Perth Amboy evening news., 1903-04-30
ST. LOUIS WELCOMES
Roosevelt, With Governor
Dockery, at Mound City.
GOOD ROADS IS The COUNTERSICN.
Iron Mountain Stnters In Convention
at OdeOn Hall Acclaim His Ex-
ceilency, Who Speaks on Inn
proved National Highways.

in the dedication ceremonies of the
worlds fair, it was expected generally
that he would leave his train at Union
station, and a dense throng had con-
gregated there. But to avoid just such
kan assemblage arrangements were
made TO have him leave the train at
Forsythe Junction, three miles from
the center of the city.
His train arrived at Forsythe juno
ton at APO p m, where he was met
and escorted to the good roads conven-
ton in OdeOn hall for a brief address.
Members of the national commission
of the worlds fair, a reception com
mittee headed by President Francis
and a crowd of spectators were pres
ent to welcome him. For an hour be-
fore his train arrived troops of militia
and squadrons of police were stationed
about the point of Decentralization to
prevent a crush. AS the presidential
train arrived President Roosevelt, ac-
companied by Governor Dockery of
Missouri, who had Joined the train at
Keokuk, stepped off the rear end.
President Francis of the Louisiana
Purchase exposition seized the hand
of the president and gave him an in
formal welcome to st. Louis Mayor
Wells, President Carter of the national
commission and other members of that
body, the reception committee of the
worlds fair and military officers shook
hands with the president, and after
this brief and informal reception he
was escorted to the carriage in wait
ing Mayor Wells, with two prominent
officials, accompanied the president in
the carriage, which was at once driven
off to the good roads convention.
Just as the carriage started middle
aged woman rushed through the line
of officers, wildly waving her handker-
chief and vociferously cheering the
president. She attempted to reach in
and seize his hand, but the quickening
pace of the horses prevented, and, al
though she ran after the vehicle, still
cheering and waving her handkerchief,
for the distance Of half a block, she
was finally distanced and lost in the
crowd.
The military companies and a pla-
toon of police had been waiting two
blocks away, and as soon as the line of
carriages appeared a slower march
was taken up to cover the three miles
to Odeon hall. People were congre-
gated along the streets and wildly
cheered as the president passed. He
continually doffed his hat in acknowl-
edgment. The hall was packed with
crowd which had been waiting patient
ly for hours. The president spoke of
good roads in tones which showed, as
well as his words, that he was thor
oughly in earnest.
Roads," he declared, "tell the great
ness of a nation. The influence of the
nations which have not been road
builders has been evanescent. Rome,
the most powerful of the older civiliza-
tions, left her impress on literature and
speech; she changed the boundaries of
nations but palmer than anything else
left to remind us of the Roman civili-
zation are the Roman roads,"
At this point in the presidents
BRScCu tuc CTOWu IOSe anu Cu0cT6u,
waving handkerchiefs and hats.
Merely from historical analogy" the
president continued ''this country,
which, we believe. will reach position
of leadership never equaled-this coun-
try, I say, should so act that posterity
will justly say when speaking of us,
That nation built good roads,"
The president declared that good
roads probably were the greatest agen-
cy for regulating the flow from the
country to the city of young men and
young women.
"a long line of liquid morass is not
pleasant" the president continued. 'It
means in many instances practical iso-
lation to the farmer. When the girl or
the boy can't take turn on a bike
even to a neighbors because of the
roads-well, 1t is situation not likely
/ to make farm life attractive
In conclusion he spoke of the benefits
to the country districts of the trolley
line, the telephone and the rural free
delivery and closed with the assertion
that good roads were proving the
| greatest benefit Of all.
From OdeOn hall the president was
driven to st. Louis university. A few
minutes were spent here, after which
| the president and ether guests re-
paired to the homeQof President Fran
| els for dinner.
Ex-President Cleveland arrived by the
| Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern 7at
$50 o'clock, and a large reception com
mittee was waiting for him.
at President Francis home the pres
ident and ex-president met
''How do you do, Mr.. CleveIand?'
every well, and | am pleased to meet
you, Mr.. President"
With these salutations two men who
share largely the affections of the peo
| pie shook hands.
'This is pleasure to which am in
debted to my friend Mr.. Francis" con
tinued President Roosevelt.
Rather I am indebted to two presi
dents, for he is a president, too," re
| piled Mr.. Cleveland.
President David r. Francis stood by