New-York tribune., 1905-02-14
Guests Cheer the President Until
Breath GiUes Out.

With cheers long loud and sustained the New
York Press Club greeted President Roosevelt
when he came TO them half an hour before mid
night last night, and told them his ideas Of the
duty Of the public servant. 1t was no credit for
a man in public life to be honest. he said. but
infinite 6iscredit followed the who was dis
honest Neither should the inefficient man. get
into the public life for there was no place for
him
Nations. went on the Chief Magistrate. ought
10 conduct themselves just like individuals pret-
ty close 20 the idea Of the Golden Rule. They
should speak softly, lest they stir UP the wrath
of other powers. but when it became necessary
to act they should speak their intentions. and
act them so Enthusiastically that the other nations
would see that the previous soft speaking had
been from adherence to a definite principle. not
from timidity. Even when The newspapers Of
other nations spoke i'll of this one. the wisest
course was TO keep entirely quiet. which would
dscompose the opponents and testify to the self
respect of this country.
It was the thirty-second annual dinner Of the
Press Club and was the largest in it's history.
The large dining room of the Hotel Astor was
filed TO its capacity while the boxes which over
look it were thronged with brilliantly gowned
women on the walls were numberless Ameri-
can flags. while roses and carnations were
banked on all the tables
The President was the last speaker. Coming
from the Lincoln dinner of the Republican Club,
he arrived at the hour when most public dinners
are breaking up, but not man had left the
place. The first the diners knew of his
nresence was the appearance of the Secret Ser
vice men and Detectives Fogarty, Cray, Con-
nell. Foye. Funston, Day Woolrich and Down
ing who had been assigned to guard him In this
cftv Then great shout went up.
There he comes! There's Teddy" and every
one was on his feet shouting wildly, while
nankins waved q simmer of white all over the
dining room. For few moments the President,
who had walked to the guests table. was seated
AZ The right hand os John A. Hennessy, who
acted as POSTMASTER. Then the cheering
died for a moment he rose, and signalling with
his hand to quiet the enthusiasm which threat
ened TO break out again. he said:
II is a great pleasure for me 10 be with you
tonight II has not been my good fortune, as
President 10 speak 10 the Press Club before
but I have served noVitiate at the GrldlFon
CIuh and now it is very great pleasure 10
come here and say few words OF greeting TO
Won of nv own city, to you who have in your
hands so much OF the power of deciding what
+bis city shall be in the future.
7 feel more or less inclined, when / have come
70 a gathering like this, to give an account OF
nv stewardship. so TO speak. As my friend Con-
gressnlan Sulzer Will tell you-and very Sood
friend of mine he is, too-in washington ana
generally elsewhere, in politics. apout % pei
cent of the really important work mas hothlus
nolitical in it, That 90 per cent includes an I'M
Inense amount of worrying problems OF now 70
get nafddIing decent government, ana II Is pSII
Of the creed of all public servants VINO asplIc
to be thought decent pubic servants 'nal "tiei'
rd