New-York tribune., 1907-12-07
SENSATION NOT PROPIDED
FOR PARTY LEADERS.
National Committeeman Had Er-
pected President to Make az Init
Third Term announcement.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. !

gathering of the Republican National Commit
tee was the eager and almost exultant expecta-
ton with which the members gathered at the
White House. convinced that the President was
going avail himself the occasion to reiterate
his Election Night statement and the ilscrutabie
but ineffable smile with which the President
greeted them, said few complimentary words,
shook hands all around. and dismissed them.
THE members of the Republican National
Committee need no Introduction TO yOu Mr.
President. They the gentlemen who con-
Quoted the campaign of 1904. which resulted in
such a magnificent victory for yeu." said
Chairman New. as he presented the committees
to the President.
NO. indeed, they don't need Introduction
1 know them all very we'll 1 am exceedingly
glad to have the opportunity of seeing you
gentlemen again and of expressing my obliga-
ton to you. and of saying, furthermore. that,
In so far in me has lain, have endeavored
to carry myself to meet your expectations
and make you not regret the remarkable work
you did three years ago." replied the President
Then the President shook the hand Of each
committeeman. went to the front pOrtico of the
White House, posed for picture with the menu
bers of the committee, and said "Goodby.'
Early this morning a rumor had gained cur
rency to the effect that when the national COM
mittee called at the White House Mr. ROose-
welt would declare his determination not again
to accept a Presidential nomination. As the
day wore on, the report spread further and
further. and many interesting details
added Committeeman whispered to committee
men, and newspaper confident ntialy
assured Of the accuracy of the report. The ut
most delight that they were to be the recipients
of such important news and to be present on
momentous occasion evident among
the committeeman, and some of the more
venturesome even suggested that they might
have something important to say later in the
day
THE RECEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
BY the time the committee reached the White
House. about p m, the excitement and
pectancy were at fever heat A crowd of news
paper had gathered the White House
portico. each determined 10 be the first 70 fash
the important statement 10 his paper as fast
electricity could carry IL. When the
mtteemen all properly lined up in the
East Room some told the President that
the newspaper men were outside and he i'm
mediateIy sent them invitation TO come in
That settled it. and every scribe produced paper
and pencil with which write down the
n.entous enunciation When the President, ac-
companied by his military aid. Captain Mccoy.
appeared at the entrance to the East Room
the silence intense
The President was fully aware of the ex-
pectations OF the politicians who had come TO
greet him. and he spoke with much impressive
ness and with his broadest and most genial
smile. His words are quoted above. No sig
nif1cance, no inkIing Of Mr.. RoOsevelts pur-
poses of his choice os candidates could be
detected by the most careful scrutiny OF his
remarks. and the men who are to arrange the
preliminaries for the selection Of his successor
looked at another with an.azement and
with disappointment.
With that easy grace which is OF Mr..
Roosevelt's happiest gifts. he passed along the
line. shaking each hand as if he espe-
cialiy delighted to meet its owner. making
comment here and there in his happiest vein-
but never even referring to national politics.
Then he gave a sign Chairman New, who
said: Gentlemen, please step this way. and
the gathering filed out the pOrtico- a
large leather chair had been placed Immediately
in front OF the big glass doors. and the Presi-
dent seated himself. while the members of the
committee grouped themselves about him y
battery os cameras leveed at the Exec
utive and his companions. and when each oper-
ator had flashed his shutter the President
waved his hand to his callers. said goodby and
disappeared behind the glass doors
The important statements which were 10 have
been given to the press later in the day have
not been forthcoming A few OF the committee
Roosevelt for a third term. and few have
come out for Taft. but the majority are bidtnS
their time and still waiting for some sign
from the White House After leaving the
White House the committeeman scattered about
the various hotels and discussed the situation.
and their disappointment that the President
had not chosen an occasion which seemed 10
them SO auspcious 10 declare himself.
Then The story that the President had said TO
ca,,,,eI Watts a banker of LewiStOvn. Penn.
that he would not accept another term gained
circulation and the question warmly de-
bated as 10 whether or not that could be
parded as a final statement A little later word
Secretary Loeb had said that Mr.. Watts had
NOT ouoted the President correctly and that
vber the President had anything say that
suhiect he would say il for himself. and again
the committeeman were nOnplussed. Presiden-
t;aJ possibilities became a tabooed subject and
tho various groups fell to discussing the
snective chances of Kansas City and Chicago.
while some bets were made with odds on Kansas
City.
Frank s Streeter, national committeeman for
New Hampshire. expressed himself this evening
as in favor of the nomination of William H.
Taft although he declined TO permit a direct
quotation of his remarks He said. however.
that he had been for Taft from the first and
was so still He added that he regarded it as
most important that good work should be done
in ohio with view soIidifyins the delega-