The Washington times., 1901-09-21
HIS FIRST DAY At WORK.
The President Returns From Can.
ton and Takes Up His Duties.
"A Cabinet Meeting HeId-Much Bust
ness Despatched During the Day
CONSERVATION Caused by Chief Ex-
ccutive Walking Out Unattended.


White House as the Chief Magistrate of
the nation was in every way notably
Characteristic of the man. His conduct
was not only marked for its democratic
simplicity, but for the busness-like and
earnest manner in which he went at the
work which has devolved upon him by
reason of the tragic death of his prede-
cessor He arrived at the Sixth Street
depot on a special train from Canton at
9.25 yesterday morning. hurried down the
platform, entered hired carriage, and
was driven at once to the White House.
Upon reaching his private Office, he doff-
ed his overcoat and hat, and in the most
practical and unassuming manner took
up the duties of his office. He made no
flurries or false motions.
One who did not know the circumstances
would never have suspected that he had
just taken up the reins of government for
more than seventy-five millions of people.
He made no show or unnecessary display.
He waited upon himself except when the
assistance of some of The clerks or mes
sengers was absolutely necessary. Soon
after he entered his office he saw several
officials upon matters pertaining to their
departments, and received a few callers
who came in to pay their respects. From
IL 1l'oclock until 12:30 the Cabinet was in
session with him. When it was over he
talked for half an hour with Gen. Leonard
Wood Then he attended to some corre-
spondence with his private secretary. Mr..
Loeb. At 1:40 he put on his coat and hat.
walked down the stairway in the private
part of the house. hurried across the cor
ri6or and out through the front door.
The officers on duty about the White
House were startled by the suddenness of
nf.arf
by no one he walked swiftly down the
driveway leading to the west gate of the
White House grounds AID out through
the driveway to Pennsylvania Avenue.
He stepped at a pace which would have
compelled the average pedestrian to run
to keep up with him. He cut diagonally
across the Avenue, dodging between
street cars and vehicles, and entered La
fayette Square directly opposite the Ex-
ecutive Mansion. Then he hurried across
the park. rang the door bell at the resi-
dence OF Secretary Hay at Sixteenth and
II Streets, and entered when the door was
onened a moment later He lunched with
the Secretary of State. A little more
than an hour later the President returned
to the White House by the same route
and alone
The afternoon was spent largely in at
tending to correspondence and to some
matters of pubic business which were
laid before him. He remained at his Of
fee until 6:sO in the evening when he left
in the same manner as in the afternoon.
1t was nearly dark and he walked out
alone, crossing over Pennsylvania Ave-
nue. and going up Connecticut Avenue to
the residence of his sister, Mrs. Cowles
on n Street, between Seventeenth and
Eighteenth Streets. There he had din
ner and spent the evening quietly at her
home. a few friends called to pay their
respects and he received them. This is in
brief the whole story of President Roose-
-velt's first day in the White House.
The special train bearing the President,
the members of the Cabinet, and others
from Canton reached the depot, as stated,
at 9:25 yesterday morning There was a
small crowd in addition to the regular
travellers at the station to greet them.
The President looked well and his step
was brisk, notwithstanding the severe
strain which he has undergone during the
past two weeks. His appearance, how
ever, was somewhat more solemn than
usual As he stepped from the train he
wore a long raglan coat and a typical
black slouch hat, drawn well over his
eyes. Instead of going to the residence of
the White House. Secretary Cortelyou and
Comma nder Cowles accompanying him. He
arrived there rather Unexpectedly at
$40 o'clock, greeted those about the man
sion warmly and went at once to his Of
fee. which is the same as the one used
by President Mckinley.
The President sent for Secretary Long
who did not accompany the funeral train
to Canlcn, and had short talk with him
regarding affairs in his department and |
made enquiries about the Schley Court !
Colonel Ranger. Assistant Secretary of |
War also came over and discussed with |
the President some matters in the War |
Department
Mr.. Roosevelt's first official act was TO |
sign a commission making Col James NJ. |
Bella brigadier general in the Regular
Army. The promotion of Colonel Bell had |
been decided upon by President Mckinley
several weeks ago. and had he lived the
would have been executed by
him before this time. In signing 1t Mr.
Roosevelt simply carried out the intention
Of his predecessor, as he has heretofore
announced would be his purpose in all
Natfers.
Before the Cabinet sessions began the
President received Senators Proctor and
Cuiiom. who came simply to pay their
respects. They did not mention any bust
ness whatever He also saw Representa-
tive-elect Parker, of New Jersey, and
Representatiye-elect Storm, of New York,
who came for the same reason. Mr.. Storm |
represents the district in which Oyster |
Bay Is situated. and the President is one
of his constituents. After the Cabinet |
meeting he talked with General Wood |
about affairs in Cuba. with particular |
reference TO the Cuban election law, which |
has just been passed by the Constitu- |
tional Convention
The President will be the guest of his |
sister, Mrs. Cowles. until Monday That /
night he VIII remain at the White House |
for the first time. Mrs. Roosevelt is now |
at her home IN Oyster Bay. and Is ex-
pected TO arrive here with three of the |
children on Wednesday and viii then take |
up her position in the White House as the |
first lady In the land Workmen were en- |
gagged yesterday in putting the apart |
ments in readiness for her. The house is |
now equipped with summer furnishings, |
and ii will be necessary to lay the carpets |
and remove the coverings which are now /
about the drapings and ornaments in the |
pariors The exclusively private apart |
ments of the house will then be arranged |
mistress of the mansion. The Presidents |
family is a large one. and there Is scarce |
room enough for them. ]
Mr.. Roosevelt has asked Secretary Cor |
tsiyou to continue as Secretary to the |
President. and the latter has consented |
to do 50. for the present at least Mr. !!
Loeb. who has been private secretary TO |
Mr. Roosevelt. will also remain at the |
White House. Mr. Co.telyou has not an
nounced what his plans for the future |
are. but the offer OF the President win
enable him to remain in his position In
definitely IL he desires to do so.
The Executive Mansion is closed to all |
visitors for thirty days out of respect TO
curtains in the East Room are drawn |
down, and all persons are denied admit