The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-03-02
President-eIect Is In JOVia|
Mood Because He Is Ready
For the Inaugural
SHORT ADDRESS IS MADE
UPON PHILIPPINE TRIP
United States Senators and Represen-
tatives as well as Other Dlstin-
qulshed People to Take Part
In Welcoming Taft.

Washington, March IA rush of morn
"a gcallers, interrupted a long walk
in the afternoon, and attendance tonight
at the special dinner given in his honor
by the Taft Philippine Expedition"
brought President-elect Taft to within
two days OF his Inauguration with less
serious demands on his time than he
has experienced any day since his land
ing from Panama at New Orleans.
Mr.. Taft's joyial remark is that his
inaugural address is prepared, his cabi-
net selected, the inaugural committee is
preparing all the details for the cere-
mony on Thursday and why should he
feel otherwise than comfortable.
The day was begun with an extended
conference between Mr.. Taft and
Senator Knox, at which many important
matters pertaining to the next admins
tration were gone over. Mr. Knox is
giving much attention to the prospective
organization of the state department, over
which he is to preside after March 4. Be-
sides he is being consulted freely by
Mr.. Taft regarding the affairs of other
departments Mr.. Taft having many times
remarked that he should give great
weight to the judgment of his premier.
Nagel is Present.
Charles Nagel of ST. Louis and Mrs.
Nagel, are here and paid their respects
to Mr.. Taft. In the absence of the Off
cial announcement of the personnel Of
the new cabinet, Mr.. Nagel is somewhat
shy when addressed as Mr.. Secretary"
That the Missouri member of the repub-
lcan committee is to be the new Secre-
tary of Commerce and Labor, however.
is known to be a fact
Frank H. Hitchcock is here from New
York. lie spent some time at the cap
itol today and also saw Mr.. Taft re-
garding matters which will arise direct
ly after the inauguration.
Alabama Judgeship.
The federal judgeship in northern Ala
bama brought to the Boardman residence
this afternoon a delegation in Congress
from that state, headed by Representa-
tive Richardson. Mr.. Taft went over the
situation with them and listened to their
recommendations
An informal tea, which is a feature
of the Boardman afternoons, attracted
there today many members of Washing
tons official and social life, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Taft met all callers.
The Philippine dinner tonight was ar
ranged by Miss Mabel Boardman and
Representative Mckinney of Illinois, and
was the most pretentious of the enjoy
able occasions which this famous party
indulge in every year. There were pres
sent seven United States senators and
"a members of the House, besides num-
Der of otherwise distinguished personages
who sailed to the Orient with Mr.. Taft
In 1905. The trip attained most of it's
fame because of the matrimonial accom-
plishments resulting.
Representative Nicholas Longworth and
Miss Alice Roosevelt became betrothed; ;
Representative Bourke Cochran met Miss
Ide, daughter of Judge Ide of the Phil
ippne commission, who is now Mrs.
Cochran, and Representative Swager
Critton of Staten Island, to whom he
became engaged.
Taft Responds.
When Mr. Taft rose to respond TO the
first toast OF the evening, proposed by
Senator Scott, he stood before a huge IL
Illuminated canvas on which a gorgeous
tropical sunrise was painting the noun
tains and foliage and sea in myriad COL
ors. Around him was averitable tropical
jungle and before him at the table the
richly gowned members of the party.
The President-elecJ was in particularly
happy mood as he recalled the various
places of visit and the lasting memory
which had been left. His conclusion was
not only a most cordial invitation that
the members of the party should al
ways find u welcome at the White House
during his occupancy, but AN expressed
desire that the Philippine party might
be to the incoming administration what
the rough riders organization had been
to the last.
IT always enjoy these reunions of those
whose good fortune it was to take the
Philippine trip" he began. But the en-
joyment is always mixed with the regret
that those whom we entertain as our
guests on these occasions were not on
the trip, and the furthep regret that ws
cannot take another such trip. Circum-
stances will never fit themselves for its
repetition any more than tour or five
honeymoons which resulted from the trip
can be had over again.
Success Of Party.
Il have often wondered what 1t was
that made our party such uniform sue
cess from the beginning. never want
cd to get to Honolulu after we embarked
on the Manchuria; certain 1t was that
our party received an impetus in good
fellowship from the hospitality that was
shown to all of US by the Emperor of
Japan that lasted until we reached home.
II think there was not an exception
in the love we all had for each other
when we came home-every one loving
every one else and also loving par
ticular person. But as 1 say, the trip
will never come again. It Is a sweet
memory and we have got to enjoy it
IN memory. low I am sure that every
one of us has had an occasion to re-
joice often that he or she was men,
Der of that party. Speaking for myself
1t seems to me that every day and evry
week have had OCCASION to rejoice The
party has broken down party lines but
1t has not broken down. am glad to
say, domestic lines. But in this Phil
ippine legislation If you will examine the
sotss In the Senate aud House YOU can