The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-10
Declines to Dine With the
Chicago Boss.
INVITATION WAS RECALLED
Colonel Told Committee He Would
Not Meet Senator Because OF
Bribery Charges in Connec-
ton With His Election.

Chicago, Sept. 9-Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt attended banquet given in
lis honor by the Hamilton club, after
United States Senator William Lori
mer had been told TO keep away, the
former president refusing to sit down
at the table with him.
Mr.. Roosevelt refused to sit at the
same table with LOrimer. AS soon as
he heard that the Illinois senator, who
has been in the limelight concerning
bribery charges of his election. was
scheduled to appear at the Hamilton
club dinner Mr.. Roosevelt angrily de-
clared that in that case he wouldn't
attend. He was very emphatic In his
declarations, too.
Members of the Hamilton club tried
to dissuade Mr.. Roosevelt from hasty
Judgment. A large crowd pricked up
their ears in order 10 catch every
word. The colonel talked sufficiently
loud for every one to hear. He had
made up his mind and nothing on
earth could change it. he said
Judge John II. Batten told Mr..
Roosevelt that he would ask Senator
Lorimer to withdraw, but the colonel
would hear OF no such thing He in
sisted that Lorimer be informed that
Roosevelt had refused TO associate
publicly with him and there wasn't
room for the two Of them at the din
ner. He could do that or leave the
colonel out Of it.
After a conference that was mighty
brief. the Chlcagoans decided to send
this message to Senator Lorimer;
Colonel Roosevelt positively declines
to sit at the same table with you. Our
invitation to you Is therefore with
drawn"
The colonel was satisfied when he
saw this message and took occasion
to reitera his absolute refusal to
have anything to do with Senator Lor-
inner
Mr.. Roosevelt added that he isn't
in the habit OF backsliding in such
matters As to Speaker Cannon. he
had nothing 20 say.
No Mercy to corrupticnists.
In a long speech at Freeport the
colonel startled some OF his hearers
by what a good many considered his
first declaration in regard to his re-
entering public Office.
Il don't suppose | shall ever be in
public life again." he said TO the rail-
road men of Illinois. but If am there
is always a chance that some time 1t
may come up when | shall make my
words good"
Cheers greeted this announcement,
but the man in the crowd who started
to nominate the colonel for 1912 was
choked off by a further declaration:
mo corporation. no politician must
ever support me for any thing under
the idea that | will pardon that cor
poration or that politician II It or he
is corrupt. II either corporation or
politician, IL either one or the other
helps to put me into a position Of In
fuence let them remember that If they
are corrupt. If they encourage corrup-
ton in others or benefit by it them
selves, they help me at their peril, for
I will hurt them If get the chance"
He said afterwards that he meant
Just exactly what he said. There is no
need of placing great significance on
every word he utters. was his advice
to his lnquirers, for his words are not
ambiguous. He simply doesn't know
what is going to happen. He says he
cannot tell what the next eighteen
months will bring forth.