The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-13
LITTLE TALK
ABOUT POLITICS
A CAMPAIGN OF SILENCE
SAYS VETERAN POLITICIAN IN
TOUCH WITH ADMINISTRATION.

President Roosevelt Confident of
His EIection-White House Lunch-
cons Social Affairs and No SuEes-
tion of Politics in Them-The
Presidents Luncheon Menu-Ix
Teaching His Boys the Political
Game.
BY r. NJ. Larner.
Washington, Oct. 12.-"There is too
much silence in the present campaign
to suit me, remarked a veteran poll
tician, who has been in close touch
with all Republican administrations
since the days of Lincoln. president
Roosevelt is not talking for publica-
ton, Judge Parker is maintaining an
eloquent silence, and the independent
voters refuse to commit themselves in
favor of either candidate in advance of
election day."
During my long experience in ma
tional politics" continued the veteran,
II never knew political news and Cos
sip so scarce around the White House.
en- the eve of presidential election.
On previous occasions, when the cam
paign was well on, there were daily
and nightly conferences at the White
House. Political leaders would make
mysterious missions to the President,
some time by the front entrance and
sometimes by the back door. During
this campaign there is no political ex-
element around the White House, and
the party leaders are conspicuous by
their absence"
Roosevelt Confident.
1t may be that the President has his
forces so well organized and disci-
plined that there is no necessity for
secret consultation or midnight meet
ings. So far as the President is in
dividually concerned, he does not make
any attempt to conceal his intense in
terest in the progress of the campaign.
To his most informal and casual call
ers he discusses the political situa
ton with a degree of confidence in
dcating certain success. These con-
versations, however, are always in
dulged in with an early announcement
that he must not be quoted, under
any circumstances"
There is not day or an evening at
the White House. without guests at
luncheon and dinner. The President
and Mrs. Roosevelt never take their
midday or evening meals alone. Day
after day the lists of luncheon and
dinner guests are announced, but con-
tain no names which indicate a polit
ical pow-wow. There may be one
or more prominent party men in the
list, but there are other persons pres
ent, who would hardly be given the
political secrets of the administra-
ton.
The White House LuncheOns.
These daily White House entertain-
ments are sumptuous affairs. The
President is a hearty eater, but he is
fond of plain food, and what is good
enough for him is good enough for his
guests. One of the Presidents init
mate friends, in explanation of the
Presidents vigorous appetite, re-
marked:
He consumes so much energy in
everything he does that it is necessary
for him to take in a large quantity of
fuel to keep his mental and physical
engine going"
One would naturally suppose that an
invitation to some distinguished per-
son to take luncheon with the Presi-
dent of the United States would call
for an elaborate menu. The President
believes in a few courses, literally
served. Here is a sample of a White
House luncheon, at which more than
half dozen distinguished guests were
present.
A Roosevelt Luncheon Menu.
Clam Broth: Dreaded Lamb Chops,
with two vegetables; Tomato Salad
Cup Custard; Coffee. with Crackers
and Cheese"
Nothing extravagant about that. The
Roosevelt children are also plain eat
ers. Quintan, the 6-year-old son of the
President, may be seen almost any
morning in the White House grounds
or about the executives offices min
Cling with the policemen or messen-
gers. He, boylike, rides tricycle.. 1t
is not unusual to see Quintan an hour
or two after his breakfast with an I'M
buttered bakers roll and two big APP
pies, which he confesses having OBJ
tanned from his friend, the White
Housed cook No hungry street Arab
ever devoured a crust of bread with
more relish than did Quintan his I'M
buttered roll, and his red apples. The
President and Mrs. Roosevelt encour-
age their sons to be like other boys Of
America.
Teaches the Boys Politics.
The President is not neglecting to
teach Quintan politics. Quintan came
into the press room at the White
House recently. He noticed one of the
Philadelphia correspondents had a
watch fob, designed to represent bag
gage check. Upon examination, Quin-
tan saw that it was a. Roosevelt and
Fairbanks" campaign badge. With a
smile of satisfaction, he exclaimed: