Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1911-12-01
A TRYING PRESIDENTIAL
PROGRESS"

President Taft's pleasant jaunt
of l3. miles being at an end, it
is interesting to compare it with
the little journeys" of other
presidents in the past, and more
especially with that of Andrew
Johnson, in 1866. For Johnson's
tour of few thousand miles was
in his own time considered the
most remarkable thing of its kind
on record. So we read in the New
York Evening Post, which reminds
us that the facilities for travel
were not what they are now. and
that then even President was
forced to be Just forgiving and
submit" In Johnson's case:
At Niagara Falls the presidents
speech was interrupted by the
sagging ot the balcony of the
international Hotel. from 1hicn
he was speaking, and upon Mr..
Stewards solicitation he stopt
abruptly. At Buffalo the recep-
tion committee was headed by ex-
President Fillmore. 1t is reported
that "the ride from Buffalo to
Cleveland has been one of the most
wearisome since the party left
Washington. The train was
constantly filled with committee
men, and there was barely stand
ing-room to be found in the cars.
General Grant took refuge in the
haggage-car the best part of the
way, and, seated on the end of
trunk, with a carpet bag for a
pillow, seemed to have uncondi-
tionally surrendered himself to
the misery of his condition"
The President interrupted his
speech at Cleveland by angry
replies to the hostile retorts of his
audience. He was cursed and
blackguarded by individuals who
seemed to have the protection of
the crowd. He was as emphatic
as Mr.. Roosevelt could have been
in addressing one who displeased
him. hut in his case the provoca-
ton was greater than in any
incident of recent years. At an
other Ohio town he took up a
personal remark, and, identifying
the man who had insulted him,
denounced him as a "craven, near
looking fellow" He frequently
felt called upon, when bringing his
speerhes to a close, to thank those
of his audience who had received
him courteously.
Continued repartee, at times
rough and coarse, between the
President and his audiences,
marked the homeward journey.
The carly elections in New
England had gone against the
administration, and the President
was jecred and hooted over the
results. At Pittsburg the crowd
was particularly noisy and dis
respectful. In the middle of his
speech the Presidents voice was
drowned by noises, and political
organization brought band Of
music to add to the confusion. He
gamely attempted to secure
silence waving his hat to attract
attention to his pleadings. General
Grant made an appeal for
hearing for the President, but the
crowd was obdurate, and even his
popularity could not avail. The
party retired without further
ceremony. but the assemhlage of
hoodlums remained far into the
night groaning and hooting.
AT Baltimore the Governor of
Maryland made an address of
welcome in which it was necessary
to apologize for the absence of the
City Council. which had refused to
cooperate with the Mayor in
receiving the President.
Mr.. Taft may be entirely right
in his view that the people have a
right to see and hear their presi-
, dent but it is questionable
whether he would practice his
preachment with such zest il the
conditions Of forty-fve years ago
confronted his genial and kindly
disposition to-day.
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