The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-02
PRESIDENTS DINNER.
Birds Eye View of the Famous
Feast

FEAST
One of the 8.o17 people who attended
Governor Bailey's state dinner for Pres
ident Roosevelt was a reporter Sew
enteen of the guests were inside of the
house, and the other 5000 were lined up
on the sidewalks, perched on the stone
wall, and r0Osting IN the trees. Not be
ing possessed of the necessary ereden-
tials to be one of the seventeen, the re-
porter joined the majority of the guests
and took parquet seat to watch The
performance.
Four secret service men, dressed all
alike in gray coats and plug hats, like
members of Al Fields MINISTRIES, pro-
tected the president in his dangerous
journey from the carriage to the COVER
nor's front door. There the guests were
stripped OF their overcoats and other
surplus articles of apparel, and allowed
to drift out into the drawing rooms The
president lodged against folding dool
between the second and third drawing
rooms. and the rest of the guests com
menced to eddy around him. The main
whirlpool was in the third drawing
room.
Each of the guests wore a full dress
suit, but the president had on turn
down collar, which made things more
homelilze He also had on a black bow
necktie, and three gold buttons in his
shirt front. These facts are cited to
prove that the reporter did not overlook
any essential details.
The first thing was a formal introduc-
ton of the president to each of the
guests. To each one whom he had never
met the president presented a hearty
Roosevelt hand-shaike, and exchanged
few words Of greeting.
Ed Howe. CT Atchison. seemed to be
the principal It. He played right guard
10 the presidents center rush during the
The president seemed to be doing his
best TO please. He told Mr. Howe
funny story the first dash out of the
box, and they both laughed so enthu-
siastically that William Allen White
came over to see what was going on
Presently Senator Long got a place
in the presidential lineup. taking the
position Of right tackle, next to Mr.
Howe.
D. W. Mulvane was the next to claim
a position. He noticed that Mr.. White
had stepped out of the position of left
guard so be took it. and Teddy
seemed to be pleased. He knew that
Mr. Mulvane isa Yale man. Mr. White
took a position at tackle
The president seemed to be coaching
his men. He led the conversation, and
emphasized his remarks with that
characteristic gesture of his.
There is probably no other man in
the United States who can successfully
initiate that gesture. Mr.. Roosevelt
doubles up his fist, and then straightens
out his second finger about half way.
1t is not exactly Delsarte pose. It
looks more like miscellaneous bunch
of fingers. But it Is characteristic, and
Mr.. Roosevelt uses it only when he IS
very much in earnest.
Meantime, there were several other
conversations in progress which under
ordinary conditions would have been
Of stellar Importance. Elihu Root, sec
rotary of war; Surgeon General Hixey.
the presidents physician; Nicholas
hurry Butler, chancellor of the Column
bia university; B. F. Barnes, the presi-
dents secretary. each was running a
little talk-fest of his own, with Kansas
men for their running mates.
Governor Bailey made himself gen
orally useful. and saw to it that each
of his guests had something to do
Presently there was a change in the
presidential line up. There seemed 10
be dissension in the team. for they drop
attorney for the Rock Island, had the
president all to himself for a few min
utes
About this time the dinner bell must
have rung, for to the disappointment OF
the {, 1000 spectators, there was general
stampede for the dining room, and there
the curtains were closely drawn. The
American public did not have an OPP
portunity to see the great men take
sustenance.
AT THE DINNER TABLE.
The front door of the mansion was
guarded by two secret service men, the
side door by another official bomb-hunt-
er. and the back door by a Topeka po-
liceman who knew the governors cook
and was waiting for handout So there
was no show for the industrious repor-
ter He had to be cont@lt with official
information, which was produced in due
time.
The guests were seated at the table
in the following manner;
Bailey