Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-09-19
TOUCHED BY MESSAGE
FROM Sex GOVERNOR
President Taft Deeply Affected Upon
Receiving Welcome From Mime.
sofa Executive.
PAYS JOHNSON SPLElO D TRIBUTE
Gloom Cast Over Visit to Twin Cities,
Minneapolis and ST. Paul, BY Fear
of Bad News from Bedside of SUI
ferer at Rochester-Tariff Not Men,
toned.
lRy Associated Press.l
toned.


President Taft came to the twin cities
Of, Minnesota today and with the sha-
dow of death hanging over the COVER
nor CT the state, received a cordiai,
but not a demonstrative welcome. Inc
critical Illness of Governor Johnson,
probably the most popular executive
Minnesota has ever known. entered
deeply into the spirit of the day and
dreaded eventualities threatened Tor
a time during the. morning seriously
TO curtail the program OF entertain
ment both here and in St. Paul.
The President fulfilled the program
outlined for his reception, but at
every pause in the rushing from place
to place he made anxious inquiries as
TO the latest word from the bedside
of the governor whose life hung IN
the balance at st. Mary's Hospital in
the little city of Rochester.
President Deeply Affected.
President Taft was deeply affected
soon after his arrival to receive
message of personal greeting from
Governor Johnson. The compliment
was SO unexpected and the circum-
stances and coming by dictation from
the lips OF a man who was reported
at the time as having but the fraiiest
chance for life, it called out an I'M
mediate response from Mr.. Taft, hlied
with expressions OF sympathy, con-
Germ and fervcnt hope for a speedy
recovery. In his auditorium speech
at ST. Paul the President called out
prolonged applause and cheering
when he declared of Governor John-
son:
Il unite with you in fervent pray
or to God that he may be spared 10
YOU and to the country. With MS
ability. his courage, his great COM
mon sense. he cannot be spared He
is too valuable, not only to the people
Of this state but to the people of the
nation. who doUDtless will insist in
time that he shall serve them"
President Taft also aroused enthus-
iasm with his audiences by many hap
nv references to the civic virtues or
the neighboring cities. declaring them
to be so much alike that they should
combine as one city, with
borough of Minneapolis and a borough
Of ST.. Paul
Day in Twin Cities.
The President. arriving in Minneap-
oils shortly before a. m, began ms
day with a breakfast at the Minneap-
oils Club. where he is chartered, as
the guest Of the reception committee
of the twin cities. Next there was
an automobile ride through the bust
ness and residence sections OF Mime
apolis. around the lake shore drives
TO the Soldiers Hcme. where the
President reviewed a double line OF
blue uniformed veterans and then pro
ceeded to Fort Smelling. where there
vas a review Of the regular troops
stationed there and = brief reception
az the officers club.
As the Presidents party entered
the military reservation the chief ex-
ecutive was met by a troop Ct cavalry
and a salute OF p guns was fred.
Leaving Fort smelling the party
r~rC SGC the TiFtI luAD ttit Nt.l " -
paul and after a brief stop az the
Town and Country Club. motored d.
rect into the city. where the Presi-
dent was entertained al a luncheon
servcE on the vast stage Of the St
Paul auditorium. When the luncheon
had been concluded the temporary
partitions separating the stage from
the main body Of the auditorium were
Iftcd and the President face an au-
sioncc which SLED foors and galleries
TO their utmost capacity.
As the crowd had assembled during
the luncheon each person had been
prescuscd with a small American nag
and when the President turned from
his seat Al the table ne looked into a
lettering sea turned from his seat at
the table he looked into a huttering
sea q waving cosors.
After q srief speech the President
vas driven to the state capitol where
n had been intended that a rU'lic
reception should be held This fea-
ture was callet OF on account q Gov
crnor Johnson's illness and the Presi-