The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-09


the Job and fitted his speech to the occa-
sion.
Some Hearers disappointed.
The Hamilton Club and its guests we're
pleased with Mr.. Roosevelts utterances
tonight. although a few Of them were
disappointed because he did not use
names. They gave him demonstration;
rousing Endorsement OF Roosevelt as a
man and statesman. They did not con-
slider his bold manner Of plain talking
out of place in the least
The colonel got on his feet after he
had been eulogized by President Batten,
the governor. and the mayor. He start
ed Off by telling Of his past experiences
with the Hamilton Club: what it had
meant to him.. and what II would always
mean to him in the future He told them
that they were the first to formulate a
desire to have him made President.
II was useless and futile 10 beat about
the bush, Mr.. Roosevelt thought. so he
announced his intention Of discussing the
problems OF the hour He took his favor
tie theme-lawlessness and corruption-the
first comes usually from those who pos
sess least Of the worlds goods; the second
from those who possess most OF them.
On his last visit Mr. Roosevelt got into
the thick OF the teamsters' strike in Chi
cago He was advised to go around the
city, but he would not do that.
Admits He Ia Frank.
4 decided 10 90 through the city and
TO stop. I told the officials Of Chicago
then that back OF the city stood the
State. and back of the State stood the
nation. didn't hesitate to speak directly
then and don't hesitate to speak direct
ly now"
Then Dir. Roosevelt got around to the
matter Of corruption In public life. "No
republic can last he declared, ~ you
allow corruption TO eat into public life
Nc republic can last II it's citizens toll
crate corruption among its representa-
tives. You are face TO face with that
problem in Illinois now"
Mr.. Roosevelt told the audience that he
had been reading the investigation report
OF the troubles In Illinois. They were
written by two attorneys OF different
parties
The reports Of the investigators re-
suited in the indictments Of some OF the
legislators and the confession OF four
others.
Public In Jeopardy.
Il was advised by a kind friend to-day
not TO talk OF this subject. because II
was delicate one. the colonel said
with the famous Roosevelt falsetto They
laughed and yelled and whistled with de-
light at this sally
My friend. added the colonel. con
tended that no one had been convicted
and they roared.
Public honesty Is a sham. il we limit
the word honesty 10 mere law honesty.
There are big men whom 1 count as the
worst enemies against the real welfare
OF the public. although these men have
been so slavish as not 10 be convicted.
There are some Of them in New York.
When YOU have read the confessions
OF four men in Illinois: when YOU have
read what the States attorneys developed
about the four men whose indictments
they secured, defy any man not 20 come
TO the conclusion that that sort or cor
rupuon is a most infamous treason
against American institutions"
Il am good party man" Mr.. Roose-
Welt shouted, but I'm an American
first"
He said that when such a question as
corruption Is involved we cannot divide
on party lines. He told his hearers that
they might take his words as nothing II
the deed did not justify his actions. He
referred 70 his Turning the rascals out"
while he was at the helm OF the nation
Danger of Bad Government.
He stated that if the people Of America
are content TO send Il represent them in |
the State or national legislature men
whom in their heart OF hearts they know
have obtained their offices dishonesty and /
by corruption. whom they know have /
corruption in public life. they /
may make up their minds that they will /
get the government to which they are en-
titled, and bad government il will be.
Now. my friends. I don't suppose that /
II we decline 10 be honest and insist on /
honesty in public iife for our own sakes. /
We can be expected TO do so for the /
sake OF others, and yet In addition TO /
making the appeal for honesty 10 you and /
to the citizens OF Illinois for the sake OF
Illinois and for the sake Of America. I /
make the appeal also for the sake Of the
world"
LOrimer Is Forgotten.
Mr.. Roosevelt was surrounded by the
club and its guests at the end Of his
speech. They liked il and told him So
The colonel did not inquire for Lorimer.
and nobody mentioned Lorimer's name TO
him.
That was really the delicate subject.
When President Batten said that the
country looks to Roosevelt for guidance
and awaits his judgment. the crowd rose
and beloved approval
He can be relied upon to I'll every Of
ice that may come to him in the future"
,rled Batten. That was the thing that T.
R. smiled az and the Hamilton Club ap-
2lauded.
The colonel left at midnight for Gin
,innad. Nick Longworth and Garfield
vent with him. h
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