Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-04
the steady downpour throughout the
day and evening
AFFECTING SCENES
As President Roosevelt Bids Farewell
to Hundreds Of Friends.

Washington, March 3.--Men who hav,
been so years at the White House have
no recollection of the scenes such as
We're witnessed there today during the
closing hours of President Roosevelt's
| administration. 1t is estimated that
between 10 A. NJ. and 2 P. NJ. there
ware at least $500 visitors to say good
| bye to the Chief Executive,
| The President stood the test with
the hardihood and joyousness that
made his greetings 10 every man or
| woman more pleasant than usual. Dur
ing all this time he stopped at inter-
walls to sign bills coming in from Con-
gress or to attach his name to photo
graphs brought to him.
The President signed the District of
Columbia, the fortifications the army
and the naval appropriation bills. The
Brownsville bill, which permits the
discharged Negro soldiers of 1.-THE 25th
Infantry to reinlist in the army upon
establishing their innocence, has not
yet reached the President, but it was
said today that he had decided to sign
it,
The most affecting of all the fare
wells at the White House was wheE
the President called all the clerks, mes
sengers and other attaches Of his exc
cutlve staff in his office late today. He
made few remarks telling them how
greatly he appreciated the way they
had assisted him in the seven years
Of his administration. Both he and
they he declared, had worked in COM
mon for the welfare of the nation and
1<,fI, J,,I fl,r,,,, - ,.,,l~a y
them all farewell and good luck Then
he shook hands with each of them
There were many to whose eyes tear:
came as they said good bye to their
retiring chief. A number of the White
House attaches were remembered by
the President with personal gifts.
+, President Roosevelt spent busy af-
ternoon. He shook hands with the
White House Republican Glee Club o.;
Columbus, Ohio, at 2.30 o'clock and
listened to songs by it's members. Lat
er he received Gov. Draper of Massa
chusetts, Gov. Hughes of New York
Gov. Hadley of Missouri and the gov
ernor of Rhode Island with their re-
Spective stalfs.
Among those received by appoint
lnert were the members of the Inter
state Commerce Commission. The Pres
ident exchanged with each member
cordial personal greetings. Chairman
Knapp speaking for the commission
said that the country was indebted to
the Presidents persistent efforts and
commanding influence for notable meas
ures of regulation. In response tho
President said that you have done the
y,.1,i 7 bnx ~.
credit for it. l have tried to be de-
cent President for a decent people,"
At O'Clock this evening he received
his old friends from Oyster Bay and
at the same time he received the
friends and neighbors of Vice presi-
dent-elect Sherman. After this he
shook hands with the famous Hamilton
Club of Chicago.
The last Roosevelt dinner in the
White House was served at s O'Clock
with Ia persons present, constituting
members of the families of the retiring
and incoming Presidents. Mr. and
Mrs. Taft were the principal guests
None of the Roosevelt children We're
present, and the Taft children spent
The night at the Boardman residence
Miss Ethel Roosevelt left Washing
ton today for Oyster Bay. Quentin
Roosevelt will remain at school i'll
Alexandria, Va, until the close OF the
school year
At 5.45 o'clock the President left his
offices for the last time. His worl;
there is done and whatever work ht
may DO tomorrow will be executed in
the Presidents room at the Capitol.