Evening star., 1902-03-31
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Gossip About Coming Diplo-
matte Changes.
OLD MASONIC CHARTER
SHOWN TO THE PRESIDENT By
MR.. SENER.
Michigan Lady School Teachers Re-
OLD MASONIC CHARTER
Michigan Lady School Teachers Re-
ceived in the East Room-Very
Few Callers Today.

The prospective resignation of Geo " L.
Meyer as ambassador to Italy, for the pur-
pose of making the race for Congress to
fill the vacancy created by Representative
Moody becoming Secretary-of of the Navy to
succeed John d. Long, has opened up a
wonderful speculative field for newspapers
as to possible changes in the diplomatic
service. The most interesting possibilities,
however, have not been tonched upon.
These grow out of the expected retire
ment in the course of time OF Andrew D.
White, the ambassador to Gefmany. Moth
ing official is known at the State Depart
ment of the prospects of such change,
but there is a general disposition to be-
lieve that Mr.. White will retire from his
post in the course Of year, not because
of any lack of harmony or understanding
with the administration, but simply because
he wants to go back to private life for
the benefit of his health in the event
he follows his supposed intentions, un-
usual pressure will be eXerted In behalf of
David J. Hill, first assistant secretary of
state, for the German anbassadorshp.
He is from New York and from the same
portion of the state as Mr.. White. In view
of the increasing Importance of the rea-
tions of this country to Germany the Presi-
dent would want a specially equipped man
out as such man. The vacancy created
by Mr.. Hills promotion would be followed,
if the influence should be sufficient to carry
out the program, by the elevation of W. w.
Rockhill to assistant secretary He Is at
present director of the bureau of American
republics and was the special commissioner
of this country to China when peace nego-
tiations were in progress there. Mr.. Rock
hill was minister to Greece a few years
ago and prior to that was third assistant
secretary of state. He was in the State
Department for years
Bellamy Storer. who is now minister to
Madrid. is suggested for the Italian en-
bassy to succeed Mr.. Meyer. This would
leave a good place at Madrid H. Clay
Evans is suggested for this position, but
after all there is little foundation in actual
fact for the Sip-circurnStanceS, plauS-
ibility, fitness and political dpfiuence being
the considerations on which mast of the
gossips is based. -
The Oldest Masonic Charter
President Roosevelt this n,orning saw the
original copy of the oldest Charter for a
Masonic lodge in the United States. This
is the charter of Killwinning Cross Lodge
Of Caroline county, Va" 1t is dated Sep
tember /, 1875, and is signed by Lord Aber-
dour, grand master of the Grand Lodge Of
Scotland and other officials Of the Grand
Lodge of that date. The original was shown
to the President by ex-Representatiye
James B. Sener of this city and Fredericks-
burg. Mr.. Sener is a member of Kilwin-
ming Lodge, which prizes the ancient char
ter very much and takes great care of it.
The charter is written on parchment and
in a clear, legible script. Mr.. Sener says
the charter is year older than the Oldest
charter In New York state and two years
older than any in Massa chusetts. The
President was made Master Mason after
his inauguration as Vice President a year
ago and the document was inspected with
great pleasure by him. Mr. Sener also pre-
wit h n nd Of
the report for 1901 of the state board of
visitors to Mount Vernon. The report was
prepared by Mr. Sener and is a valuable
historical document. K
About 25O lady teachers from Grand
Rapids and Saginaw, Mich, were received
by the President in the east room of the
White House.
Presidents Easy Day.
Most everybody having business at the
White House seems to have; concluded that
this was or ought to be, holiday at the Ex-
ecutive Mansion, and did not go there dur
ing the day. Compared with other days,
the President had more leisure today than
at any time during his administration
There were not many callers and no long
conferences We're held. The President un-
dOubtedly experienced the novelty of the
situation, as ordinarily he Is never without
caller and host of others waiting for
him. For awhile today the prevailing quiet
ana lack OF waiting visitors gave an ap-
pearance of Sunday.
The Roosevelt children are home from
school and had some companions during the
day. They played in the house and yard
and appeared to enjoy themselves very
much.
The Charleston Trip.
The details of the Presidents trip to
ranged, but the President and party will
leave Monday afternoon, April Z, and reach
Charleston Tuesday morning That day
and Wednesday and Thursday will be spent
at Charleston and Sommerville, and the
party will leave for Washington Thursday
afternoon. reaching Washington Friday
morning. The party will be absent from
the city four nights and three. days.
Presidential Nominations.
The President today sent the following
nominations to the Senate: .,>z,
Pension agent at Boston, aIass,-Augustus
J. Hoitt.
Register of land Office at Topeka, Kan
Charles H. Titus.
Receivers of public n6neys-J. G. Wood,
at Topeka, Kan; De- Witt c. Tufts, at
Fargo, N. D.
Assistant collector of customs at Jersey
CITY, N. j., district of New. Yofk-Edward
Fry of New Jersey
War-First lieutenantsg in the artillery
corps. Jacob M. Coward, New Jersey; Edw
L. Glasgow, Kansas; Robert B. Mcbride,
Georgia.
United States marshal for the territory
OF Oklahoma-William d. Fossett,
Among the nominatiensy werA a large
number Of postmasters and promotions in
the navy.
Major Ruhlen Reports Here.
Major George Ruhien of the quarter
masters department, recently stationed on
the Pacific coast, reported at the War De-
partment today for duty in the qua arter-