The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-09-19
Spirit Of Reception Is Cordial, but Not Demon
strative, on Account of Governors Illness
NATIONS CHIEF UN|TES IN PRAYER FOR JOHNSON
During Busy Day Executive Delivers Addresses, Is Shown
the Sights Of ST. Paul and Minneapolis and Is
Guest Of Citizens and Clubs---Urges
Amalgamaton OF Boroughs.

Minneapolis. Sept. 1S.-President
Taft came to the Twin Cities of Min
nesota today and, with the shadow
of death hanging over the governor
of the state, received a cordial. but not
demonstrative, welcome. The critical
illness of Governor Johnson. probably
the most popular executive Minnesota
ever has known, entered deeply into
the spirit of the day and the dreaded
eventuality threatened for a time dur
ing the morning seriously to curtaiI
the program of entertainment both
here and in st. Paul. The president
filled the program outlined for his re-
ception, but at every pause in the
rushing from place to place he made
anxious inquiries as to the latest word
from the bedside of Governor John
son, whose life hung in the balance
at st. Mary's hospital in the little city
of Rochester.
President Taft was deeply affected
upon his arrival to receive a message
of personal greeting from Governor
johnson. The compliment was so un-
expected under the circumstances and
coming by dictation from the lips of
man who was reported at the time
as having but the fralest chance for
life, 1t called out an immediate re-
sponse from Mr.. Taft, filled with ex-
pressions of sympathetic concern and
fervent hope for a speedy recovery.
Prays for johnson.
At his Auditorium speech In St
Paul the president called out prolonged
applause and cheering when he de-
clared of Governor Johnson:
Il unite with you in a fervent prayer
To God that he may be spared To you
and the country. His ability. his great
courage and his common sense can
not be spared. He Is too valuable,
not alone to the people of the state.
but to the people of the nation, who
doubtless will insist in time that he
shall serve them"
President Taft also aroused enthu-
siasm in his audience during the day
with many happy references to the
civic virtues of the neighboring cities,
declaring them to be so much alike
that they should combine as one with
borough of Minneapolis and a hor-
ough of st. Paul.
The president. arriving in Mime
apolis shortly before s a. M, began
his day with a breakfast at the Min
neapolis club, where he is quartered
during his stay here until tomorrow
night, as the guest of the reception
committee of the Twin Cities. Next
there was an automobile ride through
the business and residence sections of
Minneapolis. around the lake shore
drives to the soldiers home. where
the president received a double line of
blue e-unfformed veterans and then pro-
ceeded to Fort Smelling. where there
was review of the regular troops
stationed there and a brief reception
at the Officers club. As the presi-
dents party entered the military res
ervation the chief executive was met
by troop of cavalry and salute of
II guns was fired.
To St. Paul.
The presidents red flag, bearing the
coat of arms of the United States on
the field of big blue star surrounded
in turn by 4s small white stars, was
borne by a trooper at the presidents
side throughout his stay on the reser-
walton. The party then crossed the
AsIA iiko ~. Iaui. anu dIltT IA
stop at the Town and Country club.
motored direct into the city. where the
president was entertained at a lunch
con served on the stage of the ST.
Paul Auditorium. When the lunch
con had been concluded the temporary
partitions separating the stage from
the main body of the auditorium were
lifted and the president faced an au-
dience which filled the building As
the crowd had assembled during the
luncheon each person had been pre-
sented with a small American flag,
and when the president turned from
his seat at the guests table he looked
into waving field of colors.
After a brief speech the president
was driven to the state capitol, where
1t had been intended that a public re-
ception should be held. This feature
was called off on account of Governor
Johnson's illness. and the president
appeared for only few minutes on
the south balcony 10 express his graft
tude to a great crowd gathered on the
terraced lawn for its cordial greeting
TIE president was then driven back
tn Minneapolis and retired to his
rooms for a three-hour rest before
starting for the banquet rendered him
tonight at the Minneapolis Audi
torium.
Nothing of Tariff.
During the day the president made
na reference to the tariff. Among
those who received him. politicians
and business men alike. the Winona
speech of last night. in which the
President made clear his position with !
reference to the Payne bill and those !
members of the republican party who /
voted for and against that measure. |
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