The Washington times., 1908-06-19

wife Secretary TafFs first cOngratula-
lions on his nomination for the r-esi-
denoy were received in his private office
at the War Department from his clos
| est personal friends and from bureau
chiefs and army of officers with whom
ne has been associated.
But sixty-five votes in favor Of the
Secretary had been received oyer the
wire when suddenly the operator SAID
quietly: Taft nominated" The office
Of Secretary Carpenter was crowded
with newspaper men, and army officers
and every man in the room Joined in
a cheer. Upon hearing II Secretary
Taft realizing its meaning, rose to
his feet 20 receive the congratulations
OF those nearest 10 him, AS he did so
those who had crowded the outer office
burst into his room with a rush.
Mrs. TAFT spoke not a word, but she
rose frolA her chair. looked at her
distinguished husband with all the
pride and love that human eyes could
express. and then stepped to his side
to share the congratulations which
were being poured upon him.
Charlie Taft Watches News.
The afternoon was an eventeul one
in the War Department. Charlie Taft,
the Secretary's son, arrived at the Of
fee about noon impatient to hear the
news that might make him a Prssi-
dents son. Even before the reading
of the platform had been concluded the
boy knelt beside the telegraph operator
TO read the typewriter messages ne
fore they were taken from the machine
Mrs. Taft appeared shortly after her
son, who appraised her of the situatsyn
at Chicago. showing a startling knowi-
edge Of politics for a boy who has not
yet entered his teens
Mrs. Taft's arrival made necessary
some changes in the office routine. Her
interest IN the deliberations at Chicago
was so great that the Secretary suTren-
dered his place at his desk so THAI she
might have the little typewriter bulIe-
tins placed before her on the shining
mahogany The Secretary took a big,
easy chair in a corner of the room. and
there pored over an immense batch Of
papers dealing with War Department
affairs in Cuba and the Philippines.
Among those vino called at the pri-
vate office to listen TO the bulletins were
Acting Secretary of the Navy New
berry. General and Mrs. Bell, Major
Noble. Assistant Secretary Of War
Oliver. Major Mcintyre, General Sharp,
General Aleshire. Miss Helen II. Taft,
the Secretarys daughter, and Mrs. Gar
liugton, wife of the Inspector General
of the Army.
Wife Reads Bulletins Aloud,
Charlie Taft displaced the doorkeeper
who had been carrying the messages
into the private Office He stood beside
the telegraph operator grabbed the
sheet of paper as soon as the operator
permitted him to do so. and bounded
into the private Office and to his moth
er's side. Mrs. Taft. no less excited
than her son. read each bulletin aloud.
How is it going 10 come out. Char
Iie2" the boy was asked as he came out
of his fathers Office.
why. how could Il come QUITE cross
questioned the boy, evidently surprised
that anyone should have doubt as TO the
intention OF the delegates TO nominate
his father.
Well insisted his questioner, how
is il really coming Out?'
It's coming out right, that's how.
said the boy emphatically, 1T can't
come out any other way"
Taft Never Disturbed.
AS Mrs. Taft read the bulletin describ-
ing the demonstration which followed
the mention of her husbands name by
Representative Burton, the Secretary
looked up for a moment with a pleased
smile from the mass of papers ne was
reading. and then returned to his work.
a ~. ~
wards. how can you be calm and trans
act business at such a time as this ."
This is the time to transact bust
ness" said the Secretary. 4 must get
this work out Of the way"
In addition 10 the tesegraph wire be-
tween the convention hall and the war
Department, a long distance telephone
was kept in operation between the Two
places, James Williams, one OF Frank
II. Hitchcock's assistants. keeping IN
close touch with the Taft representa-
tives at the Chicago end of the wire.
When the cheering Of Taft's name broke
loose ii could be heard distinctly at
the Washington end Of the wire and
Charlie Taft repeatedly held the receiy-
er 10 his ear 20 hear the demonst ration
IN his fathers honor
Clerks Congratulate Him.
While the nominating speeches were
still in progress with no prospect that
they would be concluded until late IN
the afternoon, General Edwards car
-Tied g message TO Secretary Taft, which
gave him great pleasure. The CLERKS
OF the InsulaT Bureau wanted to per
sonaIly express their congratulations
as soon as the nomination had been
made.
It's very kind Of them to think OF