New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-21
GEORGIA CLAIMS. TAFT
AUGUSTA GREETS HIN.
Parade and Meeting-J. ID. Rookie
teller FellO1C Guest at Dinner.

Augusta, Ca Jan. 3.-Ricnmond County. Ga.
modestly stepped under the spotlight to-day and
proclaimed William H. Taft her own-that he was
resident of Augusta when the Presidential cleo
tors in the various states declared him TO be the
President elect; that as such he a Georgian
by BIRTH
Thousands OF Augustans clinched this claim with
a mighty shout OF approval which was echoed
again again Major J. c. c. Black said
many other complimentary things about Mr. Taft
in presenting him to the big mass meeting which
had assembled around the same stand on which
President Mckinley spoke more than ten years
ago. The streets the windows and the adjacent
roofs were full of people. and when Mr. Taft told
how he liked Augusta and pledged himself to come
again all hearts CHEEKY and faces as
radiant as the warm afternoon sun and mellow
Southern air.
The big street meeting preceded by concert
by the 18th Artillery Band. from Fort Scrfven,
was by no means the extent oAthe Augusta Day
festivities. There a banquet tonight at the
Terrace, the big hotel just across the savannah
River. where assembled the distinguished men OF
Georgia and South Carolina.
What the President-elect thought of It all Is
best told by his words to the people, whom he
addressed my fellow citizens OF Augusta
II was his delight that the combination OF fate,
good sense and good judgment had brought him
to live for six weeks in Augusta He had come
in search Of health and happiness: he had found
both; he should take both away with him. and
leave Augusta no poorer thereby. 1t here
for the first time in a full year he had had the
pleasure Of complete family gathering. The
weather had been such that he had not missed
a single secular day from the golf links, but he
had also to make his Cabinet. the difficulties
Of which only those OF his hearers knew who had
ever had Cabinets to make.
Mr.. TAFT dwelt upon the happy moral. indus
trial, racial and financial condition in which the
city found itself
Il have had the pleasure OF meeting your farm
ers and capitalists" he said. your ministers
and your laymen, your lawyers and your clients.
and 1 like them all. 1 have been berbecued. have
fehed-I didn't catch any have automobiled, L
have ridden, I have played golf. have met your
beautiful women and 1 have enjoyed the sparkle Of
the wit and humOr and genius of your bright men,
and I rejoice again that fate and good Judgment
brought to Augusta"
Turning his attention to the political phase Of
his visit South. Mr.. Taft not. he said,
cited seemed TO be about the effect III
I can convince the Southern people that this ad-
minlstration is much concerned with the welfare
of the people OF the South he said. with en-
phasis 'as II is with the welfare OF the people
of every other section 1 have accomplished all
that I hope TO. The votes and the political
matters can take care of themselves
A tribute was paid to the memory Of President
Mckinley; encoura ging words spoken for the
sentimental and Industrial side OF the South. Mr..
Taft mentioned the Oriental trade Of this country
and the great interest of the South in II because
of the cotton commerce. He hoped that one OF the
results of his administration would be greatly 10
improve trade IN that direction.
More than two hundred men. the guests OF the
Augusta Chamber OF Commerce. including John D.
Rockefeller and Governor Ansel OF South Carolina,
who was inaugurated to-day sat al the dinner
tables.
Judge Joseph r. Lamar remarked that, as interest
in high tariff seemed to in the North IL began
to grow In the South Legislation or reciprocal ar
rangement was needed for the protection OF cotton
seed and it's products. the clays, lumber and naval
stores. all produced in the South
Mr.. Taft the last speaker. again expressed his
good feeling for the South.
Previous 10 the banquet Mr. Rockefeller had been
holding an informal reception in the hotel Wher
Mr. Taft arrived he established himself a short
distance from Mr.. Rockefeller in the assembly
room. and the crowd focked TO him. Mr.. Rookie
Teller was then formally presented to Mr. Taft by
the hotel managers.
How are you, Mr.. Rockefeller the saIuta-
ton of Mr. Taft. II got around the golf links in
IS to-day"
II wanted to hear you speak this afternoon was
the reply OF Mr.. Rockefeller. but could not get
enough"
This ended their conversation