The Washington herald., 1907-05-09
JOHN |. IN THE SWIM
Veteran Prize-ring Gladiator
Sees the President.
TELLS OF HIS INTERVIEW
Big Fellow Declares Himself an Ad-
mirer of the PresideBt-AIways
papers-FOnd of the Children.
Meets with Word ''Dee-Iighted.D


President Roosevelt yesterday. For nearly
gether.
THE President is the goods, said Mr.
Sullivan last evening. as he sat in the
wings on the stage Of the Lyeeum. where
he is appearing this week I hadn't
seen Mr. Roosevelt for ten years. ana
expected TO find him much larger than
he Is. The purpose Of my visit was
personal one. We talked Of athletics. and
other sports that the President, naturally,
knew / was interested in"
Mr.. Sullivan was willing to talk guard
edly Of his visit 10 the White House.
but he was very careful, az the same
time, Of what he said
Mr.. Sullivan was asked: How about
the tariff"
Nothing doing"
Railroad legislauon?"
Nope"
"P0lItics?"
No: not even thought about"
At this 1uncture a little twO-year-oid
girl, the daughter Of one Of the women in
the company, ran up to the one-tlme
best OF his class. The great pugilist
forgot all about the visit 10 the Executive
Mansion. Carefully, he strOked the little
childs head
Hello. little one" he said: how are
you?" The little one paid no at
tention to the greeting. and amused her
self with the buttons on Mr.. SuIliyan's
vast, immaculate expanse Of white waist
coat. Then she ran away 10 the other
side OF the stage. The two big blue eyes
Of the former champion Of the world fol-
lowed the youngster closely.
Fond of Children
Children always interest me. like to
watch them, he said.
John l. then consented to tell what he
said to the President and what the Presi-
dent said 10 him. This is what happened
according 10 his description:
How do you do, Mr. Sullivan " said
the President.
How are you, Mr.. Roosevelt?' said
John L.
I am dee-Hghted 10 see you" SAID the
President.
well. Mr.. President" replied John L.
this Is the first time / have come across
this word dee-llghted. but / am glad 70
meet it. just as I was always glad TO
meet anything that came my way when
I was IN condition"
I'VE remember you.'' said the Presi-
dent, when We were in Harvard. We al
ways held you up as a paragon IN our
class, way back IN the eighties"
What is a paragon. Mr. President"
asked John l. doubtfully
We'll. Mr.. Sullivan, said the Presi-
dent "a paragon is what they called you
before you met COrbett-
Yes" returned Sullivan, that's akin
70 what they are going 10 call you If you
don't 90 after this third nomination."
The President laughed and so did suIli-
van. They had some more conversation.
and a moment afterward Sullivan with
drew.
Whenever you are in town. Mr. SuHi-
van,' said the President. as John /. went
through the door, come around and see
me-"
President Glad TO see Him.
"The President was glad TO see me"
continued the big fellow. At least he said
he was. And believe everything he says
4 am a greater admireT Of the man
in the White House. He's on the square
This is one or my principles. ana it's one
Of his. He has certainly delivered the
goods OF course, he has his enemies, but
1t Amt always his fault
while We talked the President seemed
very much interested in athletics. He
asked me a good deal about myself He
was interested in the fact that I am on
the water wagon and have been there
for twenty-seven months. All my friends
are interested in that / think In fact.
l know 81. And I'm glad Of IT,
This visiting the White House is nOtT-
ing now for me. I have been there fire.
quently. The first time was while Cleve-
land was President. I also knew Presl-
dent Harrison. as well as President Nc
Kinley. But I knew him before he be
came the Chief Executive"
Mr.. Sullivan was asked if he took much
interest in politics.
Yes" he replied: more than in any
thing else. Politics has Interested me for
years.
Interested In Newspapers.
7 am a great reader and especially
Of the newspapers. I always read the
editorial page first. I ike 10 study the
different questions at issue"
Then Mr. Sullivan was asked II prize
fights We're mentioned between the two.
"Oh. yes he replied We talked about
the time I first fought Charlie Mitchell.
the English champion That was I'm 1883
The President was there that night I
have seen him at a number of fights We
are old friends.
He's a great man; he won't take any
thing from any man. That man Taft is
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