Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-19
Mr.. TAFT HEARS THE NEWS
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vention hall on the long distance tele-
phone; but on account of the confusion in
the Coliseum was unable to confirm the
news for a minute or so. Afterward a
bulletin from the Associated Press con-
firming the nomination was received and
was followed soon afterward by confirma-
lions from other quarters.
Scarcely had this news been conveyed to
Secretary Taft when over the official
wire came the flash, Taft is nominated"
Mrs. Taft rose from her seat at the Sec
retary's desk and turned to her husband,
who was standing at her right. 1t was
an eloquent handclasp they gave each
other. Mrs. Taft was bubbling over with
happiness. All evidence of the nervous
strain which had been in her face during
the entire afternoon had disappeared. The
secretary himself laughed with the JOY of
a boy. Around both the secretary and Mrs.
Taft their friends crowded to offer their
congratulations. 1t was a happy scene
the realization OF months OF labor and
tribulation.
Root Extends Congratulations.
Secretary Root was the first cabinet
officer TO extend to Secretary and Mrs.
Taft his congratulations on the nomina-
ton. He remarked factitiously to Secre-
tary Taft, while the latter was shaking
hands with some of his newspaper friends,
that he probably would find II difficult to
shake" these men during his campaign
or after his election. Secretary Taft re-
sponded that he had no idea Of shaking
them at any time.
Among those whom the secretary greeted
were all of the employees Of the insulaY
bureau of the War department whom Sec
rotary Taft was acquainted with personally.
Turning to Secretary Root after the in
formal reception Secretary Taft inquired:
Shall We go now to the war college?
Yes" replied Secretary Root, Let's 60
Immediately"
Secretary already was in his riding
clothes and he and General Edwards made
the trip TO the war college on horseback,
while Secretary Root and General Bells,
chief of staff. went in an automobile. AS
he was leaving his office Secretary Taft
leaned over the desk Of the telegraph OBJ
orator and inquired tentatively:
Il guess it's certain enough?"
Certain enough" said Generol oliver,
who was standing near, you want 1t
u-nanimous?"
And a minute later a flash came over
the wire that the nomination had been
made unanimous.
Statement From President.
Immediately upon receiving news of the
nomination of Secretary Taft for the presl-
dency President Roosevelt said:
Il feel that the country 1 s. indeed. to
be congratulated upon the nomination of
Mr.. Taft. / have Known him intimately
for many years, and / have a peculiar
feeling for him because throughout that
time we worked for the same object, the
same purposes and ideas. do not be-
lieve there could be found In all the ooun-
try a man so well fitted 10 be president.
He is not only absolutely fearless. abso-
lutely disinterested and upright. but he
has the widest acquaintance with the ma
tons needs without and within and the
broadcast s%ympathies with all our citizens.
He would be as emphatically a presi-
dent Of the plain people as Lincoln. yet
not Lincoln himself would be freer from
the least faint of demagoguery. the least
tendency to arouse or appeal TO class
hatred Of any kind. He has a peculiar
and intimate knowledge OF and sympathy
with the needs OF III our people-of the
farmer, OF the wage worker. OF the bust
ness man, OF the property owner.
mo matter what a mans occupation or
social position, no matter what his creed.
his color or the section OF the country