The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1902-01-10
WHITE HOUSE YARNS.
New Anecdotes Of the Presiaent and the
Once Seekers.


Once Seekers.
Special Correspondence Of The Florida Star.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The gossips Of
the capital count that day lost whose
low descending sun views or. rather,
hears. no new story about the president
and the officeseekers or new rumors of
impending cabinet changes.
One OF the latest stories characters
tic OF President Roosevelt in his rela-
tons to the applicants for positions and
their hackers is that told at the ex-
pense of western senator who went
to the White House few days ago to
speak good word for one of his con-
stituents who wanted an Office. The
president listened attentively for a few
moments and then interrupted him.
Senator" he said. was not this
man In Jail five years agoT
mo-" replied the senator. mot five
years ago. 1t was twelve years ago.
But" he added. she was the victim Of
misrepresented circumstances. He
ought never to have been sent to Jail
1t was very unjust decision"
The president looked thoughtful for
a moment. Well" he said, when |
have finished appointing all the good
men to Office who have kept out Of Jail
will take up your friends case"
The senator did not further press the
appointment
Another incident Enthusiastically
RoOseveitian was the recent reap
pointment of Isaac T. Stoddard of
New York to the office Of secretary OF
the territory OF Arizona. Mr.. Stoddard
was appointed by President Mckinley,
II being a recess appointment. Now,
Mr.. Stoddard> Is one of the original
Odell presidential boomers. AS soon
as he got to Arizona he declared that
he was for Governor Odell OF New
York for president In 1904 and would
see to it that Odell got the delegates
from that territory.
When Roosevelt succeeded to the
presidency. Mr.. Stoddard took alarm
because he feared the new president
would mark it up against him and
send some other nomination to the
senate for the place. This the presi-
dent did not do He laughed heartily
at the discontinue OF the Odell boom
er. remarking that Mr.. Stoddard had
picked out q good man for the presi-
dency and renewed the appointment
made by his predecessor.
One rumor OF cabinet change which
has been more or less persistent since
the new administration began seems
70 hn w OF of
least SO far as any intimation OF desire
for the change on the part of the presi-
dent is concerned.
What do these continued stories Of
your resignation mean" President
Roosevelt is reported to have said the
other day to Secretary Hay.
~ know nothing about them. Mr..
President" Mr.. Hay is said to have re-
sponded. 81 can only tell you this
when l propose to resign you will be
the first to hear of it."
The president brought his fist down
on his desk with a crash. II want
you 10 know. Mr.. Hay" he exclaimed,
that l don't want your resignation.
If you bring me your resignation, |
shall reject ii. | want you in my cabi-
net as secretary of state. and as secre-
tary Of state. sir. you shall remain"
The nations lawmakers have return
ed from their holiday vacations. and
the real work of the season now be-
gins. In the house the Nicaragua canal
bill holds first place on the calen Tar.
and so it will remain until it is finally
disposed of. AT the autereceSs session
food of bills was introduced in both
houses covering about every phase OF
legislation imaginable. These have
been referred to their respective com
mittees. and il is more than likely that
q good many of them will never again
see the light of day. There are the
usual number OF what are known as
"freak bills" These are largely COM
piled by self constituted statesmen and
reformers outside the halls OF con-
gress and introduced "by request" the
members being unwilling to stand
sponsors for them. though DESTROYS or
accommodating constituents who seek
to have their views aired at govern
ment expense When the member
writes ''by request on the measure
his colleagues know by this sign that
he is being a good fellow and has no
serious desire to see the bill enacted
into law. Some of these bills appear
on their face to have no Importance
but should they be enacted would
prove to be very important and far
reaching laws.
These freak bills" however. do moi
all come from the outside. Some usu
ally level headed members introduce
some rather queer measures. An expe
rienced legislator from n far western
state, for instance. has introduced d
bill providing that no public building
othor thnn tho ca nitnl Shnil be used OF