The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-21
ALWAYS Visiting Pug Saws He's
wit" The Executive
JOHN [. sULLIVAN'S TACT
Tells Five Presidents to Call On Him
for Help-corbett and Mitchell
Puzzled Over Titles-Mc-
Govern Latest,

Washington.-Wh Terry MeGoyern
accompanied by his private secretary
called upon President Roosevelt recently
during a partly lucid interval he gave
utterance to an expression which, some
how or other. nearly all pusilists employ
when they are visiting Presidents of the
United States.
Mr.. Roosevelt chatted pleasantly viii
the peculiarly acting little slugger fo'
a space and then by certain maniiesta-
tions of restlessness indicated that that
would be about all. Terry took the hint
He gave the office to his private secre-
tary'' and the President gave the two
little chaps a parting handshake
"Weu. President" said McGovern, as
he backed out, IF there's ever anything
! can do for you, why, l live in Brook
lyn. YOU know, and I'm there to give you
a lift any time you tip me off,
Nearly all pugilists say that. or some
thing like 1t, to Presidents. They never
make it clear just why, or how, or when
a President could ever by any chance need
the services of a pugilist. They just cheer
the Presidents thorny paths by telhns
them that they, the pugilists, approve OF
them, the Presidents, and that they'll
'be there" in the hour of need
The mighty John L., has, In the prog
ress of his cheekered life, told five Presi-
dents that he, John, was wit 'em-pro-
nouncements which cleary show the cath
olieity of Johns political IDEAS, for these
Presidents were both republicans and
democrats John told them all that he was
theirs to command.
Sulivan's First Visit.
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 ana
lust beginning his career of triumph. John
was exhibiting at local variety theatre,
and with his manager and couple OF
sparring partners, both good fellers,
he dropped in at the White House TO
INIT" Mr.. Arthur, the courthest oil
modern Presidents The champion of the
world forgot to remove his expensive
plug hat as he entered the East Room
with his companions, and his manager,
with a deft rear movement, took IL OH
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
so out of the southwestern corner of his
facial orifice.
'eHey, cut that" growled John, indig-
nantly 1.-THE boss wouldn't mind seem
me in me lid-he wears one of 'em him
self. don't he? ] guess he's right guy
enough not t min seeing a guy wit
his top on
Johns manager soothingly explained to
him that while the President, no doubt
wore beaver at certain times he didn't
sport 1t in the house nor go to ped
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 am from me pitchers,
don't you? I'm yours truly, John L. and
he held out his hand of might.
IT should have known you even mad
you not been announced Mr.. Sullivan,
gracefully replied President Arthur TAX
ing the big mans proffered hand. John Il.
gave the presidents hand bone crushing
squeeze, but Mr.. Arthur was too game
man to vince.
Hands" Him a Compliment.
You're chunky, Guy'nor, and you look
as il you could "a learned t hanl your
docks if you'd gone In FIR 1t an 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?''
mot since | was lad replied Presi-
dent Arthur, and | was a poor hand
at it them
. ''Well, | just dropped in, Guv,' said
John H. then, preparing to execute mis-
getaway Come down an have peek
at me show If you git time. Me manager
here'u stake you to a box. ! punch up
a couple o. dubs ev'ry night an you might
git some points. Well, so long, and he
held out his hand again. ANY time you
need me, boss, you can find out where
me show is by buyin' copy o tn clipper
an lookin' over the road list. l voted fr
Hancock. but I'm wit you all right, BOSS
an | am yours truly, and John H.
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
summoned him.
This offer appeared to affect the some
what icy and punctliously polite Mr..
Harrison quite considerably. for he re-
piled with 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 imperatiyely needed his presence.
Some of the renowned pugiists visiting
the White House have appeared to be at
a loss as to Just how to address the presi-
dent. Charley Mitchell, the English light
er. called upon Mr.. Cleveland during the
latter's second incumbency, and the best
stab that. he could make al addressing
the President was to call him Your Ugh
ness" Secretary of War Dan Lamont,
who was with Mr.. Cleveland at the time,
gently sought to put Mitchell right.
l''There are no Highnesses in this coun-
trv. YOU know. Mr.. Mitchell" he said to
the British scrapper. 1.-THE President feels
that II is very kind indeed and wholly
well meant for you to bestow that title
nnon him. but-er' Mr.. President is the
nearest we get to the title business
"Oh, thynlS you, thynls you, your Lud-
shipv' said Mitchell effuslyely 10 Secre-
tary Dan.
"Thank you, Mr.. Mitchell, very much
indeed" promptly replied the Secretary
"but | am not lord, either, you know. ,"
"But. your honor began Mitchell.
mot an honor" said the Secretary. Il