The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-02-13
BIG WELCOME
FOR ROOSEVELT
WHENHECOMES
GREETING TO MIGHTY HUNTER
ARE TO BE RoUsINe-WELcoME
SIGN WILL WORK OVERTIME
MAY REoRGANIZE REPUBLICAN
PARTY.

Washington, Feb. 1a.-Plans for a
rousing reception to former President
Roosevelt upon his return to the Unit
ed States next June are under way
Arrangements are being made for one
of the greatest demonstrations in the
history Of the country in the city OF
New York, and President Taft already
has indicated his desire to be present.
John A. Stewart, of New York, presi-
dent of the Republican League OF
Clubs Of the Empire State, came to
Washington today to apprise the pres
ident of the purport of a cable mes
sage he received from Colonel Roose-
welt.
Last month Stewart cabled an lnvi-
tation to him to accept welcome
home, and the former presidents 40
ceptance has just been received. Stew
art said tonight:
about five weeks ago I called at the
White House to tell President Taft
that-acting for proposed committee
from the Republican club as we'll as
for those who, aboard ship, had asked
President Roosevelt to assent to a re-
ception being given-a cablegram was
about to be sent to the former presi-
dent, asking him to permit us to ar
range for national reception. to take
place in New York city on the date
Of his return.
s.. Taft Was an the Know"
President Taft was the only person,
outside of one or two others directly
interested, who knew that such a cable
uyac m on1 no tho fret
person to whom it was made known
that a favorable reply had been re-
ceived.a = =
Upon the occasion of my first visit
to the president, he told me to go
ahead by all means and to count on
him Just before cabling received a
letter from Colonel Roosevelt, and his
cable informed me that he had written
at length with regard to the matter OF
his reception, which he wished to take
place the very first day Of his arrival.
mo arrangements have, of course.
as yet been perfected, and have only
a vague notion of just what sort of a
program will be arranged. At noon to-
morrow l expect to have a talk with
President Taft. The Republican club
will defer to the wishes Of President
Taft.
In a general way should say that
the welcome will be simple and dig
nified, and no attempt will be made at
elaborate display, but rather to afford
an opportunity for the country to well
come a former president.
Full details of the reception will, as
Colonel Roosevelt requests, be for
warded to him at Khartoum, and it is
likely a special committee will meet
him in London and perfect arrange
ments.
sit is expected that Colonel Roose-
welt will arrive on some date between
May Is and June q. The reception
will be national in it's scope and en-
tirely non-political.
Nothing Doing Politically.
Just before he left for his African
hunting trip, Colonel Roosevelt told
me that he would not be a candidate
for United States senator from New
York; that he would not think Of be-
coming candidate for mayor of New
York, and, would not accept the office !;
that he would not be candidate for
president in 1912.
Unless he has changed his mind in
the last four weeks, he is as strongly
in favor Of the denomination of Presi.
dent Taft. His friendship for the
president is as close and cordial now
as at any time. There never was any
GOODNESS between the president and
Colonel Roosevelt.
The former presidents only ambi.
ton is to become useful, private citi,
zen as such to exercise the ineStima.
bic privilege as such to speak his
opinions and voice his convictions. AS
former president, he will, of course
have greater influence in his party
than any other private citizen, and ne
will be a bigger factor in politics than
any other man. But he does not
aspire to any public office, and do not
believe he could be induced to accept
any office. Certainly he would not
think of running for congress with a
view 10 becoming speaker of the
house.
Great Demand For Him.
1T is not to be doubted that there
will be a great demand that Colonel
Roosevelt, on his return, shall use his
influence to reorganize the Republican
party of New York state, which, with.
out question, is sadly in need of reor
ganiZation.
Roosevelt is the only citizen OF
New York to whom the Republican
leader of New York will defer. He
can reorganize the party so that il
will be placed in POSITION to win the
next gubernatoriai election, and he is
the only man, perhaps, who can do il
easily.
IF the Democrats of New York get
together, as they are trying to do; il
they eliminate Charles Murphy, as
they are trying to, and nominate a
strong man for governor, then the Re
publican party will have a fierce fight
on its hands,