The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-10-06
TAFT IN PORTLAND.
Genial Smile Wins Hearts of Public
Throngs.

Portland, oct. 4.-P0rtland re-
ceived President Taft as guest of
honor with splendid hospitality and
a limitless expression of hearty
good will and frank affection. To the
Nations chief executive it proved a
day of good cheer, unmarried by sim
gle untoward incident.
The president enjoyed it all to the
utmost; enjoyed every moment of the
day from the easy formality of the
greeting accorded him upon his arrival
at the Union depot to the afternoon of
golf-golf played in the invigorating
tang of a perfect October day.
Throughout the day he found only the
most profound consideration for his
comfort and welfare.
There were no exacting demands
upon his energies. The day was bar
rem of firing programs, long speeches
or wearisome ceremonies.
An affection manifested itself in the
public greeting which had its origin
quite apart from the fact that he was
the great American, the first man of
the land. That infectious smile pos
sessed itself of his features when he
first stepped from his private car into
the CHEEKY sunshine of an ideal Oregon
morning. Its infection of good nature
spread wherever he went. Whenever
he appeared he put every one at ease
by the easy informality of his de-
meanor-and that smile. And then
Portland got deeper insight into the
real mean; got glimpse into the rich
and wholesome nature of which that
smile is the natural expression.
For when his triumphal procession
through the streets was at an end and
there was half hour at his disposal
for whirl about the city, he elected
to dispense with the tempting spin
and go to the bedside of his friend,
Judge George H. Williams, at the Good
Samaritan hopsital. 1t was thus that
the brief hour of his mornings leisure
time was spent.
1t is to the rising generation that
credit must go for the predominating
and never forgotten feature OF
the welcoming demonstrations. There
have been living flags before. Blu,
never have the Stars and Stripes beer
wrought into such a wholesome, in.
spring fabric as that formed by Port.
land school children. 1t was an epitome
of the boundless spirit of youthful pat.
riotism. The President, smiling al
first, passed to mood of seriousness
as that wondrous flag waved back anc
forth with the life that tomorrow must
possess itself of the Nation.
The Presidents appearance tapped
exhaustless reservoirs of enthusiastic
and affectionate applause wherever he
went.
"This is all splendid, splendid-the
day is perfect-everything is perfect, y
he told Mayor Simon, who was seated
beside him in the automobile.
Half an hour after luncheon car
drew up for him at the hotel and hi
departed for the afternoon for his ia
vorite pastime, golf. Returning will
keen appetite he ate dinner privately
and made ready for his appearance al
the Armory. The military escort agar
accompanied him and thousands o.
people were in the streets awaiting his
appearance.
Presiednt Taft closed one of the hap
piest and most delightful visits of hi
life late yesterday afterDon, when HI
boarded his special train at the Uniol
depot and departed from Portland
southbound. He said as much himself
and with unmistakable sincerity, as HI
stood on the observation platform O.
his car and bade farewell to those VIII,
had assembled to see him on his way
"It has all been delightful. can
thank YOU enough for the way I've beef
treated. I've never had happie
visit" he said-not once, but man,
times, as he stood shaking hands will
friends and officials.
Until the departing train was lost t.
view he stood on the platform, smiling
and waving at those gathered abou
the depot grounds. He seemed 10th t,
go, and it was not until the train ha,
passed onto the Steel bridge that h,
turned into his car. The Presiden
took with him from Portland only tn
happiest memories. His choice in Sc
Letting Portland for the longest stop o
his itinerary, New Orleans alone ex
cepted, was justified.