Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-11
Travels Of ths Presidents.

IN Travels Of the Presidents.
President Roosevelt is the most traV-
eled man among all the American Pres
idents. Not only had he been an ex-
tensive traveller in his youth and early
manhood, but since he has been Presl-
dent he has made several trips to the
West covering thousands Of miles west
OF the Mississippi as we'll as all parts
of the North and South. His campaign
tour in 1900 and his various hunting
Journeys have made him a recoro
which no other American President mas
approached. And yet he has not IN
troduced any novelty into the nigh
Office which he holds. The precedent
was established by Washington him.
self. and during his first term he VISIT
ed each of the 10 states in the Union.
Some of his immediate successors. did
mt travel so extensively during that
term. but Jackson, Harrison and Polk
visited all Parts Of the Union.
The last named was the first Presi-
dent to pay Augusta the honor OF a
visit. 1t was in July. 1S47. and the
LEGISLATURE was then in session. With
his suite he arrived in Hallowell on the
steamer Huntress at one o'clock Satur-
dav morning July 8. and rode to Au-
gusta in a carriage under military es-
Try,~o ost illuminated
honor of his arrival. He passed the
remainder Of the night at the
mansion of Hon. Reuel Williams,
which still stands on the corner OF
Cony and Stone streets. Saturday ne
was escorted to the State House where
he was given an address Of welcome by
Governor Dana. He then addressed the
LEGISLATURE and later the great crowd
outside. A sumpIuOus dinner was given
at the Augusta House in his honor, at
which many national and State nota-
ties were present, among them James
Buchanan, then secretary of state.
That night the President returned to
Portland on the Huntress.
Later, President Grant three times
visited Augusta. The first time was in
1865, however, before he became Presi-
dent, when he came to Maine to attend
the Bowdoin College commencement,
where he received an honorary degree,
making q side trip to this city. Twice
he was here during his first term as
President; once in 1871, when he
stopped off here while on trip to east
ern Maine, and again in 1872 when ne
was here as the guest of Mr.. Blaine.
Later presidents to visit Augusta have
been President Harrison. who passed
through the city while on his way to
visit Mr.. Blaine at Bar Harbor; and
President Roosevelt, whose visit here
in August, 1902, is fresh in the minds OF
all. These four presidents are the only
ones who have visited Names capital
during their terms of office, but several
others, including Mckinley. were in the
city before their elevation to that high
office.
Mckinley visited the Pacific coast
and the Mississippi valley during his
first term. but it has remained for Pres
ident Roosevelt to make the most fire.
auent and extended tours. Before ne
was elected every section Of the coun-
try knew him, and in some degree
claimed him as its own, and since BE-
coming President he has strengthened
his hold on every section and has be-
come more largely acquainted with al
our people. His present trip cannot
fail to add to his great popularity anc
at the same time give him much
needed rest.