The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-13
NEGRO TROOPS LED.
Had the Place of Honor in the
Presidents Parade.

San Francisco, May p2.-Heartier
than that given to-day by San Fran
cisco to President Roosevelt. Through
miles and miles of densely packed,
cheering, enthusiastic humanity, the
President passed bowling his acknowl-
edgements, evidently wearied by main
tanning an erect position in his car
riage, but buoyed up by the impress
siNeneSs of the demonstration. 1t was
a magnificent ovation.
When the presidential train. drawn
by handsomely decorated locomotive,
arrived, the President was welcomed
formally by Mayor Schmitz and M. H.
DeYoung, president of the citizens re-
ception committee.
Mr.. Roosevelt expressed his thanks
to each in a few words, and
was then introduced to Admiral Bick-
ford of the British Pacific squadron,
who conveyed the good wishes of King
Edward. and said that the arrival of
the flagship of the squadron to assist
in the greeting was another instance
of the cordial relations existing be-
tN cen the two nations
President Roosevelt said he appre-
ciated the evidence of friendship and
begged that his good wishes be given
to his majesty.
Before returning to his carriage, Mr..
Roosevelt stepped up to the locomo-
tive and warmly shook hands with
Engineer McGrail and Fireman Everly,
who had piloted him safely from the
South.
In the parade the line was headed
by troop of negro cavalry this being
the first instance in the West where
negro soldiers have held the position
of honor in a public procession.
Following the President came United
States troops from the local posts,
sailors and marines from warships in
the harbor and at Mare Island, regi-
ments of the state militia and a num-
Der of military organiza lions. A
notable feature was the fancy march,
ing of the Cleveland Grays, who came
from Ohio to participate in the Califor-
MIA greeting.
After reviewing the parade, the
President was escorted to the Y. M. C.
A. building, where a throng had as
sembled to participate in the burning
of mortgages and notes representing
the total indebtedness of $115, $50 upon
the property. The President, by re-
quest, touched a lighted match to the
documents, and as the flames licked up
the papers he joined with the assem-
blage in singing, Praise God, From
Whom All Blessings Flow" The Pres
ident made a brief speech.
The President was banqueted to-
night at the Palace Hotel by the Citi-
Zens' Committee.
President Roosevelt at the banquet
tonight said:
I'VE have attained our present posi-
ton of leadership in the international
business world. in a tariff policy which
l think our people as a whole have
acquiesced in as essentially wise, alike
from the standpoint of the manufac-
turers, the merchants. the farmer and
the wage worker. Doubtless as our
needs shift, it will be necessary TO
reapply in its detail this system so as
to meet these shifting needs; but It
would certainly seem from the stand
point of our business interests. most
unwise to abandon the general policy
of the system, under which our sue
cess has been so signal.
I'm financial matters we are to be
congra tulated upon having definitely
determined that our currency system
should rest upon a gold basis; for to
follow any other course would have
meant disaster so widespread that ii
would be difficult to over innate IL.
There Is, however, unquestlonable need
of enacting further financial legisla-
ton. so as to provide for greater elias
ITCHY in our currency system.
so, in my judgment, the Congress
that is to assemble next fall, should
take up and dispose of the pressing
question relating to banking and cur
rency."