The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-10-31
President Taft in Maine.
he PLAYS Golf at Poland Springs and Has I
Royal Reception in Portland and ad
dresses the Teachers Convention.


dresses the Teachers Convention.
President Taft was not favored by the
weather in his visit to Maine but the warmth
of his welcome made amends for the drizzling
rain and lowering skies. Over greasy roads
and through misty rain the President and
Mrs. Taft, Miss Helen Taft and Mrs. Thomas
K Laughlin, Mrs. Taft's sister, motored
Wednesday, Oct 23d, from Beverly to Poland
Springs, trip more than $50 miles long, and
the last 25 miles were made in the face OF q
rain that came down sharp and hard. 1t was
intended to go through North Berwick, where
preparations had been made to receive the
party, but the wrong road was taken, and they
arrived in Sanford fifteen minutes ahead of
time. A signal from the Sanford Mills whistle,
however, announced the Presidents approach
about ten minutes before he arrived, this hav-
ing been arranged for by having telephone
message from farm on the road, to the mill
office when the Presidents auto went by. and
Central square was soon filled with people.
Just before the President arrived all the
public schools were closed and the children,
guided by their teachers. marched into the
square taking such positions as they could find
where all could get look at the President.
President Taft did not make what could be
called speech, but in three-minute talk ex-
tended the greetings Of the President of the
United States to the people of Maine he
said he realized that wherever ne went the
people wanted to see him, not because of him
self. but because of the fact that he was the
man whom they had by their own sovereignty,
made their chief executive for a brief term
The President complimented the appearance
of the town and expressed with feeling his ap-
probation of the cordial reception which had
been rendered him by such a large crowd in
ANYTHING but perfect weather. AS he sat
down the President was given three rousing
cheers.
At the close of his talk the President was
presented with two beautiful mohair robes by
Mr.. E. E. Hussey, vice president of the San
ford Mills, and with large bouquet, prepared
by St. 1gnatlus school,
The party left Sanford at 1856 p. m, going
through Alfred, WATERFORD and Buxton and
arriving at the Poland Spring House early in
the evening
Before leaving Poland Springs for Portland
Thursday the President played golf with Capt.
Wilson, U. S. NJ, retired. in dense fog. Mrs.
Thomas K. Laughlin and Miss Helen Taft
made up another match. Mrs. Taft was the
gallery" The trip to Portland was made in
special train over the Maine Central, Gen.
Mgr. Mcdonald having placed his private car
at the disposal of the President
On arriving at the Union Station the Presi-
dent was met by Mayor Curtis, Congressman
Asher C. Kinds, Gen. Charles Hall. U. S.
j. Il IL d Wa1n aov,r.
ing officer of the Maine C. A. c.; Pres Ralph
E, Rowe of the Portland Teachers Association,
Pres Charles F. Flagg of the Board of Trade
and officers and members of the board; Hon.
William NJ Ingraham, Hon. James P. Baxter
and others. 1t is estimated 1000 persons
greeted the President on his arrival.
The President and his party were taken
from the station along Cumberland avenue
and at the junction with Congress street he
was received by three companies of regular
troops, FIVE companies of the c. A. c., com
manded by Lieut.. Col. Peterson, and the
Maine Naval Reserves, commanded by Lieut..
Commander R. k~Dyer.
President Taft lifted his hat and bowed
when his automobile came opposite the resi-
dence of Bishop Louis j. Walsh. Hundreds of
children of the Catholic schools filled the
grounds and waved tiny flags, while Bishop
Walsh and his clergy walked down to the
street to do honor to the President.
President was escorted to the reception room,
where Mayor Curtis welcomed him to Port
land in the presence of all the prominent cti-
zens. The mayor, who is a Democrat, said in
part:
1--WE bow inf allegiance to the President of
the United States and we accord equal honor to
William H. Taft. If there is any sentiment
the American people cherish, it is their re-
spect for the man when he is a man. and
congratulate you, President Taft, that you
hold such place in the hearts of your coun-
| trymen, as well as in the minds of the think
ing people of the whole world. We know you
as large-hearted able President, and honor
you accordingly"
President Taft was escorted to the auditor
ium at the City Hall, where the Maine Teach
! ers convention was in session, by Mayor Curtis
and was received blythe audience with applause
The auditorium was built to hold 2.70O people
and was crowded to the doors. President Lo-
renzo E. Moulton of the Maine Teachers As.
sociation introduced Mayor Curtis, who vel.
coined the teachers to Portland. Then Presi.
dent Taft was introduced and talked informal
ly. He said that he had learned the value Of
teaching in the Philippines when he was gov.
ernor general He told of the importation o.
efforts not only to instruct the Filipino chill
dren, but instruct thousands of Filipino mer
and women how to teach.
The President drew parallel between the
teachers and the government employees He
said that both should be taken care of aftel
they have spent the active years of theil
lives in the effort to serve.
What is to be done with the teachers who
devote their lives as instructors at low salar'
les, compared with the cost of living, and ther
reach the time when they must quit? We
must devise some scheme in order that there
may be justice to profession that regard a:
one of the highest and most important. We
should see to it that teachers be not throwI
out when they have passed their stage of use
fulness."
The President offered no solution of the
problem of retirement on pension for teach
ers, but said that he favored pension fol
government employees who are superannuatet
that would be contributed partly by the EN-
ployes and partly by the government.
Following the address of President Taft
Prof. Macfarlane played Evening Bells ane
Cradle Song" on the organ. Then, Will,
everybody stood, the immense gathering SAM
"America" President Taft himself Joined il
the great song.
At the conclusion of tie City hall exercises
escorted the President to the rooms of tn,
Portland club in the New Baxter building
Both sides of Congress street were black will
cheering people. Unfortunately, not all O.
the cluster lights were at the time, but tn,
street was brilliant with the glow from stor'
windows and the clusters that did shine.
At the New Baxter building occurred an in
cident that proved more than anything else
that President Taft is a among men, will
great big heart in his broad chest