Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-04

The President was feeling especially
good this morning over the republican
victory yesterday, and when he met
Washington newspaper men he showed
his elation in several ways, accepting con-
gratuatiOns in fine humor and enjoying
the ironcal expressions of lament on the
part of his inquisitOrs.
The utterance to which the President
gave vent shows conclusively his faith in
the announced intention of President-elect
Taft to pursue existing policies and his
confidence in the proper reading OF the
verdict by the man who will succeed him.
The utterance, too, sounds note of
warning that returning conditions OF
prosperity must be brought about with
full cognizance Of what may be expected
during the next four years. and not with
a hasty idea that there is to be a relaxa-
ton in republican efforts along certain
lines.
The President will voice practically the
same sentiment in his annual message TO
Congress, upon which he Is now at WORK.
His communication to that body Will
urge action upon pending reform measures
at the coming session and what he calls
steady progress in this direction from
now on. He will be greatly disappointed,
too, if Congress fails to interpret the ver-
dict as he does.
What "Frazzle" Means.
Boys" sad the President, as he con-
fronted newspaper men and a broad
smile played over his face. there has
been some curiosity over the country to
know what 1 meant by the term. We've
got 'em beaten to frazzle.' All 1 can
say is, tell them to look at yesterdays
election returns for the definition"
Then the President went on to say that
he was surprised that the word FRAGILE
and the phrase used by him were not
better understood. 1t was common, ex-
pressive word he had been using ever
since he was a boy. and he learned it, he
Said from his mother and her southern
relatives. The word is well known in the
south, he declared. and is used in every
day speech there. He couldn't help
whether it was found in dictionaries or
not. All he knew was that 1t was Won
derfully expressive and he was sure demo-
Gratis all over the country understood it
perfectly today.
President as a Prophet.
The President was nightly pleased, too.
with the fact that he had read the signs
of the times Alright and he brought forth
a copy of the following letter he wrote to
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts. October
2e, full week before the election:
Dear Cabot: Prophecy is very bad un-
til after the event. Nevertheless. l must
send you line to say that l think the
situation is steadily improving In Ohio.
East of the AlleghenieS believe we shall
have a larger popular plurality than four
years ago: in other words, that Tafts
plurality will be greater than mine, and
I think that our electoral vote will be
larger east of the Alleghenies than four
years ago. because l think the chances
slightly favor us in Maryland, although
IL
West of the Alleghenies I think we shall
see a heavy falling off in the majorfties,
as compared with 1904, but do not anttci-
pate the loss Of any electoral votes except
in Missouri and Nevada, and l am in
clined to think we have an even chance
of carrying Kentucky"
Has Had Lots of Fun.
President Roosevelt indicated to his call
ers that he wasn't bit worried about
going out of office, and jokingly expressed
the opinion that his friend big Bilr'
would never have as much fun out or
the Job as he had had Altogether he
had enjoyed his terms as chief magis-
trate In spite of the bumps he had given
and received, and he trusted that his
friend would come out of it all feeling
half as well as he does.
And the outgoing chief magistrate
looked and acted all he said. Active.
Y,
already been in office appear to have left
no physical impressions upon him. a
shade heavier than he was seven years
ago, but his ruddy face and springy step
showing enjoyment of life. the President
looks fit for any physical undertaking.
Pleased With the South.
The President expressed great pleasure
with the returns from the south. showing
an increased vote for the republicans in
many sections, especially in the business
centers, like Richmond, Atlanta, Savan-
nah and Charlotte. He frankly believes
that the south is about to fall in line with
many of the principal policies Of the re-
publican party and that the party has
great field there to work in. He hopes
to see the southern sentiment thus ex-
pressed Given encouragement, and he will
aid in doing so in every way he can.
Received No Visitors.
Except for Secretary Wright, the Presi-
dent had no visitors during the usual
busy hours of the day. I'VE did not make
any engagements for today said Secre-
tary Loeb, because we knew If Taft won
we would have our hands full answering
letters and kilograms. II Bryan won ~