Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-19
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Arranging a Promotion for a
Georgia Sheriff.
PARDON FOR AN EMBEzzLER
Senator Carter, Clapp, Nelson and
McCumber Seek Clemency.
THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS
All the Roosevelt Children Will b
Home for the Coming
Holidays.
PARDON FOR AN EMBEzzLER
THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS

President Roosevelt today made public
the following interesting note he had WRIT
ten to Attorney General Bonaparte. who
WILL it is understood. try to arrange the
promotion that has been suggested for the
Georgia sheriff by the chief executive;
THE WHITE HOUSE.
December Il, r.k6.
Dear Mr.. Bona Darte:
Some three years ago Sheriff J. l.. Mer-
rill of Carroll county, Georgia, lost his
chance for reelection by his action in beat
ing off mob of several hundred white
people who were trying to take negro out
of jail and put him to death. Sheriff Mer-
rill and his deputies fired on the mob, kill
ing and wounding several men and beating
the others off Because of this he was
defeated for reelection. Representative
Adamson brought the matter to my atten-
ton, saying that he hated to see man
who had done such a service as public
official defeated because OF the very TACT
that he had rendered the service lie told
me that Governor Terrell had offered Mer-
rill place. the best he had TO give, which
carried sa!ary of $50 per month.
told the representative | thought l could
beat that, and got him a place at Zoo a
year custodian of the grounds of lhe led
eral prison at Atlanta. | hear he has done
well If he has done well. can't We give
him promotion? Sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Hon Charles J. Bonaparte.
Attorney General
Pardon for Bank Embezzler.
President Roosevelt was asked today 10
grant a pardon to Herbert II. Ma;teson
bank official. wko created a sensation In
the northwest seven or eight years ago by
embezz ing about $4,000 from the First
National Bank of Great Falls. Montana.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to
serve ten years. His health has broken
and it is stated that If he is not released
h. L. In ffsaxr --faft
six years of his sentence. The request fog
pardon was presented by Senators Carter,
Clapp. Nelson and McCumber The PTesi-
dent said he would consider the matter.
Invited to a Banquet.
President Roosevelt was today invited
to attend the banquet to be given on the
evening of January 16 by the National
Board of Trade, which holds its convention
in this city on the 18th, 10th and 18th or
January. The President declined the in
vitation explaining to the committee, which
called on him to extend the invitation, that
if he attended the banquet speech would
be expected of him and this he had not
time to prepare. The President already
had accepted invitation to attend the
banquet to be given the same evening by
the national convention for the extension
Of foreign commerce and to MAKE a speech.
Those who were in the committee included
Senators Alice and Du Pont and Rcpresen-
tative Burton of Delaware, Josiah Marbel,
the chairman of the banquet committee.
and Horace Wilson, the mayor of VII
mington, Del.
Wants a Navy Chaplaincy.
Representative Graham today presented
to President Roosevelt Rev. George II
Stevenson of PittsbuTg, who has made
application for appointment for a chap
laincy In the navy. His candidacy has the
Endorsement of Senators Dubois and Knox
and six of the republican members in the
PENNSYLVANIA delegation. Mr. Stevenson
served as a private in the LIST Illinois Regi-
ment in the Spanish-American war
Judge A. Fl. Geismar of the police bench
of Brooklyn was presented to President
Roosevelt today By Representative FitZ-
gerald. Judge Geismar knew President
Roosevelt when he was police commissions
err and they had not met since then. Il am
delighted to renew acquaintances with q
friend who is willing to shake hands with
me as President who knew me as police
commissioner" said the President.
Senator Pettus' Plea.
Senator Pettus of Alabama made a pecu-
liar plea at the White House today. The
senator's home post office, Selma. seems to
be antiquated In its equipment and the
senator has apparently not been able 10
get the Post Office Department TO do any
thing for the relief of the establishment.
The office has been robbed six or seven
times recently and does not seem 10 De sare
from that sort of trouble. found thaS
fine kew to my own post office box would
open four other boxes, said the Neneranie
senator land that sort OF thinS ought 10
be remedied." Senator Pettus thought the
President might be able to push the proper
authorities OF the Post Office Department
The White House Christmas.
All the Roosevelt children will be home
for the Christmas holidays. Theodore, jr.,
md m ia
Kermit. the next oldest son. who is prepar-
ing for Harvard College at Groton. Mass.
win arrive, to remain during the holidays.
The season is given over to pleasure, large
ly of an outdoor sort.
President and Mrs Roosevelt have not
formed any plans for the ChristmfS season:
but it would not be surprising if The chief
executive and his wife. accompanied by
some of the children. should go down 10
"Pine Knot" their little country place IN
Virginia President and Mrs. Roosevelt
spent a few days there early In November,
and the visit was so enjoyable that they
have much desired to repeat 1t. good
deal will depend upon the weather. If IT is
nrettv and agreeable the chances are bet
ter for their going. II 1t Is pad they may
remain here.
The President spends much of his time
during the holiday season IN RIDING ana
walking He shortens his office hours, sees
few visitors and stays outdoors all he cam
The majority of senators and representa-
tives are out of the city, and this gives him
a chance to stay away from his office for
longer periods each day.
The Roosevelts have never had a Christ
mas tree since they have been in the White
House. but the members of the family ex-
change presents, and the juvenile Roose-
velts hang up their stockings in the good
old-fashioned way. Santa Claus sees that
the stockings copiousiy attended to-
This Christmas only two Roosevelts viii
be privileged to do this. the others feeling
that they are above such trivial things.
Quentin and Archie. eight and ten years.
respectively, are already arranging their
stockings and looking forward with great
pleasure to the results. Quentin is the
baby of the family. and most pleasant
little fellow.
The Christmas dinner for the family is
served at 1880 o'clock, the same as on other
days in the White House.