Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1911-10-20
PRESIDENT TAFT IN OREGON.

by loyal friends and 1t need surprise
no one II he captures the army Of
insurgents who, judging from the
election returns, have organized in
California. His stopping few min
utes at Grants Pass on Thursday ev-
aning was a source of satisfaction II
very large number Of our citizens,
but there was no opportunity to give
him the kind OF welcome he deserv-
ed and would have received had Il
been understood that the train
would stop here even twenty min
utes. 1t isn't often that the people
OF this section have chance to
greet president OF the United
States. May he come again and stay
longer.
Some persons have claimed that
the presidents reception at Grants
Pass was cold and Indifferent but
It should be explained that there
was no ono In charge as positive no
tlce that his train would stop here
was received only few minutes be-
fore the trains arrival, and no pro-
gram was arranged.
The first message regarding the
stop at Grants Pass was sent to Post
master Donnell, but, 1t being a hoji-
day, that gentleman was out of town
and he did not return until just be-
fore the arrival of the train.
Many people must have failed
to remember that William H.
Taft was, by reason OF his exalted
office, the foremost man In the ma
tlon and for that matter the most ex-
alted in the world. There were
plenty of men In that crowd who
knew what to do and what to say
and how president should be re-
ceived but 1t was quite natural for
them to suppose that there was
some one in charge and they did not
learn that this was not the case un-
til II was too late. The reception
was a disgrace to the city which Is
hard to explain to the president or
the country at large.
Portland rendered the president
reception worthy OF the metropolis
Of Oregon but the fellows up there
are used to these things and enjoy
such an opportunity with zest. The
Evening Telegram OF that city says
great deal In a very short editorial
on the presidents visit. 1t so nicely
tells the story that we take pleasure
In presenting 1t below.
President Taft's audience at the
armory last night was probably the
largest ever assembled there at any
one time. There was manifest curl
osity to see and hear him, even
though the attitude toward him was
not altogether that Of perfect SYM
pathy, The president was literally
at his best He had Just completed
the first lap Of his long journey and
was again almost ready to set his
face toward the rising sun. He was
completely at himself. In the early
stage OF his talk his persiflage was
very pleasing, He put his audience
almost at once into a good humor
and to the last he held II in close
and respectful attention. II the
president has been equally fortunate
! elsewhere, there is no doubt that he
has strengthened himself In his wes-
tern tour and that as an investment
II has we'll paid the time and trouble
Il has cost him.
"Hls greeting in the city itself
upon his arrival was not particular
ly tumultuous, but II may be safely
said that the mental attitude OF the
Portland public toward him today
Is very much more sympathetic than
II was yesterday, and In case he car
ries through his tariff plans at the
coming session Of congress, and they
promise genuine relief because they
are based upon the principles OF