Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-06-25
SECRETARY TAFT
IS VERY HAPPY
Said He Could Not Find Words
to Express His Pleasure over
His Success.
WILL RE SIGN AS SECRETARY
Resignation TO Take Effect an IN.
LIST of July.--A C0nUratuJgtorv
visit by the University Club
Gov. Hughes Wired Com
Erntulatiuais mt Once.

''"''ii'lo' WI, Jullt INV OrJu mot
'ihd themselves at time like this. do
not deny that am very happy"
This was the response of Socrotar ~
William II. Taft, to request for an ex-
preston of his views on his nomination
for the presidency The sentences did
not come easily. Throughout the after
noon preceding the announcement If bis
nomination the secretary had been labor
ing under suppressed nervous tension
me atmosphere OF his office was cloctrio
with excitement Notwithstanding tbc
great personal interest which he had in
the proceedings at Chicago thousand
miles away the secretary did not allow
pohtcs 10 interfere fer a moment with
MS transaction OF official business as
secretary of war. In the intcrmssions
OF receipt OF bulletins from the conven.
ton the secretary disposed Of several i'm
portant departm. ntal questions and when
ms nomination for the presidency was
announced his desk practically was clear
ed of important official business
shortly before twelve o'clock Mrs Taft
arrived at the war department. She
scanned carefully the bulletins which
mad been received from the convention
and distinctly manifested her pleasure n t
the result of the action of the conven-
ton regarding the platform. She is a
close md accurate observer of things
political and is one Of the best advisers
the secretary has had throughout the
preliminary campaign for the presi-
dental nomination.
Mrs. Taft remained in the secretary's
private office throughout the afternoon
COMPLETED IMPORTANT DEAL.
lust before 10 bcc b,I
Ing In the convention the secretary an
nounccd that he had reached an agrec-
ment with Mgr Aversa, the Apostolic
delegate toiCuba, providing for the pur-
chase of all the Catholic church hold
mss by the government in Santiago pro-
vince Cuba. Gov. General Wood practi-
sally reached an agreement several years
igo for the purchase of these holdings
FOR $4,000. This agreement was approx
ed by the then Palma government The
matter has been hanging fire since that
time. The agreement reached to-day by
Secretary Taft and Mgr. Aversa needs
only the approval of President Roosc-
Welt to make 1t binding. 1t is likely that
the President will approve the agree
ment tomorrow. 1t provides for the pur-
chase of the lands at cost of $3.50 coo
and will finally settle a matter that has
been pending between this government
and the Vatican for several years
LAUGHED LIKE a BOY.
over the official wire came the fash
Taft is nominated
Mrs. Taft rose from her seat at the
secretary's desk and turned to her nus
band 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 ner-
vous strain which had been in her face
during the entire afternoo.. had disap-
pearcd. The secretary himself laughed
with the JOY of boy Around both the
secretary and Mrs. Taft their friends
crowded to offer their congratulations
1t was happy scene--the realization Of
months of labor and trbulaton.
DEMONSTRATION AT HIS HOME
BY the time Secretary Taft reached
home. Il demonstration had been pre-
pared for the Republican party's standard
bearer by his friends OF the University
club which has It's home Just across X
street from the secret1rys residence
Secretary Taft was the first president
of the club and always has manifested
all active interest in the organization. AS
chccred enthusiastically by a throng Of
several hundred people. The street was
illuminated for squares with red fire and
members Of the University club set off
scores Of roman candles and sky rockets.
The secretary made a quick change
into his evening clothes and at $40
o'clock he was ready to receive his
fellow Cluhmen's welcome. Forming
in line at the University club, diagon-
ally across the street and met by the
band, the enthusiastic clubmen parad-
ed over to Mr.. Taft's house and lined
alongside the iron fence. The score
tary came to the front of the yard,
followed shortly aftcrward by Mrs
Taft Miss Taft and several invited
friends.
In behalf of the University club, it's
first vice president David r. Day,
made some introductory remarks say
ing that the University club members
took satisfaction in having sugg, stod
Mr. Taft's name as n likely President
OF the United States when the I'niver-
p sity club was formed nearly four years
ago with Secretary Taft as its first
president.
Henry T.. Davis an attorney Of law
of this city extended the Fluctuations
or the club members in n witty speech
and was followed by Commissioner
Mel arland in behalf Of the citizens of
the district.
Secretary Taft responded in part as
follows:
TAFT'S RESPONSE
MY Fellow Members of the University
Club:
You don't expect me to make n speech
tO-night-much less political speech. A
great honor has fallen upon me to-day
10 lead a great political party in the con-
test that Is to come. This expression OF
good fellowship | value greatly, as
deem II the expression Of good will from
my fellow club members and neighbors
don't regard II as political demon
stration at all but merely the good
wishes of my neighbors. 1t is one of
your number upon whom a great honor
has been conferred and to whom you
are here to extend congratula tons,
II thank you, gentlemen. for your
good fellowship; l thank you on be-
half of tho real head of the family.
the lady who l hope Is nearby looking
ION and listening. For those who CON
A.