The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-03-02
GATHERS ABOUT BOARD WITH
THOSE WHO WENT ON PHIL.
lPPlNE EXPEDITION.
IN HIS HAPP|EST MOOD.
In Addressing Those Who Accompanied
Him on Famous Trip, President
elect Expresses Hope That Their Or
ganIzation Will Be to Him as the
Rough Riders to Roosevelt.

Washington, March IA rush OF
callers, a long walk in the afternoon
and attendance tonight at a special
dinner given in his honor by the Taft
Philippine expedition, brought Presi-
dent-elect Taft to within two days of
his Inauguration with less serious de-
mands on his time than he has ex-
perienced any other day since his re-
turn from Panama. The apparent
splendid physical condition, the good
humor and absence from nervous
strain of Mr.. Taft make a gratifying
impression. The president elect con-
ferred with Senator Knox regarding
many important matters pertaining to
the next administration. Charles
Nagel of st. Louis paid his respects to
Mr.. Taft. Frank II. Hitchcock also
saw him. No other members of the
Taft cabinet are in Washington, with
the exception of Postmaster General
Meyer and Secretary Wilson.
The Philippine dinner was the most
pretentious of the enjoyable occasions
in which this famous party INDUCES
every year. There were present seven
United States senators and "a mem
berS of the house.
The trip was famous because of it's
matrimonial results. Representative
Nicholas Longworth and Miss Alice
Roosevelt became bethrothed; Repre-
sentative Bourke Cochran met Miss
Ide, daughter of Judge Ide of the
Philippine commission, who is now
Mrs. Cochran, and Representative
Swager Sherley of Kentucky met Miss
Mgnon Critton of Staten Island, to
whom he became engaged.
Senator Nathan b. Scott of West
Virginia, one of the voyagers, was
toastmaster.
When Mr.. Taft arose to respond to
the first toast of the evening, he was
in "A particularly happy mood. He
expressed a desire that the Philippine
party might be to the incoming ad-
ministration what the Rough Rid
ers" organization had been to the last
Il always enjoy the reunions of
those whose good fortune it was to
take the Philippine trip" he began,
"but the enjoyment is always mixed
with the regret that those whom we
entertain as our guests on these occa-
sons We're not on the trip, and fur
ther regret that we cannot take an
other such trip. Circumstances never
will fit themselves for its repetition
any more than can the four or five
hOneymOons which resulted from the
trip be had over again.
Il have always wondered what 1t
was that made our party such a uni
form success from the beginning. |
never wanted to get to Honolulu after
we embarked on the Manchuria; GER
tain it was that our party received
an impetus in good fellowship from
the hospitality shown to all of us by
the emperor of Japan that lasted un-
til we reached home. l think that
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 particular person.
But it is sweet memory, and we
have got to enjoy it in memory
Now | am sure every one of us has
had occasion to rejoice often that he
or she was a member of the party.
Speaking for myself, it seems to me
that every day in every week I have
had occasion so to rejoice The party
has broken down party lines, but it
has not broken down, I am glad to
say. domestic lines. But when there
is Philippine legislation on if you
will examine the votes in the senate
and house you can trace the influ-
ence of the Philippine party. 1t has
mingled republicans and democrats
together in a way that no one can un-
derstand except those who were mem
bers of the party.
Tonight | feel overcome by the
good will. the generosity and the well
come that you have given Mrs. Taft
and me. I have a sense of being un-
deserving. (Cries of no). Well, that's
the way l feel anyhow.
Il am about to take up a burden
that | am not going to resign from,
but it is one that doubtless will grow
heavy at times and lighter at times.
But whatever the burden I want the
good men and women-the good fell
lows both male and female-of the
party to know that / am confident
that whoever else may be severe
critic. I shall have the sympathy of
those who sailed out from San Fran
cisco on the steamer with me in 1905.
Il hope we may continue to have
these reunions We did have one at
the White House when we went there
to see that two Of our number We're
properly married, and I hope the
White House may be the frequent
meeting place in the future. l do not
expect to be its mistress, and have
not consulted its mistress. but | want
you to come there where the landlord
is so generous and where the tenant
will be glad during the next term to
welcome you all and each at any time.
"This party might bear the same re-
latiOn to the coming administration
that the Rough Riders" do to the
outgoing administration. I should be
delighted to take them into the same
degree OF confidence as I have the
Yale class OF rs / hope my heart is
big enough and I hope the patronage
Of the office is sufficiently wide to in
Clude them both"