The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-09
ROOSEVELT AT THE HELM
Returns From Canton and Begins
Considering Affairs Of State.
rbe President Feels That he Does NO,
Need Guards and He VIII Not da'e
Them - His First onicial Act.

Washington, D. C.-President Theo'
dore Roosevelt returned Friday morn
ing from Canton, and the affairs OF
the Nation were taken up by the new
Executive where his martyred prede'
cessor, William Mckinley, had
dropped them. .
President Roosevelt returned TO
WASHINGTON on the same train that
took him to Canton. The train was
made I'M in three sections, just as II
went, with the Presidents car ahu
those of the members OF the Caplnes
and the officers Of the army IN the Hlo-
die section. IT..
The train was preceded by pilot
engine all the way to Washington.
The new President presided over
his first formal Cabinet meeting ID the
White House at IL o'clock a. IA.
Before the Cabinet meeting Presi-
dent Roosevelt performed his frs. Of
ficial act in the White House. This
was the appointment Of Lieutenant
Colonel James M. Bell as Brigadier-
General In the Army. This appoint
ment was one of those decided upon
by President Mckinley, but the COM
mission was not signed before his
death. Colonel Bell was promoted
twice during the Civil War TOR merl-
torious conduct, once in the Indian
campaigns Of Montana, and has re-
Gently distinguished himself In the
Philippines.
In few days ne will receive from
each Cabinet officer On abstract OF
the matters now before his department
demanding immediate attention, and
in all probability each officer will de.
clare what were the intentions OF
President Mckinley with regard to
these matters.
The new President will get in touch
with the last views Of the late Presl.
dent on all important questions, and
for. this reason it is expected that
Cabinet meetings will be protracted:
Affairs in Cuba will be considered
also. Governor-General Wood being
here. General Wood and President
Roosevelt are close friends, having
been together in the famous Rough
Riders.
In view of the Presidents determina-
ton to adhere as closely as possible
to the policies and wishes Of Mr.. Nc
Kinley, he will not have the worry
and the hard work Of considering a
great number Of applications for or
fees, seeking new advisers, or revising
plans contemplated or being carried
out.
The fact that President Roosevelt
walked from the White House to the
residence Of Secretary Hay and back
at lunch time, and also to the CoWles
residence at the close Of his days
work, alone and apparently unWatched
by policemen or Secret Service agents,
has caused widespread comment. Inc
act serves as an object lesson touchlng
the new Presidents attitude on the
much-discussed question of the Wis
dom and efficacy Of guards about the
person Of the President. Plainly
President Roosevelt does not feel IN
need Of any further protection than
Citizen Theodore Roosevelt had ana
does not mean to have tt.
The President is not led to this de-
termination by spirit of braVado' Dut
because he knows that guards never
have succeeded and never Will sue
ceed in staying the hand of an An
archist assassin. President Roosevelt
will take all precautions suggested ny
prudence and dignity Of his Office, but
he will not be surrounded by guards.
Neither will he be reckless. 10 put IL
in a nutshell, President Roosevelt is
evidently prepared to defend himself
from threatened danger when going
about his ordinary pursuits. He un-
doubtedly feels justified in assuming
that If a man offers to attack him the
assailant will be the man to be pltled
rather than his intended victim.
All arrangements had been made at
the White House for the reception OF
President Roosevelt. Although the
personai effects of Mrs. Mckinley and
the late President have not been
shipped to Canton, the rooms N the
Executive Mansion used by the fresl-
dent have been prepared for Mr.
Roosevelt's occupancy.
Before the arrival Of Mrs. Roosevelt
and the children, the carpets anu
heavy winter hangings will be placed
in the living rooms Of the mansion
as would have been done at about TINS
time had President Mckinley hTed
and returned here from Canton.
The house Is now furnished for sum-
mer use, the floors being covered win
straw mattings instead Of carpets, and
the furniture and rich decorations OF
the State parlors being protected by
linen and cambria covers.