The Savannah morning news., 1904-08-07


self So Far As the Leaders OF
His Party Are Conference.-The is
Taking Life Comfortably, How
ever, and Telling stories to Onset
Judge ParI<er's Daily SWIM"
BY r. NJ. Larner.
Washington. Aug. 6.-Some of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's personal friends, who
have been at the White House during the
past week, have gone away under the
impression that their leader is exhibit
ing signs of extreme anxiety over the
pCAical situation. One of the Presi-
Its callers, who occupies a high po-
stion under the administration, says
ut is difficult to account for the appar-
ent indifference of many of the Re-
publican leaders, who should be inter
ested in the success of their party in
the coming election.
This subject of Indifference was I'M
der discussion at an informal gather
ing Of several prominent Republicans
from New York, Rhode Island Con-
necticut and New Jersey. The Jersey
man occupied conspicuous place I'M
der the first administration of the late
President Mckinley. In leading the
conversation, on this topic, the Jersey
man said, in substance:
Don't Understand 1t.
Il cannot understood the lack of in
terest in the Roosevelt campaign on
the part of our people. In New Jersey
you frequently hear men who are
III 4a,1I hefp
business associates, their eliminates
and their personal friends that they do
not like the idea of being obliged to
vote for Roosevelt. At the club a few
nights ago a well-known New York
Republican, in discussing the political
situation, said openly: / don't believe
] can be induced to vote for Roose-
welt, because l do not regard him as
being entitled to an election to the
presidency. If l do vote for him it
will be Just before the polls close. and
then l will hold my nose while l put
my ballot in the ballot box This
sounds like a very extraordinary re-
mark to come from a Republican, but.
nevertheless, it was made in the pres
ence of more than a half dozen wit
nesses."
Leaders Not in Evidence.
Another party to the conversation
watched the list of callers at the White
House since the President returned
from Oyster Bay, and had observed
that but few of the recognized leaders
were in evidence. Aside from Uncle
Joe" Cannon, Chairman COrtelyou and
the members of the Cabinet, the Pres
ident's visitors have been persons more
or less Indifferent as to the Presidents
personal aspirations. There was Hop
kins of Illinois, Proctor of Vermont,
Hepburn and Hull of Iowa; Elkins and
Scott of West Virginia. Not one of
these can be called an original Roose-
welt man. They have had personal
favors to ask, and of course they have
in a perfunctory way, assured the
their way rejoicing
At the White House a solemn still
ness is noticeable, quite unusual dur
ing a Roosevelt period. There is but
little routine business for the Presi-
dent to transact just now, and his task
is usually concluded within a couple of
hours of dictation to Secretary Loeb.
OF course, Jimmie Garfield, Commits
sioner of Corporations, makes his daily
call, Chairman Cortelyou spends most
of the time he is in Washington with
the President, and Cabinet officers drop
in at intervals to confer with their
chief.
No Popular Enthusiasm.
There is, however. nothing to indi-
cate popular enthusiasm over the out
come of the Chicago convention, in or
about the White House. 1t is posi-
BILE the President has passed the word
around quietly, that he does not de-
sire visiting delegations to move upon
Washington during the summer. Some
surprise is expressed that during the
present excursion season, now in its
hight, so far as Washington is con-
cerned, so little interest in the politi-
cal situation is manifested in the vi
entity of the White House
This quiet, retiring, it might be said,
unstrenuous attitude of President
Roosevelt is assumed to confound and
confuse his enemies, who have ac-
cused him of overstrenuosity and inn
pulsiveness. Those who are familiar
with his habits and his political craft
assert confidently that in spite of the
apparent apathy on the part of GER
tain Republican leaders. that he has
few cards up his sleeve which will
be played at the proper time with tell
ing effect.
In the meantime the President and
Mrs. Roosevelt are taking life COM
fortably. just doing or saying enough
each day 10 inspire a smart humane in
terest story, which invariably finds its
way into the newspapers as an offset
TO Judge Parker's daily plunge into the
Hudson river, so faithfully bulletined
from Esothis.