The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-16
FIGHTERS AND PRESIDENTS
ALWAYS TIE VISITING PUG SAYS
HE'S "WET'" THE EXECUTIVE.

John l.. Tells Five Presidents. OF Both Poiiti-
cal Faiths, 90 CAN en Him for Help
-Corbett and Charley Mitchell We're
Beth Puzzled Over Presidential TITLES.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l4.-whep Terry
McGovern, accompanied by his private
secretary called upon President Roose-
welt recently during a partly lucid int val
he gave utteranoe 70 an expression which,
rjmehow or other. nearly all pugilists
employ when they are visiting Presidents
Of the United States.
Mr.. Roosevelt chatted pleasantly with
the peculiarly acting little slugger for a
space and then by certain manifestations
OF restlcssness indicated that hat would be
about all. Terry took the hint. He gave
the Office TO his private secretary and
the President gave the two little chaps q
parting handshake.
well, President" said McGovern, a.
he backed out, -if there's ever anything
/ can do for you, why, I live in Brooklyn,
you know, and I'm there to give you q lift
any time you tip me or"
Nearly all ~pugilists say that, or some
thing like it, 20 Presidents. They never
make 1t clear just why, or how, or when,
a President could ever by n chance need
the services Of q pugilist. They just cheer
the Presidents thorny paths by telling
them that they. the pugflists, approve Of
them, the Presidents, and that they'll -be
there" in the hour OF need.
The mighty John l.. has, in the progress
Of his checkered life, told five Presidents
that he, John, was wit 'em~-pronounoe-
ments which clearly show the catholicity
Of Johns political ideas, for these Presi-
dents were both Republicans and Demo-
| orats. John told them all that he was
theirs to command.
Mr.. Arthur was the first President John L.
ever called upon. The world was ringing
with the fame of the Boston boy at that
time, for he was still fresh from his triumph
over Paddy Ryan, and just beginning his
career Of triumph. John was exhibiting
at q local variety theatre, and with his
manager and a couple Of sparring part
ners, both good f~eLers," he dropped in al
the White House to init" Mr.. Arthur,
the courtliest Of modern American Presi-
dents. The champeen Of the world forgot
to remove his expensive plug hat AZ he
! entered the East Room with his companions.
and his manager. with a def rear move
| ment, took il of for John. Sullivan didn't
like that. He resented having his chapeau
removed by another man, even his manager,
at any time or place, and he told his manager
20 out Of the southwestern corner Of his
facial orifce.
Hey, cut that" growled John, indig-
nantly. The boss wouldn't mind seein'
me in me lid-he wears one of 'em himself,
don't he? guess he's a right guy enough
not T. min seein' a guy wit his top on
Johns manager soothingly explained
to him that while the President. no doubt,
wore q beaver at certain times, he didn't
sport it in the house nor go to bed with it
ON. and Sullivan was appeased.
-How's things, boss?' John l.. greeted
Mr.. Arthur when the suave and handsome
President stepped into the East Room.
you know who I am from me pitchers,
don't you? I'm yours truly. John L. and
he held out his han OF might.
Il should lave Known you even had you
not been announced, Mr.. Sullivan grace
fully replied President Arthur. taking the
big mans proffered hand. John L.. gave
the Presidents hand a bone crushing
squeeze, but Mr.. Arthur wa too game a
man TO vince
You're chunky, Guv'nor. and you look
as II you could "a LEARNED { hanl your
docks If you'd gone in fr it n trained
| observed John l.. then, at the same time
giving the President an encouraging dig
below the waist line with the outstretched
fingers Of his mighty right. Ever had tn
mitts on?'
Not since 1 was a lad replied President
Arthur. ~and I was a poor han1 at 1t them
well, I just dropped in, GIv," said John
l.. then. preparing to execute his getaway.
Come down an have a peek at me show
II you git time. Me manager here'l stake
you to a box. I punch up a couple O. dubs
ev'ry nj yht an you mi yht git soms points.
Well, 50 long" and he held out his hant
again Any ii o you nesd me, boss, You
can fu1 out VII ere ms show Is by buyin'
q copy o. tn Clipper an lookup over tn
road list. I voted FIR Hancock, but I'm
wit you all riglt, boss. an l am yours
truly and John L. backed out from his
FIRST audience with a President.
John l.. has told all Of the Presidents
since Mr.. Arthur's time, and told some OF
them several times, that he'd be there
with the helping hand any time they sum-
moned him.
what icy and punctiliously polite Mr..
Harrison quite considerably, for he replied
witt a degree of warmth that might have
been deemed ~suspiciously bantering in
tone had Mr.. Harrison been addicted TO
bantering that he certainly would send
for John l.. the very first time that he felt
he imperatively needed his presence.
Some OF the renowned pugilists visiting
the White House a appeared TO be at
a loss "a 70 Just how TO address the Prcsi-
dent. Charley Mitchell, the English fighter,
called upon Mr.. Cleveland during the latter's
second and the best stab
that he could make at addressing the
President was to call him your Ighness."
Secretary OF Wa Dan Lamont, who was
with Mr.. Cleveland at the time, gently
sought TO put Mitchell right.
There are no Highnesses in this country,
YOU know, Mr.. Mitchell" De said TO the
British scrapper. THE President feels that
IL is very kind indeed and wholly well meant
for you 10 bestow that title upon him,