The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-07-31
PRESIDENT TAFT BETWEEN SMILES.

Intimate glimses of the new Presi-
dent at work forms an interesting con-
trast to former sketches of Mr.. Roose-
velt's work-a- day methods. Lyman
Beecher Stowe, who had the oppor-
tunity to observe Mr.. Taft on one OF
his reception days in the cabinet
room, describes part of his expert
ence in Tie Circle for May. After a
long wait, the head doorkeeper re-
quested the visitors to form in line
preparatory to the Presidents appear
ance. We read further:
At I o'clock the sliding doors roll
ed back and the great man stepped
forth. Everyone rose and a thrill
went round the room. The President
smiled, and everyone smiled back. 1t
is safe to say that the Presidents S
smile is more infectious than that of
any other member of the Optimists'
Club of America. 1t is a big, whole
souled smile, altogether irresistible.
1t is surprising how little Mr.. Taft's
photographs prepare one for the man
himself. Although weighing over
three hundred pounds he does not
look like a fat man. While he is
good-natured and jovial, those terms
give an entirely false idea of him.
The impression of strength and keen
ness is much more dominant than
these characteristics. He has clear,
ruddy complexion and face that is
not too busy to be handsome.
Unlike most men, the nearer you
come to him the better he looks. His
eyes are his most remarkable feature.
Were he Insignificant in every other
respect his eyes would mark him as
no ordinary man. They are red
brown in shade, with curiously SIAN
ted lids, and they indicate kindness,
shrewdness, inaexible determination.
Their expression is constantly chang
ing with lightning.like rapidity from
mirthfulness to intense seriousness.
There is disaster ahead of the indivi.
dual who mistakes this big, smiling
mans good nature for easygoingness.
One thing Mr.. Taft's smile does is
to Danish embarrassment.
In spite of our vaunted equality
and "I'm as good as you" assertion,
the ordinary unofficial, undistinguish
ed American citizen is rather nervous
when he meets the President of the
United States. The way Mr.. Taft
dispels this embarrassment with a
glance and a smile is one of his small
achievements, which must loom large
in the aggregate. The smile is genu-
inc, because the man back of 1t is
genuine.
The Boston newspaper man was the
first with an ak. to grind. He came
in behalf of some'ofice-seeker or office
holder. He said in conclusion "Mr.
President, we simply want you to
give Mr.. square deal"
The President replied Il DO not
pretend nor desire to quote him ver-
batim either here or later): II shall
give Mr.. - square deal. A
square deal for him and for everyone
else concerned. When 1 say a square
deal mean square deal. do not
mean figure of speech. I tell you
frankly that from what I know of
this case 1 do not like the look of it. !"
And he looked at the journalist with
a steruness which made him precipi-
lately seek cover in his second item
of business, which related to some
kind of a prison-reform movement.
After listening to him intently (Mr.
Taft is marvellous listener) the Presi-
dent said II approve of your aims,
of course. AS to your methods can
not express an opinion until I know
more fully what they are. Put your
plan on paper and send it to me. I
shall not shade my opinions to suit
the predilectionso of amateur reformers.
Amateur reformers are too apt to get
up cult and then pronounce every
thing wicked that does not conform
to their cult"
The next visitors to wait upon the
President were a delegation of ne
groes.
They represented some organiza-
ton to promote the industrial pro-
gress of their race in this country.
| Their chairman was an enormous
negro with an expansive white waist
coat, a long and voluminous frock
coat, a silk hat, and a gold headed
cane of massive proportions. Their
spokesman was a small, slight negro,
who looked scarcely over twenty.
Probably his class-day oration was
not a distant memory. After 1.-THE
seven delegates had been introduced
the young orator stepped forward and
began to read in a we'll modulated
voice typewriter memorial. The
scene was striking. The great Presi.
dent, standing just back of his cabi-
net chair, as erect and motionless as
general reviewing troops; the slight
negro youth standing some eight feet
in front of him, reading the we'll
written if somewhat fowery address
The other delegates standing in a
semi circle with bowed heads, evi
IDENTIFY deeply moved by the porten
tousness of the drama in which they
were taking part. The memorial
called to the President attention the
industrial progress of the race since
slavery, thanked him for his friendly
mention of them in various of hi:
speeches, particularly his reference tc
them as American citizens" hum
bly, requested that he consider the
advisability of recommending to Con
gress the appropriating of funds fol
the industrial education of their race
and concluding with reference to g
book on the industrial history of theil
race in this country, copy of which
they wished to present to him. A!
soon as the young spokesman finished
reading the chairman, with ceremo