The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-10-28
PRESIDENT WITH THEN
Said TO Endorse Reform Movement
in Philadelphia.
so SAYS CHARLES EMORY SMITH

Former Postmaster General declares
Every Member Of Cabinet Hopes
Movement Will Win and Are Watch
Ing Its Progress.
Philadelphia. oct 27-ln a speech
at the mass meeting OF Home Owners
and Wage Savers at the Academy oil
Music. Charles Emory Smith, former
postmaster general. made the state
mont that President Roosevelt Is
heart and soul with the great reform
movement" now in progress in this
CITY. MIR. Smith was telling OF an
hours conversation he had with the
president and his statement brought
forth much enthusiasm. The meeting
was an unusual one. In that II did not
follow the customary program OF po'
ntical MEETINGS and was not advertised
as such. The slogan of the assemblage
was: The American Home the Safe
guard of American Liberties The
meeting was opened with prayer. and
between the speeches the audience
rose and sang home songs. such as
"Old Folks at Home" My Old Ken
lucky Home" The Old Oaken
Bucket" Lead, Kindly Light"
Nearer. My God. to Thee" and
America" Mayor Weaver, who ar
rived while Mr. Smith was speaking
received an enthusiastic welcome.
Speaking of a visit he made to
President Roosevelt a week ago when
he had an hours conversation with
him. Mr. Smith said
You may well understand that an
hours conversation with Theodore
Roosevelt could not pass without his
asking about the progress of the move
ment in Philadelphia. l shall not ven
ture to say what he said. have no
right to repeat conversations; but /
have a right 10 say. arguing by MS
whole life and character not contra
dicted by his conversation. that the
president of the United States Is
heart and soul with this great move
ment. When he asked about the pro
gress OF the movement | could not
help saying that it reminded me of
great religious revival. greater than /
nave ever seen outside OF a camp meet
ing. | told him when we get together
in meeting we sing My Country. Tis
OF Thee" Praise God From Whom
All Blessings Flow" and The Star
Spangled Banner" | said Mr. Presi-
dent. that spirit of growing enthusi-
asm fills all our meetings; It takes
possession of the men and carries the
women along with it, Mr.. President,
the movement is irresistible
Mr.. Smith said every member OF
President ROOsevelts cabinet was pro-
foundly impressed with the reform
movement in Philadelphia and was
watching its progress. They expressed
to him. he said. the hope that the
increment would win.
While Mr.. Smith was speaking
MAYOR Weaver reached the Academy
and appeared in one Of the proscenium
boxes. The speech was interrupted
while the audience cheered the mayor
and waved flags. After Mr.. Smith had
concluded his remarks Mr.. Weaver
was called upon to speak. The mayor
said the present contest was the peo-
pies fight. and without the help OF
the people he could have accomplished
nothing. He then took up the poiiti-
cal situation as it exists, and said 1t
has been revealed TO him since the
fight against the Republican organiza-
ton began that It was the program OF
the Republican LEADER in Philadel-
phia to accomplish three things within
two years from last May. These, the
mayor said. were:
Taking the gas works, which means
the stealing of about s15O,O000OO; the
exhaustion of the borrowing capacity
of the city. thereby increasing the tax
rate from $3.50 to 81 or s2.25, and the
stealing OF the water works"
Mr.. Weaver concluded by saying
that he would have resigned his Office
rather than have signed the gas lease.