Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-19
TAFT IS SERENADEO
BY UNIVERSITY CLUB
Fireworks, Music, Songs and
0ratory Rout Out Nominee. ,
HIS FIRST "PoRCH SPEECH"
Republican Standard Bearer Thanks
"Neighbors' for Demonstration.
TAKES A RIDE IN ARMY WAGON
Goes to White House in Novel Con-
veyance After Getting Loose From
Handwriting Ordeal.
Republican Standard Bearer Thank
"Neighbors" for Demonstration.
TAKES A RIDE IN ARMY WAGON
Taft for me. Taft for me.
He is our next President.
Here tonight on pleasure bent,
Taft for me. Taft for me.

members hurled at the nominee of the
republican party for President of the
United States, along with fireworks, con-
gratulatory speeches and music and
cheers. comprising features of a grea,
demonstration to Secretary Of War Will
liam H. Taft, conducted In front Of his
house last night, and Mr.. Taft made his
first porch speech. expressing apprecia.
ton.
Later Mr.. Taft. was carried over across
the street to the University Club house
and his hand shaken limp by his enthu-
siastic club fellows. After that he rode
to the White House in the army wagon
which had brought the Engineer Band to
participate in the hullabaloo.
That a prophet is without honor in his
own country was emphatically contra
dicted by the ovation given by the mem
bers Of the University Club and hundreds
of citizens of Washington and neighbors
to the republican standard bearer in the
coming campaign. There was much red
fire and pyrotechnical display, and In
song and speech hearty approval of the
choice of the republican convention for
the presidential nomination was given ex-
preston.
Makes First Porch Speech.
1t was the initiation of the porch
campaign The cheering crowds gath
cred around the entrance of Secretary
Taft's X street home and listened to his
words as he stood in front Of his home
And while the genial War Secretary was
entertaining the plaudits of his friends
and neighbors and making his first porch
speech Mrs. Taft, Miss Helen Taft and
Master Charlie Taft sat back of him and
enjoyed the first demonstration to the
nominee.
University Club members have always
had arm spot in their hearts for Big
Bill Taft. He was the first president
Of the club and has been a frequent
speaker at their banquets and a visitor
to the clubhouse. directly across K street
members decided on a demonstration in
his honor when his nomination became
assured. The time was fixed for last
night
Secretary Taft. who went to the War
College yesterday afternoon after re-
to his X street home shortly before
O'Clock. He quickly slipped into evening
dress and dined. Just before dinner. he
was tipped of that his fellow members
of the University Club wished to show
him how they regarded his nomination.
At $40 O'Clock, he announced he was
ready to receive the delegation.
The Engineer Band. called to the club
house for the OCCASION formed in front
of the clubhouse. The clubmen marched
behind It, AS the band played Hail to
the Chief" the cheering crowd marched
to the front yard Of the Secretarys home.
Then. in the glare Of pyrotechnics and
much red fire. the republican standard
bearer appeared at the front door Of his
cheer and 1t continued for some time
Taft Is Talked At.
In behalf OF the University Club, Its
first vice president. David T. Day, made
some Introductory remarks, saying the
University Club members took satisfac-
ton in having suggested Mr.. Taft's name
as likely President Of the United States
when the University Club was formed
nearly four years ago. with Secretary Taft
as it's first president.
Henry E. Davis, another club member.
extended the felicitations Of the clubmen.
Mr.. Davis said:
Mr.. Secretary, a little over three years
ago it was my privilege as a member of
the University Club. to be the first to
name you for the presidency. 1 am
neither prophet nor a seventh son Of a
prophet. but tonight your fellow-members
of the University Club, without regard to
party affiliations. come to you as the
standard bearer OF great party. We
also wish you to know that we are look
hope that the prophecy which we have
made may be even further fulfilled than 1t
has been today.
God bless you. Mr.. Secretary"
AS soon as Mr.. Davis concluded the
band struck up the air Of "Tammany." to
which the club members sang Taft for
Me-"
Mr.. Macfarland Says a Word.
Commissioner H. B. F. Mcfarland next
stepped to the front. as more red fire
lighted up the lawn and showed the i'm
mensity Of the crowd present.
1T is nearly twenty years since first
you came to reside in Washington" he
said: when first you came as solicitor
general, and ever since. you have been
one of US. You have taken a deep and
abiding interest and pride in the develop
ment Of the National capital. and We are
counting on your support and sympathy
to make the National capital first In
everything.
1--WE, as your fellow-members OF the
University Club, come tonight to extend
our congratulations as you stand forth
as the great leader of a great political
party. and as the next President of the
United States. We are glad to be the
first to celebrate your nomination. and
next March the people of Washington
will take pleasure in doing for you what
the District always does to inaugurate
the President of the United States"
The mention of Mr.. Taft as the next
occupant of the White House was the
fuse for another cheer that burst spon.
| taneously from thousands of Threats.
Mr.. Taft's Response.
AS it died down, Secretary Taft replied
to the speeches. as follows:
My Fellow members of the University
Club:
You don't expect me to make a speech
tonight-much less a political speech. A
great honor has fallen upon me today-tc
lead a great political party In the con.
test that is to come. This expression OF
good fellowship / value greatly. as
deem 1t the expression of good will from
my fellow-club members.
I'VE are neighbors. l don't regard /,
as a political demonstration at all. but
merely as the good wishes OF my neigh
bors. 1t is one of your number upon
| whom a great honor has been conferred
and to whom you are here to extend con.
SratulationS.
My home is in Ohio. but circumstances
| have prevented me being in Ohio for a
number of years During these years OF
absence half of my time has been spent
| in Washington. Looking at the present
mayor o. Washington. Commissioner Mac
| farland here, you would not think he
could go back in memory twenty years to
| the time l first came to Washington.
LAS far back as 1890 our acquaintance
| began. Even then i realized how fine
| Washington is as a residence city. From
| that time l have realized its national
grandeur and all that a capital city
should be.
My friend Davis lad an unhappy task
| in prOpheSyinR as a democrat that re-