give vent to pent-up en-
thusiasm was perhaps due TO the awe
which they had at having President of
the United States in their midst
Particularly might this have been true
OF the Crescent City, because in all Of its
existence it had never acted as host to
the Chief Magistrate Of the nation
Jackson went there just after he left the
White House. Grant was in New Orleans
short time prior TO the time when he
assumed Office, Hayes on his Western trip
did not include the city, and Harrison
omitted it from his itinerary 70 the Pa
cific Coast because of the Malta troubles
which had occurred there short time be-
fore. So New Orleans was all in a furry
at being thus honored by Mr.. Mckinley,
and the entertainment which her citizens
provided was entirely worthy of the city
and of the occasion.
But this was likewise true, in a greater
or less degree, according chiefly to the
size Of the towns through which the Pres
idential trains passed. The large cities
could provide an entertainment upon an
elaborate scale, and they spared no trou-
bic in doing so; but what the smaller
towns were unable to do in this line they
made up in enthusiasm. From the time
the President crossed the Long Bridge
and entered the Old Dominion, the State
which has supplied more Presidents TO
the nation than any other, he was re-
ceived with all the honors befitting his
high station. No man could have ex-
pected or scarce have received more. 1t
was especially noteworthy because for
the first week he passed through the ter
ritory which is traditionally and unequivO-
caIly opposed to him politically.
Yet II was not political trip. There
vas little or nothing TO be gained by it
from a political standpoint, and the peo-
pie certainly did not look upon it as such.
The honors which came to Mr.. McKin-
ley came both because he is President
and personally. and it is altogether prob
able that had the trip been pnli'i"ai