The semi-weekly messenger., 1905-12-22
DID ALL THE TALKING
The President Lectured the Blackburn
Cohorts.

Washington. ID. c.. December TO-
Gradually he full story of the con-
ference between the President and the
Blackburn cohorts at the White House
Thusday is being unfolded. Today
certain things were dropped by some
Of the visiting insurgents that give
changed aspect to certain developments
previously reported. 1t is known that
the President lectured his visitors, and
said some very plain things. Probably
his most interesting remark was with
held by Mr. Blackburn's supporters,
who were full of the things that the
President said, which could be con-
strued to be favorable to their cause.
The President said he wished to the
very bottom Of his heart that there
was no patronage 10 distribute among
Republicans in the south. In this
connection he spoke of the eternal
rows that exist among republicans in
southern states over the distribution
of patronage Il am sure the party In
the south would be better off, the
President is quoted as saying, 'if
there were no offices to be fought
over"
One of the Republicans present said
today that Mr.. Roosevelt was evident
ly in bad humor, and that his manner
indicated he was displeased with the
presence of the visiting Republicans.
ROOSEVELT LECTURED THEM.
II was surprised,' said the visitor,
for l thought we were to be heard.
Instead of that the President did all
IL bod off TO
speak, having reduced his line of
thought to writing, but the President
interrupted him with evidences Of i'm
patience, and then proceeded to give us
gentle lecture. All of us were sur
prised. but could say nothing. The
President showed that his sympathles
are with Judge Pritchard. He spoke
of the agreement signed by Rollins
and Blackburn, and said he was going
to recognize it to the letter. He re-
ferred to the fact that he had talked
with Judge Pritchard about the agree
ment signed by Rollins and Black
burn, and said he was going to recog-
nize it to the letter. He referred to
the fact that he had talked with Judge
Pritchard about the agreement, and
that it must be carried out. Mr..
Roosevelt referred to the revenue
cases ON trial in the state, and made
it clear that he favored vigorous pEos-
ecution of all persons charged with
crime His reference to the Anderson
charges was made with much feeling.
He almost denounced Anderson, alleg-
ing that the institution of action in the
courts was almost an insult to the
Judiciary The President seemed TO
have no concern about the charges of
nepotism, though l attribute this to
misinfOrmation that has been given
by the organization crowd. There
was very little that was said by the
President that is favorable to our
cause. unless it be his remarks regard
burn is going to get anything beyond
what is conceded him in the written
agreement. He will name the marshal
and central patronage in his district,
and that is all. Most of us were in
bad humor when we left the White
House. 1 was downright mad There
was an understanding that the true
situation should not be disclosed
This statement came from a very
plain-spoken man. Undoubtedly much
that he said is true. He has no mo-
tive for misrepresenting the situation,
though it must be said that he is not
much Of a fighter The President is
carrying out the Blackburn-Rollins
agreement. The big question is what
will he do about the other offices?-
Thomas T. Price in News and OBJ
server.